When you start a classic car project, there are two paths you can take: restoration or restomod. The former brings the vehicle back to its factory-fresh condition using original-style restoration parts, while the latter aims to modernize aspects of the car to make it faster, more agile, and more comfortable. We've often heard discussions about the pros and cons of each approach, but this video from YouTube channel RestoMods offers a quick head-to-head comparison between two comparable 1970 Dodge Chargers. Each is set up with a 426ci Hemi V8, manual transmission, bucket seats, and the sleek, muscular appearance Mopar fans know and love.
The '70 Charger Restoration Project
First, the RestoMods crew talks us through their recently completed 1970 Charger RT/SE. It features black paint, black vinyl roof, and black interior upholstery, as well as new original-style lighting, emblems, and trim throughout. It rides on classic Magnum 500 wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires.
While the car is mostly rebuilt to original specs, they note that it came from the factory with a 440ci Magnum V8 but has been swapped to a 426ci Hemi. Since a numbers-matching Hemi Charger would've cost far more than a 440ci car, this is a cost-effective way to add more power while keeping the car in a configuration that was available back in 1970.
The interior features plush bucket seats, an original-style steering wheel, and woodgrain dash with the classic Rallye tachometer/clock. The RestoMods team notes on the first test drive that these gauges aren't working yet, but that's an issue that can be corrected later with a little simple troubleshooting.
The '70 Charger Gen 3 Hemi Restomod
Next, there's the second 1970 Charger, which has been built from the ground up using as many new components as possible. Its body panels feature Viper Red paint, and all new chrome accents, trim, and glass have been installed. The Charger rides on a full QA1 suspension with Wilwood big brakes, American Racing Groove wheels, and sticky Falken RT660 tires.
Modern conveniences such as LED lights, Dakota Digital Gauges, Vintage Air A/C, a Bluetooth stereo, and a Billet Specialties steering wheel on a Flaming River tilt column make this Charger feel much more like a brand new car. Sparco GT bucket seats also offer more bolstering to keep the driver and passenger planted around corners.
Under the hood, there's a Hemi, but not the kind you might've expected. This is a BluePrint Engines 426ci Gen 3 Hemi equipped with Holley EFI and Magnaflow stainless exhaust. It's also paired with a modern Tremec TKX 5-speed manual transmission.
The Showdown Results
Both of these Chargers look great and are clearly a lot of fun to drive, but they're also clearly different in many key areas. As explained by the RestoMods team, the red restomodded car feels like a "scalpel" while the black restored car seems like a "cleaver" or maybe a "sledgehammer." With all the new tech and mechanical precision, there's no surprise the restomod is more of a track-ready driver's car, but the old-school muscle of the restoration build is truly timeless and makes it a fantastic highway cruiser.
Check out the full video below to see and hear both cars in action, and to learn more about the red car, which is part of a sweepstakes that's going on now:
Looking for Classic Mopar Car Parts?
If you own a classic A-Body, B-Body, or E-Body Mopar car, Classic Industries has the restoration parts and accessories you need to restore or restomod it. We offer everything from body panels and trim up to crate engines, suspension kits, big brakes, and more. Click the button below to get a free full-color Mopar restoration parts catalog:
