The Dodge Charger models of 1966–1974 are some of the most iconic muscle cars ever to roll out of Detroit. Whether you’re drooling over the Coke-bottle curves of a ’68 R/T, the hidden headlights of a ’70 SE, or the long and low profile of a ’74, the Charger oozes character. But when it comes to bringing one back to life, the age-old debate pops up: do you restore it to bone-stock glory, or do you go the restomod route and blend old-school attitude with modern tech? Let’s break it down, muscle car enthusiast style.
Video: 1970 Dodge Charger Tantrum - Jay Leno's Garage
Full Restoration: Pure Detroit Time Capsule
- Factory XS29 1968 Dodge Charger R/T
- L-Code 440/375 HP high performance big block V-8 engine
- 4-speed manual transmission
- Sure Grip rear end
- Finished in Red paint with Black vinyl top
- Rare White Deluxe interior
- Bucket seats with console
- Power steering
- Power brakes
- Hurst Pistol Grip shifter
- Dual exhaust system
- 5-spoke styled road wheels
- Rallye gauges with 150 MPH speedometer
- Built in Hamtramck, Michigan
Above and two below:
- 1 of 207 4-speed Hemi Charger R/Ts produced in 1969
- Rotisserie restoration
- Date code correct 426 Hemi engine
- Dual 4-barrel carburetors
- Hemispherical cylinder heads
- Dual exhaust
- Original 4-speed transmission
- 3.54 Dana Positraction rear end
- Power brakes with front discs
- B5 Blue with matching interior
- White tail stripe and vinyl top
- AM radio with 8-track player
- Tinted glass
- Rear window defogger
- New chrome Styled Road wheels
- F-70-14 Redline bias ply tires
- Correct spare, jack and mat
The Pros
- Collector’s Gold – A numbers-matching, factory-correct ’69 Charger 440 Six Pack or a HEMI car restored to showroom spec is basically a blue-chip investment. Purists and auction houses drool over original parts, correct paint codes, and NOS trim pieces. If you’re chasing Mecum Auctions money, restoration is your ticket.
- Historic Vibes – There’s something badass about firing up a big-block that’s carb-fed and running points ignition, just like it did in the golden era. The raw smell of unburned fuel, the mechanical whir, and even the quirks make it feel like time travel.
- Street Cred with Purists – At car shows, the restoration crowd respects a factory-spec Charger like monks respect holy relics. Pull up with a legit Plum Crazy ’70 R/T with the right vinyl top and Rallye wheels, and you’re the hero of the Mopar faithful.
Video: 1969 Charger R/T Special Edition - Graveyard Carz
The Cons
- Price of Authenticity – Finding period-correct parts (think original fender tag goodies or a date-coded 727 Torqueflite) can drain your wallet faster than a 440 drains a fuel tank.
- Driving Limitations – Drum brakes, vague steering, bias-ply tires, and no A/C (or a factory system that barely chills) make daily cruising a chore compared to modern cars.
- You’re Locked In – Once restored, you’re basically a curator of Mopar history. Swapping in coilovers or fuel injection? That’s sacrilege in the restoration world.
Restomod: The Best of Both Worlds?
Above and several below:
- 2 1/2 year build
- Original body
- Viper V-10 engine
- Moser 9 inch rear with 4.57 gears
- Air conditioning
- Custom interior
- Four bucket seats
- RMS custom suspension
- Coilover and 4-link rear
- Custom stereo
- Mini tubbed
- 18 inch custom wheels
- Custom gauges
- Exhaust cut outs
- Custom stainless steel exhaust
- Electric door poppers
- Power steering and windows
- Wilwood disc brakes
- 6 piston front and 4 piston rear
- Custom dash
- Custom Be Cool radiator
- Tilton Race brakes
- Ceramic coated headers
The Pros
- Modern Performance – Drop in a Gen III HEMI, add EFI, coilover suspension, disc brakes on all four corners, and suddenly your ’68 Charger can out-handle, out-brake, and out-run 90% of what’s on the street today. You get the looks of classic muscle with the drivability of a new Challenger Hellcat.
- Comfort & Usability – Modern A/C, Bluetooth stereos, LED headlights, and plush interiors mean you can actually daily a restomod without sweating bullets in traffic.
- Creative Freedom – Restomods let you play. Want a custom stance with 18" Magnum 500–style wheels? Go for it. Prefer Pro-Touring vibes with widebody fenders and a matte finish? The canvas is yours.
The Cons
- Originality Takes a Hit – Hardcore Mopar collectors may see your restomod as “ruined” history, especially if you cut into a rare Charger 500 or Daytona.
- High Costs Still Apply – Quality restomods are not budget builds. Between chassis upgrades, custom fabrication, and drivetrain swaps, costs can rival or exceed a concours-level restoration.
- Resale Gamble – While restomods are hot right now, tastes change. A nut-and-bolt restoration will always have a traditional market. Restomod values can be more unpredictable.
Which Route Makes Sense?
It all comes down to your goals:
- For Investment & Legacy – Restore it. If you’ve got a numbers-matching 426 HEMI Charger, keeping it stock is almost always the smarter long game.
- For Driving & Personal Expression – Restomod it. If your Charger is a base-model 318 car or missing its original drivetrain, it’s the perfect blank canvas to build your dream Mopar without guilt.
At the end of the day, whether you’re wrenching toward OE perfection or engineering a pro-touring beast, you’re still giving new life to one of the most legendary muscle cars ever built. And that, my fellow gearhead, is the real win.
Classic Industries & The Mighty Dodge Charger - A Mopar Masterpiece
In case you're new to the Mopar muscle car hobby, you may not be aware that Classic Industries is a major provider of Mopar Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth restoration, performance parts, and accessories for 1960-76 Mopars, in addition to also providing components for Dodge trucks. Mopar enthusiasts are able to shop for components on the Classic Industries' website by Mopar vehicle. Dodge, Plymouth, and Chrysler owners can also request that an enormous Mopar Parts and Accessories catalog be mailed to your door. Whether you enjoy shopping for parts, wrenching on your muscle machine, showing, or going fast in your Mopar, Classic Industries can supply the parts that you need to keep your pride and joy running strong and looking great.
Above: 1970 Dodge Charger R/T (all photos courtesy of Mecum Auctions)
- Factory V-code car, 1 of 684 produced in 1970
- 440/390 HP Six Pack engine
- Factory pistol grip 4-speed transmission, 1 of 347 produced
- Factory A34 Super Track Pak, 1 of 159 produced
- Dana 60 Sure Grip rear end with 4.10 gears
- Odometer reads 45,521 miles
- Finished in original color of High Impact EV2 Hemi Orange with V1X Black vinyl top and V8W White Bumblebee stripe with White and Black interior
- No expense spared rotisserie restoration
- Many NOS parts used
- Highly detailed body-color undercarriage
- Finished trunk with spare and original jack
- Radiator support and trunk lip hidden VINs are present and match
- Original interior preserved and retained
- Very rare J81 rear spoiler, only 197 1970 Charger R/Ts total were equipped with this option
- Rare V24 Paint Performance hood with 440 callouts and J45 hood pins
- Original fender tag
- Original dash VIN
- Original Mylar door vin sticker with production date of December 1969
