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.

Especially the second-generation Dodge Charger is one of the crown jewels of the Mopar world, with the ’68–’70 models commanding center stage at every car show and auction block. Whether you’re working on an early ’66–’67 “Coke bottle” fastback, a winged Daytona, or a smog-era ’74 R/T, restoration blunders can tank both the car’s value and its drivability. Below are the ten most common mistakes restorers make when reviving a classic Charger.

R/T--two letters that will instantly put a smile on the face of any classic Mopar enthusiast. Representing "Road/Track", the R/T package bridged the gap between an ordinary street car and a hardcore track machine. In the case of the 1970 Charger seen here, the R/T badges mean it came standard with a 440ci Magnum V8 that produced 375hp and a whopping 480lb-ft of torque. The R/T model also included heavy-duty suspension components, simulated scoops on the doors, sleek one-piece tail lamp trim, and a longitudinal rear "bumblebee" stripe. In 1970, the Charger R/T replaced the Charger 500 at the top of the model's three-level performance hierarchy (aside from the race-ready Daytona model).