My 70 Challenger 440 SE

[loche451]

Always wanted a Challenger, since high school in the early 90s. Finally got one. Delivered Jan of 2021. It has been parked for several years and I am currently getting her road worthy and set up. The first pics are of it being delivered.

[loche451]

Here I am reattaching the drivers door to prevent sag. It would not really open or close. I installed completely new hinges. Then I did a new front valance and painted the primer fender and did some basic quickie body work.

[loche451]

Redid the seats with some fresh Leather. I rebuilt the seat foam myself where I could. Pictures are of the rear bench getting a new cover before and after. I had to keep the original upper rear leather stamped with the 1969 manufacturers date for posterity.  Also a picture of the New front seats finished.

[loche451]

Cleaned the engine bay. Now this was an original 318 SE car and made into a 440 RT clone some 15 years ago. The 440 does have a fairly big cam. it has a 1407 Edlebrock right now. Runs really rich...even at my 4k altitude. I drilled out the primary throttle plates at 7/32s which worked good enough during the colder season. Still rich though and only pulls about 8 lbs vacuum at idle. I am rejetting for leaner primaries and will see how that holds up in the warmer AZ summer. Also getting ready to put in a Vintage Air aftermarket AC.

[Chryco Psycho]

Awesome find !!
Welcome to the site 

[headejm]

Nice car and great job repairing the rear seat! You might consider painting the air cleaner black. Use VHT wrinkle black or some people powder coat in a wrinkle finish. Keep sharing photos! 

[Dakota]

Nice progress!   You're jumping right into it.   

[Cuda Cody]

Sweet project!  You're making great progress.   

[JS29]

Dose the car still have small rear window? I see it no longer has a vinyl top.   

[loche451]

Yeah- I noticed the rear window too- ran the fender tag... this one had a white vinyl top and red stripe from factory paired with the EW1 paint, so white on white. It did have a full size rear window as an SE- which I kinda prefer actually. It is a partially optioned 318/auto SE car- has the overhead console (which I just got working) and the extra light package (all works), leather seats, SE trim, no factory A/C.   PO put in rallye dash and 440 and a few emblems.

According to the PO- he bought in 1995 (and left me the receipt) after it had a 90s resto.

As I went through the interior- looks like front seats were recovered and possibly new carpet back then. I didnt find build sheet but didnt pull the carpet. Under Dash is a little dodgey, but none of the common problems so she still has the original harness inside and in the engine compartment.

Surprisingly VERY little rust, only normal spots...trunk and rear quarters.

She is in the body shop now getting those fixed. I'm redoing all the Stainless trim by hand...she should be more or less finished by end of April.

and now I have that last little piece of SE trim!

[JS29]

An S/E would have the small back window, And you said you have the overhead console. It would be interesting to see how they trimmed out the back glass inside the car. dose it still have the hardboard headliner?  The small window set's in a fiberglass plug and screws into the opining.   

[jimynick]

Welcome to the site from Ontario,  and congrats on your score! The car looks good for what it is and I'm interested in if you're able to solve the SE mystery. 

[1 Wild R/T]

SE is no mystery, 3rd & 4th digits of the VIN should be 29.... So JH29G0XXXXXXX

If you remove the rear window plug a standard rear window fits... And the vision out the rear will be greatly improved...  The hardboard headliner car be captured by the standard interior window trim just like Plymouth did with the Gran Coupe...

[CudaMoparRay]

  from Riverside, California

[loche451]

Yes- It is a bit strange. It does have the hardboard original headliner and fabric and overhead console. The console does have a bit of sag near the front...but I have 'a plan' to remedy that.

I will send some detailed pictures when she is back from the body work . Maybe a salty old MOPAR specialist has an idea. Here is the fender tag options report

Y05 EN2
G33 L31 N21 W31 R11 V7R
V1W A01 A04 C16 C26 C55
EW1 HRX9 000 904 024850
E44 D31 JH29 G0B 115121



E44 - 318 V8 Single 2 Barrel Carburetor (8 Cylinder) 230 Horse Power
D31 - 3 Speed Automatic Transmission (A904)
J - Dodge Challenger
H - High Price Class
29 - 2 Door Sports Hardtop
G - 318 V8 Single 2 Barrel Carburetor (8 Cylinder)
0 - 1970 Model Year (F-Series)
B - Hamtramck, MI
115121 - Sequential Number
EW1 - "White" in Dodge" / "Alpine White" in Plymouth
H - High Trim Grade
R - Leather Bucket Seats
X9 - Black (if H5/P5, cloth insert is Black & White)
000 - Full Door Panel
904 - Scheduled to be built September 1969 on the 04 day
024850 - Vehicle Order Number (VON)
V1W - Full Vinyl Roof White
A01 - Light Package = Ashtray Light, Glove Box Light, Trunk Light, Ignition Light w/ Time Delay, Map & Courtesy
Light, Instrument Panel Flood Lamp w/ Time Delay, Headlight- On Warning Buzzer, Fender
Mounted Turn Signal Indicators (Fender Turn Signals not included w/ RT or 340 Challengers)
A04 - Basic Group = CHALLENGER is Power Steering, Left Remote Control Mirror, Music Master Radio (any), 3 Speed
Variable Wipers w/ Electric Washer and Deluxe Wheel Cover (expect 15" tires). BARRACUDA
is Power Steering, Left Remote Control Mirror Outside Chome, 3 Speed Variable Wipers w/
Electric Washer, Soild State AM Radio (or other Radio may be ordered)
C16 - Console w/ Woodgrain (and Seat Belt holder in the back of the console)
C26 - Overhead Consolette w/ Door Ajar light & Buzzer, Low Fuel light,
C55 - Bucket Seats
G33 - Chrome Driver Side Racing Mirror (Left) Remote Adjusting
L31 - Turn Signal Light Hood / Fender
N21 - Unknown
W31 - Unknown
R11 - 2 Watt AM Radio (Music Master)
V7R - Red Longitudinal Accent Stripes (Painted)
Y05 - Build for USA Order
EN2 - End of Sales Codes on Fender Tag (Vehicle Assembled on production line #2)