Spanning the years 1968 – 1970, the second-generation Dodge Charger carved its name in automotive history as one of the greatest American muscle cars ever created. An icon in the muscle car scene, the second-gen Charger was prominently featured in pop culture TV, and blockbuster films, such as the 1968 Charger rode hard in Bullitt, the 1969 Charger seen weekly in the Dukes of Hazzard, and the 1970 Charger driven by Vin Diesel in the Fast & Furious.
Dodge Charger
- New Chrome Loop Bumper
- New Rear Facing Door Scallops for the R/T
- New Badging for the R/T
- New Engine Option of 440 Six-Pack (three 2-Barrel Carbs)
- New Standout Paint Colors Introduced
- New Pistol Grip Shifter Option
- Model: 1970 Dodge Charger
- Engine:: 225 Six, 318 V-8, 383 V-8, 440 V-8, 426 V-8 Hemi
- Power Output: 145 - 425 HP
- Torque: 215 - 490 LB-FT
- Transmission: 3-Speed Automatic, 3-Speed Manual, 4-Speed Manual
- Driveline: Rear-Wheel Drive
- MSRP: $3,001 Base
- R/T Model Could Be Enhanced With a 426 Hemi V-8
- Optional Six-Pack (three 2-Barrel Carbs)
- Available Performance of 0 to 60 in 4.8 Seconds
- 500 Model Was Only a Nameplate for 1970
- Notorious for Leaking Windows
- Rust is Common on the Second-Gen B-Body
1970 Dodge Charger Performance And Capability
Built on the Chrysler B-Body platform, the 1970 Charger rolled out of production basically the same as the 1969 model with a lower base price that was possible due to some simplification of its aesthetic. The main characteristics of the ’70 Charger – the shape, the hidden headlights, the racing gas cap – remained unchanged.
In 1970, Dodge touted the ability to be a winner in its Charger by challenging consumers with the slogan, “If you ever finished first, you could be Dodge material.” They backed their boast up with a 426 CID Hemi V8 engine option that created 425 HP, underling its performance. A six-pack (a trio of two-barrel carburetors) was also available as a performance upgrade.
A more reserved or thrift-conscience Charger-buyer could find a base model with a 225 CID slant-six that developed 145 horsepower. The Charger base model and Charger 500 had eight sub-models, and the R/T had 12.
Top speeds for the base Charger and 500 ranged from 101 to 133 MPH, while the zero to 60 MPH times stretched from 6.3 to 14.2, with the 383 V-8, four-barrel 3-speed manual version with the quickest time. Top speeds for the R/T ranged from 104 to 145 MPH, while the zero to 60 MPH clocked in from 4.8 to 6.1 seconds, with the 426 V-8 Hemi, 425 HP 4-speed Super Track Pak Manual version with the quickest time.
1970 Dodge Charger Base and 500 | ||
|---|---|---|
Engine Options | Power Output | Transmission Options |
225 Six-Cylinder | 145 HP | 3-Speed Manual |
225 Six-Cylinder | 145 HP | TorqueFlite 3-Speed Automatic |
318 V-8 | 230 HP | 3-Speed Manual |
318 V-8 | 230 HP | TorqueFlite 3-Speed Automatic |
383 V-8 Two-Barrel | 330 HP | TorqueFlite 3-Speed Automatic |
383 V-8 Four-Barrel | 330 HP | 3-Speed Manual |
383 V-8 Four-Barrel | 330 HP | 4-Speed Manual |
383 V-8 Four-Barrel | 330 HP | TorqueFlite 3-Speed Automatic |
1970 Dodge Charger R/T | ||
|---|---|---|
Engine Options | Power Output | Transmission Options |
426 V-8 Hemi | 425 HP | 4-Speed Manual |
426 V-8 Hemi | 425 HP | 4-Speed Super Track Pak Manual |
426 V-8 Hemi | 425 HP | TorqueFlite 3-Speed Automatic |
426 V-8 Hemi | 425 HP | 3-Speed Automatic Super Performance Axle Package |
440 V-8 Magnum | 375 HP | 4-Speed Manual |
440 V-8 Magnum | 375 HP | 4-Speed Super Track Pak Manual |
440 V-8 Magnum | 375 HP | TorqueFlite 3-Speed Automatic |
440 V-8 Magnum | 375 HP | 3-Speed Automatic Super Performance Axle Package |
440 V-8 Six-Pack | 390 HP | 4-Speed Manual |
440 V-8 Six-Pack | 390 HP | 4-Speed Super Track Pak Manual |
440 V-8 Six-Pack | 390 HP | TorqueFlite 3-Speed Automatic |
440 V-8 Six-Pack | 390 HP | 3-Speed Automatic Super Performance Axle Package |
Exterior Design
The 1970 Dodge Charger was advertised as everything from a “sensational car your mother warned you about” to the family-sized sports car. Dodge threw out descriptors such as the “Clean Machine,” the “Supercar,” and the “Magnificent Brute.”
The Charger was a two-door, hard-top coupe with a massive front end and continental-style bumper. It was available in a variety of exterior colors, including Panther Pink. Considered one of Mopar’s wildest colors, the bright pink rolled out in 1970 under the paint code FM3. It was a short-lived offering and was removed from production the same year.
Standard Colors
- Light Green Metallic FF4
- Dark Green Metallic EF8
- Dark Burnt Orange Metallic FK5
- Beige BL1
- Dark Tan Metallic FT6
- White EW1
- Black TX9
- Cream DY3
- Light Gold Metallic FY4
- Bright Red FE5
- Dark Blue Metallic EB7
- Bright Blue Metallic EB5
- Light Blue Metallic EB3
Optional Colors, Added Cost
- Plum Crazy FC7
- Sublime FJ5
- Go-Mango EK2
- Hemi Orange EV2
- Banana FY1
- Panther Pink FM3
Interior
The announced decreased price for the base model 1970 Charger came with edits to the previous interior. While still available as an upcharge, the bucket seats were eliminated and replaced with an all-vinyl front bench seat. Dodge promoted this seat switch as a positive. “Don’t think of it as losing buckets; you’re gaining an extra passenger,” they offered.
Interior seats and deep-pile carpeting were offered in several colors:
- Blue
- Green
- Tan
- Charcoal black
- Burnt orange
- Black and white
Other noticeable changes on the reduced-price Charger were the missing door pockets, simpler window molding garnish, and the electric clock, which was available as an option. The Charger 500 and R/T still came with buckets and could be ordered in all-vinyl or a cloth/vinyl combo without added charge. A fold-down center elbow rest was available as an option. The 500 retained the electric clock as a standard feature, and the R/T was embellished with a simulated walnut instrument panel.
A Special Edition (S/E) package was available for both the 500 and R/T. The upgrade included genuine leather seat facings in blue, green, tan, or charcoal black. Other interior features for the S/E trim package included a simulated walnut steering wheel, pedal dress-up kit, deep dish wheel covers, and the door pockets removed from the Charger base model. The elbow rest could be exchanged for a center console. Dodge debuted the unique pistol grip shifter in 1970 models, and it became an option in the Charger.
1970 Dodge Charger Price
Retail pricing for the 1970 Dodge Charger base model was reduced from the 1969 MSRP. The price range between the three 1970 Charger models and their standard options increased expenses by less than 30 percent.
The price drop on the 1970 Charger put the base model at $3,001. The Charger 500 and Charger R/T were the two other available versions. Production of the 1970 Charger reached 49,800 total units. Chargers with a V-8 accounted for 49,500 vehicles, leaving only 300 ordered with six cylinders.
- Charger Base All Standard $3,001
- Charger 500 All Standard $3,246
- Charger R/T 440 Six-Pack $3,711
Hot rod enthusiasts looking to park a 1970 Charger in their garage can expect a cost that varies with the vehicle’s condition. A second-generation Dodge Charger can be had for as little as a few thousand dollars or as high as the astounding $1.3 million, paid for a 1969 model at auction in May 2022. There are several things to watch out for before getting into a classic Charger and Hagerty reports $28,800 for a good condition model, while their most recent reported sale was for $62,000. Check out the current market for the 1970 Dodge Charger here.
FAQ
Q: What is the 1970 Dodge Charger worth today?
The cost of a 1970 Dodge Charger today varies greatly depending on the condition of the vehicle. The low range can be as little as a few thousand dollars and restored models can exceed $100,000.
Q: What year is Vin Diesel's Dodge Charger in the Fast & The Furious?
Vin Diesel, known as Dominic Toretto, in the Fast & Furious franchise drives a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T.
Q: Are 1970 Dodge Chargers rare?
There were 49,500 Dodge Chargers produced in 1970. Model variations and options set each vehicle apart and increase its rarity. For instance, a 1970 Charger R/T with a 440 Six-Pack V-8 in Panther Pink brought in $185,000 under hammer in a Mecum Auction in 2020. It was one of two known to be built.