1970 Dodge Charger Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The last model year of the short-lived second generation—which ran from 1968 to 1970—this car saw few changes compared with the 1969 Dodge Charger. Of note, a new chrome-surround bumper adds an inch to the car’s overall length, and Dodge decided to drop the center division from the grille. Additionally, 1970 saw the introduction of Dodge’s “high impact” paint options, including Plum Crazy and Panther Pink.

Backward-facing body scoops on the front doors show up on the R/T model. Bench seats were standard, with optional high-back buckets and a fold-down center console available on the 500 and R/T models. The ignition was moved to the steering column, and the gear shifter changed to a pistol grip. You had your choice of either bumblebee striping or a single longitudinal stripe.

Sold as a two-door hardtop coupe body style, rather than the sedan that would arrive in the 21st century, The 1970 Dodge Charger came in three versions—base, 500, and R/T. There is an optional SE (special edition) package that included leather seats, a wood-finished steering wheel, and an electric sunroof. While there were only a few trims, Dodge continued to offer the Charger with a wide range of engines—that's the way MOPAR operates, after all. The base model had a measly slant six with 145 horsepower, which was replaced later with a 318 cubic-inch V8, also found on the Dodge Charger 500, no longer a performance model. The 500 was also available with the 383 cubic-inch two- or four-barrel carb V8.

The big addition in the Dodge Charger R/T this year was the 440 Six Pack V8 engine. A whopping 7.2 liters in displacement, the Six Pack was available only during 1970 and delivered 390 bhp. This was an alternative to the four-barrel, 375-hp 440 Magnum V8. The famous 426 Hemi V8 engine also returned but was given hydraulic lifts. The NASCAR-legend Charger Daytona was produced only in 1969 and featured the 426 Hemi and 440 Magnum; it remains incredibly collectible fifty years later.

The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) 1970 Charger can be found with a three-speed or a four-speed manual transmission, or a three-speed automatic transmission. For 1970, Dodge also introduced the new pistol grip shifter design, which became a highly sought-after feature for vintage muscle car collectors.

Muscle cars from the 1960s and 1970s aren't exactly known for being high-tech. The Charger did offer a few interesting options, like hood-mounted turn-signal indicators on the SE trim, and headlights hidden into the recessed grille. The optional high-backed bucket seats helped with comfort, and that pistol grip shifter added a nice touch.

Popular options included an AM/FM radio, an 8-track player with three stereo speakers, air conditioning, and cruise control. For 1970, Dodge also introduced a steel sunroof.

In addition to the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, and in-house competitors like the Plymouth GTX and Barracuda, The Dodge Charger saw some new competition in 1970, thanks to the arrival of its stablemate, the Dodge Challenger.

Despite the Challenger’s arrival (and its eventual star turn in Richard Sarafian’s “Vanishing Point”), it's no surprise that owners and collectors still love the Charger for its high performance and speed, speed, and more speed. A true muscle car, the Charger’s only objective drawback is its gas mileage—to be expected when shopping for a 1970’s two-door V8. The crown jewel in the classic car collector world is the R/T SE with the 426 Hemi V8 engine option. That, of course, is because not many Hemis or 440 V8s were ever sold (less than 1% of all Dodge Chargers that year), meaning they remain exceedingly rare.