> ‘MY JAW DROPPED’
The car: 1970 Dodge Challenger
The owner: Al Federici, Toronto The story: I have had two fun cars in my life: a 1978 Lancia Beta coupe, and this 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T that I am never going to part with.
When I first started looking into purchasing a classic car, I didn’t know much about Dodge or Plymouth. I stumbled across an old ad for a Challenger and the design caught my eye. It was different, and I have never seen another one on the road.
It took a couple of years of research and some convincing of my wonderful and supportive wife before the search for some kind of classic began. My main argument was that I have four children — ages 26, 23, 7 and 5 years old. So I figure it is self-explanatory as to why I deserve to spoil myself with a car.
One day my father-in-law said he had a friend in the used car business who had a “Charger or Challenger,” and couldn’t remember the year. We made an appointment to go see this car in August 2014. I walked into the warehouse and my jaw dropped. I whispered to my father-in-law, “This is the car I’ve been looking for.”
You see it here: a gorgeous blue 1970 Challenger R/T with a 383
Magnum engine (big block). Apparently the friend bought the car eight years ago and didn’t quite get the price he wanted when he brought it to auction. He ended up keeping the fully restored Dodge for eight years, in his warehouse, until I came along.
I learned that the car was restored to original factory specs as per the fender tag, with the exception of the exterior paint. It’s off-shade, but only a tiny bit. It also has the original numbers-matching transmission.
It required minor work such as rebuilding the carburetor, replacing the wires, plugs, battery etc. I later added headers and ran straight pipes; it sounds great!
It truly is a piece of automotive history. The car now only needs to be maintained, driven and enjoyed. I am aware that a build sheet and service manual exist for this car, but I don’t have them. If anyone knows their whereabouts, they can contact me at 4federals@gmail.com. Show us your candy: Got a cool custom or vintage car? Send us pictures of you and your family with your beauty, and tell us your story. The more photos the better — of the interior, trim, wheels, emblems, what you admire. Email wheels@thestar.ca and be sure to use “Eye Candy” in the subject line.