The Epic Journey of a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Magnum Restored by Graveyard Carz

Welcome back to Shocknaue Entertainment News and our look into the world of classic car restoration, a fascinating blend of history, engineering, and pure automotive entertainment. This piece dives into the remarkable story of a particular Dodge Challenger 1970 Rt 440 Magnum and its eventual resurrection by the renowned team at Graveyard Carz. As shared by the show’s own Mark Worman, this isn’t just about rebuilding a car; it’s a narrative spanning decades, involving passion, tough decisions, and ultimately, showcasing expert craftsmanship to bring a legendary piece of Mopar history back to life.

The story begins in 1987, when a timely phone call led Mark to a promising advertisement in a local paper for a 1970 Challenger R/T in Philomath, Oregon. The ad tantalizingly described a “440 Magnum with a Pistol Grip 4 speed,” noting only that it “doesn’t run” and listing the price at $2,600. Intrigued, Mark quickly arranged to see the car the very next day. The short drive from Springfield felt long with anticipation.

Upon arrival, the Challenger was found sitting next to an old farmhouse. The owner explained he acquired the car from a friend who couldn’t pay a repair bill. Despite the car’s non-running state, Mark noted its promising condition – very nice with no visible rust. While the engine appeared original, the heads had been painted blue instead of the factory Hemi Orange. The interior showed some wear, with missing trim and console, and areas like the trunk floor and battery box needing attention. A careful check with a flashlight and carb cleaner confirmed the numbers on the engine and transmission matched the VIN – it was a numbers-matching car, a critical detail for classic car value and authenticity. The car’s solid foundation, despite its flaws, made it a compelling project. Considering adding a classic Mopar to your collection? Exploring options for cheap dodge muscle cars can reveal hidden gems like this one might have seemed initially.

Negotiations led to a final price of $2,200, exactly the amount Mark had on him. The following weekend, he returned with a truck and trailer to bring the car back to his shop, Welby’s Car Care. A simple replacement of the fuel and battery brought the 440 Magnum roaring back to life. It ran incredibly strong. However, the tires were shot, and funds were tight. The Challenger went into storage in his garage, a space that would later house his famous low-mileage Superbird.

Life threw a curveball. Business wasn’t thriving, and each month brought financial struggles. Paying rent, utilities, and costly phone book ads (the primary advertising method back then) was a constant battle. Facing the tough reality of potentially closing his shop doors, Mark made the difficult decision to sell the Challenger.

He found a local car flipper named Wayde who was willing to pay cash. Wayde brought a friend, Paul, with him to view the car. After a test drive, Wayde offered $4,500, which Mark accepted. Wayde famously paid in Ziploc bags filled with cash. The twist came immediately after the title changed hands: Wayde turned to his friend Paul and offered him the car for $5,500. Paul readily agreed, pulling out his own wad of cash. In just two hours, Wayde had made a risk-free $1,000 profit – a savvy flip that Mark admired, having bought and sold many cars himself but never with such a quick, profitable turnaround. Paul was thrilled with the purchase, especially as he was on a hot streak, having recently profited significantly from selling an exceptionally rare, low-mileage 1970 Hemi Challenger R/T in Plum Crazy – a truly once-in-a-lifetime find that helped him pay off his house. While Paul hoped for a similar windfall with the 440 Magnum, as Mark notes, a 440 (U code) doesn’t command the same price as a Hemi (R code), reflecting the vast difference in market value between these muscle car icons. Comparing different models, like the dodge coronet rt, also highlights the hierarchy within the Mopar performance lineup of that era.

For the next seven years, the numbers-matching Challenger remained in Paul’s garage, waiting for the right buyer. Paul eventually lowered his asking price to $7,500, still a significant investment at the time. The buyer turned out to be Daren, known as “Chips” from the early seasons of Graveyard Carz. While Chips liked the car, he never embarked on a full restoration. He had the engine rebuilt with an aggressive camshaft that unfortunately caused valve-to-piston contact, the front suspension powder-coated, and Mark painted the car’s underside. These were the extent of his efforts. The classic Mopar era produced many distinct models; recalling the 1968 dodge coronet reminds us of the diverse body styles and performance packages available before the Challenger’s introduction.

Fast-forward to October 2014. Daren was no longer part of the show, and he decided to sell the Challenger. Mark found a buyer not only eager to own the car but also committed to having Graveyard Carz undertake the full restoration. Over approximately 24 months, the team meticulously restored this rare gem – one of only 916 Dodge Challenger R/T models produced in 1970 with a 440 Magnum and a four-speed manual transmission. The restoration was featured multiple times throughout the Graveyard Carz series, resulting in one of the most stunning vehicles they had ever completed. Finally, this unique car received the attention and expert treatment it deserved. The lineage of high-performance Dodge vehicles from this period is impressive, including iconic models like the 1960 super bee, showcasing Dodge’s commitment to muscle car prowess.

The rarity and desirability of this specific Challenger stem from its combination of options and colors. It was painted in the highly popular FC7 Plum Crazy, paired with a V1X black vinyl top and V6W white longitudinal stripes over a black leather interior – a truly beautiful and striking combination. Mark notes that prior to very recently, this was the only Challenger he had encountered with this exact color and stripe package. The year 1970 was particularly noteworthy for high-impact colors and performance variants across the lineup, making 1970 dodge muscle cars highly sought after by collectors today.

Interestingly, Mark recently received another 1970 Challenger R/T with the rare FC7, V1X, and V6W combination, but this one is a “V” code – a 440 Six Pack with a four-speed. Being one of only 847 such cars ever made, this new arrival, featured in Season 10 of Graveyard Carz, might be the only one built with this precise configuration. This unexpected appearance of a second, similarly equipped (though mechanically distinct) rare Challenger highlights the continued discovery of lost Mopar treasures.

The restoration process for Chips’ former Challenger involved extensive work. The trunk floor was replaced, damage near the left tail light was repaired, and the left front apron was replaced, along with various patch panels at the bottom of the quarters. Crucially, all replaced sheet metal was original Dodge stock, including the correct “non-crush zone” hood. The original seats, including the rare 6-way adjustable driver’s seat, were restored using Legendary soft trim from Classic Industries, who also supplied other replacement OER parts. The numbers-matching Hemi four-speed transmission (likely meant the 440 four-speed in context, as it’s a U code car, not an R code Hemi as noted earlier by Mark himself – perhaps a typo in the original text) was rebuilt by Jamie at Passon Performance. The original Dana 60 rear axle (with a 3.54 ratio) required only new seals and brakes. Instrument Specialties restored the original dash assembly to factory standards. The stunning FC7 Plum Crazy finish was achieved using PPG DBC 2210 Base Coat and DCC 2002 Polyurethane Clear Coat. 3M products were exclusively used in the body shop, contributing to the glowing finished product. Special thanks were given to Tony’s Mopar Parts for replica “A” pillar trim and date-coded reproduction clutch fan and blade. Finally, the perfectly restored Dodge Challenger 1970 Rt 440 Magnum was safely transported home to New Jersey by Reliable Carriers, concluding the story of this particular “U code” legend.

This restoration serves as a prime example of the dedication and expertise required to preserve these automotive icons. The journey of this dodge challenger 1970 rt 440 magnum, from a non-running barn find to a beautifully restored showpiece featured on Graveyard Carz, encapsulates the passion of the classic car world and the entertainment it provides. The team’s work ensures that such incredible machines continue to inspire enthusiasts and stand as testaments to a powerful era in automotive history.

Witnessing these transformations on Graveyard Carz brings the excitement of classic car revival into our homes, showcasing not just the mechanical process but the personal stories and historical significance behind each vehicle. As Mark Worman often says, “Always reach just beyond your grasp,” a fitting mantra for tackling ambitious restoration projects like this one. The legend of this U code 1970 Challenger R/T lives on, a shining example of Mopar muscle reborn.