The Dodge Charger

Few cars in the pantheon of American muscle carry the same visceral weight as the 1968–1970 Dodge Charger. Born from a desperate need to reinvent Dodge’s lackluster mid-60s fastback, the second-generation Charger was a radical departure that traded experimental aerodynamics for raw, menacing attitude. Designer Richard Sias and his team ditched the "slabsided" look of previous years in favor of a "double-diamond" Coke-bottle profile, featuring deep-recessed grilles with hidden headlights and a "flying buttress" rear window that made the car look like it was moving at 100 mph while sitting still.

It was a masterstroke of automotive styling that resonated instantly; while Dodge conservatively hoped to sell 35,000 units in 1968, they were floored when over 96,000 rolled off the lots. This three-year run didn't just save the nameplate; it gave birth to a cultural icon that would outrun Steve McQueen in Bullitt, jump over Hazzard County creek beds, and define the intimidating "bad guy" aesthetic for decades. Today, these cars are the ultimate blank canvas for restomodders precisely because their factory design was so close to perfection, leaving only the outdated chassis and temperamental carburetors to be swapped for the high-tech precision of the 21st century.

The 1968–1970 Dodge Charger isn’t just a car; it’s a cultural monolith. Often cited as the pinnacle of muscle car design, the "second-gen" Charger combined a sinister, "electric shaver" grille with a graceful, Coke-bottle silhouette that has never been matched.

Building an "ultimate" Charger restomod today requires a delicate balance: honoring a design that many consider perfect while fixing a chassis that was, by modern standards, dangerously unrefined.

1. A Brief History: From GT Cruiser to Street King

To understand why the 1968–1970 models are so revered, you have to look at where they came from.

• The 1966–1967 Failure: The first Charger was a fastback intended to be a luxury-oriented "gentleman's express." It was heavy, shared too much DNA with the Dodge Coronet, and sold poorly.

• The 1968 Revolution: Designer Richard Sias led a radical redesign. He introduced the "double-diamond" Coke-bottle shape, a styling cue where the fenders bulge over the wheels and pinch at the waist. It was a massive hit; Dodge predicted sales of 35,000 units but ended up building over 96,000.

• Pop Culture Immortality: The Charger’s legend was cemented by Hollywood.

• 1968: A black Charger R/T played the villain in the Bullitt chase, outrunning Steve McQueen’s Mustang.

• 1969: The orange "General Lee" from The Dukes of Hazzard made the split-grille '69 the most recognizable car in the world.

• 1970: Dominic Toretto’s blown black Charger in The Fast and the Furious introduced a new generation to Mopar muscle.

2. Design Evolution: 1968 vs. 1969 vs. 1970

While the platform (the Chrysler B-Body) remained consistent, each year has specific details that restomodders use to define their build's "attitude."

3. Powertrain: The Move to Modern Hemi Power

The original big blocks (383, 440, and the legendary 426 Hemi) were powerful but heavy and temperamental. The "Ultimate" restomod almost always looks to the modern Gen III Hemi.

• The "Hellcrate" Standard: A 6.2L Supercharged Hellcat engine producing 707–807 hp is the go-to. It offers turnkey reliability and more power than a vintage race car.

• The Transmission Leap: * Automatic: The 8HP90 8-speed is the favorite. It shifts in milliseconds and has multiple overdrives for highway cruising.

• Manual: The TREMEC T-56 Magnum 6-speed is the only realistic choice for those who want to row their own gears in a 700+ hp car.

4. Chassis & Handling: Correcting the "Boat" Feel

Factory Chargers were built with torsion bar front suspension and leaf spring rears. This made them comfortable on highways but prone to "floating" and extreme body roll in corners.

• Modern Subframes: The ultimate build scraps the factory K-member for a tubular front end (from builders like Gerst or QA1). This adds power rack-and-pinion steering and coilovers.

• The 4-Link Rear: Swapping leaf springs for a 4-link rear suspension is mandatory for high-horsepower builds. It stops the axle from "wrapping" and allows the car to put all 700+ horses to the ground without tire hop.

• Structural Bracing: Because the Charger is a unibody car, the frame can actually twist under high torque. Subframe connectors and torque boxes are invisible but essential upgrades.

5. The Interior: Retro-Tech

The original Charger dash was beautiful but made of thin plastic and wood-grain stickers.

• Digital Analog: Most top-tier builds use Dakota Digital gauges. They fit in the factory holes and look like 1960s hardware but use modern digital sensors.

• Modern Comfort: "Vintage Air" A/C systems allow you to remove the giant factory heater box under the dash, giving the passenger more legroom while providing modern climate control.

• Seating: Swapping the original "flat" seats for modern buckets with lateral bolsters ensures you don't slide across the cabin when you finally take a corner at speed.

6. Summary: The Recipe for Greatness

The "Ultimate" Charger doesn't try to make the car look like a 2026 model on the outside. It keeps the hidden headlights, the flying buttress roofline, and the iconic stance, but hides a supercar-slaying chassis underneath.

Get your chance to win this fully restored and modified 1970 Charger, $50,000 in cash with a $10,000 donation in your name to the Honor Foundation at https://RestoMods.com