Vendor supplied images
Highlights
- Four-speed manual transmission
- 7.2-litre (440ci) V8 engine
- ‘Six Pack’ in SE specification
- Optional factory-fitted ‘Track Pack’
- Stunning ‘Plum Crazy’ paintwork
- Rotisserie restored
- Contrôle Technique to July 2024
- Overall superb condition
The Appeal
An icon of the American highway, drag strip and silver screen, the Dodge Challenger epitomises everything we love about classic muscle cars. Gorgeously crafted styling, brutally powerful engines and the kind of noise usually reserved for dragons and angry rhinos – it’s a car owned by the kind of hero to whom speed means freedom of the soul.
Perhaps you’re that kind of hero? If so, then this beautiful and near-pristine example – presented in 440 ‘Six Pack’ SE specification – is probably your ideal car. Comprehensively restored to an exacting standard, with a manual transmission paired to that vast 440, the sought after Special Edition features and that iconic ‘Plum Crazy’ paintwork, we’re pretty sure that this is one of the finest examples you’ll see.
If you’re in the market for a classic that stirs the soul, makes an impact wherever it goes and is immensely collectible, then look no further…
The History and Paperwork
- Imported from the US by the current owner in 2022
- Subject to a complete “rotisserie” restoration when in the US
- French registration documents
- Contrôle Technique to 14th July 2024
- 82,773 miles indicated
The Interior
- Black leather upholstery to the seats
- Excellent condition throughout
- Factory specification
One of the first things that strikes you about the interior of this car is how well it has been both preserved and restored. It’s clear that some elements have been restored or renewed, but also that previous owners have gone to great pains to preserve the car’s originality and factory specification as much as possible.
As this is an “SE” car, the seats are finished in smart black leather, which wears a warm, light patina and slight creasing that feels entirely appropriate. There are no tears or notable areas of wear we could identify – just a couple of small marks to the rear bench.
Supplementing the leather seats nicely, the door cards and dash top are finished in soft, black vinyl. Again, it all appears to be in fine condition. Alongside this, the dark grey carpets and ‘R/T’ branded floor mats are in similarly good order and we saw no threading or staining at all. Overhead, the black headliner looks pristine, with no sagging, damage or staining to be seen.
Of course, when it comes to a muscle car, it’s all about the driving experience. And all of the driving touch-points here are in excellent condition. From the large, wood-rimmed steering wheel to the bank of four analogue gauges that lie before the driver and the lovely pistol-grip Hurst gear lever, everything is just as you’d want it to be.
Dark wood veneer graces the door cards and dash fascia, and shows no evidence of chips, cracks or delamination. In fact, all of the internal trim shows in a fine state, with light natural wear and the odd minor blemish, just as you’d expect, but no damage or issues we could discern.
The vendor tells us that everything works in the interior too – so all the instruments and switchgear elements operate just as they should, with no faults reported. Overall, it’s a deeply attractive cabin.
Out at the back, there is a classically American trunk space, which offers enormous amounts of room – more than enough for a few suitcases. A grey vinyl liner adorns the floor and, upon lifting this, we see that the boot floor itself is in marvellous condition, with no corrosion or evidence of damage apparent.
The Exterior
- “Plum Crazy” metallic paintwork
- SE specification vinyl roof
- Deep-dish steel wheels
- Exceptional presentation throughout
Refinished in period-correct “Plum Crazy” paintwork, to say this Challenger is striking would be quite the understatement. Visually, it’s the equivalent of a haymaker – the kind of car that takes centre stage wherever it goes and demands you look back with an admiring glance every time you walk away from it.
The paintwork has clearly been beautifully applied, being smooth and wearing a deep gloss. We couldn’t see any evidence of notable marks, blemishes or other faults. The vendor mentions that there is a small ‘star’ crack in the paint on the bonnet, but there’s nothing we saw that we considered of note. In fact, even the underside is finished better than the topside of most cars, but we’ll come to that in a bit…
Looking at the bodywork itself, the metal is straight and true, the iconic kinked swage-line is crisp and all the panels look to have neat and even gaps. We didn’t see any evidence of damage or corrosion anywhere on the car. With a vast power bulge and twin intake ducts, the bonnet leaves onlookers in no doubt that this is a serious performance machine. Affixed with quick-release bonnet pins and bedecked with the correct ‘Six Pack’ badging, it adds a real dash of sports car presence to the car.
Casting our eyes over the rest of the brightwork and trim, we can’t help but be impressed. There’s a little light patination to some of the original badging, as should be expected, but generally the brightwork looks superb. From the large bumpers with over-riders to the shimmering sill covers and chunky chrome fuel cap, there’s lots of jewellery on display here. And it all looks excellent.
Instead of dressing the car up with more modern alloy wheels, the previous owner has chosen to keep the car on period-correct deep-dish steel wheels. This is a choice we heartily approve of – one that suits the car and reflects the blue-collar nature of the muscle car perfectly. All four wheels are in very fine condition, and are dressed with a matched set of BFGoodrich tyres, replete with the necessary white lettering and looking to be in very good shape with plenty of tread depth.
The best truly is saved for last though. It’s not often we can gush about the underside of a vehicle, but here we certainly can. And we will. With no ugly underseal to hide problems, you can see just how well the car has been finished. The sills, floors, inner wheel arches, firewall and inner wings are all exceptionally well presented in body-colour, with no damage or corrosion apparent. It’s obvious the drivetrain has been meticulously restored too, with all elements – even the leaf springs and axles – looking almost new. We’re confident in stating that this is one of the most solid, genuine, well-presented examples of a muscle car underside we’ve seen.
The Mechanics
- 440ci ‘Magnum’ V8 (7.2-litre)
- Triple-carb ‘Six Speed’ specification
- Four-speed manual transmission
- Optional factory-fitted ‘Track Pack’
- Dual Flowmaster exhaust system
As with any true muscle car, that monstrous 440ci V8 drives the rear wheels only, delivering a tarmac-obliterating 385bhp and 490lb-ft. Twinned with the manual transmission, factory ‘Track Pack’ and optional power brakes, it makes this Challenger a car for the truly dedicated driver.
The engine bay itself is immaculately clean, with an orange painted block and rocker covers complementing the orange air-box and neatly juxtaposing the striking purple paint.
We’re told by the vendor that the car is in excellent mechanical order – the only notes on the recent Contrôle Technique were a minor defect to the steering ball joint caps and slight imbalance in the rear drums. Minor issues that can soon be addressed.
The owner tells us that the car starts well, runs and drives perfectly, shifts gear smoothly and brakes well.
Summary
Nothing comes close to the character and excitement of a genuine muscle car – they’re the kind of machine that reduces grown adults to giggling children. And, quite simply, this is one of the best you’ll find. Exactingly restored, beautifully presented and in a perfect specification. If you’ve always wanted a muscle car, then this is the ideal candidate.
Then you can set your sight on a vanishing point and cruise off into the horizon, that titanic V8 thrumming and burbling along before you. If lifelong memories are what you seek, then this is definitely the car to provide them…
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