1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 426 Hemi: Peak American Muscle
Dan Kowalski
· 5 min read
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In 1970, the American muscle car horsepower wars reached their absolute boiling point. Chrysler entered the pony car market with the E-body Dodge Challenger R/T, offering an engine option that struck fear into drag strips nationwide: the legendary 426 Street Hemi.
Known as the 'Elephant Engine' for its massive physical dimensions and indestructible cast iron construction, the Hemi featured hemispherical combustion chambers with massive 2.25-inch intake valves.
Street Hemi Specifications
- Engine: 7.0-liter 426 Hemi V8 with dual Carter AFB four-barrel carburetors.
- Power: Factory under-rated at 425 HP and 490 lb-ft of torque (dyno tests frequently revealed over 475 hp).
- Shaker Hood Scoop: Mounted directly to the air cleaner atop the carburetors, shaking with the engine's idle.
- Quarter-Mile: 13.5 seconds on bias-ply street tires.
Only 356 Challenger R/T coupes were built with the 426 Hemi in 1970, making surviving original numbers-matching cars among the most valuable American vehicles on Earth.
