RKM Built Charger R/T Pro Touring Indy 500 ci /575 HP TKO500 5 Speed PS PB A/C

1970 Dodge Charger R/T Description

Since 2008, Joseph Carroll from Best of Show Automotive and later RK Motors and Dave Salvaggio from Salvaggio Design have collaborated to produce some of the finest Dodge Charger Pro Touring machines on the planet. From the Indy Cylinder Head 440 powered 1969 Dodge Charger 500, "Maximum Effect", which was featured at the 2010 Mopar Nationals and quickly sold for $180,000.00, to the 426 HEMI powered 1970 Dodge Charger R/T which sold for $185,000.00 at the RK Motors Collector Car Auctions May, 2013 Pinehurst sale, their Pro Touring Chargers have consistently hit the mark. Combining the best of classic styling combined with old school muscle and modern upgraded components, their collaborative builds have set the benchmark for beautiful, yet functional pro touring machines. Which brings us to their latest and final build: this incredible 1970 Dodge Charger R/T Pro Touring car.

The vision for this Charger R/T was established by experience earned from their prior builds, taking the best of each and rolling them up into an a new design, the focus of which was to preserve the raw muscle car appeal of the classic 1968-1970 Dodge Charger body style, while allowing for maximum performance and reliability.

Starting with a well-worn, yet dry and rust free Arizona 1970 Dodge Charger R/T as the foundation for the project, OEM sheet-metal is present from back to back. The body shell, doors, fenders, hood & deck-lid were subjected to a comprehensive acid dip and e-coating process, the very best process for creating a straight body that will stand the test of time and road miles. With a fresh canvas. every inch was carefully massaged before multiple coats of PPG Grigio Pearl Metallic were sprayed on every body panel. . For the hood black-out treatment and bumblebee stripes, black was selected. The combination was then buried in clearcoat and buffed to near perfection. The final finish is beyond reproach, offering mirror-like reflections from all angles. The paintwork is matched by even gaps around the hood, doors, and deck lid. While assembly line cars of the 1970s weren't known for their fit and finish, our team made sure to leave those imperfections in the past. Finishing off the iconic 1970 Dodge Charger body is carefully restored chrome, stainless steel and anodized aluminum, done to perfection.

Inside the Charger, a stunning black leather interior was carefully installed. Though it has a custom feel, the design can largely be accredited to the Chrysler Corporation. The classic 1970 Dodge Charger R/T bucket seat interior is a timeless design-why mess with perfection? The restoration began with new high-grade black carpet set covering Dyna-mat, which mitigates road noise and exhaust heat. and a factory wood-grain center console. Steve Pearson Upholstery Unlimited supplied the hand-stitched vented leather front and rear seats, complete with white piping. Firm and supportive, these seats could easily pass for pieces borrowed from a late model sports car. At either side, new black door panels are highlighted by round Charger R/T logos and new hardware all around. The view from the driver seat is the stuff of muscle car dreams with a wood-finished steering wheel and pistol-grip shifter granting control over the car. Beyond the wheel, the restored dash shows off a 150 mph speedometer sits next to a tachometer with an integrated clock. Smaller gauges monitor other HEMI vitals including fuel level, temperature, oil pressure, and alternator output. To the right, controls for the updated HVAC system are placed within reach directly above the Pioneer AM/FM/CD/DVD with Ipod hook-up head unit which sends signal to new Pioneer speakers. An Ipod cable is smartly routed through the center console for easy and secure hook-up. Linking the restored interior interior to the refinished exterior is a complete new set of glass.

Behind the rear seat, the trunk is finished to the same high standards as the rest of the car. New black carpet sits beneath an Optima red top battery and the gas filler neck that feeds into the custom fuel tank below.

The heart of this Charger R/T is a brand new Indy Cylinder Head 500 V8 Wedge motor. Prior builds have been both HEMI and wedge powered, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The consensus of the builders was that the Wedge powered cars are simply better. They produce more torque, are more reliable and can be run at lower compression, which allows for use of modern fuels with little impact on performance. Balanced and blue-printed, this power-plant produces 575 dyno-proven horsepower, with an equal 575 pound feet of torque. Here is a partial build list for this bullet-proof engine:

Billet Specialties front runner serpentine system
4340 Crank (4.150 stroke)
Eagle H- Beam rods
Speed Pro hyper pistons 4.830
9.5 :1 compression
Edelbrock Performer RPM heads
Comp Hydraulic cam (.509)
MP black wrinkle valve covers
M-1 single plane intake
750 Mighty Demon carburetor
Milodon oil pan and tray
MP electronic distributor
Custom plug wires (black)

At the front of the engine, a March Performance serpentine setup spins accessories including a polished air conditioning compression and power steering pump. Across from the pieces, a polished direct-fit Be Cool radiators keeps the mill cool with the aid of dual electric fans. Spend exhaust gases funnel through ceramic coated headers which connect to a full three-inch TTI exhaust system equipped with DynoMax mufflers.

Put the car on a lift and more show-quality craftsmanship shines through. From the beautifully finished floors to the fresh hardware and braided lines, every inch is worth a closer look. At the front, an impressive RMS front subframe with rack and pinion & tubular control arms supports the Indy 500 V8. Behind the Wedge motor, a Keisler-modified Tremec TKO-500 five-speed manual transmission with a Quick Time bellhousing makes quick work of shifts. At the rear, a Moser Dana 60 rear axle with 3.54 gears puts the power to the pavement with authority. Around the thoroughly upgraded drive-train, an equally capable suspension starts with RMS 1.25-inch tubular control arms with heavy duty rod ends and Afco double adjustable coil-over racing shocks, for a fully adjustable front end. The rear suspension is a Detroit Speed altered four link setup with Panhard. Wilwood 12-inch rotors and six-piston front/ four-piston rear calipers can be found at all four corners of the car. This suspension set-up offers the confident response of a modern sports car. At the corners, a set of 18 and 19-inch Fiske three piece wheels are wrapped in new Michelin Pilot Super Sports for maximum grip.

Pro-touring cars are about cancelling out the compromises of muscle car ownership and replacing them with new capabilities. With a balanced, fast revving big block Wedge motor, quick-shifting Tremec five-speed, and a fully upgraded suspension,this 1970 Charger R/T annihilate any complaints regarding performance or cornering. The addition of conveniences like power steering, disc brakes, air conditioning, and a modern stereo simply sweeten the deal. Built by the best for the most discriminating muscle car fans the scene has to offer, this Charger is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the rewards of a fresh world-class pro-tourer without endless calls to vendors, builders, and banks. Don't miss this one!