“That thing got a Hemi?”
![](https://www.retromotor.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/003-Dodge-Hemi-Challenger.jpg)
Developed for NASCAR use, the 426-cubic inch (7.0-litre) Hemi engine is a genuine legend in the Mopar enthusiast world.
Producing 425 hp and 490 lb-ft of torque, the 426 Hemi transformed a pony car like the Dodge Challenger into a flame-spitting monster.
Dodge would only offer the Challenger with this engine for two years, making them a true collector’s item.
Four on the floor
![](https://www.retromotor.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/002-Dodge-Hemi-Challenger.jpg)
Making this particular car even rarer is it being equipped with a four-speed manual transmission.
Using the Hurst ‘Pistol Grip’ shifter, the Hemi Challenger could run a quarter-mile sprint in 13.1 seconds at 107.1 mph.
Of the 165,437 first-generation Challengers sold, only a small percentage were made with a manual gearbox and Hemi engine. For the 1970 model year, in R/T hardtop form, just 137 left the factory.
Time to bring the noise?
![](https://www.retromotor.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/004-Dodge-Hemi-Challenger.jpg)
Imported from Canada in 2017, the Hemi Challenger had been restored in the early 2000s. It still retains its original engine and transmission, with a total mileage of 47,800 recorded on the odometer.
The combination of Hemi Orange paintwork with a black vinyl roof makes it hard to ignore, with the colour-coded wheels an original touch.
The Market does note that the Challenger is currently fitted with a California-specification exhaust. This makes for a quieter sound, although a new owner may want to change this to for the full Hemi experience.
Along with the Hurst Pistol Grip shifter, the interior is finished with black vinyl bucket seats. A wood-rimmed steering, and even an eight-track tape player, complete the retro look.
Measure your garage before bidding
![](https://www.retromotor.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/005-Dodge-Hemi-Challenger.jpg)
As a genuine ‘unicorn’ of the American 1970’s muscle car craze, a genuine Hemi Challenger will command serious prices in the United States.
Restored concours-condition versions can surpass $250,000 (£188,000) at auction in the USA, with prices rocketing skywards during this past year. It makes a pre-auction estimate of £85,000 to £110,000 for this example seem particularly fair.
Being left-hand drive, and not small in stature, driving a classic Challenger on UK roads might not be for everyone. The sheer thirst of the 426 Hemi is also a factor to consider.
However, it does represent a true piece of automotive history, and should see plenty of bids before the auction ends on Monday, 29 November.