The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"

[el hemi]

Keeping up with the spirit of WINTER here a picture taken 40 winters ago in Jackson, Michigan. This is a still shot from an 8mm movie we have. In this picture you can continue to see changes Jose made to EL HEMI. Here you can see t/a style trim rings. Check out what appears to be an OLDS and a Mustang in the background.


Myself and my brother Gus 38 yrs ago (Circa 1972). I am the one wearing the Challenger t-shirt...of course.

[mockingbird812]

Wonderful photographic documentation and history of a terrific muscle car. Just priceless!

[Xplantdad]

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Wonderful photographic documentation and history of a terrific muscle car. Just priceless!

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Agreed!

[MrsBillyBobcat]

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Myself and my brother Gus 38 yrs ago (Circa 1972). I am the one wearing the Challenger t-shirt...of course.


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That is a CUTE pic!!!

btw...I noticed your shirt right away!

[el hemi]

Keeping pace with the changes JOSE (RIP) made to El Hemi back in the day...take a close look and see if you can spot them. First picture shows the mods. Second picture was taken when new.

1) Rat Roaster Intake 2) Spark plug wires 3) Mallory Distributor 4) Fender mounted turn signal indicators.
I am seriously thinking about putting the RR intake back on it again. Just to add to the DAY TWO look the car has now. I know this intake is not the best and has its drawbacks but I just love the looks of it. So if you see the car this driving season..take a look inside the engine bay. It may be a little different. Ohhhh I also have the Mallory distributor and coil



Compare with picture below taken when new. Take a look at the overspary on the firewall. We replicated this as close as we could during the resto.

[dreemz]

Absolutely wonderful story

[el hemi]

I am back in the US from an emergency trip to Venezuela. Will explain later.

Soon after EL HEMI was brought home a T/A hood was put on. The hood came from a friend of my dad's who worked in the design department at Chrysler back then. We didnt know the significance of the hood until car was undergoing resto.

The hood is believed to be a prototype piece. The main differences from a production hood are the raised dodge insignia seen on the front center,position of the scoop set 2" further back, there are no windshield squirters and the air vents are narrower, deeper and use a different mesh.


Juan & Gus some 40 years agooooo

[el hemi]

Below some picture I received from Barry Washington. Barry nowadays keeps score on all 1970 Challenger T/A produced. He sent me the pictures from Dodge Public Relations on the 1970 Challenger T/A protoype. Hood on the car has all the characteristics that sets it apart from a production hood. Until another hood with this characteristics comes up, we are to believe this hood is the one on EL HEMI today!

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[Bill Pritchard]

Wow...it just keeps getting better, Juan. I love it!

[Xplantdad]

Agreed!!!