Charger SE identification

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Jan 10, 08 8:15 am

Can any of you knowledgeable guys out there assit me. I own a 1970 charger 500 which i have been trying to read up on. I know that in this year 500,s where nothing special unlike the previous ones but i have read that an SE version was available. My log book makes no reference to it being an SE but from what i have been able to read it has features that the SE was reportedly to have used
leather bucket seats
wood steering wheel
bonnet indicators
it does not however have any SE badges but i don,t know if this is normal
obviously i have the vin number so is there a place or body whom i can contact that could trace this and confirm its originality
Any help would be appreciated
thanks Steve

bruvmopar · Post by **bruvmopar** » Thu Jan 10, 08 10:07 am

This might help, Steve.

bruvmopar · Post by **bruvmopar** » Thu Jan 10, 08 10:17 am

You could ring Tony O, He will be able to help, his number is in the Club Mag, Connected.

steveo · Post by **steveo** » Thu Jan 10, 08 10:20 am

have a look on the fender tag , if it is a special edition it will have a code of A47 on it somewhere . if you have no fender tag , & there is no se name plate on the sail panel , peel the head lining on the in side of the sale panel back then remove the fiber board behind if it is a special edition you will see two holes about a inch or so apart that is where the se badge mounting studs go . no mistaking

if a normal charger name plate was mounted there the holes are about 4 " inches apart give or take.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Thu Jan 10, 08 11:16 am

I am not a Charger expert by a long shot but I think the point of the 500 model was to add a lot of the high grade (SE) type trim as standard along with a 383 2bbl engine? Is that right?

Cannonball · Post by **Cannonball** » Thu Jan 10, 08 12:44 pm

Dave wrote:I am not a Charger expert by a long shot but I think the point of the 500 model was to add a lot of the high grade (SE) type trim as standard along with a 383 2bbl engine? Is that right?

i agree,

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Jan 10, 08 3:48 pm

Thanks everybody I now know where to look and you are correct Dave it does have a 383 engine --
cheers Steve

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Jan 10, 08 3:59 pm

My '69 SE has the features you mention, including a woodgrain style dash and glovebox panel. It also has the "SE" badges on the"C" Pillar, so that made it a bit easier in my case. Do you have a build sheet?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Jan 10, 08 4:20 pm

Pete, 69 SE trim is a lot different to 70 SE trim (believe it or not) on the inside. (I bet you know that

)

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Jan 10, 08 4:52 pm

Pete -- I do have a photocopy of the build sheet but it is very faint and a little torn (not worth having really) -- my car does not have a wood effect dash or glove box -- in my case these are black to match the whole of the inside -- i guess having read the replies mine is not an SE -- When i get around to the body restoration i will check the inside of the rear post as suggested but probably a waste of time to do it now -- Out of interest is the SE seen as the more desirable car

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Thu Jan 10, 08 6:26 pm

The more options a car came with, and the bigger the engine, then the more desirable cars tend to be.

But not always.

The 1970 500 was a good deal I seem to remember. Quite fancied one myself a few years ago. Better trim/seats than the 68 and 69. It lost the stupid center grille divider that the 69 had. The loop bumper was quite a neat thing too.

If I HAD to have a Charger (spit). I would have a 1970 500. Throw a cam and a 4bbl carb at it and jobs a good'un.

Mind you. There is nothing in the 1970 performance line-up that I wouldn't have. It was the pinnacle of Mopardom.

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Thu Jan 10, 08 7:38 pm

70 Charger 500's are just the best

IMO

TonyO · Post by **TonyO** » Thu Jan 10, 08 8:37 pm

There seems a little confusion about the 70 Dodge Charger. First up there were three different Chargers available all with different VINS. The base model started thus XH29 from 225 6 cyl, 318, 383 2bbl and 383 4bbl, then the 500 model with VIN thus XP29 with the same engine options as before except a rogue 426 hemi R car, infact the FIRST 70 Charger ever built! Then the R/T XS29, with only 440, 440Six pack and hemi power available. The SE Special Edition could ONLY be ordered on the 500 model and the R/T. Unlike 69 there were no stand alone SE models made. The base Charger came with a bench seat as standard, code A73 the Special Value Package could be had to spice the car up a bit, this included clock, wheel lip mouldings and body belt mouldings, the SE could only be had on bucket seat cars. Infact the A73 package is very common on base Chargers, usually requested by dealers at a stupid cheap price, these cars looked a lot better in the show rooms.
The 500 could have the SE package as it came equipped with bucket seats. One dead giveaway is the simulated woodgrain dash, this is sure to be a SE added car. Leather insert seats and woodgrain steering wheels were also standard on the SE package, a pedal dress up kit also came along. The R/T SE also had the benefit of the A47 package. A small extra medallion was added to the roof quarter panels indicating an SE. I have not seen a 500 with these medallions. All 70 Chargers were built at the St Louis,Plant, a switch from Hamtramck. The 70 Charger is a great car, they drive the best out of the 68-70 cars, have the high impact colours and all the 1970 goodies available such as racing mirrors, hi back seats and the new Rallye wheels. These are often over looked cars and do not get the credit the 68/69 cars get.
Hope this helps.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu Jan 10, 08 8:43 pm

Hi Tony I found a letter you wrote a good few years ago..I would say over a decade, I found it in the history of a 72 Challenger the one used in the primal scream video, I might scan and post it up here if its ok with you mate, piece of history I guess!!

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Thu Jan 10, 08 8:45 pm

I don't know about Steve-A but I certainly got a lot out of that post Tony. Thanks!

Mopar Muscle Association UK

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