Triple-black builds are nothing new. That’s when you have black paint, black trim, and black wheels, the result being a light-absorbing attention magnet. And that’s exactly what this 1970 Dodge Coronet build got at the 2022 SEMA Show, a lot of attention.
The best way to prove you’re not a boomer and get people to notice your build is to mix and match, going above and beyond the requirements of a restomod. This 1970 Coronet proves one of the lesser Mopars of that golden era can be Darth Vader’s next ride just as easily as the 68 Chargers that people might tune for SEMA.
At first glance, this looks like a restomod or a 440 Super Bee clone. However, if you peek under the hood, you will find a little surprise of the small-block variety. That’s right, this features a 5.7-liter Gen III HEMI engine that apparently produces almost 600 horsepower at the wheels.
How is that possible with a modern Dodge small block? By forcing air down its throat using twin 54-millimeter turbos. To ensure this sounds as good as it looks, a Magnaflow exhaust system announces its presence. The V8 HEMI is matched with a TCI 4L80 automatic transmission. It wouldn’t be a restomod without things such as the QA1 suspension or Wilwood big-brake pack.
But what really got out attention at SEMA was the modern twist. The Coronet rides on custom QA1 suspension with Ridetech air ride to ensure it can be slammed on those beautiful black wheels. Those are Rotiform’s QLB multi-spoke alloys, 18s at the front and 20s at the back.
The car was finished just in time for SEMA at PRO-Speed Autoworks. However, it wouldn’t have been complete without the custom all-black interior from Pro Auto Custom Interiors. It’s got high-back bucket seats, a blacked-out dashboard, and a general sinister look about it.
But what makes this build special is how unique the front end of the Coronet looks for 1970. In 1968, the Dodge B-body car got a major redesign with slab sides, big rear fenders, and a flowing roof. In 1970, they changed it even further with a new front end that was quite controversial at the time.
It consisted of two large ovals that earned the nickname “Bumblebee Wings, and they enclosed four round headlights. Many Mopar fans desire this car, and the most wanted versions include the 390 hp 440 Six-Pack V8 and 426 Elephant.