1970
Dodge Challenger R/T
Use the photographs to explore materials and details. Equipment and restored finishes can differ from the version in your book.
Colours used
in this example.
A practical palette for the indicative finished example. Build colour gradually and keep the small details clear.
Suggested pencil shades, not exact factory paint matches. Test colours on your paper before building richer layers.
Build two or three light layers along the panels. Leave a narrow paper highlight beside the strongest body crease.
Establish the edges lightly before filling the centre. Follow their width through the car’s perspective.
Keep the cabin slightly darker than the glass. Follow the seat divisions without filling every seam with black.
Keep the brightest strips white. Put a narrow cool grey band beside them to suggest reflected light.
Layer charcoal gently around the sidewalls. Preserve lettering and any whitewall areas before deepening the rubber.
Use light, open pencil strokes. Keep this area softer than the car and preserve clear edges around the mechanical detail.
Look a little closer.
Explore the details from different angles.
Reference photograph 1
Blue R/T with a dark roof and side stripe. The front-side view shows the paired headlamps and bonnet scoops. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: User Morven on en.wikipedia · Source · CC BY-SA 3.0Reference photograph 2
Orange R/T with a dark bonnet centre and side stripe. The lower front angle makes the grille and bumper shape clear. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: Calreyn88 · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference photograph 3
Orange R/T viewed from a higher front corner. The bonnet treatment and fastback-like rear roof section are visible. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: MrWalkr · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference photograph 4
Purple R/T photographed on the road from the front. Twin bonnet openings sit above the wide dark grille. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: Bene Riobó · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Comparison photograph 5
Bright green R/T convertible displayed indoors with its dark hood raised. The front view clearly shows the wide grille and bonnet openings. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: DogsRNice · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Period finishes and details
Dodge’s period advertising gives the 1970 R/T buyer a choice between a longitudinal stripe and the traditional rear band. That distinction helps avoid combining two separate treatments. A model specialist lists Plum Crazy, Sublime and Hemi Orange among the available finishes while the factory colour and trim book was also located. Exact colour-to-stripe pairings still need its legible chart. Keep the R/T cut-out lettering and the selected stripe family consistent.
- Plum CrazyBodywork option
- SublimeBodywork option
- Hemi OrangeBodywork option
Screen swatches are a colouring guide rather than exact paint matches.
Choose the longitudinal R/T stripe or rear band rather than combining them. Confirm the stripe colour against the body and roof combination.
In the photographs
The photographs show individual cars in their present condition. Their paint, wheels and trim can reflect restoration or later choices. Use the dated finish references above when aiming for a period scheme. Convertible body style instead of the featured hardtop.
In the coloured example
The pencil example uses lavender. It is a creative interpretation, not an exact paint-code match. Use the photographed trim for material cues while keeping the outlines and composition of your book page.
Make the details count.
Plan the Challenger’s long bonnet and body stripe before adding strong colour. Work from a light first layer so that the panel boundaries remain clear.
Finish the grille divisions and rear-quarter trim with a sharp pencil. Preserve small white highlights so these details stay separate from the surrounding paint.
Keep the roadside diner with a rounded corner and striped awning in quieter tones. A lighter background gives the car’s silhouette room to stand out.
Follow your curiosity.
Model history and further reading.