This Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T Is One Family’s Surviving Muscle Car
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- čas přidán 28. 12. 2015
- “In the summer of 1969, we found ourselves in Detroit. It was an exciting time for my father, of course, but for the whole family,” says Juan Escalante. “A visit to the Detroit Auto Show and seeing the Challenger…he just fell in love.”
You’re looking at a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 426 Hemi 4-speed, one of only 137 equipped with the largest engine and a manual transmission. Chrysler made around 77,000 Challengers, making this easily one of the most rare variants.
“From 1972 to 1996 the car remained in Venezuela,” says Escalante. “Word had preceded the car that a Hemi Challenger was to arrive in Venezuela, and this was among the motorheads and car enthusiasts… The car arrived, and they immediately started referring to the car as ‘El Hemi’.”
With difficulty in finding parts in Venezuela, the car slowly slipped into disrepair after being parked-until Escalante and his brother convinced their father to ship the car to the U.S. to have it restored in 1996. Its completion in 2005 was bittersweet, however: their father passed away before the car was finished.
“We had to gather ourselves and really think about how we were going to use the car, and one of the things that my dad always stressed was that the car [should be] used, that we would enjoy the car…that we would give rides to our kids and their friends and let them experience it,” says Escalante.
“It’s a way of connecting those who have come before us to those who will be coming in the future.”
Drive Tastefully®
Petrolicious.com
/ petrolicious - Auta a dopravní prostředky
People that think that a car should be used as money or an investment or an appliance have never felt a strong emotional connection to a car. Such a shame.
That Challenger is such a beauty.
+Samuel Chattergoon Agreed but let be honest if this old cat had daughthers or non sport car enthusiast family they sold that bb a long time ago esp in a place like Miami where they get a pretty penny for it.. They should of said as long as their men or cart enthusiast in the family it will not be sold.
+265308 Many daughters are the 'motorhead' in the Family. Like my daughter.
Yes, yes, yes! I couldn't have said it better!
2:05 the dreaded El Hemi!
One of the best looking cars ever. Hands down.
+XLPCX its a nice looking car but not that amazing tho
(300 sl gullwing, e type, pagoda, etc)
gianhet I guess it's taste. I love the cars you named as well. Cars like these are pieces of art. I'd much rather walk around a beautiful car than stare at a painting.
XLPCX Amen to that :D
+XLPCX I'm with you brother.
Looks so good, but in my opinion it's not on the top
This is how people should treat their cars.
This is such a comfy channel.
+Talford Winstonworth i think he is trying to say the channel has heart when it comes to cars its not flashy for me it reminds me of wat it truly is to be a car guy they show us different cars exotics, domestics but we all can sit there enjoy the video and go man thats nice or thats clean its about actually SEEING the car and slowing down a bit. Any ways thats my opinion on why they said comfy
Mario Medrano What this eloquent guy said.
+Anon Couldn't agree with you more! I love the fact that they don't have a 'host' or 'presenter' on this show but let the owners explain why the car is so special to them and to all petrolheads
Perfect paint scheme, perfect stance, perfect drivetrain, perfect story, perfect everything.
4:40!
Every single second of this video, and every single aspect of this video, is just great.
Tough question: what's more perfect, the Challenger or the storytelling??
I would've said the story is what makes the car what it is...
+LUKAZ G agreed.
+555 Gear Truly a heart warming story, a family heirloom, that has passion and love behind it. I hope to one day pass something as priceless as this on to my kids and to generations after that. Two thumbs up for this one!
+555 Gear You are not wrong. Very impressive
+555 Gear The Challenger and the storytelling are the same now! They can't be separated.
The video made me think, what 2015-2016 model car you can buy today, that the future generations would appreciate the same way as this Challenger... not many cars these days with a charisma like that.
The Current Challnger Hellcat?
vector409 I wouldn't come to such conclusions so early, electric cars are more damaging to the environment than gas cars could be due to the battery packs. Besides gasoline can be recreated. They will be museum peices but the internal combustion engine is here to stay and cemented itself
+Yordan Uzunov Nissan Leaf
I guess things like GTRs, F-Types and GT86s will be remembered fondly
I can agree with the F-type and the GT86, but I think the brand new MX-5 (and maybe previous models too) is worth mentioning. Oh, and if I'm right, there's a new NSX coming next year...
Oh, and a lot of BMW M cars and Mercedes AMG cars, I guess. Though it's somewhat different today because IMO cars nowadays have greater value (at least people appreciate them more, I guess), I can't really imagine an M5 rotting away in the middle of a field
Everyday I wake up and move on to get my 68 charger.
I know that feeling with this car
I'm crying
I'm always blown away by the stunning production quality of these videos and their stylized cinematography. It's always a pleasure
Nice Hemi car, I love those e body cars, the old man was smart and knew what muscle cars were best. Mopar or no car !!
Great video, great car, and most of all an great story. Cars are not just to get you from A to B.
yeah you're right sir
Yeah
+Lt Col Speirs Yes I agree! My brother bought back my Dad's 1926 Dodge Brothers after it's 30 year stint as a movie car. I have 1972 Mercedes 280sel 4.5 with only 29,0000 miles on the odometer; thankfully my daughter is a motorhead.
this channel is too underrated
kim jong un It's not underrated
1:15 There's a Santana Tape in the tape player. How fitting for "El Hemi"
+August Ellison And Carlos Santana's greatest album, at that
+August Ellison dude just posted the same comment before i saw your comment, proper track for this car
+August Ellison Not just "a tape", but an 8-track cassette too!
+August Ellison How fitting that the record label allowed em a few seconds of their music on this video...
+August Ellison Love Santana!
This is my girlfriends dreamcar, she's been raised in a gearhead family so I am so happy she understands my craziness about cars
This video is the definition of respectfulness.
That car IS family.
it's a car for generations, in '74 bought a used '71 Plymouth Barracuda hemi chartreuse green, lived next to the Fremont drag strip (now that it's gone) during summer it was fun on friday nights, mainly keep at home the see me chartreuse green, geee officer was I speeding, got lot of those during my late 60s with my 66 1/2 Dodge Charger Hemi. the one thing the hemi had that sound let the 396es know they were about to lost, like I said Fremont drag strip was the best to settle who was faster, and BS at Bob's Bugers in Irvington - memories of the 60's and 70's when heard this story and the hemi saying go go go
Blasting Cream, Aerosmith, Kiss, Nugent, Rush, Zeppelin, UFO, Sabbath, AC/DC, Ramones, and Foreigner, I assume.
I dont usually thumbs up videos,but goddamn, I wanna mash the button. That era of Challenger is probably my favourite. If I can ever afford something wild,a '70 Challenger would be it
Perfect old car story. Perfect car, great vid
I'm a huge Mopar fan. I love the car and the story behind it, and I hope you have it for generations to come.
Fantastic shots, Petrolicious! This car looks genuinely gorgeous from every angle. Which brings me to my point - I've noticed a lot of snobbish commentators on this channel who tend to look down on muscle cars. I wish these people would be able to get past the perceived "barn-door" image of these cars and look at them without prejudice, because there are so many muscle cars from this era that rival even the most prized exotics in design execution.
I think this was my favorite episode yet. Just fantastic!Every time they show that big car rolling down the open road with the roar of that magnificent engine, I kept hearing AC/DC "...I'm rolling thunder, power and rain, I'm coming on like a hurricane..."Too cool.
wow... this is why I'm a car guy. damn near shed a tear. great film and an even greater story.
Every automobile, every motorcycle, every old pick-up truck has a story. There are not near enough people telling those stories so kudos to those that do. Fine job.
A true family heirloom....not left in a drawer to collect dust....
Your father was an amazing man with an amazing family and a great car. God bless you both for honoring his memory in this way
Thank you for your words Kenneth. If in Chicago or nearby...we will have the car at the MCACN Show in Rosemont Nov 20-21.
Escalante family, thank you for sharing your perfect machine. I love the 'Day 2' restoration, and I wouldn't change a thing, because I believe it helps tell the story that you presented here. Thanks again for sharing a piece of your family with us. It is a beautiful machine!
Beautiful story
None of which could be possible without a strong family bond
God Bless
Well done, Petrolicious. Well done. Thank you to the Escalante family for sharing this touching story.
'On the balance sheet it has zero value', hat off, serious balls there!
O the balance sheet, we call that an intangible asset.
I don't think I'll ever find such a good car enthusiast page as Petrolicious, such good interviews, stories, petrolheads' lives and loves documented in such a brilliant way. I get goosebumps in every single episode and I really hope it's like that forever. People nowadays looks at cars like "all electric is the future", "driving will take no effort" and I get it, it's evolution and not everyone has to love cars, but I'd like to challenge people not to cherish them after watching these videos. Thanks Petrolicious
Beautiful Challenger, & a very loving tribute to your father. Long live the Hemi!
Love the Santana 8 track, perfect!
Such a wonderful example of Dodge's Brotherhood of Muscle! I'd love to own and drive this car. Awesome!
Not a big fan of American cars but when I see builds like this it changes everything.
What a car. One of my favorites from that time. Happy to see it is driven and taken care of!
Another great video telling and awesome story. Thank you to the Escalantes and to petrolicious!
We are all just custodians of things. Love them for awhile then let someone else love it. Awesome car and great story
"thats magic" amen to that one. thats the only way to explain such a passionate connection.
I'm from Venezuela and I would've loved to see this car here, I'm just too young. Here in the 70's most of the cars were just Dodge Darts and Chevy Novas, all of them sedans. That Challenger is a true unicorn.
If the Escalantes are reading this comment, what part of Venezuela was the dad from?
Hello Agustin! We lived in Caracas. Dad was originally from San Cristobal. Hijo de José Elio Escalante...taxista más arrecho de la Plaza La Hermita 👍🏼👍🏼
+Juan Jose Escalante También soy de Caracas! Qué arrecha la historia, todavía no creo que ese carro haya estado en el país. Es EL Hemi 👌. Saludos y un abrazo :)
+Juan Jose Escalante , mis saludos y respeto , hermosa historia y grandioso vehiculo, soy fan de los muscle car , un gran abrazo para ti y tu familia.
Oliver Chong Escalante, Caracas, Vzla. mi abuelo era de los Escalante de Rubio, Tachira.
Oliver gracias por tú mensaje. Tenemos el mismo apellido. Qué interesante. Mi abuelo José Elio nació en Tovar pero vivió toda su vida en San Cristóbal. Feliz año.
+Juan Jose Escalante epa paisano,saludos aquí en Cagua en Aragua!!soy fanático también de los he mi ,n casa hubo Dart, maverick, aspen
Congratulations, and good job with both keeping the car in the family as well as its restoration, Juan.
Fantastic that the family and stay connected through this piece of automotive history.
Magic is right. No amount of money could ever replace that feeling. This is another video that shows this channel is the best on YT. Huge thumbs up.
Sweet car, its the story behind it that makes a car worth priceless.
I adore this channel. What a great story, family and video. I think I'll go in my garage and just appreciate my 74 Nova that I've built with my family. Thanks Petrolicious
Your dad had the right idea. Let the family enjoy this exciting and unique car! Nothing like it today!
Love it!! Wish your dad was here to see the restored car. I would love to watch all the home videos of your dad driving the car in the 70s
There has never been a more iconic muscle car than an original R/T Hemi Challenger. Absolutely stunning example with a fantastic family story behind it. I'd pay to see this beast.
Humbled. You can find more about El Hemi on IG @elhemi70
I've gotta watch this vid twice. 2 times in a row. Beautiful car, Wonderful story
What a story ❗️ I love the vintage videos of your family with the car❗️🥊👍
You always have the highest quality videos. Simple car features are cool but telling the story behind the car with voice over, professional cinematics, and everything your creative team does truly makes these films a joy to watch. Not to mention they're each inspiring in their own ways!
I just love the solidity and shine the metal brings to a car! 7:13. That's why 1960-1990 was the definitive of cars (Today it's all plastic Meh)
1952-1990 i'd say would be the definitive of cars
I like the 60’s the most tbh, followed by the 2010’s
This was an Awesome video.
It was truly a touching and emotional one for Me.
I just want to say this is a beautiful car. It's nice to see that it is driven and enjoyed by the family!
I love the story of family and car, i have to say that family is everything, today it is just my Son and i and i do really hope one day we can enjoy a Project, together and just like Y'all, friends and family.
Thank You!!!
charger and challenger is my fav muscle car, these 2 cars got the character that none other car have
Magic, nostalgic and a great show of this family’s heritage...
Blessings
BEAUTIFUL! WOW! Beautiful story. My dad passed away too and unfortunately I had to let go of my classic cars. I am so happy you were able to keep this car in the family and do such a wonderful job restoring it. That my friend is priceless!
Muscle car stylists were the cream of the crop. I would've had a hard time deciding on only 1 car. Everyone was putting out beautiful cars back then. Nice video, the family car can have a big impact on memories.
What a beautiful Challenger, fantastic job on the restoration and you can really see the passion and love the family has for the car. I hope I'm able to leave behind a legacy like this for my kids (when I have any!) and grandkids
Oh my god that picture at 1:47 is so gorgeous. The way it sits and the slotted mag wheels are just perfect. I wish it still looked like that now
What a beautiful story. It is hard to beat a Challenger on slot mags. The look of this car is perfect. The Escalante family understands the true value of this car.
A family with pride and class. Thank you for sharing your car and your story. It's very inspiring.
What a touching story and a great car family. I love to hear stories like this. It's more than just a car.
What a beautiful car and an emotional story, thank you Escalante family, my eyes kinda welled up :)
Worth more than the sum of its parts. Love the car, but I really love the story behind it and what its means to them. The memories you make with your car is what makes it part of you and your family, it doesn't matter what kind of car it is.
After viewing this video, I'm touched by your passion for restoring the car in memory of your father and grandfather. He'd be proud, I have no doubt of that.
Thank you again gentlemen for letting me meet El Hemi today!
I love this channel and I love it just it a bit more when they touch on American classics and not just the European exotics most people will never even see in person. These muscle cars have just as much history and class, when done right. I have a 70 challenger myself and I truly enjoyed this.
What a journey and to be able to honor your father and keep it in the family, just awesome.
Its been a wonderful journey for sure!!. We will do our best to keep adding stories! Thank you for your kind comment. Glad you liked the video.
Family and cars always have a great deal of emotional connection. congratulation.
very touching story......... as always, thanks for your channel it's the only one with a soul
Utterly gorgeous car, and what a wonderful story... I was touched by this.
my first comment on this forum - because of the family commitment - way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!
your grandfather's legacy is a beaut!!!!!!!!!!
Again a great documentation video from Petrolicious. Nice car. Thank you for sharing.
I love seeing a car that would have been restored and probably auctioned off for a big price tag end up with such appreciative and deserving people. It's awful seeing beautiful cars not on the road because people worry about mileage or ruining paint but they were built for that. That's how stories are made and it's a great way to leave behind a memory for your loved ones.
Man, I don't even like these, but this is a GREAT video from a great family. Gracias for sharing. I LOVE the part about your Dad making sure that you share the car with others. Well done film. When the film opened I just knew what album was gonna be in the glovebox or tape deck. Long may you guys run...
Awseome car + as always with u guys terrific image, light etc. but above all GREAT story. Thank you.
MAN...You guys films are so beautifully done i could watch these videos all day long...and the cars you choose to film are all great and so are their Owners..y favorite is the EL HEMI VIDEO because i have a 2016 392 Hemi...Of course nothing like this one in the video...i look forward to checking out all of your films and Video...Thanks Guys.
Man that El Hemi is muy magnífica and to you boys, who have done such a great job restoring and honouring your family, congratulations. Not only on the car but for the humanity that you've come to embrace and the love that you share with your family and now additionally with the world.
Peace and love.
+Mack Films Thank you for your comments. Glad you enjoyed the video. Peace and Love back to you :-)
what a cool story. and the old pics and vids are priceless.
Awesome car with a wondeful story behind it!
Thanks for sharing!
Cool ride, touching story. Hope you'll enjoy it as long as you wish.
great video! I almost cried right there, true dodge fans. This video makes me push for my dream car which is that same model.
Beautiful and emotional..... i think thats are the words to describe it
Cool car. I was just a kid in 1969. My cousin had a barracuda. I loved that thing. Sure wish I had it today.
I much rather pay thousands of dollars for a classic muscle car like this Challenger R/T any day over a new one with all the bells and whistles. Good job on bringing life to this car and to your family. It was a great video. Happy New Year!!
Who could dislike this! great story and awesome videography
Nicely done video. Thank you for sharing it.
Its amazeing how a car can make such an impact on life and how it can be such an important part of your life, i own a 67 impala that is like this story! U will never see someone say this 1998 or 2001 toyota corrola or honda accord is a part of the family,and will be past down thru generations and cheerished!
Wow! What a wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing. Amazing. And to think, he was just an average "Joe the plumber" wanting the enjoy a hot rod of the his day that he worked for. Sadly that his home country could not support it, but thankfully his sons got it out the country and back to America, and that they took on the project to restore it and give it life once again. What a joy it must be to drive their dad's car on a sunny afternoon through rolling hills on a two lane road. I sure hope the future generations of his family will respect and keep grandpa's car in such fine condition. Please do so!
what a beautiful video.. and what a car... what character.. loved it!
You're a very intelligent family if you've truly owned this car since 1969. The car is worth more than 5 kilos of pure gold. Seriously. Some day soon it will be worth more than a million dollars. Seriously.
wow perfekt! thats the way it should be. great car great story great video. best episode yet
Super cool ,glad you saved my favorite car, l970 Big Block Challenger will still be awesome 100 years from now!!!
Nice story, nice car. Congratulations and keep it running and videos coming.
Awesome video and epic story behind the machine. Good to see it's not a garage queen, that NEEDS to be driven!
Fantastic car and story. Thank you so much!
Such a cool car. I just purchased a 1/25 scale kit of this car, this video will help with the detail work. Thanks for the upload Petrolicious.
This video almost brought in those pesky Onion Ninjas......I had to hold back some tears. My family still has the original 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan within 2 months of arriving in Vancouver, Canada. There's minimal monetary value to the car, but the emotion value is priceless.