Nick (from Nick’s Garage on YouTube) finally brought his dream Dodge Challenger full circle. After years of running a test mule 440, he’s reunited his white 1970 Challenger with the original numbers-matching 440 Magnum it was born with. The process was captured in a full shop session that shows the care, patience (and some more patience), it takes to keep a true big block Mopar alive.
The Numbers-Matching 440 Magnum Is Back Where It Belongs
Nick’s Dodge Challenger had been running a strong 440 built for dyno work: more than a hundred pulls, a few hundred miles on the street, and plenty of proof that it could take a beating. But sitting to the side was the real deal: the original 440 Magnum stamped to match the car’s VIN. That engine had a rough life; a broken rod decades ago, and years of sitting around, but Nick rebuilt it piece by piece.
The fresh setup got eight new pistons, a camshaft, factory-correct hardware, and a subtle upgrade with an electronic distributor. He even tucked the ignition module under the battery tray to keep the engine bay looking period correct. In the video, Nick and Robert drain the block, pull the accessories, bolt up a lift plate, and work the cherry picker with surgeon-level precision. They dodge brake lines, motor mounts, and fresh paint until the big block finally drops into place. Once bolted down, it looks exactly like it would have in 1970: factory manifolds, clutch fan, 180-degree thermostat, it’s all there.
The Value Behind This Build
For a car guy like Nick, this was about making the Dodge Challenger complete again. Numbers matching engines are a big deal in the Mopar world because they link a car straight back to its factory identity. Anyone can build a powerful 440, but only one engine in the world carries that exact VIN. That’s what gives this Challenger its soul.
Nick kept the upgrades smart. The car’s now got front disc brakes, power steering, and a hidden ignition module for reliability, but the overall look stays bone stock. Even the cooling system is old-school: factory radiator, clutch fan, and no electric fans in sight. He’s all about keeping it simple, functional, and as true to 1970 as possible.
“I’m going to drive it hard like Barry Newman,” – Nick
What makes it cooler is how casually Nick handles the whole process. He jokes about “driving it hard like Barry Newman,” referencing Vanishing Point, and it’s clear that this is a car he plans to drive. That’s what makes the video so fun to watch. Watching the car come together is an absolute treat, and it’s completely worth it when the unmistakable 440 fires back to life.
Source: Nick’s Garage
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