Elana Scherr is restoring a 1970 Dodge Challenger for the second time, according to Car and Driver. The automotive journalist and television personality previously tackled this same muscle car project, but circumstances have given her another opportunity to complete the restoration work.
The 1970 Challenger represents the golden age of American muscle cars. Dodge's pony car competitor arrived with aggressive styling, a wide track stance, and engine options ranging from a 198-cubic-inch inline-six to the legendary 426 Hemi V8. First-generation Challengers command serious collector attention today, with original Hemis fetching six figures at auction.
Scherr's decision to revisit the project speaks to a broader trend among enthusiasts. Classic American muscle cars remain deeply personal undertakings. Many owners and restorers find themselves drawn back to unfinished projects years later, armed with better resources, different perspectives, or simply renewed passion for the work.
The article's reference to "paint" suggests cosmetic work stands central to this restoration phase. A full respray of a 1970 Challenger requires significant expertise, especially when accuracy matters. Getting period-correct colors, finishes, and application methods right separates show-quality restorations from basic refreshes. Dodge offered numerous paint options in 1970, from practical blacks and whites to vivid mid-range colors like Panther Pink, Plum Crazy, and Go-Mango.
For someone with Scherr's media profile, a Challenger restoration project generates natural content. She co-hosts "Faster with Finnegan," appears regularly on automotive content platforms, and brings credibility as someone who understands cars beyond surface-level enthusiasm. Her willingness to publicly tackle a second attempt at the same project normalizes the reality that restoration work rarely follows a straight path.