Once again, we have found a non-muscle car version of a muscle car but this one is something really special. Not only is it a seldomly seen 1970 Dodge Challenger convertible model, but it is also essentially a never seen six-cylinder version. Where does one find such a unicorn? Live Oak, Florida and it is available here on eBay for a current bid of $32,900, reserve not yet met.
A 1970 Dodge Challenger convertible is rare enough, there were only 2,921 of all stripes produced. With a slant-six cylinder engine? 378!* That’s about a half a percent of total production; rare indeed. And to add to the story, this example is in stellar condition.
The seller describes this Challenger as, “This a car that time forgot. It is near perfect, never disassembled, never abused, not another like it”. Well, I certainly haven’t encountered one like it. At 81K miles, this Dodge is in excellent condition and, according to the seller, rust-free. The seller states that the “Interior, paint, top have been freshened up through the years” so I’m not exactly sure what that means. Repainted, partially repainted, interior professionally repaired or completely redone? Whatever the case, it looks terrific. The road wheels are not original to this car but the seller has the original built-with wheel covers. I never thought I would like color code FY4, “Light Gold” on a Challenger (seems more like a Monaco color) but this convertible wears it very well. It’s helped by the fact that nothing looks wrong with it. I’m not sure how you “freshen” a convertible top (use convertible top cleaner?) but this folding top looks like new. The only notable wear is on the front bumper, the chrome plating is thin where it has been continually exposed to dripping water. One item, however, that is a bit out of character is the trunk-mounted luggage rack. It’s large in an obvious way and breaks up the lines of this nicely balanced convertible.
Dodge was all about machismo in 1970 and they had the model and powertrain line-up to live that life. That’s why it is perplexing to find a Challenger convertible powered by ChryCo’s venerable 225 CI, slant-six cylinder engine. When I first stumbled on to this listing, my assumption was that a 318 CI V8 was in residence under the hood – fat chance of that! At 145 gross HP, this engine isn’t going to win too many burn-out contests but it may well win one for longevity. It’s a solid engine, just a peculiar choice in this example. The seller adds, “Complete mechanical rebuild recently, engine, transmission, differential & brake system.” Well, it certainly looks new under the hood. I’ll suppose this convertible runs well, though the seller never makes a statement regarding its running and driving aptitude. It should stop well, however, the front brakes have been converted to discs.
The interior follows the general trend of the exterior, it’s perfect. Back to that “freshening up” comment, not sure how that applies to the interior but whatever it entailed has either maintained the interior’s beautiful originality or worked as a redo at a very high level. Nothing more is needed inside. Of note, is the inclusion of an FM converter for the original AM radio, remember those?
The seller has documentation from this car’s three previous owners, going back all 50 years, including the broadcast sheet. It is referenced as a true time capsule but I usually associate that term with complete originality and this Dodge, as beautiful as it is, has had some help over the years. The seller also mentions a “low” reserve but the bid details portion of the listing makes no reference to that. Nevertheless, this convertible is a testament to how cars were built at one time, in particular, the ability to mix and match obscure options that would satisfy any purchaser’s desire. Now the big question, this Challenger is rare but is it rare in a valuable way that will garner an R/T, muscle car kind of price? How do you appraise the value of such a rare combination of options when there is little or nothing with which to compare it? I really like this Challenger convertible but not $33K worth of liking it. How about you?
*from www.challengerspecs.com
I wasn’t going to mention (intense dislike!) the luggage rack, and as Jim has done it for me, all I can say is: I LIKE this car! I WOULD NOT change a thing (V-8’s are my preference). Since I’m not in the market, pricing is something that I’ll just watch to see where it ends. Absolutely beautiful specimen! GLWTA!! :-)
ls!
I would take this over a new convertible of almost any make. With it not being a gas monster it could be a DD. It’s a package and look that was on the front of a dealer pamphlet.
A neighbor that drove me and himself to school had this in a white/black interior over orange with a white top. His dad had a dodgedealership so we always had crazy car. This one had a brass plaque on the lower dash that stated it had a blueprinted 383 in it.
Very nice, but it’s a repeat:
https://barnfinds.com/simply-spotless-1970-dodge-challenger-convertible/
I would be wary of the panel gaps on the right side. They weren’t built to exacting standards, so it could have been built that way, but I would want to take a closer look to be sure.
CCFisher:
Oops, thanks for pointing that out, I missed Adam’s original post.
JO
Rerun indeed. It’s hard to forget a car like one. I remember it well.
They say there is 300 HP just waiting to be brought out of the leaning tower of power, I’d pump it up, lose the luggage rack and enjoy shocking everyone at C&C! Or, drop in a 340/383/440, double the value and cash out. Nice car!
Nah, the SS is more then enough power for anyone. A convert isn’t for drag racing, its for quiet drives in the country and to go get ice cream. The six is perfect for that. Besides, there are so few of these left, lets keep it, but judging by the price already, someone already has a monster engine planned. Too bad. If I could afford it, I would save this little lady.
Absolutely keep the Six and read Ken Jennings, who has it right. if I had the room i would buy it.
I am not a fan of black vinyl in a convertible (can be VERY painful lol) but this is a great car! The slant six makes it even better in my mind.
Leave six alone please aa this is a cruise car and not a race for pinks type vert.
I would maintain as is and drive it on weekends with top down.
It’s a sweetheart for sure 👍👀
300 hp out of a Slant Six? I’d like to see that. It would be awesome in this car. I’ve always thought of the Slant Six as the very best of the 6 cylinder engines, better than a stovebolt, Ford 300, even a Jag DOHC. In this era the GM Atlas engines may compete.
My ’69 Cutlass was this color so I’m all in on the combo. I agree on the black vinyl but this car is so cherry I could overlook it. That convertible top looks to be free of wrinkles.
The slant 6 is a very versatile engine. I have seen videos where people have tweaked them to 300+ horsepower !
300 hp?. Go ahead. Take durability away. Take the smooth and calm quietness away with large or dual exhaust. A loud 6 exhaust system is annoying and unnecessary unless you like how a 6cyl tractor sounds. Only a V8 can get away with that.
What kind of person would order an extra cost convertible and cheap out on the engine. I owned a 71 duster with a SS and I wasn’t to impressed. Had to get a running start sometimes to pull up a steep hill and it sounded terrible.
Someone who wanted a rock-solid, nearly indestructible, dependable, proven engine with good gas mileage, parts available anywhere, ease of maintenance, ability to go 200,000 miles without major work, that had been (at that time) in production for 10 years–that’s who.
Perfect for a dealer ScatPak
Hellcat swap it ! Put the “Slant Six” in a boat , where it belongs . Haul your slicks on the trunk rack . I’ve had and have sold plenty of 225 powered Mopars years ago , they are very durable but not powerful , more like pitiful when it comes to get up and go .
I have actually seen another slant 6 Challenger convertible. Back around 1977, while working at Curt’s Texaco in Framingham, Mass. Our neighbors had a blue Challenger convertible with a white top.
Hey Camaro Joe – do you remember that one?
I do remember that car. The hard plastic interior panels squeaked and rattled terribly in the cold weather. I believe they bought it used in 1971.
I bought a red with white interior six, with a 3 speed column shift from a school teacher in Orange County, CA in the 80s. She still had the Scat-Pak in the original boxes. She had them stored since new in her garage. She explained that the car initially got such “horrendous gas mileage”, that she returned the car to the dealer, who replaced the Scat-Pak components with OEM equipment. She realized weeks later, the service department had boxed all the parts and put them in the trunk. Since then, she had them stored in her garage. I sold them all to a kid with a 69 Dart in Colorado soon after acquiring them. I traded the Challenger towards a 70 GTX about a year later, in ’89.
As a kid seeing these in the showroom back in late ’69 I recall a med blue, white int. SE coupe with the Slant Six. What a sight! That was the car to beat out all of them in the style dept. At the time I was ever so slightly put off with the mill tucked between the fenders, but dang it was beautiful. Those day’s are gone, but the strong memories hang on.
Really nice car but is the price up to par with a slant 6 and an automatic??? I’m not up on the muscle cars with no muscle so I’m asking!!!
Kowalski does not approve.
Beautiful Challenger, though.
If Kowalski had been driving this, he would never drove into those blades. probably be oogling cute old ladies in the nursing home.