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1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 383 Project

Dodge was late getting into the pony car game – more than five years behind its Plymouth cousin, the Barracuda. Performance versions of the Challenger were popular early on, but the car also got into the market as the demand for muscle cars was peaking. This 1970 Challenger is said to be the more desirable R/T model which – with a 383 V-8 and automatic transmission – was only eight percent of total production in its first of five years on the market. The seller’s car is a project not for the faint of heart because it has a ton of rust to overcome as part of a total restoration. It’s located in La Valle, Wisconsin and available here on eBay were the bidding is up to $4,950 and the reserve is somewhere north of that.

The original Dodge Challenger was built for five years in the 1970s and the name disappeared until 1978 when it returned on a Japanese car imported by Mitsubishi for Dodge. In 2008, Dodge did a reboot of the Challenger that’s still in production as an off shoot of the current Charger. The 1970 Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda had virtually nothing in common with the original ’64 Barracuda that started the ball rolling. The first Challengers would be known for their performance, as well as a variety of wild colors, graphics, and pistol-grip shifters. The Challenger R/T (for Road/Track) came standard with the 383 Magnum V-8 engine that put out 335 hp with dual exhaust. The gearing was taut, and it came with the Rallye suspension, performance hood with twin scoops and engine callouts, black grille surround, longitudinal or a bumblebee stripes, and a four-pod Rallye instrument cluster. Thanks to Classic Car History for a Challenger run-down.

Finished in what is most likely Green Glo, the seller’s Challenger is a major project from head to toe. While it doesn’t appear to be bent up, there is some serious rust to be dealt with. The driver’s side rear quarter has its fair share, and the floorboards are like those in Fred Flintstone’s car, especially in the rear. There are a few photos from underneath and things don’t improve much there. The black interior will need a complete makeover in terms of the seats, carpets, and dashboard.

We’re told the car has a matching numbers engine and transmission, but the motor at least is not in the car and appears to be missing quite a few parts. The car is said to have 109,000 miles on it, so we assume it was removed for a rebuild that never happened as the car’s condition further deteriorated. The seller says there is no fender tag and there is some confusion about the title. In one reference, the seller says there is no title, but in another he says there is a title, but in either case it will need bonding. So, bidders should get clarification before proceeding.

This Challenger R/T is one of 6,347 built for 1970. If you check online for similar cars for sale, they all seem to be trending in the high five figures – but those cars are either already restored or nice originals. This car is neither of those things, but it seems worth a shot at coming back from the grave.  What do our readers think this car is worth in its present condition?

Comments

  1. Avatar Arthur

    This looks like a project that Mark Worman and his associates at Graveyard Carz should be tackling, especially if the engine and transmission are indeed numbers matching.

    Like 3
  2. Avatar bobhess Member

    More challenge than Challenger here.

    Like 9
  3. Avatar Tom c

    All this for 5 grand, what a deal !

    Like 7
  4. Avatar Chris M.

    I’m surprised it’s leveled off at $5 grand honestly. What we CAN see is pretty bad in terms of rust. After media blasting your probably spending 12 grand just to get the structural integrity back to original. And I’d be surprised if that numbers matching 383 is salvageable.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Robert White

      The car is complete toast as the rockers and entire floor plus the trunk pan has to be completely removed and new pans have to be installed along with two complete rockers.

      This means that it’s a two full quarter panel job with the added floor pans in the interior, and trunk pan too. Way too much work starting out to make this car feasible.

      The only restoration expert that would take this car is one that likes the most extreme restoration challenge there is in car restorations. Moreover, this car needs EVERYTHING from motor and trans rebuild to an entire new body. And these are unibody cars so you can scrap thinking that it’s a body off.

      This car is destined for the crusher IMHO.

      Bob

      Like 3
    • Avatar piston poney

      the motor is salvageable as long as the block isn’t cracked, you can get a new crank you can get piston, rods, heads, intake, and so on and so forth you can get everything as long at the block is good you can save almost any motor

      Like 1
  5. Avatar JohnfromSC

    Yes, and who wants to bet that the VIN on this one’s radiator support is already registered to another Challenger along with the missing data tag.

    Like 5
    • Avatar MoPar Mike

      You lost that bet. The VIN tag is still in place on the dash. You can’t register a car via the fender tag.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar George Mattar

    Sad. Truth be told he was gonna fix it up some day. The first comment is the best. You had to pay to haul junk away. If someone buys it, his new best friend will be the AMD sales rep.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar bone

    This color I believe is light green Iridescent ; Green Go is much brighter and is a 1971 color. The interior is (was) also green not black, which to me, would not be as desirable as a black interior . Its really rough and looks like it was pulled out of a junkyard , but it is a 50 year old car and I’m sure it ill be restored. I mean, how many 50 year old cars in 1970 were still in great shape ?

    Like 0

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