Every once in a while we find a car where the pictures practically yell “Rescue me!” This 1970 Dodge Challenger RT with its factory 440 V8 still in place needs someone to love it, and soon. It’s listed for sale here on eBay with bidding already over $10,000 and the reserve isn’t met. The car is waiting for you in Coushatta, Louisiana.
As you can see, the seller did clear things off for picture purposes. It’s nice to see that the first photo probably wasn’t staged.
This full-width grille was only fitted to 1970 Challengers; by 1971 there were dividers. It’s nice to see the trim and plastic intact.
You can see some rust in the quarter panel here, and based on the full-width pictures you’ll have some rust replacement to do.
It’s unfortunate that part of the trim tag is obscured by dirt, but there’s enough here to whet some appetites. Unfortunately (or fortunately if you like mysteries) that “U” in the fourth group over on the bottom line raises some questions. According to this site that means the car should have a 440 V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, which is what it appears to have and what the dash tag says. However, this picture of the door tag on the car indicates a V code, which would mean a 440 V8 with three two-barrel carburetors, or the famed “6-Pack”. The seller calls out this discrepancy but feels it is a typo. Any readers hear of something like this before?
I got this far with the terrific online tool offered by mymopar.com. I was making some guesses on the codes in some cases, so don’t hold me or them to this interpretation. It does, however, state that it should be the four-barrel induction system.
The 1970 Challengers were known for their laid-back seats — ok, not really! They have obviously just been placed there for storage. I’m sure a car like this will get the full restoration treatment anyway.
Air conditioning to boot! This seems to be a very, very desirable car and I’m sure someone will end up restoring it — or transferring the tag and information to a new shell. What do you think?
U = 440. U(440) O(70) B(Hamtramck). Easy. Can’t wait to see it drive. Bet it’s a total flood car though.
I wish I had the bread to restore this car to perfection, but instead of original, I would make a base car slant six clone. Wouldn’t that just po some people?!! Heck, might even go 198 vs 225 slant six too. But fear not children, all would not be lost, there would be a nifty three speed coming out of the floor with that nostalgic H pattern we all grew up with. Hmmm, where would we find a standard hood and dash? Need some rubber floor mats, if we want it to look just like a 1970 Challenger Deputy model. Remember those? Those need to be a coupe too, not a hard top.
No air conditioning on 6 packs.
How does a car THAT awesome always seem to end up rotting in a huge mess that doesn’t even look like a car anymore? Sigh…
Because the average person that usually owned these cars back in the day were hoodlums and low lifes or crooks. Average people drove average cars. By the mid 70s, no honest person could afford the insurance on this, so they drove standard cars. Low life types often lied to get insurance. What is really sad is the same person(s) who left this eyesore to rot for decades are now going to get untold riches from bad behavior.
Count me in as a low life then Billy. Glad I was not average back in the day. I was an Alter boy before I got behind the wheel. Not a hoodlum or low life, outlaw maybe. Agree on the rotting car issue, sad, but we see it here everyday. Take care bud, Mike.
Leiniedude, I would NEVER call YOU a lowlife, you are obvious an outstanding human being of the most elite caliber!
LOL Billy! Thanks! I enjoy your posts. The problem is, and you are correct about old motorheads checking out. Truth be told stud. I am sure it will reflect on car valules. Not really worried about it. Driving my stuff till I go underground. Take care Bro, Mike.
Because Mopars made loose tinny bodies that rusted out fast then, ran like hell-excellent running gear, gas when super high[50cents a gallon], & 4 a wage we was only making $3.50-5 a hour. Were u even born then, if so u should 50 cars or so laying around your pad. It’s called living in ur time/day
Blows my mind how people treat VERY COLLECTABLE vehicles….UNBELIEVEABLE!!!
Why in God’s name would you post a picture with all the crap stuffed all over the car? Tow the car out of its tomb, inflate the tires, hose of all the filth, wash the the windows and clean all the junk out of the car. An hour of effort and you have made your lazy butt a few more dollars. People amaze me.
Yep
touche!
Hope that 440 means only 440 feet to the recycle center!!!!!!
Sometimes The dust can add value.
Provenance.
I guess the mud bath on the frame has
been fine all these years ?
Nothing says farm fresh like rain With mud..
Save this beast and get the grandkids some money 💰
OK, I’m not a big fan of MOPAR products in general, but the owner of this car should be laid out on the dirt and have all that crap piled on top of him!
Now, that’s a barn find (or a lean-to).
Who wants to buy a $10,000 plus trash can (car)? Then after buying, sink another $40,000 plus more into it. My 2 cents, if this is such a rare care , then it should have been taken better care of.
Yea, but if you already have one, and have money, it’s worth restoring.
Yes, and cruise with stability, not to mention a warranty. As warm and fuzzy I feel about my/our youth, modern cars rock. There is almost half a century of tech and refinement since this was new, yet we have people who insist these are so much better than anything you can buy new today. Think about this, when this was new, you would be comparing it to a Model T. Same thing kiddies. 50 years difference. Nostalgia is wonderful, just be honest with yourself. Also, decide how much of your hard earned dollars you are willing to part with for it. Unless you are 112% sure of a big score by selling to an overly rich dude, I would tread carefully.
Hey Billy. These old cars will always look cooler than newer high technology cars and that’s what we love the most.
It’s about being cool even if we’re geezers wearing Depends…..ha……
I’ll bet the frame and floorboards along with the trunk pan are rotted to beat hell.
This one wins the award for the most trash piled on it. Good God! Best part is the Halos orange crate on the hood. I love those Halos oranges! 😃
Love driving thru Halos country on the way to the march meet .
You know exactly how the neighbors feel about this guy.
Too bad, another case of the moron dying who was “gonna fix it up someday.” Based on the damp conditions it sitting in my guess it’s to far gone at this stage. Shame, only 1,800 1970 Challengers built with the 440 4 barrel.
I will never understand the logic of people who leave cars to rot. This one’s bad but not THE WORST WASTE EVER.
A decade ago I did a piece in Muscle Car Review about a ’70 Challenger R/T, the last one made in summer 1970. Solid white, green leather, 6-barrel 440, 4-gear, PW, luggage rack that had been parked without a rear window, in a shed since 1979. It was rusted so badly that from a high-angle front pic you could see the lawn behind the car, through the windshield.
I like Challengers, but that looks like a pile of rust with a couple tires in the picture. IMO it’s way to far gone unless someone has another body to put the tires on.
I just don’t get it when someone had such a rare equipped vintage car that they just don’t really care and leave it to the mud rats etc …then, years later think it’s worth bushels of cash!!!.. it’s just nuts..
First thing to consider it’s located is in Louisiana. A big chunk of Louisiana is a humid swap.
I’d be scared to death of the rust issues. And Lordy, who knows whats living in it.
I’d be too afraid of it, it’s a darn shame because that car once held its head up high in its day.
Last car I saw Louisiana was a Porsche and it was a rustbucket.
I wouldn’t take the owners word for anything on this car. Id have to inspect it with a fine tooth comb if I were considering it.
Too many others to choose from in better shape.
Good luck whoever decides to tackle it.
The odds don’t appear to be in their favor.
But who knows?
Man, it was a pretty car in it’s day.
Expensive too. I remember the old man buying his first new car when he was about 40, a 71 Chevrolet Vega Kammback woody lime or yellow think he got a deal as it was not a popular config, black interior, thinking it was a bit over 2Gs.
Hi,
Please tell me about those wheels. I just picked up a new set for my 70 Mach 1 – but I have seen a few other makes of car fitted with the same.
I am on the other side of the world.
Was this not fitted by Ford to the 70 428 and Boss 429 ? Or was it just a popular aftermarket wheel for all brands?
Dickie I believe those are Ford wheels on that car as they had the same bolt pattern around that time…
Magnum 500. Came on both brands
Ford offered both 14 and 15 and should have the Ford stamp on the back side. These were first offered as an after market wheel but soon GM/Mopar saw them as a nice option for 66/67 for GM inn 14’s and 68 on the Mopars all in 14’s…..the Mopars having the Penastar stamp on some of theirs. By 68 GM was running a style of these with a beauty ring and Mopar would follow in 1969 with thier wheel. Was it 69/70 that Ford offered the 15 wheel for the Boss’s and then followed with the 14 about 71 ? Here’s my old 68 1/2 RR still wearing it’s factory paint in the late 80’s.
Karguy James got it right – in it’s Day. Now its a pile of poo!
Buried in orange crates and tools?! What a disgrace!
…this is why it is called a Challenger.
Spend $60k including purchase price, restore as original, and auction for $100k and then some. It WILL sell for that.
Yes Beware,it looks like a flood car with dry storage atop.Just a parts car here!
$10k,………hahahahahaha!
I know where there is a 1972 440 x6 dodge charger sitting in a garage since 1990.
Call me stupid, but I do believe the last year of a factory 440.6 was 1971. And even then, it was down 5 HP from 1970. Have you seen this car in person? I remember all sorts of crazy urban myths about cars, mostly in the 80s when these things were actually affordable but before the rich boys ruined the experience. Lots of tall tales for all sorts of things. I have only seen one confirmed extra powerful V8 for 1972 Mopars, and that one just slipped through the system, prob an insider at Chrysler pulling strings judging by the ultra high options spec the car was made of. My guess, an executive who thought he could get around the mandatory EPA regulations for the 72 models. If what you say is factory, it is more rare then proving Bigfoot exists.
Actually, it’s been documented that there were a few 6 barrel/pack cars to make into production in ’72 A Roadrunner was recently restored to factory specs. Reportedly there was a Charger that was built as well but has yet to surface.
There were two 440×6 chargers built in 72 the engines were 1970 and the cars including the roadrunner in another comment were built for Chrysler executives. And yes I have seen the car in person. Since I’ve known the owner since high school.
If you can verify, then it is a Very, very rare beast. Officially weren’t offered, but a scant handful have been documented/known to have gone out in ’72 model cars.
The owner had no respect for the car until they thought it could bring big money.
I would rather not deal with people like that.
I think barrett jackson and other auctions are to blame everyone thinks they have a gold mine no average person can afford a car any more all you ever see is $150,000 cars what happened to the hobby I feel sorry for the kids that have to buy a stupid import cause they cant get a classic car
That stupid import most likely will run circles around the classic car of your choice, just saying.
Yup. This car, even with a few popular bolt one’s “From back in the day,” couldn’t compete with my DD Buick Regal with a few bolt on’s from today. It just is what it is…
The reader comments on this site are funny, I say bring on the trash covered, low light photographed, cast aside and neglect muscle cars. That’s why I came to a website called BARNFINDS! If you want to moan and complain, my I suggest the comment section of yahoo news. There is some world class belly-aching going on over there.
Mr Traner K,
You are correct sir. These are “Barn finds” and unfortunately, this is typical of many of these old muscle cars that were parked for one reason or another. I’m old enough to have owned many of Mopars finest. 69 Charger 383, 69 GTX (all factory original silver and black with red interior), 67 Fast back Barracuda formula S, 72 340 Duster ( had a 70 TA 340 built with 435 HP by R&R Speed Shop) and bracket raced it for 3 years in 79-81. 71 Cuda with a 383, and presently a 87 Dodge Ram 100 custom that is being prepped for a 5.7 HEMI install.
A 69 Dodge super bee with mod top, a 65 Plymouth Belvedere (grew up with one that dad drove out the show room doors)
Billy007, you are correct about cars slipping through the cracks. The 65 Plymouth that my dad owned was incredible. Could possibly have been the only one to ever roll off the line with a high compression, cammed 4 barrel 273 ci. The sales man had told dad that it was a special built engine that the engineers had played with. I do remember that car getting LOTS of attention and let’s just say that dad and my MOM put it to good use.
In the early-mid 80s I was a member of the “Rapid Transit System” car club and we had a meet at the Chrysler proving grounds in Chelsea MI. At that meet a 70 or 71 Plymouth station wagon was there with a factory installed HEMI. According to Chrysler no station wagon was ever built with a HEMI. The Vin had the correct R code and “45” – 6 passnager wagon code. I have read about other vehicles that had engines and or options that were technical never offered but the salesman would check the box and sometimes it got built.
Jeep4play,
You are correct when you mention the salesman checking a box, and it was built to that spec. In 1973 I ordered a Dodge Tradesman 200 LWB van with 318 V8, Stickshift, factory A/C [a whopping $479 expense!], and cruise control. ALL of the Chrysler/Dodge sales paperwork said cruise was ONLY available with automatic transmission. I had also arranged to take delivery of the van at the factory, as I worked for the selling dealership as a mechanic.
When it came time to pick up the van, I took the train and a taxi to the customer service office at the factory. After signing the paperwork, I was given a small box and a hand written note that said the fuse for the cruise control was not installed, and I needed to add a brake light switch to the bracket [same type of bracket as used on the brake pedal assembly] that held the clutch pedal assembly. Inside the box was the brake light switch! I popped the switch into place, spliced it into the wire for the brake light, and I was on the road! The missing Cruise Control fuse was taped next to the fuse box! Driving home, I kept pushing the clutch pedal in just a little bit to watch the cruise control disconnect!
I’ve always wondered if they would have done this if I wasn’t picking it up at the factory as a “MoPaR family, dealer network employee”.
I never thought to look up the option code for cruise control on the data plate to see if it was listed, I assume it was there as it was installed in the truck. Put over 250,000 miles on that van, drove it thru 49 states including Alaska, plus Canada & Mexico. Other than 2 brake overhauls & many tire sets, only major repair was a rear U-Joint I replaced in the parking lot of the local auto parts store in Amarillo, Texas.
Junked it in 2001 when I ran out of storage options.
Every time I see one of these it reminds me of a certain family member who bought a ’70 R/T Red, 440 six-pack. After a few months he realized that the payments were too much, so he did what any respectable person would do- he went to the farm, grabbed the backhoe, and buried it in a pit. Reported it stolen. To this day, parts surface every now and then, including a sale worthy passenger door. Sad. The car deserved better.
Im with Traner k , bring on all of it, flippers who cant wait till car is off trailer to take pics( i hate it so much… i may become one) overpriced bones. Clones, rot boxes………And then we have a 70 ls6!!!!!! Original!! Or the two superbirds hiding out for 40 years??? Money, he must have had plenty of it. I understand why people let good cars go to crap, only so many hours in a day, put it outside bathe it in oil fill it full of mothballs and hope for the best. It gives me hope that someday i will be as lucky as Karguy james
Thanks for posting this Barn Find!
Every so often I need to remember what says “I are a dumb hillbilly” and this poor thing says it best about whoever left it there to rot.
But some dumb hillbilly will laugh all the way to the bank.
Being a unibody there isn’t likely to be anything left of any floor pans, sub frames, or usable suspension parts.
Stil, I’m sure that someone with cash to burn will strip it, dip it and spend a fortune on rebuilding it.
And yes:
Televised auctions and cable TV shows have pretty much eliminated average buyers and restoration folks..
Look at the Bayou Mud its sitting in.
There will be no frame left.
Parts car.
I think the only 4 bbl available were carters
the trip deuce setup though wad a holley option
Zero trunk floor. The trunk photo makes it look like lateral reinforcements were added in an earlier time to keep this area together. Also, trailer receiver in the back. This was rode hard and dropped in the Louisiana mud with crates to hold it down. They didn’t do the suspension any favors either. Alas… This will sell…it has met its reserve.
Transferring the tag and information to a new shell. What do you think? Good idea…
Ever wonder how many hot, low-mileage barn finds were parked in a dark barn 30-years ago because they were stollen? Or maybe involved in an unsolved crime? And now it’s being sold by a relative with no title, keys, or knowledge of its past? Speaking of low-life’s here made me wonder.
Yes, “Barnfinds CSI” (Cars Sitting Indefinitely).
Yes, that makes sense to me. Bad Boys like hot cars. Dillinger didn’t drive four cylinder Fords, he liked the eights, didn’t he? You are a wise and learned man Steve, we all humbly bow to your wisdom.
The same rich kids whose parents bought these cars for them in high school then were abused and wrecked are paying the big bucks for the same cars today because daddy and mommy passed away and left them tons of dough. Some things aren’t fair so just accept it as something you can’t change, no matter how big a douche they are.
There are so many good reasons to win the genetic lottery, here is another.
There is another side to those very true sayings above:
Over & over again in the 1960s thru the 1990s I would hear about an ULTRA low mileage car, parked in a garage, in beautiful condition, one owner since new.
Inevitably, the car was a cheap sedan, no options, black, light gray or tan paint color, If it was a Ford, Plymouth or Chevy, it was a bottom of the line “plain Jane” 4-door sedan. Or a base line Rambler, Studebaker Scotsman, etc.
Those thrifty buyers bought a cheap car because that was what they could afford, and knew it was going to have to last them for many years, so they took great care of their investment. They were often in their late 40s or 50s when they bought the car, and planned on it being their last car.
People who could afford to by a higher priced car loaded with options, typically kept the car only a few years before trading it in. At that point it was only a used car, and subsequent owners didn’t consider the car as an investment.
I think this car may be setting a record for most comments and replies. Sure has lit up my mailbox!
Meh, I’d go buy a 2019 Scat-Pack Challenger, full factory warranty and all the best features for $40k… too many terrific NEW factory cars to get excited about something like this any more.
Is that factory Sublime, or just moss?
Early production 70, once a stunner in B5 blue with a white top. After all those years parked on dirt, though, that thing is gonna be a mess underneath. A horrible mess. What a shame.
More Old Parts And Rust. No need to say anymore.
Sold for $11,100.00 Ad gone
Really ?
Who believes these bids ?
Drop a bid on the next one and see if it makes you a believer or not…..