45k Original Miles: 1970 Dodge Charger

It seems that by the time most Second Generation Dodge Chargers find their way onto our desks at Barn Finds, they have been at least partially consumed by rust. That makes this 1970 model a breath of fresh air. It is a tidy classic, and with only 45,000 miles showing on its odometer, it should offer its new owner years of reliable classic motoring pleasure. Those who doubt the popularity of these cars need only look at the bidding history since the seller listed this Dodge here on eBay. Located in Ellington, Connecticut, thirty bids have pushed the price to $43,100. However, that figure falls short of the reserve.

The Charger makes a positive first impression, with its Dark Tan Metallic paint exhibiting a stunning shine. The panels are straight, with no evidence of rust or other problems. The theme continues below deck, with the floors and trunk pan looking rock-solid. The seller admits the vehicle received a prior repaint, and I can confirm this occurred within the past two years. My detective work revealed a previous auction for this Dodge from November 2020 with better photos than those supplied by this seller. They show the Charger originally wore a faded White vinyl top, with rust developing around the chrome edge strips. The vinyl, strips, and rust, are all gone. The repaint extended into the trunk, and I believe the same person protected the floors with an undercoat. The glass looks excellent, as does the trim. The Dodge rolls on Magnum 500-style wheels that suit this classic’s character.

The original owner ordered this Charger with its interior trimmed in two-tone Brown and Tan vinyl. Its overall condition is clean and tidy, and the seller includes a new carpet set if the buyer wants to lift the presentation further. They emphasize its originality and that the interior remains untouched from when the car left the factory. The earlier listing I mentioned reveals the back seat suffered sun rot at the top, but the supplied photos and text don’t mention any repairs or provide a clear look at the area. It would be worth enquiring about the issue to determine whether the new owner will need to factor repairs into their budget. The photos reveal a couple of small rips in one lower corner of the driver’s door trim, but the remaining upholstery, dash, and pad look fine. It isn’t loaded with luxury appointments, but the buyer receives air conditioning, an AM radio, and three-speed wipers. Unsurprisingly, the seller indicates the A/C requires a recharge, but I would inspect the system first to determine whether there is a leak requiring attention.

Lifting the hood reveals the numbers-matching 318ci V8 that sends 230hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. That combination made the Charger a competent performer that could match almost anything in the cut-and-thrust of commuter traffic while cruising effortlessly at freeway speeds. The seller indicates the original owner parted with the car two years ago, which ties in with information I found while researching this classic. It has a genuine 45,000 miles on the clock, and I believe they hold verifying evidence. They include the original Broadcast Sheet, Window Sticker, dealer documentation, and complete service records. They say the Dodge runs and drives perfectly and that they would have no hesitation in driving it anywhere.

Although it isn’t an R/T, an SE, or a 500, this 1970 Charger has generated interest since hitting the market. The intense bidding makes me wonder where it will reach before passing the reserve. That brings us to a couple of points worth pondering. A previous listing by the seller saw the car fail to meet the reserve with the bidding at $50,099, providing some insight into their expectations. More tellingly, the other auction I mentioned for this Charger from almost exactly two years ago indicated a successful sale at $17,650. If that’s correct, this seller could achieve an impressive return on their investment.