Dodge introduced the Challenger in 1970, the last of the automakers to join the “pony car” movement. It was initially successful at nearly 77,000 units in the first year, though that was a fraction of what the market leader was doing, the Ford Mustang. The R/T was a performance model of the hot new machine, fitted with a 383 cubic inch V8 as the starting point for power. The seller’s Challenger has had both a color and engine change but looks to be a willing candidate for a restoration.
Nearly 15,000 Challenger R/T coupes were built in 1970, excluding the SE model and convertibles. This edition began with Light Green Metallic paint (code FF4), but a prior owner changed it to black at some point. Though restored in 1998, it now has some bubbles developing on the rocker panels and a few more under the vinyl top. So, this would be a good time to strip all that away and return to the original colors.
The engine in this car is not numbers-matching, though the correct displacement. We don’t know the mileage on the car as a placeholder figure was used. So, we assume the TorqueFlite automatic functions properly and the seller says the Dodge runs and drives but doesn’t elaborate further. While the green interior seems okay, three of the power windows are wonky and the regulators will need attention.
You’ll have to listen to an exhaust leak until you repair something associated with the manifold. This Challenger once had factory A/C, but the hardware has been removed. If you’re looking for an R/T and don’t mind some work, you’ll have to do better than $27,300 to break through the seller’s reserve. This Mopar project is in Modesto, California, and is available here on eBay. Is this one within your budget?
Why restore it? Fix the mechanical issues and drive it. If restored, you will be adding tens of thousands of dollars to the purchase price, it will then be relegated to an existence of sitting in a garage with an occasional outing to a coffee and cars.
I’d be surprised if the reserve is anywhere near its current high bid of $27,300.
Steve R
100% agree. And I’m sure the reserve is significantly beyond the (currently) $30,300. How would one know if it’s affordable or within their budget without even knowing the the reserve (or final sales price) is. Unless one finds a bro deal, I don’t think there really is such a thing as an “affordable” (to most people) ’70 R/T body.
Such a shame it is a color changed car. I just don’t believe in changing the color from factory.
The green was on everything and color changes were cheap, although someone went all out and did this when the engine was out. In the late 80’s Maaco would paint a masked off car for $200 and it would look decent when it came out.
Yep, 💯 Roland. Many fox body Mustangs went thru for that Maaco deal. The price was unreal at the time. The quality… 🤷♂️
I knew a guy that had his old Challenger painted at Maaco around the late 90’s maybe, and of course it’s dependent on the individual who paints the car. He did a nice job and the Challenger was on the cover of Hot Rod magazine for one of their Power Tours.
I had a car painted by MAACO in the mid ’80s. After stopping by for a quote and seeing some of the just-painted or to-be-painted cars with masking tape crudely applied to fender scripts and other moldings, I spent several hours detrimming my car prior to paint. I think the guy who painted it did an extra nice job for me since he knew I cared about the quality more than their average customer. I actually got into an argument with a friend later who didn’t believe my car had been repainted.
Is that interior really green? Looks black? Kind of rarity to see an R/T with power windows I would think?? I am no expert but do not recall seeing any
Sadly affordable Mopar is an oxymoron.