It’s easy to get discouraged initially when a seller calls his car ugly, and this 1970 Dodge Challenger certainly isn’t a sight for sore eyes in its present condition. Once one digs a bit deeper, this E-Body may be better project material than it first appears, and probably more solid than face value would lead potential buyers to believe. Granted, plenty of work will be needed, but if you’ve been searching for a first-year Challenger to build however you want, this one here on eBay might be worth considering. It’s located in Kuna, Idaho, and comes at a buy-it-now price of $9,800.
With the amount of fading present, this one certainly hasn’t spent all of its days inside a cozy garage, but the seller does mention that it was originally a California car. Probably the biggest mishap outside concerns the roof, which a previous owner removed the vinyl from, then left the car out in the elements. This one will need a new top skin, but thankfully, the support structure underneath is described as being in remarkable condition. The quarter panel on the passenger side will also need to be repaired or replaced, but other than these two areas, this Challenger seems more solid overall than many unrestored E-Bodies in the marketplace.
It’s also pointed out that this Challenger is a base model, and it was originally equipped with a 318 engine. In the bay now is a 440, which is thought to be either a 1967 or 1968 date code, with 383 heads. The bad news is that it’s been left without a carburetor on top and is locked up, although the seller has it soaking in Marvel Mystery Oil, with the hope that this will help free things up. Maybe it would be easier to source a different motor, but that’ll be up to the next owner to decide, and also whether to keep this one entry-level, clone it into an R/T, or maybe even turn this car into a Restomod.
From the limited number of interior photos we get to view, it appears some work will also be needed inside, but the seller says most of the components are still there. There’s no Rallye dash cluster, but the base instruments look like they might clean up decently, and it’s nice to see those A/C vents present. With all the good options to consider here, I’d have a hard time choosing how to move forward, although the thought of keeping this one a big block instead of going back to the 318 sounds appealing. What would you do with this 1970 Dodge Challenger?
That’s a lot of work. Surprised the floors are described as intact…instead of inpieces…
that’s a lot of money for this one. IMO it will take another 30k to get right.
Lovely, 10k for a big pile of rust. I know I know, e bodies are gold, but c’mon, should come with a tetanus shot.
Man, needs work! But whether you wanna make it back to original or do something different, it’s gonna cost you all about the same money.
Personally, I really like the Challenger T/A look, but would be kind of weird with a 440 in there, but who says you can’t do that!
somebody will pay the listed price or close to it. 70 challenger is what it is. i would not pay the price. to dump 50k in it. no thanks
This is a lot work here and I think 5k is a better starting price.
If you have to look at a bright side on something like this.
It came from the factory with A/C.
It has a wood rim steering wheel, which must have been an option.
There is a toggle switch in the Rear Defogger area, so it may have had that option.
Still a frightening prospect for most of us.
9k, mmm..your paying up, that is true, however, 440 versus 318, that is a slam dunk regardless…chances are, if the 318 was still in the car it would needed pulled, so that is a positive..and in the end more value..you can turn or twist it a hundred different directions if you choose..if you want to go out and spend 6 figures for someone else’s dream, go ahead..if you want an open canvas for your dream, here it is..and a pay as you can afford..these cars are about all gone, with the acception of purchase completed via an auction aka Barrett Jackson etc…I can hear it now, I used to be able to pick one of those up at 9k…now…LOL
In 1976, I bought a used 70 Challenger SE with faux alligator skin vinyl on top for $1300. I think it had something like 60K miles. It came with a 318 2BBL carburetor. The car was bone stock and looked fast standing still, but it was more of a pooch than a racer. I learned that by getting dusted by a 72 Dodge Dart that had a monster mill. I did get my first two speeding tickets in it. While it was fun to drive, it went through a three sets of motor mounts and it had a persistent issue with the heat riser that I eventually fixed by wiring it open. The carburetor was troublesome and I went through a starter and an alternator in the year I had it. About six month after I sold it, I saw it on the back of a wrecker. This one would need a ton of work and a lot of $$$$ to make it right.
This would make a good start for one of those “Vanishing Cash” replicas…
This would be a good start for one of those “Vanishing Cash” replicas…
Ditch the questionable engine and go back to a reasonable small block. Many choices there. All better then a front heavy big block. These cares with the 340/4sps were legendary.
The prices for these were unreal. I had two friends back in the day who each actually crushed one. They kick themselves today, but who knew? The prices of today need a dramatic drop if we are to keep younger people interested.