What Mopar fanatic wouldn’t love to own a first-year Dodge Challenger, especially when it’s a convertible? This 1970 model is said to be a running and driving example, and it’s priced at $12,500 with offers considered, less than you’d typically pay for one that’s deemed a driver. However, the running 340 engine and new tires are about where the good news ends here, as this E-Body is going to need a complete metal restoration before it would be considered roadworthy again.
The seller mentions that the Challenger still has all of its tags attached, and I believe I’m spotting the metal fender tag under the hood. However, we don’t get a close-up of it, but we do get to see the VIN which provides some relevant information here. The seller mentions that the car has a date-code correct 340 under the hood, which is said to have been recently serviced and is operating well. A video of the small block running supports this claim, as the motor sounds healthy. One detail that’s not specified is that this one was originally a 318 car, as evidenced by the letter G in the vehicle identification number. The transmission is automatic, which is stated to be shifting and functional.
Some background we get is that the previous owner had planned on performing a cosmetic restoration, but the car sat for some 15 years until an illness shut down the prospect of this being completed under his ownership. Due to roof leaks and the missing canvas, entering water took its toll, and plenty of bodywork will be required before this one’s anywhere near its former glory. The convertible rails are still present, and a couple of more positives are that the top motor still works and the rear glass for the canvas is also included.
Quite a bit of attention will also be required inside, as the floors are rusty and exposure to the elements has not been kind to the dashboard either. We don’t get to view any photos from the underside, but I suspect it’s safe to say that the frame and components down below will need a thorough inspection and proper repairs as part of the restoration process. This one’s a project for someone with a strong set of skills, but it is a coveted 1970 Challenger convertible, so if you’re up for the task the car is in Swiftwater, Pennsylvania, and can be found here on eBay. Is this Mopar worth considering for taking on as a project?
Before anyone says get a Dynacorn body, those are no longer available, they have been scrubbed from the website, it only shows Ford and GM bodies..
This car is a mess. Good luck to anyone attempting to restore it.
Steve R
Uhh, no. Somebody with way more skills, tools, time, and money than me might be able to raise this thing from the dead. Yeah I know the engine runs. Don’t understand the premium attached to these Mopars.
I think the mottled paint is making it look worse than it actually is. It’s very bad, but it’s better than other examples we’ve seen here.
You’re right. This is better then other examples we’ve seen here. Unfortunately that’s a very low bar.
Actually, considering what junk is being restored today, this one doesn’t seem that bad.
A very low bar indeed.
I am glad they let us know it is a project.
Another “Was gonna get around to fixin’ her. So I left this rare 1970 Challenger convertible out in the weather for a couple decades.” I guess no one told them that these cars have been gold for the last 20 years. Oh well…
Seeing the sun clearly under the car is not a good sign!
Now when you say project, does that involve me going bankrupt???
Our $12,000? This evidently is another one of those “I know what I got” sellers. There isn’t even enough of this thing left to call it a car.
That car’s wearing a ’71 grille. Check that VIN closely. Caveat Emptor.
What’s with the two zero’s in the price
A 1970 340 in good condition has value, but not 12K. The market rules but I’d be surprised if the seller gets his ask.
I just did a quick check at Hemmings. I didn’t go deep, just looked at the thumbnails and the price. Looks like a Challenger convertible that looks shiny and new goes from 66k to 150k. I don’t know what parts go for, but it looks like you might get a few grand for the engine. Now, the question is – was that engine rebuilt, or “rebuilt” with a can of degreaser an dupli color? If he fixed that back dent and put a coat of primer on the body it would show a hell of a lot better.
I see a lot of degreaser and a lot of rattle can over spray on the intake manifold!!
I also took a closer look at the engine.The paint on the valve covers looks rough with a few missed spots and some overspray on the intake manifold. Makes me a bit suspicious.
Hi Kim and Mark,
Your comments got me to take a closer look at the engine compartment and I have to say that I am impressed with how they managed to get spray paint to stick to all the grease that is still on the valve covers. It looks like the firewall got a can of black too.
I tried to buy one of these in 1978 – for $25.00. If I had kept it under a tree and done nothing it would have been a great investment I guess.
I think we’re all pretty much in agreement on these. What’s astonishing, is there were 372 ( 373) viewers in the last 24 HOURS, I mean, what’s the deal with that? Okay, no bids, it’s clearly overpriced but 372 viewers? While the condition is a bit rough for a ragtop, proof positive, at one time this was just someones everyday beater, even in snow. It was gotten cheap, the convertible was no plus at all, and very few ever thought of saving one. I guess I answered my own question.
Honestly, I’m guessing the views is a testament to Barn Finds shedding light on listings that would otherwise be passed over. Seeing a car like this here makes the curious look at the listing to see what other kinds of Crazy talk the owner is engaging in.
Why would someone bother with the engine work on this, then add new tires? Maybe the ad says, I didn’t bother reading it, but this looks beyond a “drive it as a beater” proposition. Not even being a 340 car, even I don’t think this is worth the ask.
Kind of like the way that Arnie started with Christine…
Well, let’s see. You get the engine, right? Now, if that works like it should all you really need is a car.
🤣🤣🤣
They made an effort to find a “date code correct” 340, then decided not only to not paint it the correct shade of orange (orange was phased in on Chrysler’s high performance engines as a running change in ’69 and phased out as a running change in ’71, but EVERY HP engine was Hemi Orange in ’70), but Ford Blue instead? Perhaps, with that level of attention to detail, it’s best that the current owner never attempted to complete the restoration. There’s no telling what he/she would have ended up with.
What’s yellow and brown and curved in the middle? This rare 1 of 1 Banana version Dodge Challenger.
An over-ripe one!
Frankly, I am surprised at the number of comments that state the obvious. This car, (or what’s left of it) is in no way, shape, or form worth anything even approaching the asking price. As to the number of views, my guess would be that the majority are from people just like me, taking a peek just to see how crazy the price is.
There was a day, when that car was brand new, not a spot of rust, not a mile on it. Hard to believe. Us guys in our sixties remember treating these like chattle, beating the fire out of them, buying and selling them for less than $500, swapping engines, trans, and rears at a whim, and junking them when the rockers got rusty.
Maybe this is our punishment, we want to drive those cars again but even “projects” are high priced and almost impossible to restore.
Patina.
Wow, all of the comments have been more entertaining than watching my pet scorpions fight for dominance of my crouch.
Does parts bin of that Kool Canadian guy sound like a good option?
Just a thought…
$12,500 I knew I should have stayed in the scrap car industry
The triple black 70 challenge convert sold on Cl for 4 grand last year, After a good scrubbing it sold onEbay for 16 grand a week later.It was in worse shape than this or equal non runner
So no I’m not surprised at the price, and some people ( not me) can take this and work thier magic, some are welders and are that good.
And some are hoarders, oops I mean …..collectors with deep stashes.
The other 98%” can’t Touch dis”
Could not agree more. I have a couple questions.
1. Have any of you guys ever owned a new Mopar right off the floor?
2. After doing so did you wonder why?
I made the mistake in 69 and 71.
Look, these cars are made out of recycled 40’s 50’s cars that should have been left in the river.
When you shut the door it sounds like a loose sardine can without a lid.
I absolutely loved my GTX’s. BUT, I would NOT in my wildest dream EVER think about doing any restoration of any kind on ANY Mopar EVER.
I have always been wondering what the heck is the attraction for anyone to sacrifice perfectly good GM money on a rat nest rusted out piece like this, what ever you want to call it. Makes absolutely no sense to me.
There, I said it.
You forgot the 413 my friend. I had a ’61 300G with the 413 and those glorious cross rams….one of the sweetest engines ever produced.
The Gashole,
Yes! You are so correct!
AND, I forgot the 426 Wedge also, and how ’bout that most reliable “slant six”?
First yur memory then yur clothes…or other things.
Billy
I assume that you know who Mark Worman is. His shop could make this thing look and drive like it was brand new. Problem is that would probably set someone back between 100 and 150K. There aren’t too many “weekenders” that could save this car, so I still don’t believe that the price is anywhere near realistic. I think that someone with above average skills and Mopar knowledge could probably get it to driver quality for maybe 50K, but it still wouldn’t be worth the time and money spent on it.
Charles,
Again, in agreement.
Wow.
Sorry, but I just have yet to have anyone explain the attraction.
Thanks brother.
Billy
Allow me to clarify one thing about the Mopar world.
The 318, 340, 383, 440, (all varieties), and of the king of the jungle, 426 were, and still are, excellent power plants.
HOWEVER, the body and chassis were somewhat lacking. The failure of Chrysler to build quality automobiles was put on the back burner due to the muscle car competition.
Are we in agreement?
Look, I absolutely love and appreciate the tailpipe sound of a well tuned hemi. The torque, horsepower and prolific feel of the Mopar power plants are second to none.
BUT…the rest of the car is truly last place.
IMHO.
Remember, your time is worth something also. When the sheet metal is this rusty, you can be sure it has metastasized elsewhere. The engine repaint is half hearted at best. The “Body by Earl Sheib” bondo work speaks for itself. If you are a Chicagoan, you’ll know this was a job for Victory Auto Wreckers.
Billy, all excellent points, I think that most “car guys’ would agree that Mopar engines, particularly big blocks, are damn near legendary. The problem lies with what surrounds one of these motors. I think that even Worman would agree that the major challenge in restoring a Mopar is the fact that they just weren’t built very well to start with.
No dispute from me, at all.
Have a great evening.
If you were to roll the windows down, it would probably fold in half!
Given everyone has dissected this thing like a pride of hungry lions I’ll keep my 2 cents in my pocket.