Here’s a 1970 Dodge Charger 500 that kind of leaves me scratching my head regarding what to do here, as it’s already a capable driver with a cool patina finish that money can’t buy. But it’s also one of those B-Bodies that’s at an excellent starting point should the next owner decide to restore the car back original or make something entirely different out of it, so whatever your vision might be this one’s likely worth checking out. The Charger 500 is in Mullica Hill, New Jersey, in close proximity to Philadelphia, and can be spotted here on eBay where bidding is already up to $30,601.
Some really good news here is the 383 engine and 727 TorqueFlite, as both are original numbers-matching components plus there’s also a fender tag still present under the hood. This one came from the factory making 290 horsepower with a 2-barrel carburetor, but it’s currently running a 4-barrel setup although the factory carb and manifold are included with the sale. The seller says the Charger runs and drives well but it’s going to need new tires quickly, as the current set is dry-rotted and not holding air for long periods of time. No problem, as the Dodge will be shipped with a set of 14-inch stock rims with decent tires to make transport easier.
There’s no confirmation the paint is still the factory-applied finish, but it is the correct Light Blue Metallic color (EB3), at least what’s left of it. I could be in the minority here, but I kind of like the sun-baked patina and so does the seller, who says he’d frown on seeing it get restored. However, that choice will be entirely up to the next caretaker, with a good head-start already if that route is taken as the top has been removed and a replacement steel roof is already in place. The other panels have a few moderate dents here and there, but I’m guessing they would all be salvageable if bodywork and a fresh coat of paint are in the car’s future.
Inside, it looks like the pieces are mostly all there and probably in reasonable enough condition if a driver is all you’re going for, maybe just throw a cover over the driver’s bucket and call it a day. But if a higher level is in order, a replacement dash pad and door panels would be a good start, along with some new motors for those power windows, always a fun option to find on a second-generation Charger. This one seems solid down below as well, with good frame rails plus a floor and trunk pan that are thought to have already been addressed. What would you do here, begin restoring this one right away, or enjoy driving it as-is for a while?
Being that we’ve already our first batch of Termination Dust around the edge of The Great Basin, this would be a great garage winter project, inside and out. Massage the motor a little, make the interior presentable, spend some time with a paint gun (or someone who can do that for you) and clean up the suspension et Al.
Come Spring bring it out ready to rock and roll!
Beautiful patina, I’d leave it as-is, or satin clear it. Not every car needs to be perfectly restored.
Unusual/rare power windows on an otherwise plebian 70. Wish mine had them!
I say one of these in the showroom of the neighborhood Dodge dealer optioned out with a bench seat like it was a Coronet 440, and 16 year old me knew the end of an era was near.
Yes I would replace that worn interior and do some suspension and other mechanicals. Then leave that patina alone. Love that patina!
Patina…….enough with the patina. The first one I seen was cool, just like my first LS swap. It’s old now. Rattle can paint looks better.
i had power windows in y 69
Dislike patina. I like my cars to look original with some old school rims. Although 500 magnums would look awesome. This one’s gonna sell for 40-50K and another 20K to bring it back. You’ll be in the ball park of what they’re going for now.
There’s “patina” and then there’s “total paint failure with surface rust.” This car exhibits the latter, and I’d redo it.
This is the correct answer. There’s nothing cool or desirable about the way this car looks now. It’s exactly how I want to *buy* a project as a starting point, but this car absolutely deserves and needs to be painted. Seldom muscle cars look good with “patina”. Leave the patina to the old shop trucks and tow trucks from the ‘40s and ‘50s. Some of them can pull off that look well. This car just looks sad and neglected.
I agree that not every car needs a high dollar restoration, but most still need at least presentable paint.
The reality is that many, many people SAY they would leave it alone and drive as-is, but in practice few do so. You just don’t see people out there driving tired, neglected old cars like this out on the road in anything like the numbers of people who say on forums that they would leave it as-is. Most people who suggest it are just talking and not the ones spending $40k+ to buy an old car, only to leave it looking bad.
Back in the day when you could find these cars cheap, sure, some high school kids and 20 somethings were out there driving ratty looking old cars. But now that these cars are worth real money, very damn few are buying them and leaving them neglected.
I’d make interior presentable, make sure the mechanicals are good and rub ‘er down with some shine juice and drive the wheels off it.
Patina never dies, it just fades away, like many posts do. No, maybe not fade, just disappear.
For interested parties I’m located in Swedesboro NJ,in the Automotive Business and 10 minutes from Mullica Hill NJ.
PAINT IT!!! There are vehicles that petina is okay on like maybe an old truck or an old twenties or thirties vehicle but something like this just has to be painted. You don’t have to go overboard and make it a trailer Queen but redo the interior and paint the thing. Make it presentable.
That’s supposed to be “Patina”. Talk to text doesn’t know how to spell.
This is not a 500,this is a regular Charger.This has the regular grille and back window and wouldn’t have come with a 383 2bbl.Charger 500s have a flush front grill with exposed headlights and a flush back window.
In 1969 a Charger 500 is as you described, with a 1968 Coronet grill and the backlight from a Fury, if memory serves. Five hundred five were produced to homologate them for NASCAR. In 1970 the Charger 500 was a trim package, similar to the Coronet 500. As a teenager in Eastern Mass in the early 1980s, any American car painted light or medium blue would lose paint going through a car wash. Some vehicles do well with patina, however, these cars were designed to shine. By area, most of the hard work has been done for you: finish removing the blue and paint the car.
70’s had the hidden headlights and this ‘regular’ rear window. The 500 was just a trim package for the year.
You’re thinking of the 1969 Charger 500, this is a 70 and at that time the 500 was just a option code for a fancier Charger. The 69 was one of the speedway cars before the Daytona made its appearance.
69 yes, but not 70
I’d spend the money on the interior, new carpet and upholstery etc, re-chrome the brightwork and shine up that patina. Full stop.