If you’re tired of looking at over-restored, six-figure trailer queens, this 1970 Dodge Challenger SE may be just the car you’re looking for. The seller explicitly says this is not a show queen. Instead, what we have here out of Lewiston, Maine is a good-looking, driver-quality 1970 Dodge Challenger SE/R/T Tribute that is about as good as it gets for a budget-friendly classic Mopar. It still has its 56-year-old imperfections and some front fender rust, but if you want a machine you can actually get in, slam the doors, fire up, and enjoy without being terrified of rock chips, this turn-key driver might be exactly what you want. You can find the listing here on Craigslist. Thanks go to Tony Primo for the tip.
The purists should note that this Challenger began as a modest, base-level 318 cubic-inch V-8. Today, that’s not the case. Nestled in the engine bay is a roaring 440 cubic-inch big-block V-8, fed by a 4-barrel Holley carburetor. That massive engine routes its power through a tough 3-speed automatic transmission to a rugged, limited-slip rear axle. The odometer displays 50,780 miles, and while we don’t know the exact history of the cluster, the seller has confidently added about 4,000 trouble-free miles to that total just this past summer. Again, this isn’t a delicate showpiece; it’s a driver meant to be driven hard and enjoyed.
This 56-year-old Mopar isn’t trying to hide its flaws. It wears an older restoration from the 1990s, but it has recently benefited from a massive round of metalwork and mechanical refreshes tackled as a father-and-son garage project. The floors and structural areas are in much better shape now thanks to a new trunk floor, rear frame rails, half-quarters, drop-downs, and a fresh tail pan. That said, a true barn find usually needs some love, and this one still has typical Mopar rust hiding in the front fenders. If you ever decide to take the bodywork and paint to the next level, the seller transparently recommends replacing both front fenders, swapping the trunk lid to save on labor, and addressing some rust on the cowl and firewall while the fenders are unbolted.
The electrical system has a few classic car quirks that add to its personality. Due to past factory wiring shorts, the original ammeter and column power have been bypassed. Because of this, the starter and the turn signals are neatly wired up to custom, functional push-button switches. At $27,500, this Challenger represents an incredibly budget-friendly entry point into big-block E-body ownership. The seller is firm on the price and strictly looking for cash or a cashier’s check to fund their next project. It’s a solid, rowdy, driver-quality cruiser that you can turn the key and enjoy today, leaving you plenty of room to fix the remaining cosmetic blemishes at your own pace. Mopar prices have been sky-high for years. At $27,500, do you think this big-block driver is the bargain of the month, or would you keep hunting?”
I’m usually not a fan of patina, but this is doable. The stickers and dishes make it even better.
Featured on this site in May of this year when it was $29,995, now it’s $27,500. The seller is somewhat of a dealer, they have 5 vehicles listed.
On a side note to the author, it’s a good idea to include the sellers asking price, once the ad is gone it’s impossible to find an asking price unless it’s included in the writeup or a commenter ads it.
Steve R