The last new player to enter the “pony car” wars of the 1960s was the Dodge Challenger. And it didn’t arrive until 1970 as the demand for muscle cars was beginning to wane. This 1970 Challenger was built with a 383-cubic-inch V8, but it’s now a roller. But it was also produced as a Special Edition (SE) with the smaller rear window. Located in a garage in Nevada, Texas, what’s left of this former parts car is available here on eBay, where the current bid is $260 (reserve unmet).
Early prospects for the Challenger were bright, with sales of 77,000 units in 1970. But demand quickly fell off for both it and its E-body companion, the Plymouth Barracuda. So, both autos were discontinued in 1974. Less than 6,000 Special Editions were produced during the first year with a V8 engine. So, the seller’s “car” was in somewhat rare territory when new and certainly now after 56 years. It had a 383, which was typically the base engine in the R/T model, though it may have been a 2-barrel.
The smaller SE rear window surely didn’t help with visibility for the driver. In addition, the SE came with a vinyl roof, leather and vinyl bucket seats, and an overhead console to add to the luxury side of the ride. As the seller used this Challenger for parts, it has no engine, transmission, seats, and probably a lot more. Plus, it has a busted windshield. The body has rust, especially in the floorboards, which are of the see-through variety.
On the positive side, we’re told the frame rails appear solid, and the trunk floor is probably okay. If you chose to go the parts car route, we’re not sure what’s left that would be terribly useful. You could also opt to restore this once great machine, but that’s going to require sourcing a LOT of components and pieces. The seller no longer has a need for the Challenger, so it’s taking up space. Hopefully, it won’t do the same in your garage.
O Brother. Y Bother.
But it’s a Turbine Bronze car…..actually Dodge called the color something else….it’s been for sale locally and hasn’t brought what the seller thinks it’s worth….maybe now…..
All that really matters is the condition of the body. The fact it was once a parts car doesn’t necessarily mean much. I once parted out a running, driving 390 equipped 1968 Mustang GT fastback because it had a sunroof and faded paint. My buddy had been trying to sell it for months for $500, he couldn’t find any takers. I added up the value of all the sub assemblies and figured I could get about $3,000 for them. There was no way you could sell it for that much, so its fate was sealed.
It doesn’t really matter what people on a forum think, it’s just an opinion from uninterested parties with no financial stake in the transaction. Someone who is in the market for a 1970 Challenger is going to look at it person, if they determine the body is a nice enough starting point they will buy it if they can reach a deal.
Steve R
These types of projects will take a few generations to complete. Not a bad thing
Like a fish with everything picked off of the bones. And worth about as much.
For somebody who really loves challengers, if they can get it cheap and there’s no issue with the title then it’s a nice blank canvas. Restoration could start pretty quickly since most of the parts of it picked off of it!
can only imagine what the reserve is. you would really have to be desperate for a challenger to buy this. this will drain you dry.
Another pile of junk
Aren’t you just a ray of sunshine. Read Steve R’s last paragraph.
George is right
Doing a quick Google search, the rear window insert alone is worth at least $700.
At least his price is realistic on this.
We really don’t know what his price is, at this point. We can only see what people are willing to bid. We won’t know what the seller really wants until it hits the reserve.