Hard Work Done: 1970 Dodge Challenger

If you’ve always longed to perform a project build, are handy with a spray gun, but don’t find the prospect of rust repairs or mechanical work appealing, this 1970 Dodge Challenger could be your cup of tea. The seller admits it needs fresh paint and a few finishing touches, but the hard work is complete on this turnkey classic. The final tasks would be relatively straightforward, and the Challenger would look as pretty as a picture once they are complete. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Dodge listed here on eBay in League City, Texas. The seller set their BIN at $38,000 with the option to make an offer.

There’s a lot to unpack with this Challenger, making it hard to know where to start. The first owner’s decision to order it in subtle White means that even though the First Generation features stunning styling, it could potentially blend into the background. The buyer could give the car a more extroverted look by adding one of the factory stripe packages found on the R/T or the T/A. Still, they may also feel that leaving the interior in its original form makes this Challenger a genuine sleeper. As seen in previous examples that cross our desks at Barn Finds, this Dodge appears to have a history of rust problems. However, the seller indicates that the recent installation of a new one-piece floor and a trunk pan from Dynacorn has made this beauty as solid as a rock. The panels sport a few minor bumps and bruises, but preparing this Challenger for new paint won’t be a major undertaking. The trim looks very respectable, and the glass is clear. Rounding out the exterior is a shiny new set of Rallye wheels, wrapped in new Cooper Cobra tires.

Dodge offered the 318ci motor as its entry-level V8 in the 1970 Challenger range. With the factory quoting power and torque figures of 230hp and 320 ft/lbs, it wasn’t a bad starting point. This car’s first owner selected the 318, bolted to a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. At this point, we need to take a deep breath, because the seller has invested a considerable sum beneath this classic’s skin. They rebuilt the 318 following a 0.030 overbore. They added new pistons, a new camshaft, a high-volume oil pump, an Edelbrock carburetor, headers, a dual exhaust, and a new distributor. Therefore, this V8 may produce considerably more ponies than it did on Day One. The transmission received similar TLC, including a new torque converter and a shift kit. It is pointless having mountains of power and torque if it can’t successfully reach Planet Earth. This car’s 8¾” Sure Grip rear end with 3.55 gears should perform that role admirably. If you think the list is pretty comprehensive, we aren’t finished yet! You can add a new fuel tank, filler, and sensor to the list. There should be no electrical gremlins, because the Challenger features a new wiring harness from its nose to tail. The suspension features a full set of new bushings, new rear springs, and new shocks on all corners. The brakes benefit from new discs and drums, and a fresh aluminum radiator keeps the V8 as cool as a cucumber. Although it isn’t specifically stated, it appears this Challenger is a turnkey proposition with no mechanical needs.

This Challenger features consistent presentation because its interior needs as much love as its exterior. The seller added power front seats, and with their leather covers looking stretched, I would probably source a correct set of buckets and ditch these. The door trims are tired, and it is unclear what hides beneath the dash cover. However, the back seat sports a new cover, the rear trims are new, and the fresh headliner requires stretching into place. The Dodge no longer features the air conditioning that the first owner chose, but the buyer receives a console, a Rally gauge cluster with a factory tachometer, and an aftermarket stereo.

This 1970 Dodge Challenger is a promising project candidate, and with so much of the heavy lifting complete, the buyer faces some pretty basic tasks to bring the build to a successful conclusion. The finished product could look stunning if the new owner focuses on fine details, but that raises the question of whether the BIN figure is justified. The answer depends on your perspective and will probably spark debate among Barn Finds readers. It is undeniably high for a 1970 Challenger that isn’t an R/T or a T/A, but there could be some justification for the price. If you bought a rusty V8-equipped base-model Challenger and had skilled professionals perform the work completed on this classic, your investment could potentially be close to the $38,000 specified in the seller’s listing. However, if you have well-developed DIY skills, the same work would cost considerably less. Therefore, it seems to depend on how hands-on the new owner can be as to whether this beast is worth the bucks. Do you agree, or do you have a more appropriate price in mind for this Dodge?