Okay, it’s time to compile a list. Desirable classic? Check. Premium paint shade? Yep. Chest-thumping V8 under the hood? Ooh, yeah! However, those factors don’t tell the whole story of this 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T. The 440 hidden under its hood features a modern touch to enhance drivability and increase power, and its presentation is first-rate. The only thing this classic needs is a new home. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting the Challenger listed here on eBay in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Intense action has pushed the price to $82,100 in a No Reserve auction.

When Dodge unveiled the Challenger in 1970, it introduced what I believe to be one of the most attractive American cars of that decade. The styling was bold and purposeful, and even in its most conservative mechanical form, it couldn’t help but turn heads. This first-year Challenger R/T is a prime example of the breed. Finished in desirable Plum Crazy with a Black vinyl top, its appearance is first-rate. Although it received a complete restoration approximately twenty years ago, it has only clocked around 6,500 miles since then. Therefore, it hasn’t had much of a chance to accumulate chips and other imperfections. Upgrades during the build include the vinyl, rear spoiler, and hood shaker. The depth of color and shine is impressive; the panels are laser-straight, and the vinyl is in as-new condition. The seller supplies several underside shots, revealing floors that are almost as clean as the exterior. The trim and glass appear flawless, and the color-matched wide steelies with dog dish hubcaps emphasize the car’s purposeful appearance.

Dodge marketed the 1970 Challenger R/T with the U-Code 440ci “Magnum” V8 as the entry-level powerplant. It delivered a factory-quoted 375hp and 480 ft/lbs of torque, making the R/T a genuine muscle car. The first owner teamed this car’s 440 with a four-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes. As a Track Pack vehicle, it also scored a 3.54 Dana 60 rear end. Purists will welcome the news that this classic is numbers-matching. The seller added FiTech fuel injection atop a Six-Pack intake, but includes the original four-barrel and matching intake for those wishing to reverse the change for authenticity. The current setup should unleash additional power while making the Challenger more user-friendly. The seller emphasizes how nicely this classic drives, confirming that it is a turnkey proposition.

Scrutinizing this Challenger’s interior suggests that the seller performed this restoration to a high standard. Trimmed in Black, it features bucket seats, a console, a purposeful pistol-grip shifter, Rally gauges with a tachometer, and a factory radio. The most apparent addition is the dash-top LCD for the fuel injection system. There is no evidence of wear or other issues with the vinyl, plastic, or woodgrain trim, which all look excellent. The carpet is clean, and this is yet another aspect of the R/T that should receive plenty of positive feedback.

Our Barn Finds readers are knowledgeable, so I don’t need to explain why this 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 is desirable. The listing statistics demonstrate this fact graphically, with View, Watch List, and Bid tallies of 527, 192, and 86, respectively, at the time of writing. People want this car, and aren’t afraid to pay for the privilege. The high bid will place it out of reach for many, but a few lucky individuals may choose to join what is fast becoming a bidding war. If this Challenger is beyond your means, monitoring the auction might be worthwhile, as it could be fascinating to see how intense the bidding gets and what the price climbs to when the hammer falls.