The B-body Dodge Magnum continues to occupy a spot in the classic Mopar lineup that few other models have challenged, aside from the modern day Magnum wagon. Featuring a mixture of luxury appointments with muscle car attitude, it perseveres as having created a genre that hasn’t ever seen much development among major manufacturers, likely because it represents conflicting personalities for many car shoppers. At the time, however, if you were a new family man or pursuing a career after giving up on dreams of becoming a NASCAR legend, the Magnum was likely the only model that offered maturity and muscle. Find this survivor-grade 1979 Dodge Magnum here on eBay with bids to $5,100 and no reserve.
The Magnum came at a time when many manufacturers and the consumers they served were in flux. What was to become of our beloved muscle cars? Would the likes of Chevrolet and Chrysler continue to support NASCAR with factory-bodied racers? And if you were a flower child of the 60s who was suddenly growing up – and couldn’t justify a VW Bus for daily transport but didn’t see yourself in a Buick sedan – what could you buy? I’m hypothesizing a bit, yes, but I could see these concerns swirling about in the boardrooms as decisions were being made about vehicle lineups. The Magnum, in my view, was a car that attempted to answer all of those questions.
Just look at some of the standard features and available options: headlight doors that folded away; a T-bar roof panel; engine choices that included the 360 and even a rare 440 option; a vinyl roof and opera windows. The list goes on, but you get the point. You could be Smoky and the Bandit one minute, and Frank Sinatra the next. There were some performance options, too, many of which this Magnum is equipped with. Our subject car sports the optional power sunroof, cruise control, a Sure-Grip differential, bucket seats with a console shifter, an 8-track and power antenna, and more. Better yet, it all appears to be in excellent condition.
The optional 360 V8 wasn’t without its drawbacks, but it was likely one of the more popular engine choices at the time. It featured the dreaded “Lean Burn” system, and in 1979, the 360 became the largest engine option available. Though a 4-barrel was optional in prior years, by 1979, the 2-barrel 360 shown here was the largest configuration you could order. The seller reports that this Magnum shows well under 50,000 miles on the clock, and that the paint is 100 percent original. This Magnum looks like an awesome summer cruiser, and with no reserve, it could be a potential bargain.
A quick search on the Interweb reveals you can go mild or wild with that 360 ci engine. You Tube even has a video on a 2500 dollar build that will add almost one hundred HP. Love that interior.
I don’t recall these having a 440 option, 400 for sure. I have seen a few of those. I may be wrong, of course. Most I remember were simple 318s. They didn’t have the crazy insurance over charge. In those days, if you were young and wanted a performance car, the insurance bill monthly rivaled your car payment. Just wasn’t worth it or possible for most.
I love the manufacturer label. $750 annual fuel bill based on 15,000 miles at $.70/gal. Those were the days
Those labels are fun to see. $0.70/gal is about $3.20/gal today, which is roughly today’s price. I’d say today are the days, too.
I agree Bob, I enjoy comparing prices of gas, bread, prices of houses and cars. In some cases, the old saying goes, the more things change…. The more they stay the same. Except the price of eggs. Lately that has been a bit high in comparison.
Gas prices depend on where you live, here in California the cheapest gas I can find is $4.19 at Costco, most stations are nearly $5.00. One of the largest refineries just announced they are closing next year, that the second one to do so in the last six months. Later this year the regulations previously instituted by California Air Recourses Board are due to take effect which are forecast to increase prices by .40 to .60 cents a gallon on their own. Around here $3.20 would is a pipe dream.
Steve R
Steve R – I know that it’s not practical or even possible for most, but the best long term solution might be to flee California, as many already have. What sad state of regulations the government has imposed on its residents. I have it only slightly better, being a lifelong resident of Upstate New York, but at least our gas is only $2.99 now.
Bob_in_TN, but how bout the price of a SODA at my local burger king
now …$3.59!
A large soda was only 20 cents at McDs in 1978.
Never buy fast food place drinks now!
NICE, with every option, too!!! Most of these rotted away, I hope this one finds a good home where it is well preserved and enjoyed for what it is.
“by 1979, the 2-barrel 360 shown here was the largest configuration you could order. ”
Largest in displacement but with the GT package you could get the 360 4-barrel, per the brochure.
Nothing against the 360. I would be probably happier w a 318 in most applications.
Wow the original owner almost doubled the car’s price with options! Was surely their pride and joy car for decades.
I think I see Corinthian “ Lather”!
Where is the Magnum located? Or did I miss it?
Mopar did it again!
I don’t know how I overlooked Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth/Imperial for so long. How did they practically go out of business?
Just like the forward look of 1957 through 1962 when everyone else was producing fugly cars, Chrysler Corp. produced beautiful cars. Late 70s all through the 80s GMs cars were shrunk down to almost subcompacts. Ford stayed midsized but still plain and hodgepodge. Mopar, although also shrunk down and actually kinda boxy, had style, pizzaz! shape. Of course, not all Mopars were beautiful, K cars were boxy pieces of crap, but in my opinion these were great looking cars. Rode nice too. I used to “borrow” the General managers demo a 1981 Dodge Magnum.
I have an 84 Chrysler Town and Country Station wagon with the larger 4 cylinder. It’s been a really good car. And if it wasn’t for the “K” car and the introduction of the minivan, Chrysler would have been out of business in the 1980s.
By this time, these were very dated and the market was shifting towards smaller cars.
Angel, in 1981 it would have been a Dodge Mirada. 1979 was the last year for the Magnum B body.
@MOPAR Joe
Thanks, hon, you know after 44 years the memory gets cloudy and back then I really didn’t pay that much attention. I was too busy fighting a new dress code that said you couldn’t wear mini skirts. That’s because most of the women in the office were cows.
It’s located in Sewickley,Pennsylvania.
I love the glass covers on the headlights –
those make the car.
I bought ethanol-free 90 octane gas
about a week ago,for $3.519,a bargain. Regular 87 octane is around $2.899.
This is in Roanoke,VA.
Rats. In PA, about 3000 miles from me. Another car I’d seriously consider if it was closer to me.
My friend is waiting for 10% ethanol gas to ruin a 57! year old original ’68 nova gas tank & sender – not yet! Or a 33 yr old rebuilt monojet carb he got from defunct Strauss Discount Auto for $35.
Nope. Both still fine.
He puts 7 or 8 gallons of fresh gas in every 2 months or sooner.
Cool looking car, much better than the gaudy and baroque Cordoba of the same period. But the exterior hides the 30 year old chassis underneath. I remember riding in these in the day, compared to a Grand Prix or Cougar, these felt like they were 20 years old when you drove off the lot.
If this were a Magnum GT, with the 360-4, and t-tops, I’d be all in for it.
First thing I’d change on this car is remove the problematic Lean Burn.
Sold on 5/3/2025 for a high bid of $9,300.
Steve R