Original 383: 1970 Dodge Charger 500

This 1970 Dodge Charger 500 has spent more than three decades sitting in a shop. The dry environment has preserved it well, but it still requires a new owner willing to return it to its former glory. It retains its original drivetrain, making it a prime candidate for a faithful restoration. The bidding has been frantic, and while it hasn’t reached the reserve, I suspect that moment is getting close. The Charger is listed here on eBay in Medford, Oregon. It currently sits at $27,700, but the BIN option of $34,000 could allow someone to bypass the auction process if they view this as a must-have classic.

This Charger rolled off the line wearing attractive Dark Green Metallic paint, with the car receiving a repaint in that shade in the 1980s. It also featured a vinyl top, although its color is unclear. If the original owner sought consistency, I believe it may have been Dark Green to match the interior trim. The paint is past its best, and there is surface corrosion requiring attention. However, the lack of penetrating rust means the buyer won’t face any cutting or welding to whip the body into shape. It had the usual issues with the trunk pan and around the back window, but the seller had a shop replace the pan and weld new steel around the window. It also had some small bubbles in the lower quarter panels, so they had these repaired then. Otherwise, the rails and other usually prone areas are rock-solid. Most of the trim and chrome is respectable, including the grille with concealed headlamps. Any damaged pieces are minor, and locating replacements shouldn’t pose a challenge. The story is the same with the tinted glass. The windshield appears cracked, but the rest looks okay. Taken at face value, it seems that returning the panels and paint to a pristine state should be a straightforward and rewarding process.

The Charger’s interior is another area requiring restoration. It looks tired and is missing the carpet and radio, but it is otherwise complete. It has good bones, and thanks to the original owner ordering the car with bucket seats, a console, Rally gauges, and air conditioning, it would have been a pleasant place to spend some time while the miles rolled under the tires. The dash and pad look pretty good, and the console may respond positively to some careful cleaning. The easiest and most cost-effective way to tackle this aspect of the build would be by purchasing a trim kit. With the car requiring seatcovers, door trims, carpet, and a headliner, a kit would provide these items, plus components like the smaller screws and hog rings for installation.

Charger buyers in 1970 faced a vast array of engine choices, but this car’s original owner selected the 383ci V8, backed by a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. In its prime, that motor would have pumped out 330hp. That was enough to launch the car through the ¼ mile in a flat 15 seconds. The news for potential buyers contemplating a faithful restoration is good because this Charger is a full numbers-matching classic. The seller installed a new radiator, fuel tank, and fuel pump, but the car only kicks to life with starter fluid. They believe the culprit is the carburetor that is clogged by old fuel. The impression is that the 383 should roar to life with the carb rebuilt. That doesn’t mean that the car will be roadworthy because there are brake issues requiring attention. It is also worth noting that this Dodge has sat since 1990, so there will be hoses, belts, and seals that may be questionable. Even if the engine proves in good health, I would probably pull it as part of my build. That would allow me to detail it and the engine bay to a high standard. That may sound like a fiddly process to some, but it would potentially maximize the return on investment if I were ever considering placing the Charger back on the market.

With nothing beyond surface corrosion and its original engine and transmission intact, it is easy to see why this 1970 Charger 500 has attracted thirty bids. It shows plenty of promise, especially for a Mopar enthusiast contemplating their first project build. Current market trends indicate that, fully restored, it is a classic that will easily achieve a value of $60,000 thanks to its equipment and the original owner’s engine choice. If someone bites the bullet and hits the BIN button, that potentially leaves plenty of room to move before its financial viability becomes questionable. I won’t be surprised if one of those waging the bidding war throws caution to the wind and hits the button to ensure they find it parked in their workshop. Will you?