Update 9/5/20 – This Charger has been relisted here on eBay with new photos.
From 4/27/20 – Last week it was an orange ’69 Dodge Charger with a one-time popular TV show affiliation, this week it’s an orange ’70 Dodge Charger with an at one-time power-house affiliation. And once again the debate will continue pitting the original equipment value vs. the current equipment value. The subject is this 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and available here on eBay for a current bid of $12,900, reserve not yet met, or a BIN price of $25,000.
The second-generation Dodge Charger was in its third and final year by ’70 and distinguished from the ’69 by virtue a new front loop bumper. The R/T (Road and Track) performance variant added new faux side scoops affixed to the leading edge of the doors but that’s about it for changes. And, as with other marques of the time, ’70 represented a pinnacle for Dodge power.
This example checks out as an original R/T model per the photographed VIN. The seller states that this Charger has been sitting since 1989 with the last twenty years taking up residence in a junkyard. That being the case, this Charger is a bit rough, primarily the quarters. But rust abounds in other places too, including the trunk lid, driver’s side footwell, trunk floor and lower fenders and, yes, lots of Bondo. The original “Hemi” orange finish is revealing a good mix of surface rust and, fortunately, the original white vinyl roof covering is gone. It’s fortunate because old, disintegrating vinyl roof coverings are substantial rust breeding hot spot. The roof and its weld seams appear to be in pretty good shape in this case.
The seller adds that the “frame rails” (yes, it’s a unibody platform) front and back are in good shape. The images reveal surface rise but nothing more than that. He further adds that the “Rockers are not in bad shape.” Sounds like faint praise so they probably need a closer look. There are a lot of metalwork issues here but certainly, none that are insurmountable.
The interior would seem to be a similar story. There is not a complete image included with the listing. The carpet is gone and the aforementioned driver’s side footwell will need attention. The black vinyl seats are present but only the back seat is shown in any detail and it, at least, needs a thorough cleaning; no idea regarding the front buckets. What can be seen of the door cards shows them to be mostly dilapidated. The gear selector is present but the console is MIA. The radio has been haphazardly tossed into the trunk but there are no images of the dash and instrument panel included and the seller mentions that the Tic-Toc-Tach got taken. It would appear that there is an under-dash jumble of misguided wiring so that will probably require attention too but that’s not unexpected on a half-century-old car.
Once again, we have a “what it is vs. what it was” in the engine compartment. The VIN verifies the seller’s claim that this R/T originally possessed a 390 gross HP, 440 CI “SixPack” engine – it is a “V” code car. And according to Patrick Smith from PHS Collector Car World, that makes this Charger one of only 684 produced in ’70 with that most desirable engine. The $64,000 question, however, is, “What happened to it?” The seller claims that the previous owner sold the engine and then sold the car. I’m missing the logical flow there but anyway, that’s the story. This R/T now houses a later model 400 CI V8 that runs and the seller has an available YouTube video of the motor turning over and starting. Note the wayward routing of that top radiator hose, that’s food for thought from an operational perspective; a missing radiator perhaps? Behind the 400 CI engine is a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, there is no mention if it is the original gearbox or not.
While the dash VIN tag is observable, the fender tag is long gone. He also states that he has a “nickel” sized piece of the broadcast sheet.
The Charger has definite restoration potential but without the original engine, it will never attain the kind of value associated with a Dodge of this nature. What it had under the hood doesn’t much matter once it’s gone and no longer available. But there is still plenty of good that can be bestowed upon this forlorn muscle car. Even in a ragged condition, a ’70 Charger has fantastic lines to it, and the world’s your oyster in terms of what to do with it. The existing engine may not be the best bet but it is a starting point. The question is the price and what’s appropriate for a Charger in this condition. Mopar’s of this vintage, Chargers, in particular, are not inexpensive and the BIN price gives one an idea of the bidding reserve. This Dodge would seem to be one of those projects undertaken because of what this car is, not what it will be worth. As always, your input is encouraged; what direction would you take this rare Dodge Charger R/T?
Interesting, sat in a junkyard but looks like it just sat without being manhandled by Bubba the fork lift operator. Zero feedback is a red flag. The pic of the underneath shows a pretty clean unibody. Runs but is a 400 smog mill. 12,900 and reserve not met, bet this brings some stupid money, surely not the worst one we have seen here but I’d look it over real good. roof is a big?. not worth 25 large but Im just an ol grey hair. Stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
I’m with you on this one. Some bondo? Jeeze, in some places in the world 25 G’s buys you a mansion. Ain’t no daylight in this donut.
If you bought this car for 12,000. and restored it put a 440 in it you are going to have +or- 40,000. In it. What will it be worth
Anybody who pays $25,000 for this heap needs his head examined. Like Gaspumpchas noted, the 400 smog motor is not desirable and the only thing this rust bucket has going for it is, it’s a Charger. This Bondo-buggy needs everything including a better motor and trans. I can’t believe it’s bid up to almost $13 grand. You would think $25,000 could buy a better Charger that needs a restoration.
“A fool and his money are soon parted.”
You know why it was found in a junk yard? Because it is junk. Don’t waist your money, it’s worth spare parts ,if there’s any !
How is it possible that a car with the original 440 six pack removed be worth this kind of money!! There’s no way to make this car back to what it was with all original parts!! It’s going to be someone’s restomod and to me with the amount of work it in tails it’s worth about half of where it is now!! Gooooood luck!!!
Guys building high end restomods are too smart to start with something this rough. They won’t care that it was originally equipped with a 440 Six Pack and are more interested in how it turns on that what it was when it left the factory. This car will wind up with someone who restores it. Those guys are more interested in how it left the factory. Personally, I wouldn’t go anywhere near this car, it’s too rough, but someone eventually will, more than likely for a substantially reduced price.
Steve R
Hemi orange is an engine color. Why do people keep confusing this? The color was Vitamin C orange. Who writes this stuff?
Vitamin C was a Plymouth color in 1970, code EK2.
The seller claims this Dodge is color code EV2, though the fender tag is missing, which in ’70 was called Hemi Orange.
https://rickcarey.com/color-names/
This one is definitely EV2, Hemi Orange (since it’s on a Dodge). It’s closer to red than it is to a pure orange.
EK2, Vitamin C (Plymouth)/Go Mango (Dodge) is a true orange, halfway between red and yellow.
You know, in these troubling times, special thanks to Barn Finds for keeping a sense of humor going,,,what, THEY’RE SERIOUS? Yes, yes they are, apparently. I read, through all this virus stuff, the rich are going to take the biggest hit. With baloney like this, I feel we’re truly witnessing the meltdown of the classic car hobby. Sell it now before the economical impact of this virus really hits.
Sadly it’s not just BF giving us these good jokes. I regularly peruse FB Marketplace, CL, Ebay, etc. Apparently, anyone with a “classic” (or for that matter even a car older than 15 years in age), has taken a heavy dose of insanity pills.
It used to be kind of fun to see stupid asking prices on cars….back when they were just peppered in with actual good or interesting deals. Now, at least for me, it’s not even funny or fun anymore. I am thinking (and hoping) that this is akin to the real estate bubble of the late 2000’s, and that in a couple of years we will see some more realistic prices in the “old car market/hobby” again.
Heaps like the listed POS here are a perfect case in point. While anyone can ask whatever they want for something, I’d be very curious what (if anything) this seller with a sense of humor or case of insanity actually gets for this tetanus shot on four bald wheels.
Howard,
I truly believe you are correct on current trends, however, the inventive American mechanical mind will ALWAYS find a way to have a hot rod. Even if it belongs to Darth Vader or Hans Solo. ‘Nuf said.
I can not see this car being worth any more then 5,000 dollars even if it is a 1970 Charger it will probley bring a little more than that but to totally restore this car bring it to a new 1970’s car u are talking around 55,000 plus the 5,000 or so what ever u get u are now talking 60,000 just to drive it out the door. But they are wanting 25,000 for it and u put 55,000 in restoration that 80,000 or more. You may be able to get around that for it. But if no fender tag and not matching numbers car the top dollar’s are gone.
I love old mid ’60s and early ’70s Mopars. I currently own 4. I recently did the paint and bodywork on a 69 Super Bee. I know what it takes to build this car. Lots of greenbacks.
My first car was a 67 Plymouth Belvedere II. I enjoy building my own cars. I have show/shiny to patina. Each car has it’s own personality. They are all fun to drive, and they all draw attention.
Whoever buys this better have some DEEP pockets. All of those panels, parts, emblems and interior come with a pretty price tag.
I wish them the best of luck.
Doesn’t matter what breed – people will pay for papers or tags.
Why are all my comments being deleted?
I just read two of them.
I read them also. Good points
Reserve not met at max bid of $14,600.
Should have let it go.
Agree with the others that this is rusty overpriced junk. The owner is nuts if he doesn’t take the $14600 bid and be done with this POS.
Looks good right where it is, in the junkyard 😎🇺🇸
You know you’re gettin old when you remember these 60s and 70s muscle cars selling as good used cars that you could actually get in and drive it. And were selling for $1000 or so in good shape.
My best friend did exactly that, way back when. It was a great ride for him, right up until his unscheduled and abrupt meeting with a series of rather unforgiving N.Y. state guardrails.
But it has C body road wheels! That’s gotta raise the value!
30 years ago you’d have had to pay this guy 50 bucks to come haul this turd to the junkyard.
Old doesnt always equal desirable or expensive. If that was the case i should be beating people away with a rake trying who are trying to get my attentions.
Hope it does get put back on the road. The whole classic car hobby these days reminds me of the old saying, ” if wishes were horses, dreamers would ride”.
Previous owner must’ve sold the fender tag along with the engine. Too bad. Lovely colour combo with the black hood inserts. Are the ‘70 front fenders different in shape than the ‘68-‘69? Besides the front edge detail. Thought I’d read someplace that they were slightly more curved/humped on the top? Anyways could be a nice car, hope someone breathes life back into. GLWTS.
Hey wait a sec. Isn’t that a ‘69 taillight panel??
This is a solid 440 6 car, needs quarters, outer wheelhouses and rear valance. maybe more, but not much. $100,000.00 car restored. If this was some pile of crap Chevelle you guys couldnt get on your knees fast enough to beg the guy to take your money.