Any way you look at it, the second-generation Dodge Charger (1968-1970) was a fantastic looking car. Though hyped in films by the likes of “Bullit”, “Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry” and the TV series, “The Dukes of Hazzard”, the Charger was strong enough in its own right to not need silver screen promotion. This 1970 example is a “500” model though that didn’t mean, by 1970, what it had meant in prior model years. This car is worth a closer look; it is located in St. Louis, Missouri and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $10,000, nineteen bids tendered so far. 

The original Charger 500 was a model modified for high-bank, Nascar racing. It was a performance version with a non-recessed front grille and rear window and powered by either a 426 CI Hemi or 440 CI engine. There were supposed to be 500 copies built in ’68 to homologate the exterior design changes, per Nascar rules, but the total count came up short. By 1970, the 500 was just an upgraded model above the entry-level Charger, offering bucket seats, an electric clock, wheel lip moldings, and “500” nameplates front and back as standard equipment.

The seller describes this barn find Charger as follows, “The car is mostly complete, solid frame rails will need patchwork or replacement of the interior floor pans and trunk pan”. He further adds, “Fenders, doors, trunk lid hood may be useable or repairable”. The finish is listed as FT6 with a tan top and Saddle Tan interior. The body is pretty banged up with rust, dents and there is something going on around the rear window. And that tan top is absent revealing the leaded C-pillar seams and lots of surface rust. While Mopars of this era are very desirable cars, the bodies didn’t hold up worth a darn. Winter driving and time spent in wet climates did them in, quickly. Some of the trim is missing, along with the backup lights, and the grille, which is in reasonable shape, is missing some of its centerpieces.  Reproductions are available, but they’re expensive. The bumper chrome is a bit weak too, not to mention claims of straight alignment. The slotted aluminum wheels and cheap wide, white letter tires are a nod to the ’70s.

While originally powered by a 230 gross HP, 318 CI V8, this Charger is now in possession of a 270 HP, 1966 vintage, 383 CI, two-barrel carburetor equipped engine – an unusual choice. It does run, well enough for yard driving but is not road worthy. The seller states that brake work is needed.  An A727 Torqueflite, three-speed automatic transmission is behind the “B” series engine and it is connected to an 8.25″ open differential. It is stated that this car has been off the road since 1988, so in spite of yard maneuvers, the powertrain will require, at the least, some maintenance and perhaps part replacement too.

Moving inside makes one want to move back outside right away. A Paris bordello called, they want their chairs back. What a mess, seriously, there’s no telling where those seats originated but they are a far cry from the original saddle tan interior referenced above. The dreck continues with the destroyed dash pad (looks like a weasel has been chewing on it) and instrument panel – which is from a ’68 model Charger. The carpet is missing but at least you can review the floors which we were previously told would need to be either patched or replaced. This is an A/C equipped car but the belt is off of the compressor, so it’s a safe assumption that it is non-working.

The more one digs, the less there is here to like. The seller suggests, “This is a 70 Charger that you can build any way you want to, with the new 5.7, 6.1, 6.4 Hemi and Hellcat engine swap kits that are available these days, the possibilities are endless”. The engine swap would be the least of any worries, the worker on this Dodge is with the body, trim, floors, and interior. I say GLWTA, how about you?