If I were to pick a Mopar classic that ticks the boxes for me from a styling perspective, the First Generation Dodge Challenger would sit close to the top of the list. While considered a top-end pony car, its body possesses lines that give it a muscular presence. This 1970 Challenger has spent twenty years in storage but is a complete classic that offers its new owner plenty of options. Restoring it to a showroom fresh state could be a reality, but slipping something more potent under the hood to transform the vehicle into a genuine muscle car is possible. If anything surprises me, it is the lack of significant bidding it has attracted since the owner listed it here on eBay. The Challenger is located in Greeley, Colorado, and has received a single bid of $19,000. For those wishing to bypass the auction, the seller offers a BIN option of $24,000.

When I scrolled through the listing photos, the first thing that struck me about this Challenger was its lack of penetrating rust. There may be some developing under the shredded Black vinyl below the back window. However, the rest of the exterior seems to show nothing beyond some staining where corrosion is appearing around a few edges and from under some moldings. The trunk pan sports some surface corrosion, and the same is true of the underside. However, I can’t spot any genuine rot. It isn’t surprising that it also appeared under the vinyl across the vehicle’s roof, but someone has peeled the vinyl away before the deterioration caused steel penetration. The overall impression is that this Challenger shouldn’t require much cutting or welding to whip its body into shape. It would be worth attacking the trim and chrome with a high-quality polish because that approach would cost nothing and could produce positive results. The tinted glass looks good, and although the Cragar wheels aren’t original, they don’t look out of place on this classic.

Lifting the Challenger’s hood reveals a 318ci V8 that produced 230hp in its prime. The power found its way to the rear wheels via a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, allowing the car to cover the ¼ mile in 16.5 seconds. While that may not represent genuine muscle car performance, it would have satisfied most owners. This car recently emerged after twenty years in storage, and it appears it doesn’t run or drive. Mopar V8s are renowned for their toughness, so if this one turns freely, reviving it may prove straightforward. If the new owner desires more power, there is no shortage of options worth considering. A 340 should be the most cost-effective solution, although a 383, a 440, or a Hemi may prove too tempting to resist. With the components required for such a transplant available off the shelf, the choice will depend on how much money the new owner is willing to sink into the build. If they happen to have a spare motor hanging around in their workshop, that question becomes academic.

The consistency of this Challenger continues when we examine its interior. It is serviceable, although new front seat upholstery, a carpet set, and a dash pad wouldn’t go astray. The factory radio has made way for a rather nasty-looking radio/cassette player, with the installer cutting the door trims to house matching speakers. Locating the parts required to return the interior to its former glory is not tricky, and many readers will confirm that there are few parts of a project build more satisfying than stepping back and admiring a spotless interior you created with your own two hands. That is one of life’s great pleasures that could await the buyer on this build.

Considering the overall condition of this 1970 Challenger, I’m surprised by the solitary bid it has received. Restoring it to its original form would seem a straightforward proposition. However, if the 318 under the hood doesn’t offer potential buyers the performance they seek, slipping something with extra ponies into that space shouldn’t be a problem. After all, if Dodge could slide a 440 into the engine bay on its production line, there’s no reason why you couldn’t do the same. If 230hp offers respectable performance, imagine the fun you could have with 375hp available under your right foot. It’s a point worth pondering, but is that enough for you to drop a bid or two on this classic?