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Perfect Project: 1970 Charger R/T Barn Find

Here’s a definite darling for Dodge devotees – an original Y3 paint combo, numbers matching 1970 Charger R/T 440. Found here on Craigslist, thanks to reader Michael, it seems to be a solid survivor and barn find said to be stored since 1979 with only 92k miles on the odometer.

Fast and Furious Fans will recognize the ’70 R/T as Dom’s favorite car – the star of almost of releases with its monolithic modified stacker engine. Although Vin’s R/T is a magnificent Mopar machine, my taste veers more towards this one – with the ability to restore an original to its former beauty.

As many of you know, I’m a “patina” guy – preferring to preserve time-worn beauty in many cases. However, as the seller mentions, this is very rare Y3 (Dodge Light Gold) color combination (one of only 84 made in 1970 in fact). It would seem a shame to not restore this beast to its fully original stock condition since it features virtually everything it rolled off the showroom floor with. To be factory accurate you’d have to return the auto to a column shift, so I might leave that on the floor like its pictured.

A quick conversation with the seller confirmed that this car will also be featured in an upcoming Discovery Channel show that will air before summer of this year. The show name is being held until it’s finalized, but it’s always fun (and increases value!) if a car has had its 15 minutes of fame to add to its provenance. At $30k, and with everything needed to complete the project, it could easily be worth twice that in today’s crazy Mopar market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

  1. Avatar Nrg8

    Been here before, recognised the car and claims of rarity. Still don’t have a rad cap.

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    • Avatar Mike

      Caps on it now… 😂

      Like 0
  2. Avatar John Leyshon Member

    Will be interesting to watch, market is about as high as ever for Mopar. Classic, vintage & muscle pretty much across the board lately. It will be scrutinized of it’s rarity to be sure. Probably north of 50k as it sits if the history checks out.

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    • Avatar patrick

      he had it appraised at 30k nada says 35k so i’m just guessing he’s right on the money as values .

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Sparkster

    Question : would it be worth more with the original column shift automatic ? Granted I’m not a fan of the column shift buy I have to ask.

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    • Avatar Steve R

      It’s probably a toss up. I’d much rather have a four speed, but then again I’m not a potential buyer of this car, nor am I a “purist” that thinks every real muscle car should be restored to stock.

      Steve R

      Like 0
    • Avatar robhall74

      I would say it’s not numbers matching if it doesn’t have the original transmission. Also, does it com with the spoiler? HMMMMMMMMMM. Also, fo a Arizona Cali car, that is sure a rusty vehicle!

      Like 0
      • Avatar mike

        ENGINE IS NUMBERS MATCHING, Trans was swapped to a 4 speed… and no, someone removed the spoiler long before I bought it… And yes, car was sold new in Arizona, spent most of its life in El Paso Texas, and has been in California 7 years… If your at all familiar with Chargers, this is pretty common even in dry climates…

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  4. Avatar Mike

    Why sell now BEFORE the TV show comes out? Wait it out and then sell.

    Like 0
    • Avatar kuzspike

      Perhaps there is information to be revealed that the seller knows might hurt his asking price?

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      • Avatar mike

        no, car was appraised at my asking price…

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  5. Avatar erikj

    This charger looks very original . I also love the patina and would just make it a good driver and keep it at that. Unless there is rust,got to stop that. All that said,I would have to keep the 4spd. Its easy to change back. I say this issue wont hurt the value since the # matching auto is gone.
    I’m doing a 71 twister duster and changing the 3 spd (matching #) to a 4spd. I never plan on selling it but the 3spd will be on the shelf.The mopar gods should be ok with that. It will retain Its buckets,8 3/4 rear,sharktooth grill but i am adding a rally dash.Its also factory fc7 in violet. I will post some pics soon on barnfinds.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Pete in PA

      ericj, I have the factory cluster and dash wiring harness out of a wrecked 71 340 4-speed car. I pulled the stuff back in the late 80s to put in my 72 Duster Twister 318 3-speed car but when I discovered that i would have to cut away part of the dash I lost my appetite for doing it.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Mike

        Pete in PA, I need a 340 car dash cluster, please email me at fastass70@live.com Ill buy it!

        Like 0
  6. Avatar Dave Mc

    I remember these as a high school pump jockey. Specifically two. One guy would let me fill it and would yell at me for getting drops of gas on the paint.
    The other would grab the nozzle and do it himself.
    Maybe it was the same guy I can’t remember. Lol.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Mopar dude

    70 was a great year !

    Like 0
  8. Avatar JP

    Somebody buy this Charger and convert it into a General Lee, pronto!

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Superdessucke

    I am quite frankly stunned this car has not sold yet in this market.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Rspcharger

      myself as well

      Like 0
  10. Avatar GREGORY POLLACK

    F&F was a 68 charger

    Like 0
  11. Avatar LAWRENCE

    So is reader Micheal submitting this barn find the same owner Mike posting it’s glory ? Just not sure why a cut up car – that has more rust than normal for the climate’s it’s been in – is valued so high – does it run ?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Mike

      I’m the owner, its actually pretty solid, aside from the typical Charger rust… its not cut up at all… As for value, its a unrestored, 70 Charger R/T, matching number engine in original Y3 paint (one of 84 in that color)

      Like 0
  12. Avatar Rustytech Member

    Nice project car. Price? NO COMMENT!

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Mike

    Sale pending…

    Like 0
  14. Avatar dave Member

    Looks like a great start. I would keep the manual. Shouldn’t an RT come with the three-spoke steering wheel?

    Like 0
    • Avatar mike

      optional

      Like 0
  15. Avatar David Ulrey

    Fast and Furious was indeed a 1970. It was originally Dom’s dad’s car. This is a very decent looking car for the money.

    Like 0

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