Pink Panther In Pieces: 1970 Dodge Challenger

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Yes, there actually is a car there! And there are a lot of parts too, the sum total that comprises a 1970 Dodge Challenger two-door hardtop. It’s in pieces but it is finished off in Mopar’s rare “Panther Pink” finish. Located in Nixa, Missouri, this Challenger is available here on eBay for a current bid of $1,625, twelve bids tendered so far.

Besides The Challenger being a new model in 1970, Dodge’s FM3 paint code, Panther Pink, was a new factory optional color that year too, first offered in January 1970. The specific model and equipment didn’t matter as this shade was available on performance cars and standard models alike. The seller has provided an image of the fender tag and it does verify this as an original “FM3” Panther Pink painted car.

To state the obvious, this is a do it yourself project and you may want to enlist the services of Inspector Clouseau to help you track down all of the needed parts. The seller has owned this project car for one year and his summation statement is, “Front and rear rails are in good condition Have another roof skin, lots of parts, nice fenders and doors.” And that’s the entire story. Where do you start with something like this? You may want to ask yourself “why” first. This Challenger is a standard sports coupe, not a performance variant, and while any ’70 Challenger is worthy of attention, this example’s calling card seems to be the original finish of which precious little still remains on what little is left of the body.

No exterior means no interior, though there are some nice original high-back, white vinyl buckets, no mention of the back seat. The issue is what to attach them to. It’s hard to tell if there is a usable floor or structure. As the seller states, there are lots of parts but interiors involve a whole lot of parts and it’s going to be a challenge to determine what’s present and what’s missing.

The engine is listed as a 5.2 liter V8 and the VIN bears this out, it’s a 318 CI unit that develops 230 gross HP. The engine is included in the sale but there’s no word on its operational capability. The sequence number does match so it is the original powerplant. Accompanying the engine, but not attached to it is a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission.

So think about the task involved here: Attach fenders, inner fenders, doors, wheelhouses, quarters, a new roof, hood, trunk lid; secure and attach all of the trim and bumpers, attach the suspension and brakes, install the entire drive train (assuming it all works – no word on the differential), completely rewire the car from stem to stern; painstakingly assemble the entire dash and instruments together, build out the interior and repaint the exterior in code FM3. Ta-Da, finished! Well, probably not because there will be countless other steps to consider too. And probably a myriad of parts to still scrounge. Up for the “Pink” Challenger challenge?

So, here’s a thought, you can roll up your sleeves and take this project on – it will be a good test of organizational skills, general automobile assembly knowledge and Dodge Challenger architecture. Or, you could buy a Challenger like this 1971 example, paint it Panther Pink, and you’ll be in the pink! What matters more, the original paint or the original car?

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Comments

  1. Arby

    The Space Shuttle might be easier to rebuild than this “Challenger”.

    Like 34
    • Dave

      I read somewhere years ago (possibly on NASAWatch) that all of the debris recovered from both shuttle tragedies is laid out somewhere inside the Vehicle Assembly Building. An outline of the orbiter has been drawn on the floor and as pieces are found, and at that time they still were, technicians get together to see where they’re supposed to go.
      The last time I was there was for the final launch in July, 2011, and it seemed to me that there were an abundance of Challengers in the employee parking lots. A certain sense of history, they have.

      As far as this car is concerned, anyone bent on restoring it will certainly have their work “cut out” for them…

      Like 5
    • PatrickM

      Ad title is “…in pieces.” It can stay that way, too,if you ask me. I didn’t even read the article or look at more than the first picture. someone must have paid BF a lot of cash in order to run this ad.

      Like 1
  2. Steve R

    At least it’s a no reserve auction so that eliminates peanut gallery from playing “the seller is greedy” card.

    Bid on it as a parts car, if someone wants to try and restore it, for whatever reason, they won’t take a hit financially.

    Cars of all makes and most models in this condition are likely to revert back to parts cars, which is what they really are. Smart enthusiasts with money to spend and some patience should be able to find a better starting points for restoration project at more reasonable prices than they could have imagined just a few months ago.

    Steve R

    Like 11
  3. jerry z

    Talk about a restoration going horribly wrong! I’m not going to waste my time clicking on Fleabay for that!

    Like 3
    • Poppy

      Were the rear quarters torched off for fun? I can’t see them being removed for patch panels for another car without the (normally rusty) wheel well arch and lower body sections.

      Like 0
  4. Vance

    Sometimes no means no, unless you are doing 25 to life, who has the time, inclination or money to waste on a heap like this? My advice would be to say what I say at funerals, I don’t have the words.

    Like 7
  5. Gaspumpchas

    Steve R hit the nail on the head, parts car unless you get brave enough to take this on. Make sure you are getting enough parts with this to make it worth your while. Kowalski is laughing from the grave! Stay safe.
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 3
  6. i8afish

    Just mail the buyer the VIN tag and be done with it.

    Like 14
  7. Bmac777

    If i had to make the choice of the 2, I would pry Kowalski’s car from the bulldozers and restore that one, and if it couldnt be fixed I bet the VIN tag would pop off a lot easier with the rivets melted.

    Like 3
    • Arthell64

      The car that hit the bulldozers was a camaro.

      Like 9
  8. Bmac777

    Yes it was,
    They pulled the drivetrain out of it and it was actually pulled by one of the Challengers used in the movie with a long tow line between the dozers.
    Not sure if they used the 318 or 383 car.
    But I was referring to the Challenger in the fictional movie story

    Like 4
  9. local_sheriff

    The irony here is that this one likely served as a parts car many moons back – now it needs a parts car be complete again!

    Probably a car no one gave much thought until some smart*** realized that its Panther Pink heritage could add some value

    Like 4
  10. Chris In Australia

    I’ve seen Mecano/Erector sets with less holes in them than this steaming pile.

    Like 5
  11. Chris M.

    Joke. It’s already bid way past value. It’s an original 318 car. It’s been stated, scavenge viable parts and unceremoniously disguard the remains.

    Like 2
  12. don

    Is it a basket case ? Yes. Restorable ? Yes. Keep in mind its now a 50 year old car ;There aren’t many left that are affordable to buy anymore. back in the 1970, people were probably saying they same thing of some guy restoring some roached out 1920 Model T , Packard or any car from the brass era . If it wasn’t for those guys , and all the car guys of the past , we wouldn’t have all the cars we still see today .
    This car could be bought back by a body guy as a project ; maybe a car to restore for his kid to keep him in the hobby . We have all seen cars at shows that were absolute junk that have been brought back to life. I remember a 56 Chevy ragtop at a show that was so far gone in the pictures he had that the dashboard had rust holes in it – the guy literally dragged it out of the woods in Connecticut and did a ground up restoration and had to replace nearly everything , but he did it and the car was gorgeous. How many of those old 1930s cars you’ve sen at shows were just a rusty shell sitting in a field , and some guy spent countless hours replacing all the wood, interior ,glass , rebuilding the drivetrain, etc. just to save a classic car ? Its the same thing with this Challenger, just a different kind of car , built in a different decade of automotive technology ,and at least this one does have a lot of the parts stored away, so you aren’t scouring the junkyards (now the internet) looking for every little part. My opinion is that if someone can restore an old car and save it for another generation ,I’m all for it.

    Like 12
    • canadainmarkseh

      What’s left of the shell looks pretty solid and panels are readily available. If you were doing a rotisserie restoration you’d have it stripped this far anyway. From what I can see a lot of the hard work is already done. It looks like it’s near ready for Panel fitting. Is it still a big job? Yup it is, but aren’t most things worth doing big jobs? Yup they are, sometimes you have to look closely to see the diamond in the rough.

      Like 3
  13. PLE

    Ran when parked

    Like 2
  14. Kelly Waldrop

    Graveyard Crs might turn this one down

    Like 5
  15. Michael Moceri

    Loaded car. A01 light package. B52 power disc brakes. White interior. H51 AC. Bucket seats. Console auto. Title? Buildsheet? I would take this on.

    Like 8
  16. Michael Moceri

    B51 power disc brakes…

    Like 1
  17. ron

    Go ahead and take it on, I am assuming you have a magic wand and a Vegas bank roll?

    Like 5
    • canadainmarkseh

      Or maybe some skills and a work shop capable of doing this. Lots of guy do…!!

      Like 1
  18. BigDoc BigDoc

    At the current price the 318 and transmission are worth the price.

    Like 0
  19. Comet

    VIN donor.

    Like 2
  20. Karl

    I don’t even have words? And the car that hit the bulldozers at least in the first vanishing point was a Challenger.

    Like 1
    • bone

      Nope, it was a 67 Camaro – look it up or pause the crash scene , its clearly a Camaro

      Like 4
  21. Tom Bell

    At $3,000 now.

    Like 0
  22. Gaspumpchas

    Watched a dynamite bodyman do a 75 duster that was more rotten than this, and it came out Concours quality. Couldn’t imagine what it cost the owner but that’s what he wanted. if you want to take this on, go for it! I admire the drive and ambition that it would take to do this. Good luck and stay safe. Kowalski will be watching you!!!
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 2
  23. Terry Bowman

    I can see buying and restoring a “HP” Mopar in this condition, but not a 318 or less. A donor car would probably be in better shape, so why not restore it instead? As a part car, maybe.

    Like 0
  24. George Mattar

    Mark Worman would not waste his time on this pile of crap. People are out of their mind. It is pink. So what.

    Like 3
    • Gaspumpchas

      Everyone thinks this Worman guy is some kind of god. I don’t watch any of the tv shows because they are hyped up and fake. This guy lost any respect I may have had for him when he called his daughter “the fruit of his loins”. Just this ol grey hairs’ opinion. As I’d say, if you buy this as a parts car, you could make up your mind if you wanted to put it back together. if this thing is bent you will be in for much more misery. Good luck and stay safe.
      Cheers
      GPC

      Like 0
      • v

        it couldn’t be bent. that rusty roof pillar looks a ok…

        Like 0
  25. Karl

    Sorry bone everything in the show was Mopar I must not have watched close enough at the end!

    Like 0
    • bone

      No problem ! I watched that movie for years and didnt notice either – It was the stock ,painted silver rim on the wrecked car that first got me wondering..

      Like 0
  26. Purple sky

    Mopar nuts will pay probably $10,000 for this. Simply insane on Mopars. Ridiculous. Another 15 years and these will be pennies on the dollar. LOL

    Like 1
  27. v

    Deposits are nonrefundable. where do you start. the drivers rear frame rail looks like a little rusty. this thing will be sold for parts. it would also be a full time job. theres probably 8000. in parts already removed and ready for packaging. the car only needs every panel replaced . i say put a battery in it hook up the radio and speakers and take it to car shows the way it is. its already on wheels. better yet donate it to a vo-tech and let students rebuild her. they would learn first hand on what to do and what not to.

    Like 0
  28. Bob Mck

    I am truly amazed to see how many people think this is worth building. Good luck to you. I would love to see it finished.

    Like 0
    • v

      the only difference between this and a together challenger is its a time saver . the parts were removed documented and tersted and properly packaged and gone over to insure and save time when putting it back together. that was done right??????????????

      Like 1
  29. stillrunners

    Been tryin’ to sell it for years……….

    Like 0
    • v

      this one should have sold the first week of listing. cause everyone loves a basket case…opening sales statement: look i took it apart for you.

      Like 0
  30. TimM

    Roof-gone
    Quarters-gone
    Drivetrain-gone
    Interior-gone
    Not much here to start with!!!
    Good luck to whoever is brave enough!!!
    I think that the best thing said about it is “parts”

    Like 0
    • Michael Moceri

      Guess you didn’t see the pictures of the interior, motor and trans, fenders, boxes of parts. Not for the faint of heart but very fixable. Like it or not, Mopars are highly sought after. Especially 70-71 Challengers and Barracudas. My biggest concern is if it has a clear title.

      Like 3
      • v

        they are classey looking machines…
        thanks barnfinds.com for being our eyes and taking time for words…

        Like 0
  31. Stevieg

    The nice thing is that pretty much everything is reproduced for this. The not so nice thing is that it needs one of each of those reproduced parts.
    This car can be salvaged. And I think it should, hopefully back to stock. This would be a great example of the average “secretaries” Challenger.
    Obviously, it would have to be the right buyer to take this on. This is beyond my skills and beyond my wallet.
    I hope it gets put to good use, whether as a restoration or parts. Heck, it could be restomodded (is that a word, or did I just create a new one?) & I could even appreciate that for what it is now.
    Someone pry it out of the seller’s hands and do SOMETHING with it!

    Like 0

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