This 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T is one of those cars that started out strong, but it became even mightier during the first restoration, which took place about 15 years ago. The seller has been tasked with selling a few Mopars for an estate, and apparently, this one has been sitting for a while. This E-Body appears to be a capable driver already, but addressing some cosmetic flaws would certainly be worthwhile, hopefully sooner rather than later. This Plum Crazy hardtop is in Erie, Colorado, and can be found here on eBay, where the opening bid of $34,900 has yet to be placed. A big Barn Finds thank you goes out to reader Mitchell G., who kindly sent us the tip here!
Thankfully, the fender tag survives, and it reveals code FC7, meaning Plum Crazy Metallic for Dodge or In Violet over at Plymouth. Being one of the more desirable colors, it was retained when the Challenger was repainted, but the finish is not without a few issues. The seller believes that most of the panels are still original and rust-free, with the quarters being an exception. He points out that the paint is cracking and lifting in some areas, plus some other minor body imperfections are also evident, so it’ll soon be time to repair these sections and perform another new paint job. The car came from the Los Angeles plant wearing a white Bumble Bee Stripe around the tail, so it might be fun to add this back during the process.
Originally equipped with a 383, this one now features a 1970 date-code 440 under the hood, which the seller says has a larger-than-stock cam. Additional aftermarket products include an aluminum Edelbrock manifold with a Holley carburetor, along with a set of headers feeding into 3-inch exhaust pipes. Apparently, only about 250 miles have been driven since the build, but even after sitting, the big block is stated to start right up and sound incredible. This one also features a 4-speed manual transmission, with a scatter shield in place, just in case.
The interior consists of a combination of original and replacement parts, with a plastic covering over the cracked factory dash pad. The front seats are newer leather buckets, and the original radio has been upgraded to a Kenwood unit with a cassette player. The rallye gauge cluster is still in place, with the tach, clock, and gas level indicator not functioning, although the others are reported to be working. There’s a lot to like about this one, and while it’s unfortunate about the paint, the positives seem to outweigh the negatives by far here. Any thoughts to share about this Plum Crazy 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T?
I have never seen worse paint cracking in my life. This car must be 99% bondo. Under-chassis pictures judiciously omit floorpans and torque boxes. A buyer is probably a minimum of $25K body work and paint. Such a shame.
Looking over the paint for those imperfections johnfromsc mentioned, the non working gauges have me wondering what the seller has in mind for a price, 34k to start? Highly recommend the potential buyer to get an inspection and be sober when you bid.
That’s a hot mess IMO
Isn’t that an R/T SE with the smaller rear window and interior?
Yea, sure is, funny that Mike Stephens doing this article doesn’t mention SE at all, the smaller back window, leather seats, Special Edition nameplates on door panels and woodgrain trim on dash/door panels, overhead console- all SE items. The R/T SE is way more rare than just an R/T.
explains the real leather front seats too
That battery hookup in the trunk looks fragile.
Nothing like an old wire hanger to hold your battery down. That’s a whole lot of body filler shown in the eBay ad. Not sure I’d go too hard after this one.
The way the amount of visible rust on the right rear quarter panel below the vinyl is basically dismissed by the seller is a bad sign. It makes you think, what other problems with the car are the downplaying.
This has the potential to be a cool car with the vintage speed equipment. Remove any modern performance parts, such as the wire, tach and anything else. Replace the 15” rally’s with slot/dish mags or Centerlines and drive it. That would have been representative of what you’d see at every cruise or drive in across the country in the late-70’s or early-80’s before every muscle car was expected to be restored to stock.
Steve R
Challengers are E body not B body
It sure looks lower than stock.
Any noticeable power gain/increase in exhaust noise with this car’s straighter pipes mounted UNDER! the rear axle?
What’s up with the rear suspension? Dr. Frankenstein called, he wants his car back.
good luck on this hot mess. the only thing going for it is its purple that body work is disgusting and who knows what under it
A Plum Crazy Challenger R/T S/E is a very desirable car, but I suspect the next buyer will discover a nightmare under that cracked paint and vinyl roof.
A $35,000 car that needs $35,000 spent on it . Its not going to sell
Lady man say: “dat not good”
Holy Bondo crack batman!
The damage on the right quarter panel looks like the “Hamtramck Hump”, buckling caused by too many hard launches at the strip. Frame connectors were developed for this. M
$35k for a jacked up bondo bucket? Nooooo thank you!
The seller must have looked at what Worman sells cars (well, tries to sell cars) for on EBay.