Dodge introduced the Challenger in 1970, the last new competitor in the then-crowded pony car market. Demand was strong initially at 77,000 copies, but its ties to the shrinking muscle car market would hinder its sales in the following years. The seller has a rare car, an R/T with a 383 cubic inch V8, 4-speed manual, and original Plum Crazy paint. Estimates are that only a few hundred were built in this configuration. Located in Lewiston, Idaho, this running project is available here on eBay, where the current bid is $25,100 with an unmet reserve.
The R/T was the main performance model of the new Challenger. It came with a 383 V8 as standard, with a 440 and a 426 Hemi being the steps up. This unique car came with the Magnum engine rated at 335 hp, paired with a 4-speed and a Pistol-Grip shifter. The key hardware in this Mopar is numbers-matching. According to the math the seller has done, this Challenger may be one of no more than 500 produced in its inaugural season.
Though the car is photographed in a dark garage with poor lighting, we’re told the Dodge runs and drives as it should and is mostly original (except for the wheels, for example). You’ll find that parts like the radiator and carburetor are the ones that came with the vehicle when new. The Challenger has the desirable Rallye gauge package, including a speedometer that runs up to 150 mph.
The interior was refreshed about a decade ago, though the dash pad is cracked now. Per the seller, the car has been inside ever since. Rust has managed to get into the rear quarter panels and in a few other places, but patches may be able to take care of things. The seller bought this car from its second owner and had hoped to make a weekend driver out of it. But as his/her age advances, the cash it would generate is needed more. As far as original Challengers go, this one should check a lot of boxes as a project.
Looks like the heads have either been rebuilt or replaced. Those valve covers should be Hemi orange, not Corporate blue.