I don’t know where to start with this one. Is it a viable car or just parts? And, it’s a custom convertible at the same time. The seller states it to be a barn find parked for 25 or 30 years but also claims to know little about it. There’s a lot going on here so let’s unravel this listing and see what’s what. The car in question is a 1981 Shelby Charger convertible, located in Taylor, Michigan and available here on Facebook Marketplace for $1. Yup, unless it’s a big misprint, it’s a buck.

The ’80s Dodge Charger (1981-1987) was intended to be a sporty version of the Dodge Omni. It upped its game in 1983 when Carroll Shelby lent a hand in creating a hopped version and the Shelby inspired variant proved to be a sales success with about 72K units rolling out the door. Shelby also had exclusivity for 1,000 specially modified, Shelby Charger GLHS high-performance models but that’s another story. One thing that is certain is that neither Dodge nor Shelby’s operation offered a convertible version but then sometimes a convertible is just a Sawzall away. Oh, and the biggest disconnect? This Shelby Charger “convertible” is listed as an ’81 model even though Shelby didn’t get involved in the Charger project until part of the way into 1983. And the front clip looks more like an ’87 Shelby Charger, a model year typo perhaps? We would need the VIN to know for sure.

Whatever the case, this ’81 Charger is pretty clapped out. The seller claims that the engine, which if this Dodge is an ’81 model, should be an 84 HP, 2.2-liter in-line four-cylinder motor, has only experienced 35K miles. That doesn’t add up based on appearances but with the mismatch between the stated model year and the Shelby production commencement, who knows what the engine really is.

The seller does state that he’s selling this Charger for parts and references it as, “Shelby bucket seat(s) interior Good tail lights, good rear facial bumper”.  It’s also stated as being “unmolested” even though the roof has been removed – seems incongruous. But wait a minute, searching around, I found a reference to 1981 and 1982 Dodge Omni/Chargers that have undergone a topless conversion with one source stating that as many as twenty-five were created. By whom or how was not disclosed though here is a 1982 example referenced. Any of our BF readers who can shed some light on this potential rarity, please advise. Anyway, seeing this Charger convertible immediately reminded me of a ’78 Camaro convertible that I spied on the Jacksonville beltway about 30 years ago (and no, Chevrolet did not offer a Camaro convertible in ’78). The two dudes piloting it, who looked like they were headed to a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert, were having a grand old time in this trashed out Chevy that had had a permanent roof removal. The body flex was crazy, I was surprised that the subframe didn’t just separate from the rear portion of the car right in the middle of the expressway. Clearly, it was a back-yard conversion. It’s hard to say how this Dodge with its “hand convertible top” was modified but it’s probably past the point of relevancy.

So it’s $1. Or maybe the seller had to include a price of $1 just to get his listing posted and the parts are being sold, ala carte with individual prices. This is clearly an “inquire within” sale if one has an interest. Just remember, however, the seller’s final statement is, “I don’t have any info on the car”. Good luck!