Dodge’s use of “440” and “500” to denote trim levels, compounded with their use of a 440 cid V8 engine, confuses many fledgling motorheads. Decades ago I drooled over a friend’s grandmother’s 1966 Dodge Coronet 440 thinking it had the monster V8, then later I learned it had the basic 318 cid Polysphere V8. Similarly, this 1970 Dodge Charger 500 in Oceanside, California sports a 318 cid V8, the later “LA” version, but of particular interest is its V1F code “Gator grain Green Vinyl Roof.” Bidding here on eBay has surpassed $11,000. Thanks to Patrick S for spotting this original never-restored B Body.
From this angle, we realize this muscle car needs (at least) a left rear quarter panel. These second-generation Chargers changed in the front and/or rear each of their three years. The giveaway on the 1970 is the chrome grille surround up front. Like the ’69, the ’70 uses a full-width tail-light panel where the ’68 had individual round tail lights. Reading the tea leaves the bumper suggests someone may have charged under this Charger from behind. Whatever happened, it was not related to texting-and-driving, as this car’s been parked since 1983.
The “500” represents the top trim level and pulls some parts from the Coronet 500 bin including this nifty console with footwell lights. The seller confesses that the floorboards will also need replacement.
The 383, 440, and even the 426 cid Hemi could have filled this engine compartment, but the little 318 runs and will make all the right V8 noises while getting better mileage. If that helps you justify driving your classic, why not show this all-green gator-roofed classic every weekend? Besides, if you want power, the 318 can make over 400 HP.
The 500 trim and textured roof will definitely separate this green machine from the typical second-gen Charger. What’s that worth to you?
I am continually amazed at what these sell for.
That thing is rusty, I’d say it came from back east, don’t let the California lull someone into believing it’s a nicer car than it is. I’d wait for a better starting point to come along, even though it will cost more upfront.
Steve R
Steve, the car is in Oceanside. The car can get rusted out like that being by the ocean.
By the Ocean in a garage even
That’s not ocean rust, not unless they had a habit of driving it on the beach at low tide, which is a capital offense in California. The cars around here that are right on the coast will rust from the top down. They rust in the window channels and anyplace condensation collects due to the salt content. The tops of those fenders are sunburned, they wouldn’t look like that if it had been located close to the beach.
Steve R
Not much.
Too far gone
I don’t like to beat up on the writers for doing their job, but the story is doesn’t fit the pictures. That car has been tagged on the left side, and hard enough to shift the ass end to the right by a substantial amount, look at the driver side profile picture and you can see that the car is twisted huge. Coupled with the rust, this thing deserves to be made into a microwave. These kinds of adverts shouldn’t see the light of day, this car is screwed, and devious sellers who put this crap up without being up front should be exiled. C’mon guys, leave this crap buried on the web, no one needs to see any more scams.
I agree. The doors sit much lower than the fenders behind them. I know these doors are long and prone to sag, but not that much. This car is rotted and ready to fold.
You two are so right about the car being “twisted huge”. Look at the bottom edge of the back window, then look at the mostly parallel trunk lid. Now notice how not parallel the ass of the car is in that greatly centered, & nearly leveled rear shot/photo. In fact, using my on screen keyboard as a level i found the trunk cut out just above the tail lights is perfectly level ( purple truck is level too). I’m sure the seller will say it’s a optical allusion. But if he/she gave me the car for $500oo, i bet i could/would fix it.
Call it a Dodge Pretzel without the good taste.
Bet it smells like mouse p
Engine choices for a 1970 Charger 500 topped out with the 383/4bbl. 440 and Hemi were R/T only.
Parts !
Breaks my heart to see this. This poor thing looks like it is beyond revival.
Base engine for the 1970 Charger ‘500’ was the 225 Slant Six. You could get a column shifter and a bench seat too. It was a confusing time.
Yes she looks like she is in sad shape but for the right price,somone could buy it,but it would take a lot of money and time to fix her up nice,ism a proud owner of a 66 charger,all original,with a 361 engine,does anyone know how rare these Moters are?I know only 5000 66 charger got them
I have one
Yes she looks like she is in sad shape but for the right price,somone could buy it,but it would take a lot of money and time to fix her up nice,ism a proud owner of a 66 charger,all original,with a 361 engine,does anyone know how rare these Moters are?I know only 5000 66 charger got them,I also have the original owners manual,and the original certification card that came with the car,does that increase the value of my charger?
Those factors will marginally impact your cars value. The 68-70 Chargers are the sought after model years. The 361 is a footnote when it comes to big block Mopar engines and doesn’t have a performance reputation. Your cars value will be based on its overall condition rather than the rarity of the engine.
Steve R
12 grand for this rusted and accident damaged heap? You’ve got to be freaking kidding me.
I thought the Charger 500 had the flush rear window.
69 charger 500 had the flush rear window. 70 Charger 500 was the trim and extras like the top and a console with footwell lights like the Coronet 500’s.
Agree, the rear window was not recessed, not was the grille.
Looks like that gator skin is structural too. Maybe seller believes that this car was too nice to part for the red one.
The 1969 500 had the flush rear window and was a rare car.
Is there any way i can get the buyers phone # cause anyone that would pay $11 grand for this “car” obviously needs to spend some cash my way.
I have “original frequency grease”. A prototype 1922 Corvette and whatever else you have cash for.
I especially like the picture of the rear of the car which looks like the drivers side of the body is held up with a 2×4 under the bumper.
Neil,
I think you nailed it on the 2×4. I noticed there were no pictures taken inside the trunk. I believe that would have showed the outside body panels completely rusted away from the inner body structure. This is nothing more than a parts car. I hope the new owner isn’t too disappointed.
Before all the Tv restoration sshows this thing would have been crushed.
Automatic, 318, no A/C, rusty green on green… My dream car.
“Muscle Car”? I’m puking out my eyeballs!
If someone brought it to my house and left it in my driveway, signed title, keys in the ignition, I’d have them arrested.
My 1971 440 Six Pack Super Bee had the alligator roof option (mine was black). As an interesting side note: The vinyl material wasn’t the only gator grained part of the option. The (unobtainium) stainless steel trim was acid etched for proper grain, then anodized for matching color. It really was a marvelous, special solution to a normally undesirable option.
The picture I have included is a ‘before’ pic. The grain is clearly visible. The black anodization is almost completely worn off. If you find a ‘gator roof optioned car and it has ordinary, flat, polished stainless trim, (Or sometimes they try to wrap the brightwork in ‘gator material) it ain’t the way it came.
Who are these people that think 11K is worth it for a parts car?
You have to wonder.
My sad guess is somebody has the VIN plate, fender tag, and broadcast sheet from a dead 1970 Charger R/T and figures this will be worth enough after the “restoration” to justify the expense. That’s the only thing that makes sense to me. A regular 1970 318 Charger 500 might be worth 20 to 25 grand, on a very good day. There’s no way it would be worth it to restore this car back to its original status.
Miguel, no, those people are valuing it as a restorable car. As a parts car you would probably be looking at a few thousand, at best, depending on how many of the “small parts” are salvageable.
Steve R
Bidding at 11600 on a trashed, fugly green Charger that looks like its twisted, with a 318 2bbl… sorry man but wtf…
One of the best body styles ever, but too far gone to invest the 30 to 40 grand it will take to make this POS presentable and safe to drive.
Nice to see crap 💩 sells good !
May I suggest just some wax and a oil change and just drive this pos daily 😂😂😂
junk
Looks like $11K asking price for a gas cap and shifter. Rest is junk IMO, not too sure if it qualifies as a parts car anymore.
Hahahahahahaha 12k? Here’s your classic “BUT IT’S A MOPAR” madness. I don’t get what these people see in these junk cars?
I would take this car drop in the new 1000 hp 426 hemi Helliphont @ let it rip
I would love to see you drag race it in that condition with a huge H/P engine. Yeah you would twist the front half to match the back half, ha, ha. “Been there done that” to my 1973 Camaro until the doors wouldn’t even slam shut.
This generation Charger needs to be brought to its former glory. The 70 Charger 500 didn’t have a flush rear window hence there were many more of them than the 69. I’ve seen guys that customize them to make the window flush. $12K is a drop in the bucket whoever decides to take on the job will sell it for $55-60K easily.
Both quarter panels and inner quarters, floor pans, deck lid, rear body panel, oxidized 2 bbl carb, trashed upholstery. $11.60, tops.
I ha d some similar experiences as well…440 equated to a 318 or even the mighty 225
11,000!!!!! You’ve got to be kidding! It’s probably got rust under that gator grain roof!
Only time a 318 Charger was muscular was when the guy in the other lane had a 307 Malibu , would have made for one boring race too.
@Troy s – …still laughing. Best comment so far.
P. T. Barnum
Just another thrashed Mopar. Second one I’ve seen today (orange ’69 RR.)
So did you find one of the once many Dukes Of Hazard cars? Now a equally twisted /wrecked General Lee stunt car would get me bidding up to maybe $13,000oo with a big engine. $500oo is all this one should get.
Look mum a Dodge twistie!
Notice another one to the right, to the rear of this one-
Yep…
At least if someone managed to get it running & stole it it’d be easy to find… just follow the (short) trail of rust flakes to the pieces.
Agree…..my R/T had the Gator roof and even the 80’s it was rare and pretty unobtainable ..The R/T was my 5th grade girlfriends Janie’s mom’s car….she didn’t like the black tail stripe and hood black out so had it painted over….but she loved that driving that Challenger…..and thank goodness Jamie is still around to talk about !
I’d go all in on this cream puff, but that passenger door gap has me concerned.
Do cream puffs come twisted? The back half of this car is twisted. Use your on screen key board as a straight edge level on that back view photo.
I would bid maybe twice or three times the current $11k. Oops, hold on, I thought I was bidding on what I would charge to do the body work. Never mind.
We have not discussed this wreck enough ???
Its like the Titanic.
30 more comments please
…
@Del – I’m having fun… you’re not?
When I worked at a major university, my boss and best friend once said; “There is an inverse ratio to the seriousness of the issue and amount of screaming, shouting, hard feelings, memos and recriminations.
That was sage wisdom.
Three bidders, and I’d bet all three back out.
Oh yeah, if they got wind of all these negative comments here by now. Well maybe they will pay all of us $20oo each for doing their homework, or not!
I’l offer $11.00 for it, but $11,000 is insanity for a wrecked rusted out Mopar. Good luck.
Is that a 2 x 4 board holding up the trunk on the left side? Sheesh. After taking a look at the car lot this is sitting in, it looks like the seller may have other POS muscle machines coming down the eBay pike. Another Charger, a 67-68 Camaro, a GTO, etc. All look totally WHACK!
Shill bidding going on here. 2 bids within minutes of each other to boost the price to 12K.
It looks like it might have worked, though. A 12,100 bid came in 4 days later.