One of the hottest muscle cars during the performance vehicle era was the 1968-70 Dodge Charger R/T. Standard in the R/T was a 440 cubic inch Magnum V8 and 9,509 copies were built in 1970. The seller’s car is rare in that just 15% of them had a 4-speed and only 5% of all Chargers were painted in the “Hi-Impact” color, Go Mango. This Charger is a runner that needs body work, some of which looks to have been completed. Located in Springfield, Ohio, this hot Mopar project is available here on eBay where the reserve is unmet at the latest bid of $33,600.
Charger production soared in 1968/69 when Chrysler’s B-body intermediates were redesigned. With a tunnel back roof and hidden headlights, they sold like hotcakes in the first two years of the second generation. The third and final year of that run was in 1970 and sales cooled a bit, but some 46,000 Chargers were still built and nearly one out of five were R/Ts (for Road/Track). The seller’s car has the U-Code, 375 hp Super Commando 440 which was rated at 375 hp. The seller says this car runs and drives but doesn’t say how well.
Given the numbers provided by the Charger Registry, doing the math works out to only 65 R/T 4-speeds that may have been finished in Go Mango, not be confused with another wild color, Hemi Orange. We’re told this car is numbers-matching and two build sheets have survived (one under the back seat, the other stuck to the floorboard on the front passenger side. It’s a one-owner auto being offered by a dealer.
Some photos show a car with rotten rear quarter panels while new NOS quarters are grafted in with other pics. So perhaps this is a restoration project that got started, things changed, and someone else will need to finish the work. The rest of the Charger looks okay including the interior, which certainly will need cleaning up for an assessment. If the 63,000 miles is accurate, then the mechanical health of this beast may be good.
Last night, I was watching a You Tube video, made by a Mopar restorer, who said the hobby has been priced out of the average working mans means. Seeing the bids on this car? Proves his point.
For the highly collectable models like this, sadly you’re right. But if one is willing to have some flexibility with regards to make and model and you just want an old car or truck to enjoy there are still plenty of good and affordable options. Doing some digging and spending time looking might reveal some surprises too.
Harry is right. This is nothing new, even in the early-1980’s when graduated from high school in sunny California where muscle cars were plentiful and cheap, me and my friends were priced out of the most desirable versions. Though overtime we figured out it was more about search strategy and effort than cash. We’d wind up with 383 Road Runners of 390 GT Mustang fastbacks rather than Hemi cars or Shelby’s which we really wanted. There have been plenty of desirable cars built over the last 50+ years, now just like then serious buyers adjust their expectations to fit the size of their wallet.
Steve R
Right. If you settle for old cop cars, 4 door posts, or 90’s FWD sedans. And, I don’t know many 20 somethings that could afford hemi cars or Shelby’s. Then or now. But you could get into a nice builder Camaro, or Mustang, or Road Runner, on the cheap. Not no more.
A good observation by someone in the business. I sold my 56 Delray and bought a 2014 Dodge Challenger which has been flawless over the past 10 years. I can drive it everyday and not have to work on it. Too bad Dodge is going electric.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they backtrack that decision.
How Id love to even have their original affordable offering…a bare bones 383 Road Runner w 4spd. 3.23 ⚙️
Very desirable car, 4spd and bright color will draw a lot of interest. What’s scary is the lack of a thorough description which addresses rust issues and whether the car still has its Dana 60. Another concern is there are no detailed pictures of the undercarriage and other rust prone area such as the inner fender by the data plate. Sure it has new quarter panels, though there is no mention if they are NOS or reproduction. It’s nice that the new quarters have been installed, but what if anything has been done to address the rest of the rust? It would be easy for potential bidders to assume more work has been done that actually has been. At this price, I’d be booking a flight to see it in person before the end of the auction.
Steve R
Agree big name items EX” Charger Chevelle AMX, certain mustang’s are becoming out of reach for most so look for under the radar muscle cars.. Still pack a punch and still bring back the glory days with less financial stress.
That is what i will do when im in the market.
These cars rust terribly. Chrysler quality was lacking. I had a 1970 Road Runner in 1973. Bought from original owner. Tops of front fenders were already crusty. But 50 years ago, 1970 cars were just used cars. No one could have predicted they would sell for what they are now. I paid $1,200 for the car with a factory N96 hood. Today, the hood is worth more than I paid for the car.
“If the 63,000 miles is accurate, then the mechanical health of this beast may be good.” Not if you figure the 63,000 miles was mainly done in 1/4 mile runs!
Great car for a Graveyard Cars project/show
Bids at 40,100.00 now. Reserve is off.
How cool is that shifter? I would love to be able to restore this car. I can hear the exhaust now on a summer night through dark streets. Going slow even more menacing.
I agree with the top post….these cars are way out of reach for the hard working middle class of our country …and that to me, is a real shame….the baby boomers would love to own (& drive) these cars..but can’t….I blame these crazy prices on the auctions….millionaires with drinks in their hands over spending…….this Charger is way over priced too…..would take another $30-40 k to finish properly…..just makes me sick….the almighty dollar…..
These cars have been in demand for 40+ years. Once people figured out cars like this weren’t coming back those that survived being abused by some teenager as a random used car, rust, neglect and the two gas crises of the 1970’s, there weren’t many left. You could see a sea change when it came to prices in the mid-80’s when several car magazines dedicated to muscle cars hit the newsstands. The popularity of auctions and the internet haven’t helped keep prices down but the most desirable models, like this Charger, were never going to stay within reach for the majority of people anyway. Blaming auctions and “millionaires with drinks in their hands” is denying reality.
Me and most of my friends figured this out. We adapted to the realities of the market in the late-80’s, we would put in the work finding the best cars we could based on our budgets. We’ve all bought desirable cars and moved our expectations as more and more cars outpaced our budget. I’ve never heard any of them complain, through their experiences they’ve developed a broad appreciation for various makes and models that span decades, due to that, and their willingness to hustle and track down leads they don’t have problems finding cars when they are in the market for something new.
Steve R
It really has gone mad! In the late 70’s, I owned both a ’70 SS 396 4sp Chevelle, and a ’71 340 4sp Duster, and both for less than $1,000. Look where they’re selling for now! People have more money than brains. Joe is right, it is sickening when you see these guys spending $300,000 on a car that cost $3,000 brand new. Oh, to have had a crystal ball!!!
that is the roughest 63,000 miles i have ever seen and im from new england
I know of a 1970 tor red V code charger that has been sitting since the late 70’s/early 80’s, it’s so far gone you’d have to build the car from the parts made by AMD, the doors ( with the scoops still in place with the R/T emblems) and roof panel are the only things not rotted beyond repair, and MAYBE the firewall, everything else is gone, you wouldn’t even be able to move it in one piece, the Dana 60 rear is still in place, and guess what? It’s another one of those cars that’s ‘NOT FOR SALE ‘ !!!! 😢😢😢