While it may not necessarily be the Holy Grail of Chrysler models, this 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T is genuinely special. We see a wide variety of these classics crossing our desks at Barn Finds, but the first owner’s decision to order it with a Hemi under the hood helps it to stand out in the crowd. It presents impressively as a survivor-grade vehicle, with no major paint or panel shortcomings. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Challenger listed here on eBay in Pompano Beach, Florida. Of course, classics of this caliber are rarely cheap, with the seller setting their price at $240,000 OBO.
I was once asked to compile a list for a hypothetical dream garage. The rules were simple. I could choose any car from the post-war era through 2000, but the list could include only one car from each decade. Some choices were no-brainers, but the 1970s proved difficult. If looks alone were the determining factor, I struggled to look beyond a 1978 Pontiac Trans Am in Martinique Blue. However, if a more “total” package was the aim, I couldn’t ignore any of Chrysler’s E-Body offerings with a Hemi under the hood. Therefore, I found myself irresistibly drawn to this 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T the moment I spotted the first photo. You could never use the word “subtle” to describe this classic. Its Go Mango paint is as “in-your-face” as it gets, with the color complemented by the Black vinyl top and stripes. Although not stated expressly, the impression conveyed by the seller is that this Challenger is a genuine survivor. The close-up shots reveal a few minor marks and imperfections, but they are too insignificant to justify restoration. The vinyl looks excellent, the panels are straight, and there is no evidence of rust. With sparkling trim and aggressive Rallye wheels, this R/T is guaranteed to turn heads.
The term “legendary” is one of the most overused in the classic world, but there can be few better to describe Chrysler’s 426ci Hemi. This monster motor raised the bar in the performance world, producing power and torque figures that made any vehicle with one under the hood a genuine muscle car. The first owner ordered this car with a Hemi, an A-727 TorqueFlite transmission, and power brakes. With a factory-confirmed 425hp and 490 ft/lbs of torque at their disposal, this R/T should easily convert its tires into smoke if the driver is heavy with their right foot. The seller confirms that this Challenger’s Hemi isn’t numbers-matching. However, it has been validated as a date-correct warranty replacement engine block, which is the next best thing. The remaining mechanical components are original, and although not stated specifically, it appears that this Challenger is a turnkey proposition.
The interior images further reinforce how special this Challenger is. The first owner ordered it trimmed in White vinyl with contrasting Black carpet. It features bucket seats, a console, a Rallye gauge cluster with a factory tachometer, an AM radio, and lashings of woodgrain. The vinyl isn’t marked or discolored, and there is no evidence of splits or tears. The woodgrain appears virtually flawless, as are the dash, pad, and console. If viewed purely as a high-end survivor, this interior is comfortably acceptable in its current form.
I’m not saying this to court controversy, but stating it as a fact. Although Dodge no longer produces the Challenger, you can still walk into a dealership and slap down the cash for a shiny new Charger R/T. If that doesn’t appeal, the market is awash with final-year Challenger R/Ts that will cost considerably less than this 1970 example. They will offer comparable performance, greater comfort and refinement, and with significantly better brakes and suspension, vastly superior handling and safety. That sounds like a compelling argument to ignore this Challenger, but that isn’t the case. It is rough, rugged, and unrefined. However, it has maintained an undeniable presence fifty-six years after it left the line, and values have climbed substantially as enthusiasts and investors recognize the part that the Hemi Chrysler models have played in automotive history. I question whether a newer example will ever achieve that feat. Therefore, I’m not advocating for the newer car. I’d take this one in a heartbeat. Wouldn’t you?
Send it to a big name auction where the drinks are strong, yes they get their commission, but it could do very well. Ready for the loose the wing comments.
Never cared for a wing on these.
I figured that it must have gone the big auction house route at least once in the past. I looked it up on BJ, and they sold it for $145,200 at Vegas in 2013.
Cars on a turntable are out of my price range!
Lose the wing.
How is this a barnfind….
Truly right, How is it?
any body paying this for a cobbled car needs more than money needs to have head examined
What makes this car cobbled together? Not a challenge I just want to know what you see that says it’s not equipped as original except for the engine block for my own education.
1/4 mill. if they think it’s worth that take to a high-end televised auction and make it happen. dealer listing so you have the markup which i bet is stiff
I’ve always loved the classics but have lost interest with prices beyond realistic!
There are still plenty of affordable classics out there. You just cant expect to get a Hemi-powered Challenger cheap. Well, there might be some modern ones that are close to affordable. Probably faster too!
$240K is stupid money, for a car without the original engine. I’ve seen Hemi’s run and they were not the magical motor, people made them out to be. Hemi’s are rare, but the 440 6 pack or magnum, ran just hard. I’ve seen all original 440 R/T SE’s with the 3rd pedal and super trac pak, going for less than this. 70 E-bodies are gorgeous rides though.
A date correct warranty engine is just as good
In the world of the Boss 429, Hemi Cuda/Challenger, COPO Camaros, and Shelby’s, the price on this car does not seem out of line to me if it is what they say it is. If I was the seller I’d put it on BAT and see what it brings.
Maybe it ends up in one of the many “collector car museums” that are popping up all over the place.
These are nothing but tax-ploys. A rich car guy buys some land and puts up a nice shell building that he fills with his baubles. Puts a sign on the front, calls it a museum, hires a kid to man the door, the wife or son/daughter handles the “marketing”, and charges $15 to get inside to look at his baubles. That’s not much revenue, but it justifies the effort to the IRS.
As a free standing LLC, now EVERYTHING involved with his collector car hobby miraculously becomes a tax write-off. The building, the insurance, the utilities, the tools, the cars themselves (as a dealer, no sales tax, everything in limbo), and most importantly, since him and his family are all “employees”, trips to auctions in Florida and Arizona and California are now deductible expenses.
In order to get people in the door, you need these kinds of cars, which he wants to own anyhow.
Is this a great country, or what? Genius.
I believe that the IRS laws/rules say you have to make a profit
at least every 5 years.
I probably should not have used LLC. The hobby rule does not apply to a straight C corporation. LLCs can be taxed a C corporation as well, and also may not be subject.
Even with a C corp, you have to show intent to prevent expenses be re-classified as dividends.
However, the act of establishing a public business operating as a public car museum goes as a very long way toward validating intent.
Also, if family members are paid “reasonable” wages as employees (CEO, marketing, inventory manager, all of the premier jobs), it’s all legit.
If have a big enough collection to have a dedicated mechanic, the becoming a museum, in some form, generates all manner of personal nondeductible expenses related to the hobby into genuine business expenses that are now tax deductible inside the corporation.
In addition, vehicle inventory is all for re-sale, so they are exempt from sales tax, as legitimate inventory.
Many car museums are 501c3 non-profits, but that is also very restrictive. The big advantage there is that donated inventory becomes tax deductible.
A C corp must buy the inventory at “fair market value”, but again this is a gigantic tax game, converting personal illiquid assets (the car) into liquid assets at prices that are quite flexible, as needed.
For an individual with several hundred million dollars and a car portfolio of 50 million, the owner can convert the cars into cash through a C corp, thus locking in any appreciation, and laying off any depreciation risk to the museum.
The tax advantages and the conversion of personal hobby costs onto a C corp are astounding. Of course, nobody does it without some heavy weight tax advice.
Well you don’t have to be a genius now! You’ins done learned us how to do to do it!
Always preferred the B body platform more myself but these were great looking cars. Beautiful Challenger, but $240k beautiful I guess is up for debate. The hemi is a legend for sure but it never held a big mystique for me. I’d much prefer just a 440.
240K will put you in a C8 ZR1 that will serve you much better IMHO
Those butt ugly things? I wouldn’t take one as a gift lol.
New price, now $228,000.
Things I learned street racing from 68-73 was the cars you thought would win weren’t the ones.
Realistically the real sudden street race was maybe two blocks long, and usually the winners
Weren’t the hemis or the big blocks, the real street races were won by the Z/28 or boss 302,
Duster or Demon 340’s. That changed when we would all go to a marked off 1/4 mile and that’s where your big motor cars won races. But stop light to stop light is was the quick small blocks.
That is true
Whats with all the new AI pictures on listings? This car isnt on a turn table, its all AI. This is the second one I’ve seen with an AI backdrop. Would be hesitant with a seller who uses AI pics for the car…..
That was my first reaction, in fact the whole thing car included looked ai in the exterior pics
Other than it having white interior it’s very nice looking car.
I don’t understand why anyone would get white interior for one thing secondly why would you go with the orange and black on the outside and white and black inside.
I do believe Chrysler offered orange and black two-tone bucket seats and rear seat for these cars that would have looked so much nicer.
The orange vinyl inserts in the orange/black interiors was far closer to Hemi Orange/Tor Red than it was to the Go Mango/Vitamin C color on this Challenger.
I wonder why the engine had to be replaced?