Red Over Orange? 1970 Dodge Charger R/T 440

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For the final year of its popular second-generation Charger, Dodge left well-enough alone, changing little other than the grille, going with this full chrome surround. This purported genuine R/T, a 1970 Dodge Charger in Ivanhoe, North Carolina, wears a red paint job over its orange interior. Though “interesting” today, that combination is not original. It would have certainly been rare, and for good reason. Dealers often demanded payment up front for a special order that violated the rules of the factory… and common sense. A non-original 440 (moving freely but not running) fills the chasm left by the factory motor. This car’s listing here on eBay offers little information, yet six bidders have raised this as-is Charger’s market value above $14,000.

Here we see what looks like rattle-can red clashing with what I’m assuming is a Burnt Orange interior. The R/T (“Road/Track”) package brought some convenience upgrades along with the performance such as three-speed wipers and optional no-cost leather upholstery, the latter only in black. This center console would have been an upgrade even on the R/T. The stylish SE package could be combined with the R/T for an “R/T SE” in ’69 and ’70. This car’s body tag is lost, but determining original equipment would be possible if one of the original broadcast sheets can be located under the rear seat or elsewhere.

Though a 440 Magnum came as the base R/T motor, a later 440 stands in now. The Magnum made 375 HP on paper but has been estimated to turn closer to 410. What looks like a $200 battery makes a good choice for spinning a Mopar 440. I can almost hear the distinctive Chrysler gear-reduction starter now. The new owner may be wise to follow a pre-starting process before reviving the long-idled powerplant, but at least this one is not stuck. A normally-reliable and sturdy 727 three-speed automatic handle the gear changes.

Finally, we see some of the original? color, what may be FK5 Burnt Orange Poly, to match the interior. Either a black or white vinyl top apparently graced this Charger’s roof, trapping moisture next to the vulnerable metal beneath. Despite the flow-through ventilation shown here, the car comes with all glass except the windshield. New quarter panels come with the sale as well. Would you take a gamble on this red-orange “as-is” Charger?

Comments

  1. William

    Was this originally an air conditioned car?

    Like 2
  2. Joe Machado

    Factory air, yes

    Like 5
  3. A.G.

    $14K for this?

    Like 4
    • mjf

      No, $18000 is now the bid, nice trunk floor with a non running motor and rust at every turn .. Headache central

      Like 2
  4. MH

    Junk! You can buy a half way decent running driver for not too much more. You’d be money ahead in the long run.

    Like 7
  5. 73 AMX

    Mark Worman should grab this.

    Like 0
  6. Desert Rat

    My favorite year Charger love the wraparound chrome front bumper, now how do you lose the finder tag? what you took it off for safe keeping and forgot where you but it? please

    Like 3

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