Some restoration projects require deeper commitment than others, with many potentially consuming thousands of hours of an owner’s precious time as they strive to recapture the former glory of their pride and joy. Such will undoubtedly be the case with this 1970 Dodge Challenger Convertible. It has significant rust issues, but history suggests it hasn’t deteriorated beyond the point of no return. If you feel up for the “challenge,” you will find the Dodge listed here on Craigslist in Perry, Ohio. The seller set their price at $21,500 OBO, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Anthony M. for spotting this beauty.

Dodge introduced the Challenger to its range for the 1970 model year, basing its new offering on the same E-Body platform that spawned the Plymouth Barracuda. It possessed the same muscular good looks as its cousin, with 84,037 buyers driving one off the showroom floor during that first year. However, only 3,173 of those chose the Convertible variant, making this a relatively rare car in the big picture. Its original owner ordered it in Dark Tan Metallic with a Black power top. Time hasn’t been kind to this classic, with the new owner facing a nut-and-bolt process to regain its former good looks. Their biggest hurdle will be tackling the rust issues impacting a significant portion of its panels and underside. There are typical problems with the lower body extremities, and while patch panels are available, replacing items like the rear quarter panels would add little to the project costs to achieve a high-end result. However, the shopping list will include floor pans, a trunk pan, drop-offs, and potentially at least one rear rail. Entirely dismantling the car would seem the only solution, with the new owner facing many hours of hard graft before this Challenger could be considered structurally sound. The trim is intact, as are the frame and mechanism for the power top. Most items require restoration, but a thorough cleaning will determine what is genuinely serviceable.

The new owner’s shopping list won’t end with body hardware and replacement steel because this Challenger’s interior is a pretty sad and sorry sight. It is essentially complete, and items like the seat frames, handles, knobs, and dash structure are fit for reuse. However, a complete retrim is on the agenda, which requires careful consideration. Unless the buyer intends to spend their life driving with the top raised, the interior will be clearly visible to the general public. A substandard result will be there for all to see and can mean the difference between good and great presentation. It will cost money to achieve that standard, but many enthusiasts agree that the finished product and sense of pride justify the effort and expense.

Buyers faced a dizzying array of engines to power their new 1970 Challenger. This car features a 318ci V8, a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, and power steering. Emission regulations were yet to make a severe dent in performance, with this V8 producing 230hp and 320 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. Dodge viewed the Challenger as a direct competitor to the Mercury Cougar, and it is worth comparing their relative performance to see how they stacked up. The 318 was the entry-level V8 in the Dodge arsenal, while the Cougar received the 2V version of the 351. Cougar buyers had more power and torque at their disposal, but their motor also needed to shift more weight. Therefore, it is unsurprising that they were virtually inseparable when the subject turned to ¼-mile ETs or top speed. The seller states that this Challenger is numbers-matching. It doesn’t run, but the engine turns freely. Factoring a rebuild into the restoration budget would be wise, but it is possible that routine maintenance and a fuel system clean could see the 318 roar back to life.

This 1970 Dodge Challenger would have been a striking classic when it rolled off the showroom floor, and there is no reason why it can’t be once again. Every item required to return it to its former glory is readily available, and many are surprisingly affordable. The killer blow in this build could be labor costs because returning the body to a rust-free state will be a significant undertaking. Any work the new owner performs themselves will lessen the financial burden. If they achieve perfection, a potential value of around $60,000 could be their reward. That leaves approximately $40,000 in the pot for the build once the buyer hands over the cash to park the car in their workshop. Do you believe that is enough to achieve the result this classic deserves? Or would you place a question mark over the financial viability of this project?