Rough But Complete: 1970 Dodge Charger 500

Are you feeling brave? You are? That’s good, because returning this 1970 Dodge Charger 500 to its former glory will require equal helpings of bravery and determination. The seller is candid about its overall condition, but admits that it is complete. The V8 under the hood runs well, and their decision to list the Charger with No Reserve adds to its appeal. You will find this project candidate here on eBay in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. Bidding has raced to $16,800 in a No Reserve auction.

Dodge introduced its Second Generation Charger for the 1968 model year, with the last cars leaving the line in 1970. The company followed a different marketing philosophy with its latest offering. By eliminating the four-seat configuration and the electroluminescent gauge cluster found in its predecessor, it could bring the Second Generation to market with a lower sticker price. The move proved wise, with sales volumes rising as a result. This final-year Charger is the 500 variant, and to say that it requires TLC would be a masterly understatement. Its shortcomings extend well beyond its tired Bright Blue Metallic paint, because this baby is loaded with rust. It would probably be quicker to list the unaffected areas, but the shopping list will include new steel for the floors, the trunk pan, the rails, and the torsion boxes. I believe the new owner will likely adopt a rotisserie approach to the build, as it would be the most logical way to eliminate these issues. It is worth noting that the existing paint shade isn’t original, because the trunk shots reveal what I suspect is the car’s factory Code F8 Dark Green Metallic. Of course, with the work already listed, it would add almost no cost to this build if the buyer elects to reinstate the original shade. I believe any trim pieces that won’t respond to polish are suitable for restoration, and the glass is clear.

This underside shot reveals some of the rust and corrosion, providing insight into this Charger’s most pressing needs. The seller supplies no engine bay images, but the news there is quite positive. The first owner ordered the car with a 318ci V8 and a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. As drivetrain configurations go, that combination is pretty bulletproof. It’s also worth noting that with the V8 producing a factory-quoted 230hp and 320 ft/lbs of torque, the car’s performance would have been considered pretty respectable in 1970. The seller admits that the Charger requires new fuel lines, brake lines, and other items before it is remotely close to roadworthy. However, an embedded video in their listing reveals the engine running on an external fuel source, and that 318 sounds as sweet as a nut.

The Charger’s interior is an unknown quantity, courtesy of the slipcovers hiding the seats. However, with items like the door trims exhibiting deterioration, budgeting for at least a partial retrim would be wise. The dash looks surprisingly good, and I think that the pad is crack-free. Apart from the Tweetie air freshener hanging from the mirror, I think that the only aftermarket addition is the radio/cassette player.

I acknowledge that some readers will take one look at this 1970 Dodge Charger 500 and immediately place it in the “too-hard” basket. That is understandable, because it undoubtedly represents a major restoration project that won’t be cheap. However, it has already attracted twenty-four bids, and with a Watch List tally of sixty-one, it appears that many enthusiasts see promise in this diamond in the rough. It will be fascinating to discover whether any Barn Finds readers share that sentiment, and if anyone would consider pursuing this classic further. So, it’s over to you.