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Rough Track Pack: 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE

I know what you’re thinking: this car is rough and needs a lot of work. For the most part, the car is stripped, and I can buy a similar E-body for a little bit more money. Now for the big picture: this is a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE Super Track Pack with a 4 Speed. Now that I’ve gotten your attention, you can find this rare and valuable muscle car here on eBay in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with reserve not met.

Though late to the pony car wars, Dodge came into the pony car mix with the new-for-1970 Challenger. Featuring a 110 inch wheelbase (compared to its E-body Barracuda cousin’s 108 inch wheelbase), the Challenger was conceived to take on the Mercury Cougar and Pontiac Firebird. The R/T model was one of two performance Challengers available (the other being the T/A), while the SE was a trim package that included a vinyl top and a smaller rear window with bright trim moulding (similar to the Charger’s SE option, which could also be combined with the Charger R/T) and was only available for 1970 (Dodge continued to offer the SE-type roof in a Formal-Roof Package. Overall, only 3,979 SE-optioned R/T hardtops were built. This R/T SE was originally Plum Crazy with a white vinyl top and black longitudinal R/T stripes, and was optioned with a trunk-mounted luggage rack. Originally sold new from Art’s Dodge in Las Vegas, New Mexico, the car went up to Colorado until 1974, when the original owner traded the car back to Art’s Dodge. The second owner bought the car and street raced it until he wrecked it street racing in the mid-1970s. The Challenger was then sent to a body shop in Albuquerque, where the front frame rails, the subframe and subsequently forward, inner fenders and radiator support were replaced. After the necessary repairs were made, the second owner drove the car until 1980, when it was parked in a field until it was purchased by the seller four months ago. There is a fair amount of rust, with a spot above the windshield, the top of the passenger-side quarter panel above the sail panel, both lower rear quarter panels, and possibly the trunk pan (the seller mentions some spots that are close to rusting through). The driver’s-side fender and door have some damage, and the passenger fender was replaced with a fiberglass one. Otherwise, the rest of the car is rust-free, and the luggage rack is said to be in nice condition. At some point, the color was changed to a tannish brown (I’m thinking Autumn Bronze, but I could be wrong), and a set of aftermarket slotted wheels with mismatched tires were fitted. On the plus side, the car comes with a clean driver’s-side door, a rust free set of fenders that will need body work, a complete extra set of doors and quarter glass, hood hinges, latch assembly and other miscellaneous pieces, and the OE fiberglass T/A will help fund a proper R/T hood (either a twin-scooped or shaker hood). I would source the necessary parts to swap in for the rusty sheetmetal, source a shaker hood, paint the car in Plum Crazy, source a black R/T stripe kit, and find somebody to fit a white vinyl top. I would also ditch the aftermarket wheels for a set of Mopar Rallye wheels wrapped in Firestone Wide Oval raised white-letter bias-look radials.

This Challenger R/T SE was ordered with the 440 Magnum and the Super Track Pack, which included the Dana 60 rear end, power front-disc brakes, power steering with cooler, heavy-duty cooling package, 18-spline Hemi 4 speed, and skid-plate on the K-frame. Due to the length of time the car spent in the field, the engine will need a full rebuild; the engine was dissembled down to the short-block by the seller shortly after its purchase. Fortunately, almost everything is included for the motor, with only a replacement carburetor needed to replace the missing one. The original Hemi 4-speed, Dana 60 rear end, and K-frame skid-plate are also still with the car, though the transmission and rear end will need to be inspected and rebuilt as necessary.

Interior-wise, the car is optioned with the Rallye dash, wood-rimmed Rim-blow steering wheel, black leather SE interior, overhead-mounted console, and floor console with Pistol-Grip shifter. Everything inside will need to be replaced, and the back seat frame is “very rusty and most likely cannot be saved”. The shifter assembly was modified for quicker shifting sometime back in the 1970s, so that will need to be addressed and replaced as necessary. A replacement carpet will need to be sourced as well. On the positive end, everything else is there, and the floorpans are rust-free. Overall, this car is going to need a full-blown restoration, but considering its options and the chance that this car can be bought affordably, this car, once restored, will be a rare and valuable muscle car that will turn heads no matter where it goes. Would you take a risk and buy this rare Challenger?

Comments

  1. Avatar Big Mike

    As much as I Love this style of Challenger, I think I personally would pass on this one. It is going to take a set of big deep pockets to get this old timer back into the proper shape it needs to be in. I noticed they said nothing about the frame other than it was replaced after a wreck. Having set in a field even in New Mexico can cause some frame issues.
    I would have to pass.

    Like 1
  2. Avatar redwagon

    All depends on the selling price, how much capital you have, how much skill you have and how long you can float that capital. At best I would have 1 of 4 (selling price).

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Scot Douglas

    It all depends if the 8-tracks are included in the purchase price or not.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar 86 Vette Convertible

    Sale shows ended at $12K.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar flmikey

    It appears to be sold for 12K….which in today’s market, is a good buy?

    Like 1
    • Avatar CATHOUSE

      It was not sold. The high bid was 12K but the reserve was not met.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar richard hernandez

    Wow….it’s gonna take pretty close to12k.just to get the interior in descent order.how 😢.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar gaspumpchas.

    Shades of Badass Barry Newman driving the white challenger from Denver to Frisco, with Cleavon Little blasting from the AM radio. After seeing this movie 6 times, always thought they were cool. 12k?? Aint making any more like this. Sure would be a blast flying thru Big Thompson Canyon Like Barry did. Good luck to the new owner!!!

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Rustytech Member

    No doubt this going to be a major project, but with the equipment this came with I think it is well worth the effort. This will be awesome when it’s done!

    Like 1
  9. Avatar james burton

    a car like this one to be worth the money needs to be num. matching and the whole front clip being replaced means no more num. matching. no fen. tag. no rad. nums.an no build sheet .what you have is a salvaged car that use to worth a lot of money.would take 50 grand to fix at least. probably needs a whole roof skin. front clip is so butchered it’ll need a redo. no mention of a clean title

    Like 1
  10. Avatar james burton

    he states num. matching. well with the fender tag and build sheet gone what nums. are you matching. title nums which mean nothing on a num. matching car. even the rad cradal isn’t num. matching

    Like 1
    • Avatar Larry

      Yes without them it may not be a number s car

      Like 0
  11. Avatar Troy

    I would buy it….

    My 69 Charger was worse than that…

    I also know a guy who bought a 71 Challenger that was destroyed beyond recognition ,he bought a new Dynocorn Body and now has a beautiful 440 6 pack 4 speed Challenger !

    For the price of a new minivan he rebuilt his Challenger RT .Sure not the original body but the car was flipped 5 times and hit again,then left in a field for 35 years lol…But its reborn ! Has the vin and original engine/trans etc…

    The body on this one looks good…Easy resto for a do it yourself type guy..

    Like 0
  12. Avatar S Ryan

    No info on eBay about the Pontiac pictured. Damn.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar lawrence

    Mopar’s – right this down – the VIN is stamped on the body in LOTSA places and the VIN is stamped on the motor – the trans and the Dana 60….got it ? We don’t really need a fender tag with the main parts still there. Mainly from 1969 up the VIN is everywhere…so they say….my 1968 Formula S 340 Barracuda had it on it’s engine and trans…….still there too !

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Steve Bell

    Wow, it’s got all the right options; but sadly most likely will never touch the street again unless going up or down a trailer if someone restore it.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Keith

    Someone like Graveyard Carz, who already has tons of parts available, would be the type to buy this one. Hell of a car when completed!

    Like 1
  16. Avatar Guy

    I think this car deserves to be fully restored back to original since it has most of the important pieces still with the car. Yes it will take a lot of time and money to complete this project. But it has the right options and color combo to make one rare ride that looks amazing once complete. I think once it is complete it will be worth all the time and money spent to finish the car. If I had the money it would take to do this project I would because of the options and color!

    Like 1
  17. Avatar Tom

    Just found this, I actually bought the car after the no-sale on eBay. Seller sent me gobs more pictures, splice job on front rails was so clean it will just need minor cosmetic touch-up. Engine still has all correct attachments, balancer, etc. Frame rails are gorgeous, will need very little quarter metal & work, 1 trunk floor extension. Jury is out on the trunk floor, but even if that needs replacement it’s pretty straightforward for me. The hole on top of right rear quarter is a 1 hour fix, & I’ve fixed way worse front edge of roof rust in short order. Sold my first RT/SE in the early 1990’s, looking forward to driving this one. If it’s ever on a trailer after resto, it’ll be cause it’s been stolen!

    Like 3
  18. Avatar J-BONE

    12k is a good buy for sure.
    Period.

    Like 0

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