In the late 1970s, Dodge needed a new product to keep Richard Petty in its NASCAR fold. The Magnum was introduced in 1978 and ran for two years, and may have disappeared after Richard didn’t win any points races with the car. The seller has a rusty 1979 edition in GT trim that runs but is showing its age. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, it’s priced in Cheal Wheels territory at $2,000 here on Facebook Marketplace (with no apparent takers thus far). “Zappenduster” found this tip for us.
The Magnum was an extension of the B-body Charger, which had been redesigned in 1975. In 1978, Dodge sold both cars, but in 1979 only the Magnum was fielded. A 318 cubic inch V8 was standard, with a 360 optional (Police Interceptor at 195 hp). We don’t know which is in the seller’s ca,r as he doesn’t say and barely gets any of the engine in the photos provided. The GT was an option and not a separate series, coming with a heavy-duty suspension, a special axle, “GT” badging, and a fancier dashboard.
Sales of the Magnum were lackluster, 47,000 in 1978 and 25,000 in 1979. And then the Magnum was gone, although the name would turn up again in the next century. Whichever this car has, an automatic transmission is along for the ride. The seller says it runs well and may have only been driven 10 miles (since when?). The odometer reads 39,000, but the exterior of the car looks much more used.
The GT had side stripes that look a bit like those on the “Striped Tomato” 1974-76 Ford Torino driven in the TV show Starsky & Hutch. The red paint is quite faded, and most of the sheet metal is either dented or has rust-through corrosion. The radio and gadgets work, though we don’t know exactly what they are. The Dodge has a sunroof which may have been added later. The car will need a new driver’s side window as a storm recently blew it out.
At least it’s inexpensive.
Steve R
Horrible pictures, vague information = No buyers. Just let’s everyone know,it must not be worth the $2000 asking price!
Once again… I want to sell my car, but I want it to be a mystery and not tell you much. Certainly not show you much.
I’m inclined to believe that people think that is going to generate more contact and more interest. But that’s just stupid. It’s a strategy some realtors use for houses and it has success. But housing sales are way different animals. This strategy does not work for impulse buys like old fixer upper cars. In fact it does the exact opposite.
I list every fault on cars that I sell. There is an ass for every seat, and there are people who love body work but not electrical and so forth. Want car to go to the right person, bc they’ll be able to justify the spend. Why is listing a car well so hard for so many people?
It’s called functional illiteracy and if we paid teachers what they’re worth you would see a difference, unless you’re just too darned lazy to put in the effort.
They also have no phone/social skills. I’m not a real aggressive car salesman. My philosophy is to take with you what you come in for. When I call it’s to share a better incentive or trade value or say “thank you “. People can’t conduct a simple conversation or return a call and you want to see a polished ad? Your disappointment is justified.
Gotta love the long video of his foot and the street, then numerous pictures of the rare sunroof, and nothing else at all. No idea what engine, since there’s only one lousy pic of part of it. Very nicely optioned car, all that’s missing is power windows and driver’s seat. Must’ve been nice before someone left it outside for decades. If it isn’t hopelessly rotted underneath, I hope it finds a good home, but that is probably too much to hope for.
Engine is the 360 police interceptor 195hp/auto on the floor w/ac…its original sunroof car …Best Priced mopar i seen in a long time! Plus, youre for sure the only guy with one at a car show.
Im not convinced that the engine picture is of the E-58 Police engine. You cannot see the oval “Premium 360 Engine” sticker that would be in front of the drivers valve cover. The air cleaner shape etc. make me think this car is a 318 engine car. I do own a ’79 Magnum GT with the E-58 package and T-tops etc.
I remember your car. If I were going to own a Magnum, yours is the one I would want.
I had that car,not a GT but same vehicle.Had factory sunroof,318.Bought it for 500 bucks in 1988.Had a lot of fun with it.No race car but it rode nice.Got wrecked when someone rear ended me.Saved my butt though.
Was it called the “Harsky and Stutch” paint code?
good to go,if the springs are not in the trunk
Short lived model that showed Dodge and ChryCo wanted to be relevant in the market. Grafting a trick headlamp cluster to their successful Cordoba and hoping for the best. Fifty years ago this was someone’s pride and joy.
Amazing how many people take ZERO time to look at pictures and, simply, are too lazy to decode the VIN that is clearly pictured. It is a 318 2bbl as the fifth character “G” in the VIN denotes.
This car is a rust bucket that is not worth anything as it sits. To restore this car would be an exercise in futility and it will never happen. Not even worth it for parts. Everything is faded or rusted. Oh, and the seller seems like a real winner, too.
total rot bucket. even the rockers. good luck with the 2k.
One of those cars nobody knew existed. Same category as the 1970-75 Ford Maverick Grabber.
at least the grabber came with a 302,a tin can with a v8
I’d pull the engine and transmission, front and rear suspension, and junk the rest.