The Dodge Challenger debuted in 1970 as the last of the entries into the “pony car” market. It shared a brand-new E-body platform with the Plymouth Barracuda, though no sheet metal was common. The SE (Special Edition) was the high-end model with a smaller (i.e., more formal) rear glass. And the R/T was the top performance model. The seller’s ’70 version was an SE, but the R/T portion is a tribute as the car was built with a 318 cubic inch V8. Located in Lewiston, Maine, this is an older restoration with a lot of new parts and is ready for the road. It’s available here on eBay but we’re not sure how firm the $29,995 price is.
Dodge Challenger sales reached 76,000 units in 1970, about 50% higher than the equally new Barracuda. That would be both cars’ best sales year together as a decline began in 1971 that continued through the end of the production line in 1974. The seller’s car should be one of 5,873 produced as an SE model with a V8 engine. But if this car had been an SE R/T when new with a 440 V8, the total would have been 875 units. So, is this # 876?
While a “crude” restoration was done on this automobile in the 1990s, more work has been accomplished. It’s 90% rust-free, with the remaining corrosion being in the front fenders. Replaced pieces and parts include the rear quarters, rear frame rails, trunk floor, and other metal elements. The mechanical list is extensive and also consists of the radiator, brakes, gas tank, fuel pump, suspension components, wheels and tires, and more. Key gauges work with a few shortcuts that were done well by the seller.
Besides the 440 V8, a 727 TorqueFlite automatic is onboard along with an 8 ¾ Sure Grip rear end. This is far from being a show car, but it should do well if perfection doesn’t count. The front seats look to have been redone as the upholstery doesn’t seem to quite match the rear seat. No rotisserie was involved in rebuilding this car, so it was redone up on a lift, and the undercarriage looks very clean. The seller has photos of that process that can be shared – and no trades will be entertained. Add the remaining body work and paint, and you’d be really ready to go.
Another “tribute”!!!! Arrrrgggh!
clone
Yeah, I don’t understand the fixation with the idea of a “tribute.” Lots of guys yanked small blocks out of Chargers and Challengers and swapped in 440s. We didn’t call them R/Ts. We just said it has a 440. Same thing with the guys who ran Chevys. It wasn’t an SS it was a Chevelle or a Malibu that had a big block in place of the 307.
Of course, we didn’t care about originality. The cars were old and cheap but fast and making them faster was what mattered.
If someone lives in the area and wants a Challenger it’s worth a look. If there isn’t a bunch of hidden rust this might not be so bad. It’s not inexpensive, no 1970 Challenger that isn’t more parts car than project is. I wouldn’t restore it, but if someone wanted a driver it might make sense, perform whatever work it needs yourself, get the cheapest paint you can find, remove the R/T emblems then drive and enjoy it.
Steve R
Looks like there is some serious rust under that vinyl roof. For anyone looking to do a restoration they need to take a good look at that but i agree with your point as a driver being a Challenger you are paying a premium to start with.
Seller states that “work was not done half a$$ed”, but (IMO) not tracing down electrical issues, and substituting “work around” buttons seems a bit “half a$$ed”!
Yeah, I’m going to declare half-assery on the 6″ wide flat iron bolt-on subframe connectors as well.
what a mess
i can tell by the way the listing is written this cat has a serious attitude. real shame this was done to a S/E challenger. the pro stock look, the stupid stickers all over it and the hack workmanship under the hood says it all. if anybody deals with this cat good luck
So we have a faded green car with unfinished bodywork (maybe done on purpose as a patina ploy, but hiding whatever) and Trans-am race graphics that appeal only to the seller.
Throw in a bastrd big-block engine swap and drivetrain that you have no idea of the workmanship, (interesting here because T/A cars were small blocks), and it lists for $30K. Mopar madness.
OK – sure. It will be interesting to see if anyone even bids on this very personalized creation. Maybe to strip it clean and start over.
This isn’t an auction and it doesn’t have T/A graphics.
Steve R
Yeah, I had doubts, too. So what are the graphics supposed to be? Drag cars don’t generally have numbers on the door, or fat front tires.
If it’s some kind of made-up nothing, then that’s even worse, in terms of the value of all of that. Actually, it’s a major detraction, as the “personalization” and “primer paint patina” appeals to nobody else.
Technically, yes, it’s not an auction, but “US $29,995.00 or Best Offer?” implies that bids/offers are being accepted. But I guess we’ll never know what those are.
I just wholly doubt that there is a $30k market for a mash-up like this, or anywhere even close to that.
Again, it does have some value as a driver, if the buyer is willing to strip it and paint it. Who wants to ride around in someone else’s imagined “race car get up”? So that makes it a project.
It’s probably just somebody throwing a bunch of stickers on a car with no overriding meaning. The stickers/decals are easily removed with a heat gun and should even be a concern for a serious buyer. As for the tires, many cars that run the street tire brackets drive to the track, since most tracks are on the outskirts of towns and cities it’s common to have large rims on the front and those guys don’t put decals on their cars because that many look stupid. I don’t think this has ever seen a track, it was just someone who didn’t care what other people thought and went overboard to draw attention at a coffee and cars, which it would have.
Steve R
Seller reports that Best Offer was accepted, but then they relisted it for 1K less.