When it comes to Mopars, the options make all the difference. This 1970 Challenger has some very desirable options including a 440 Six Pack, 4-speed manual transmission, and yes, a Shaker Hood! Everybody wants a HEMI these days, but back when these were new, the 440-6 was the street racer of choice for many. That triple carburetor equipped big block was almost as powerful and sold for a lot less. Today collectors know how potent these cars are and they command big money when they do sell. This particular car is a good example of that fact. It’s listed here on eBay and bidding is already going crazy with close to a week left. This one has lived a rough life, but it will be a sweet machine after a full restoration. Let’s just hope that everyone bidding is taking into account the cost to finish the job so it doesn’t just go back into storage.
Would love to have this one…..but is it just me? or is the $41,000 that it’s up to now seem a ‘lil high?…..I would think one could be bought already restored for not much more than that.
Old Cars Price Guide for April 2015 lists 1970 Challenger RT HT as follows: #6: $2240 #5: $6720, #4: $11,200, #3: $25,200, #2: $36,750 and #1: $56,000. However, that’s not the whole story. You add 75% for a 440+6. It doesn’t call out ‘Shaker’ or ‘4-Speed’, but in my experience each of those adds 10-15% to the number with whatever engine it has. It also notes that the value of a ‘Hemi’ car is inestimable.
So, the actual numbers are more like: #6: $5096, #5: $15,288, #4: $25,480, #3: $57,330, #2: $83,606 and #1: $127,400. The definitions are #6: Parts Car, #5: Restorable, #4: Good, #3: Very Good, #2: Fine and #1: Excellent. It notes that ‘Most vehicles seen at car shows are in Number 3 condition.’
That is a point people often miss when looking at old cars. In the hobby, a ‘nice’ car to most people is only a #3. So the question is what is this one? It’s not a Parts Car. It’s definitely Restorable. It’s at least a #4 meaning: “A drivable vehicle needing no, or only minor work to be functional. Also, a deteriorated restoration or a poor amateur restoration. All components may need restoration to be “excellent,” but the vehicle is mostly usable “as is.” This is a driver. It may be in the process of restoration or its owner may have big plans, but even from 20 feet away, there is no doubt that it needs a lot of help.”
So, I would value this car as a #4. The OCPG usually lags the market when values are either rising or falling, as it takes an aggregate average of auction sales. Mopar’s have been holding steady for many years (with some actually decreasing in value). So, as a 4, it is a mid-$20K car. However, I think the value goes up if the numbers matching statements are confirmed (as that is not accounted for in the guide), as well as the pure ‘unobtanium’ of an unrestored 440-6 4-speed car. I’m not sure that doubles the value, but apparently many people do (including the current owner as the reserve isn’t met at $41.5K). The only way to do this car would be to commit the $50-60K in a full on concours restoration paying $50K for the car. With moderate risk and all that cash, the investment could earn about 20% upon completion.
This will be fun to watch, 75K?
41,000 would be a huge bargain. 440/shaker cars with matching numbers, 4 speed and the broadcast sheet are made of unobtainium.
I don’t understand – the hood shakes? Or was designed by disgruntled Quakers?
The air breather sticks out of a hole in the hood, so as the engine “shakes” it appears that the hood is shaking, but it is only the air breather assy.
This or the Dart?
The downer for me, other than the current bid, is the color. What my granddaddy called baby s-*t green.
Wow a 440 6 pack 4 speed Challenger with the shaker hood only a couple hours from me, wish I had deep pockets because buying the car and restoring it will take deep ones.
When you are talking about super rare cars, 1 of 5, 1 of 10, where you tick off every important characteristic, 440, 6-pack,shaker,4 speed, broadcast sheet, matching engine numbers the price guides are 100% worthless. The only negative on this car is the green as opposed to one of the more popular colors. This car would bring 50k all day long and probably a bunch more.
Go far enough down the invoice on any individually ordered high-end car of the era and it’s 1 of 1. The chances of 2 identical ‘optioned’ cars, when myriad options that resulted in millions of possible combinations combined with total production numbers in the tens of thousands, it is virtually impossible 2 cars (with options) were the same. Some of the ‘specials’ that were directed from the factory were the same, but not dealer ordered cars of this magnitude. The 1 of X (other than 1) stuff is sales-pitch hoopla. The major options are covered by the guides. In this case 2x of the guide seems reasonable since it’s probably better than a typical 4 (if the engine and driveline match #’s) even though it doesn’t run.
As walrus said, this car is about what you can get after 50k on restoration cost. Challengers with these options are rare, but it only takes two bidders to drive it up. If i can find them, I’ll post the pics of a 71′ Cuda convert 6 pack I spent 20 k to restore in the 80’s. Cost has tripled since then.
Would love to see those pics? Where did you post them?
I have to dig them out of the attic. Will try this week.
Where’s the carbs picture ?…..seeing numbers but what’s going on here ?
My R/T was same color….and a the freckle faced girl in school’s mom picked it out as new….another one I should have not sold in the late 80’s…..
I’m no expert on E-bodies at all, but I would like to make some general observations:
1) I don’t think any E-body was ever scrapped. It’s amazing how many have popped up lately in all kinds of condition. It’s also possible to find photos on the Internet of small to large stashes of E-bodies in weed lots, saved by Mopar hoarders that knew that one day THEIR DAY WOULD COME. These crazed visionaries are now in the enviable position of doling out these babies on E-bay, and sending their kids to Oxford.
2) These cars are like catnip to Mopar fans. You don’t see any $1,000 E-bodies. Only a few days ago this website had a disassembled example that was a frame plus boxes and boxes of dubious-looking parts, with an opening bid of $5,000. I don’t think the car sold, but just wait–it will.
3) I wish I had been smart enough to collect a few back when for $500 the owner would hand over the car, tow it to your house, and wash your truck.
What is with the “Private listed bidders” for every bidder? On a normal bidding, there are code #’s and letters. So you still wouldn’t know who was bidding. Doesn’t it look a little funny to have the “private bidders” listed? How do you know how many bidders are bidding? Do I smell a shell?
The 440 was a better driving engine than the Hemi. The Hemi had a reputation for being stubborn and took a little coaxing to unleash all that power.
I predict this listing will end before its scheduled time having been sold to a private collector. You can bet there are already negotiations taking place behind the scenes.
I’m not familiar with Mopars but I find the equipment tag suspicious being attached with screws instead of rivets, and signs of oil/penetrant at each “screw” hole.
I feel like I’m the seller. I agree the 1 of … is overblown in many instances but when the combo is the E-body, 440,4speed, shaker that means something to collectors and I think many of you are underestimating its allure to the hard core collector. This thing will sell for a ton of money either in the auction or on the side. I think everybody would be shocked at the final price tag.
What is so easy to restore these cars is that new sheet metal are available for them now. Before, the only way to get good sheet metal is to wait for some wreck to come to a salvage yard and hope that the metal is not rusted or damaged from an accident.
Another thing about rebuilding MOPARS…you do not have to pay much attention to the alignment of the panels and dents, unless the car came from the factory painted black, as MOPAR did not have QA QC when original building these cars in order to keep the costs down and the profits high. You do not want to “OVER RESTORE” as you will want to catch the true aviance of the car and the care that was given when the factory built these. The seam seal was hap hardly applied and smeared or not cleaning up the glumps. The paint had runs and sags, especially under the hood. I like how applying a vinyl top to cover the patches and filler for the Super Birds was there solution into making it presentable to sale to the public. NASCAR racers did not care as they treated the cars as thrashers. I also like how MOPAR outsourced their cars to the local shade tree mechanic to install a sun roof. Pieces of sheet metal were applied to fill the different voids and angles. There were not any of these pieces cut the same as the last car, making every application unique. This “Quality” started the bad news for Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth for when Lee Iacocca came in to save their ass.
51k with less than 2 hours to go
This car looks really good, no visible signs of rust and ect. This is a car I would love to have and do a moderate resto job on (engine, paint and interior) and then just drive on the weekends and on Friday’s to work. I wouldn’t have the money to do a show car resto on and wouldn’t want to even if I had the money. When they are done up show car style you don’t want to drive them and this baby wants to be driven!