1970s Dodge Challengers were good-looking cars that were nimble in size and could be jaw-dropping performers with the right equipment. Many survive today for collectors to enjoy, but mostly as coupes with drivetrains that can smoke the tires. But occasionally something different emerges, like a Challenger convertible with a basic V8 like the seller’s car. Most of the car’s original gold paint has been replaced by red primer and the engine was treated to an older rebuild. It’s located in Northford, Connecticut, and available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $21,500.

Over the years, the Challenger nameplate has appeared in three Dodge iterations: the 1970-74 pony car, the 1978-83 Japanese import, and the current version that appeared in 2008 as a 2-door version of the revived Charger. Dodge got to the pony car party late in the game when the genre had begun to peak in popularity and was also stymied by fading interest in muscle cars. Dodge built 76,935 Challengers in their first year, and just 2,543 were basic Challenger convertibles with an eight-cylinder. According to the seller’s data, that number is reduced further to 963 for those fitted with the basic 318 cubic inch V8. The seller’s car is said to be one of those.

No real history of this car is provided. The photo of the cowl tag is blurry, so its coding can’t be determined. The VIN the seller provides suggests this convertible left the factory with a 225 Slant Six, which would have also been produced in low numbers. If the 318 is original, it was rebuilt in the 1980s and perhaps its chrome valve covers were added then. The car now has 119,000 miles, so that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a strong performer. The seller only goes as far as to say it “runs and drives.” We’re also told the car has factory air conditioning, but that doesn’t jive. It has an under-dash unit which had to have been added later, not while on the assembly line.

The body appears straight although there are a lot of shadows in the photos. And some chrome trim is missing. The car sports a side-mounted dual exhaust which we assume is hooked up. The interior looks passable and the floorboards seem okay as the carpeting has been removed for viewing. The upholstery, door panels, and dash pad have all held up. The convertible top looks newer and is quite shiny as if someone polished up the material. A set of Keystone mag wheels can be found on all four corners of the Dodge.

The median online resale value for a ‘70 Dodge Challenger convertible is about $64,000, but that number could be inflated by what’s under the hood. A 225 or 318 would go for less, while a 340, 383, 440 would go for more and the Hemi would be in another universe altogether. This car may need more than paint and carpeting and may not be as original as suggested, but it is a Dodge Challenger drop-top and there are just so many of those cars left.