UPDATE 12/04/2024: We’ve seen a recent influx of classics at Barn Finds where a seller hasn’t tasted success. This 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A is a perfect example of that trend, and we must give the seller credit for persistence. They previously listed the car on Facebook Marketplace with a firm price of $32,500. However, they have chosen a different forum for their second attempt, and appear to now be negotiable on that figure. No other details have changed, and it will be fascinating to learn what our readers consider to be this classic’s true worth.
11/10/2024: Some classics are so inherently desirable that even rust-free examples deserve nothing less than a nut-and-bolt approach as part of their restoration. This 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A is such a vehicle, and returning it to its factory specifications and appearance would combine stunning looks and performance in a single package. It needs work to reach that point, but, with solid bones, it might be worth the effort. The seller has listed the Challenger here on eBay in Allen, Texas. Previously listed with a firm price of $32,500, the seller has added an OBO to their listing.
If I became the new owner of this 1970 Challenger, the first journey it would make would be from its current location to my workshop. After entirely dismantling this classic, the second would be to a media-blaster to strip the steel to bare metal. That would expose any potential weaknesses and would provide a clean base from which to commence the build. However, the photos tend to suggest that the buyer’s grinder and welder won’t work overtime. There is plenty of surface corrosion visible in the supplied shots, but steel penetration is virtually non-existent. Of course, an in-person inspection may uncover problems, but the underside shots that were supplied in the original Facebook listing reveal no apparent nasty surprises. There is little evidence of the car’s original Bright Blue Metallic paint, which is a further reason to strip this classic entirely. The hood appears to be in good order, and the trim and glass might prove to be fit for reuse in a driver-grade restoration.
This Challenger’s interior is complete, which is the best that can be said for it. There are no obvious missing items, and the Blue vinyl must have looked stunning against the exterior paint shade. The bucket seats and console with its faux woodgrain would have added a luxurious air, but time hasn’t been kind to this classic. It requires a complete retrim, and with kits retailing for around $2,500, this isn’t a cheap undertaking. It does represent a one-off expense because, if installed correctly and treated respectfully, it should present well for many decades.
Okay, it has been relatively positive to this point, but we’re about to come crashing down to Earth. The 1970 Challenger T/A featured a 340ci V8 that inhaled deeply through a Six-Pack induction system. The engine produced an official 290hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque. The first owner teamed that engine with a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, allowing the car to cover the ¼-mile in 14.9 seconds. Sadly, all of that must be written in the past tense, because this car’s V8 disappeared many years ago. It retains the rest of its numbers-matching mechanical components, but the buyer faces the task of locating a date-correct engine, intake, carburetors, and other components as part of a faithful refurbishment. Otherwise, they could throw caution to the wind by transforming this Dodge into the Mopar muscle car of their dreams. After all, they won’t receive much flack from purists for destroying an original survivor if they select that path.
This 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A is by no means a cheap project candidate, and it will require equal helpings of determination and dollars to recapture its glory days. That begs the question of whether the seller’s price is justified. Values have slumped by around 10% across the board during the past year, although it appears that with many classics, this has been more of a general market correction than an indication that enthusiasts are abandoning cars like this Challenger. However, this classic needs panel work and paint, a retrim, and a replacement motor. The harsh reality is that this Dodge will never be numbers-matching, and regardless of where values head, it will never command the sort of price that it might if it were mechanically original. That makes this a project with a few known risks, and tackling it would be a financial gamble. Are you willing to roll the dice?
What else is parked in this big garage 👀
They are a dealer – All American Classics – not sure why they are on Barn Finds….
I don’t really have a problem with a dealer advertising on Barn Finds, but on the other hand, I wouldn’t care to see it turn into a dealer site.
I’m always suspect of not only cars listed on trailers or the project that’s been stripped for the benefit of the other restored cars pictured within the same posting.
I came for the same reason, and because of the VW bus!
Hardly needs anything, only $32,500.
No kidding. I’ll give them $10K max
l was thinking 4K.
Its bring out your mopar week…
This is needing quite a bit of work and missing parts for price.
The prior list in comparison provides a better start.
I hope they all get restored but its what the market will bear 🐻
GLWS.
“Values have slumped by around 10% across the board during the past year” I didn’t know this was happening. Are enough boomers dying that more cars are on the market? Or just fewer buyers? Has the much talked about lower valuation in prices finally happened?
It sure seems to me like everything is higher, not lower.
This T/A is a perfect candidate for a modern Hemi. Awesome B5 blue original color would look great on a T/A. The owner seems to have many beautiful cars in his warehouse, perhaps he knows something about valuations that we don’t.
The collapse isn’t coming for cars that gave a strong following. Yes, prices are down, but they were extremely high since 2020. Interest rates are up and inflation has squeezed most people’s discretionary income. Prices are falling the most on generic 50’s and earlier makes and models as their followers are dying off. It is also falling for cars where their best selling point is “it will draw a crowd at coffee and cars”, not on its own merits. That hasn’t happened yet for true muscle cars, they are seeing more of a cyclical correction, their popularity is multi generational and are still a common sight in popular culture. There will likely be a permanent and dramatic drop in value, but that’s probably decades away.
Steve R
Some of these ”projects” are just laughable… For 32,500 plus the inbound freight just buy a current model used one….. I say this as one who had a 70 Barracuda Gran Coupe back then…. for over 8 years…. during whicjh I restored an MGA… .
Whatever the value of a perfect one is you’ll never break even starting at 32,500….. 3250 is even a stretch….
Just noticed that the turn signal arm is bent…. Talk about having to fix EVERYTHING….
I’m sorry 32500 for a roller that needs everything isn’t an option for severely over-priced IMHO!!
Hard to believe the Chally dynacorn was discontinued. & there was never a smaller Cuda one. Tho has anyone here ever seen a 1st gen f-body or old mustang dynacorn at a car show?
It would fun to restore this to showroom plus quality inside and out, but once the hood is popped, you would have a slant six. Wouldn’t that be a hoot? Talk about a conversation starter at the shows!!!
Gonna reply to myself, almost like talking to yourself, and I do that pretty often. Maybe not only make it a slant six, don’t go 225, or even, 198 CID, go with the old 170! Our 60 Valiant had a 170, 3sp (on the floor, that one) with a nice 3.55 rear end. It was pretty fun to drive. The car the AAR and TA should have been. (The TA would stand for, Terrifically Awesome!)
The seller is a dreamer……good luck
This car ceased to be a T/A when that wonderful engine was removed. It would take way too much work and $$ to put it back to a T/A.
And, it would be sad to see it with any other engine. Like the AAR also posted recently.
I really don’t care if these things are rare and as such, spendy, I honestly don’t see the value in this thing. I know all of the Mopar loyalists will say that I’m wrong, but there is no world in which this rough, incomplete car is worth anything even approaching $32,500. I would think that about 1/3 of that would be the ceiling.
“the photos tend to suggest that the buyer’s grinder and welder won’t work overtime.”
So.., Bondo?
Throw in the cheap ‘n easy Adam special, the $2500 interior kit and you’re bound for Vegas.
The EBay ad says 340 6-pack which is a lie. Where is it? Did I miss something? They want $32500 for a car with no engine at all?
The ad states that it has no engine.
T/As had the radio aerial on the passenger side quarter panel.
Only thing I find interesting is the addition of the OBO.
Has potential as a starting point for “Restomods”. They sometimes hatch cars that the winner would rather have the cash.
I’m sorry, I love the old challengers, I do BUT I’d take my $32,500.00 put it down on a new challenger with one of their beautiful big output engines whilst running the crap out of it and wait a little while to go up before I’d sink another 100,00.00 grand in this car plus the ridiculous $32,500.00 they want for it.
Good luck tho.
IMO, i think this chally AS IS looks lot better than the too tall / no color claustrophobic boring interior modern one.
The seller’s asking price might be due to the dynacorn 1970 chally no longer being made. It’s all about supply & demand.
Here we go again!!!! Another POS for top dollar.
What am I missing here?
How is this roller worth $32,500
Best offer…$3250. Sounds better when you move the decimal point.
To ad to Jay E’s comment. Yes, boomers are in their 60s and 70s and dying. My lifelong friend died in Oct.19 days before his 68th birthday. I have owned numerous muscle cars and Corvettes since I got my license in 1972. But frustrated with nagging mechanical problems, idiot drivers that do nothing but tailgate, horrible roads and just ridiculous traffic jams, I am done with them. I now cruise in my 09 Lincoln Town car. Think I’m wrong, take a look when you are driving even on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Very few if any classic muscle cars on the road. It’s all part of aging. In 1973, I drove my 70 Road Runner every day to high school, rain, snow or sleet with something called snow tires. Paid $1,200 for it from original owner. I had no idea that the original N96 Air Grabber hood would be worth more today than what I paid for that FE5 car, My high school buddies loved that hood.
Without that 340 Six Pack I don’t think it is worth what they want for it. I’m going to watch it and I’ll bet it won’t sell.
Ya think!
Not for what they want for it, that’s for sure!
It looks like some major surgery was done on the right rear quarter panel of this car at some point in its past. You can see a weld line on the roof skin above where the factory quarter panel to roof seam is. There is a torch cut line on the inner sail panel area. There is an overlap edge visible on the floor in the underside photos. The right taillight does not properly fit the body. The rear spoiler does not look like it sits right above the right quarter panel.
After spending the last hour really going over all the pictures contained in the ebay listing…I’m stumbling amazed at what people ask good money for…
Wow..