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 would seem to be worth the effort. The seller has listed the Challenger here on Facebook Marketplace in Allen, Texas. You could roll it onto a trailer and take it home once you have handed them $32,500.
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 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 all sweetness and light 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 the situation has stabilized in the past few months. However, this classic needs panel work and paint, a retrim, and a replacement motor. None of those items will be cheap, and the potential reward for a car without its numbers-matching engine will be a value of around $75,000 in the current market. Perfection could realize a higher price, but tackling this build would be a calculated risk. Considering the initial outlay required before it finds its way into the new owner’s workshop, there could be room to move before the financial viability is questionable. 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.
Hardly needs anything, only $32,500.
No kidding. I’ll give them $10K max
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!!!
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.