The classic car scene will always throw up some questions that may never be answered. For instance, why would someone park a desirable car like this 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T back in 1982 and then leave it to sit for 39-years. That is the story with this beauty, but now that it has emerged into the light of day, the time would seem to be right for it to head to a new home. The Challenger is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has reached $29,500, and the reserve has been met.
Apart from the incredible performance that American manufacturers extracted from some of their offerings from this era, one of my favorite aspects was the variety of available colors. Some of these owed nothing to subtlety, but just because they were “in your face” bright, that didn’t make them unattractive. Sublime is a great example that is very much of its time. It seems that it wasn’t long after this car was produced that manufacturers lost their sense of adventure. Some of them are rediscovering it, but I wish more would follow suit. The paint that this Challenger wears is original, with the vehicle never receiving any repairs or repainting beyond what you can see on this fender. I believe that this resulted from some minor accident damage because the original bumper has also been removed and discarded. This isn’t an issue because a replacement is included in the sale. One of the most significant concerns with cars like this is the potential for major rust problems. That isn’t a big issue here. Yes, there is rust, but it is pretty minor. It has impacted the front floor on the driver’s side and the trunk pan, but I believe that it could all be patched without the need for replacement. The owner supplies several photos of the car’s underside, and they seem to support his claim that the frame has little more than some surface corrosion. That means that this is a classic that appears to be structurally sound. Some of the exterior trim will need to be replaced due to damage, and the windshield has a deep scratch that will probably necessitate replacement. The owner doesn’t believe that the wheels are original, but he is unsure what the R/T originally rolled on.
This engine photo reveals two things about this Challenger. The first is that there is some significant rust to address in the battery tray. The second, and probably more important, is that this classic comes equipped with a 383ci V8. This V8 should be capable of producing 335hp, which finds its way to the 3.91 Sure Grip rear end via a 4-speed manual transmission. The original owner chose to also order the Dodge with power steering and power front disc brakes. This was not a car to be taken lightly, because it could blitz the ¼ mile in 14.6 seconds. There have been a couple of minor changes made to the vehicle over the years, but the owner includes all of the parts required to return it to its original configuration. The important thing is that the drivetrain remains fully numbers-matching, which will help when it comes to considering this classic’s potential value. The owner doesn’t indicate whether the car runs or drives, but since it has been parked since 1982, you can be sure that it will need some work before it could be considered roadworthy.
The Challenger’s interior will need some work, but it appears that there is nothing that will break the bank. There is no carpet, but this gives us a chance to see the rust in the front floor that I mentioned. There is a crack in the dash pad, but it is small. The buyer can choose to replace this, or they might decide to plump for a repair. There is some damage to the plastic switch pod on the dash, which will probably require replacement. These are readily available and can be bought for around $215. Otherwise, the remaining trim and upholstery are in good condition. The interior comes nicely appointed with a pistol-grip shifter, a console, Rally gauges, and an AM radio.
I’ve always felt that I missed something vitally important to any performance car enthusiast growing up, as I did, in Australia. Any vehicle that wore the Dodge badge Down Under would be a commercial vehicle or a light pickup. We never received fire-breathing monsters like the 1970 Challenger R/T, and the country was poorer for it. We have many Barn Finds readers from Australia who would love to get their hands on this classic, and they will envy the person who eventually parks this one in their garage. The big question is, will you be the person that they will envy?
Thought all Rts we’re 440s or 426
They came with the 340/383/440/426…R/T versions that is
No they came with 383s mine was 383 auto air car which it moved up in horsepower but still a dog at 100 percent original
As I remember in 1970 that should have been an orange engine (I can see a bit of orange on the timing cover housing) and it should not have snorkels’ on the breather & it should be orange as well. That heat stove on the left manifold should not be there either. I am in Canada so in the U.S It might have been as the picture shows.
No 383 on up to 426
No sir,some were 383 also,this is a nice one and when fixed properly will appreciate in value.
Same for B bodies?
It depends on which B-bodies you are referring to and, what year.
This in my opinion is the best color and graphic scheme for 70 challenger. If i was in a different position right now id be bidding on this one. The 383 has always been overlooked by many but could offer plenty of smiles to anyone behind the wheel. Glad its a 4 speed but yes, i too would probably put the 383 on a stand in exchange for a 440 mill. Nice bones that’ll go to a nice home.
My former brother-in-law bought his RT new in 1970 with a 340 six-pack and the black with orange stripe design. A great looker that really hummed. He sold it years ago and his nephew recently found and reacquired the car and it’s being restored.
The 340 6 pack challengers were T/A’s not RT’s. The 340 I don’t think was available with the RT package in 1970. The 383 was the R/T base engine:
You would be correct, but his dad was a Chrysler executive and was able to special order that specific setup. I loved riding in it as a kid. A guy paid him $120k for the car ten years ago since it was (and still is) a very unique machine and fully documented, but I understand he died and it sat in an unheated barn in upstate NY for several years. Needless to say, after his nephew finally found it, the car needs a lot of work.
Nope, bought my neighbor’s 1970 340-4 R/T, with the 4spd and AM radio in 1973 after he was sideswiped. It sat in the driveway as he fought with ins company to get fixed. I offered him more than the ins co and he took it. I spent more than I should have learning how to do body work (and then having someone come and fix my work) but eventually got it looking nice. I never added aftermarket performance parts to it, it was so damn fast at that time!
Funny vendor
The Belvedere the seller also has listed is more interesting.
Steve R
This is a rare one to have a 3:91 gear in the back with the 383.That gear was steep for that motor.
I had a 70 Challenger R/T in September of 69. The base engine was a 383 Magnum with 335 hp
Slap on a set of 440 heads and a purple stripe cam and you will really see what a 383 will do!. I loved 3.91 gears.
The 383 Magnum and the 440 Magnum came with the exact same heads so, no, that wouldn’t do a thing, lol.
Adam, to answer your question I think the owner had the foresight to know that the car would one day bring the big money.
Wish I had been that smart…
Found this ironically enough on my Facebook today:
https://www.facebook.com/1165207473497398/posts/4320267194658061/
It is pretty interesting how they tested back in the day.
I highly doubt that the engine in that car is original…first of all, it is blue and, secondly, those are not the HP manifolds that came standard on the 383 Magnum.
I see some orange paint on the motor. maybe someone just painted the valve covers blue.
I’m a Chevy guy but when ever I see a trim tag held on by screws, and phillips screws no less, I’m a bit concerned of it’s authenticity.
Just Saying
Mr Chevy Guy those phillips head screws are correct for a Mopar!
No rust there. We call that patina up north. Slap some Tremclad on the floorplans and drive it.
Leave the primer fender and it’s the kind of Challenger I’d see trolling 2nd Street or heading up I-5 to Carlsbad Raceway back in the eighties, some were legitimate speed machines others were trying hard to look the part.
The air cleaner up there looks like one from a few years later,,, off a 440 perhaps? I don’t know, I think they waited too long to sell it for big money. Seems machines like this were going for silly money ten or fifteen years ago.
The car may have blue valve covers at this point in time but in the eBay photos the rest of the engine is orange (with some sloppy body-color overspray). The N0E engine code designates a 383-4bbl car built in Los Angeles.All the stampings shown (engine, transmission, and body panels) match the VIN and fender tag, this car is the real thing, a numbers matching 383 automatic E-body RT. The manifolds and engine stove appear to be correct contrary to previous comments. The black dual snorkel air cleaner is correct for a 1970 383 and would have originally had a wrinkle finish. Completely restored this is a $60-70k car on the very high end. At $30k current bid you’re already underwater unless you can do all the high quality work required yourself.
Meant to say 4-speed
Rodger, did yours have the type of breather shown? I am in Canada & I worked as a tech at a Chrysler dealer in the 70’s & 80’s, as I remember the breathers had no snorkels or heat stove on the left manifold here until 1971 – 72. I just googled a picture of a 70 Challenger 383 Magnum engine & it is as I remember for Canada. Thanks for any info you can give me on this.
The air cleaner with 2 open holes and no snorkels for 70-71 were only used on 340s. This car is wearing the correct air cleaned for HP 383s and 440s for 70 and 71.
Canada vehicles as well?
My 1970 Challenger was a 383 R/T convertible with dual snorkels on the air cleaner. Ours was a slapstick auto. Candy apple red, white interior. I’m serious thinking of bidding on this. Why is the price so low? Restored, they pull $100K.
My six pack I had in high school was a heater defrost delete car and for 1970 the 383 was standard in a RT the 340 was a option
340 wasn’t an option for the 70 R/T Challenger. There were 340 Challengers in 1970 but they weren’t R/Ts. A66 was the code for 70 340 Challengers.
I know of at least two RTs with factory 340s. Chrysler wasn’t quite as strict on the order forms as some experts think. I saw the original window stickers on both back in the 80s, and will try to get a copy of the build sheet on one of them (it was his uncles and he recently located and bought it back).
Sherminator, I’ve heard this before but nobody can produce a VIN photo to back it up. 340s did become available for the 1971 model year R/T Challengers but not 1970.