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The Real McCoy: 1970 Dodge Charger R/T

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In the world of muscle cars, it’s rare to find examples that either haven’t been completely bastardized or resto-modded to the point that they look nothing like they did when leaving the factory. This 1970 Dodge Charger R/T here on eBay appears to have lead a gentle existence, remaining almost completely stock and wearing its factory colors. It’s also quite pure in the performance sense: no other options besides the AM/FM radio and light package were added when new, making this 440 and Pistol Grip-equipped Charger a desirable specimen in more ways than one. 

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Bidders seem to agree, with lots of folks raising their virtual paddles to the tune of $35,000 with more than five days left on the auction. The Charger also still wears its factory black interior, although the seats could use some work. You can tell this is a true Mopar guy, not only because of the cars in the storage area with this Charger but because of the spare parts that are included. The seller notes there is a tiny crack developing on the dash pad, but don’t worry: a new one will go with the car, along with a very nice used example. There are some aftermarket speakers in place but even the original stereo components are included!

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The engine remains almost completely stock, although a previous owner did paint the bay black. What’s impressive is that even its past caretakers had the presence of mind to save the OEM components when removed: while the Charger wears aftermarket headers, the original exhaust manifolds will come with the car! The seller adds that the engine runs well with good oil pressure and the clutch – also believed to be original – still engages nicely. He says the R/T has comfortably reached speeds of 135 m.p.h. without issue, but despite the allure of those high-speed runs, he wants to add a 1969.5 A12 Roadrunner to join his fleet of a 1971 440-equipped ‘Cuda and a 1969 Roadrunner. This man knows and loves his Mopars.

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He does acknowledge he’s discovered some body putty in the rear quarters but there are no other indications of major bodywork or corrosion present. I spot some surface rust here and there but nothing significant; in this photo, it appears the sometimes-troublesome vinyl roof remains in good shape and hopefully isn’t hiding any rot.  Although we can’t see it in the photos, the work done on the quarters must be past its prime as the seller notes that this is an area he’d repair, along with a “lower fender patch and paint.” While some photos of these trouble spots would be welcome, I don’t think it matters: the rest of this car is just too good to let some age-appropriate bodywork get in your way of owning it. What do you think it will sell for?

Comments

  1. Avatar Jeff V.

    One of the few true Kings of the muscle era!

    Like 0
  2. Avatar A.J.

    “honest” cars with desirable options will always do well. The only thing that would make this better would be the Hemi or V code option.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Pleiku Pete

    A few years ago at 4am I clocked 134 mph over the Howard Franklin Bridge on Tampa Bay. I was piloting my 2005 CTSV which handled rock solid and steady. I backed off because I was approaching the high point of the bridge and did not know what could be waiting on the downside.

    So…how do you think this R/T handled at that speed?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Rspcharger

      I’ll let you know this weekend after I give it a go in my 69. I have replaced my torsion bars & rear leafs (adding a rear sway bar) so my ride may be a bit more stable. I do know that 110 is very comfortable.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Pleiku Pete

        Be safe, Rspcharger

        Like 0
  4. Avatar Mike

    Nice car to flex your muscle in!!!

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Rick

    One of my favorites and already out of my price range. AND WHY DO SELLERS INSIST ON ALL CAPS? IT”S IMPOSSIBLE TO READ WHEN YOU HIT A CERTAIN AGE!

    Like 0
  6. Avatar John

    I’m just about to get one of these “pure” barn-find Charger R/T 440’s, and I can’t wait to get it back on the road!

    Like 0
  7. Avatar AMCSTEVE

    Bucket list car for me. I’d have to lose the vinyl roof as it ruins the lines of the whole car and I don’t trust the issues that hide underneath it. I think 50k is the number

    Like 0
    • Avatar George

      Yikes. It looks more like $5k to me. But see my comment “george”

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Chris

    I think 50 is a little high for a 70. A 68/69 4 speed could see that. Who knows.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Mike L.

    Just to show you how much the market has changed in almost 40 years! I had this same setup in my 1970 RT charger (different color) while in my teen years (late 1970’s). I trade a guy my 1967 Galaxie 500 (4dr 289 2bbl) and $500 cash, I later sold it for $800 to buy my first bike a Yahmaha 400RD! That car was bad to the bone, I got it up to 120mph on I91 in Massachusetts and though it got scary at that speed she still had more to give! I’ve always wonder what she would have topped out at if the fear of going that fast and getting caught had never crossed my mind! I truly wish I could have her back, along with those care free younger years! Oh well, great site and thank you for bring back those fond memories!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jeff V.

      Mike L. Yep, woulda, couda & shouda huh? My very first car was a ’67 Mustang fastback GTA390 bought from a local guy for 500$ who just replaced the C6 tranny, body & chrome was clean but spot primed, no accidents or dents, clean interior. I was in auto-shop in hs so I kept it up, this was mid 70’s. Fond memories also!

      Like 0
  10. Avatar stillrunners

    John – what’s up with the A-body Cuda behind it – throw me a bone – please !

    Like 0
  11. Avatar George

    I bought a new 1966 Charger in the fall. It was a special ordered with 2.90 rear end and 383 4 barrel 4speed, no power accessories. The guy had lost his job before it arrived from Detroit and most balked at the 290’s because the were easy to kill specially if the driver slipped the clutch. It had a $3800 maroni but I got it for $2000 plus my light green 4 door 62 BelAire which booked at $600.00.
    I’d come from 188 miles from my job in CoosBay on the coast to Medford Friday night to see my girl friend, and had a hard time leaving Sunday nights until about 4-5 a.m. Monday to return. Oregon had great freeway [I-5] for the first 100 miles with the last 88 through the mountains with corners listed as low as 35 max. I was out on the last 10 miles of the interstate one morning and no cars so I had kicked it down a bit when I spotted the Oregon State Trooper on the overpass- but heading the wrong direction. My dialogue is not important for the story-it was not biblical. I knew I would get my license revoked forever if ticketed. The cop had to get turned around, so I thought I might be able to make it to a bridge a mile or two up which verved right temporarily blocking a view up the highway, if I goosed it. There was an exit ramp a quarter mile from the end of the bridge which had a huge piece of granite where the on-ramp would have been. The interstate dipped down after the off ramp and blocked the view of the highway for a bit until it started climbing up the hill. The cop figured that I was trying to out-run him and had proceeded on 1-5.Only an idiot-or me- would take the off ramp at more than the designated 40– and the speedometer (one of the prettiest designs of the era illuminated by a charged glass plate [high tech for the time] in a pleasing aqua blue rather than the bulbs of contemporary cars) read 144 as I turned off the highway. I remember being somewhat shocked hot fast that granite rock came at me, as I was slamming on the shoe brakes which slowed me down to about 50 [before becoming as effective as hot potato chips]where I had to turn left–and that was to fast. Fortunately no one was in the right lane (or anywhere else for that matter)and I hard cranked it left, shifted into second, and punched it for enough time to start to wash the rear end into a 180, slammed on the parking brake which completed the 180 degree to where I was now going the opposite way with the car coming to a stop just under the overpass. I had seen the blue lights flashing on the granite so I knew I was safe because the next ten miles were separated N and S with the steel dividers. I started to sneak off to an unused logging side road which would put me back on the main road. I was shocked to spot the cop-he had found a spot at the top of the hill where the hiway department had removed a section of the fence- and he was coming down the hiway at pursuit speeds. He still couldn’t see me because of the trees, but once I went another block or so, it was cleared for a small saw mill and I could not get from there to the bridge before he got there. My only shot was to hide behind the log decks. I almost was ready to surrender because the entrance was a sea of mud with truck tracks 7+” inches deep and I cringed to think of trying to get through it. There was a lot of scrapping but I got in and drove on drier ground to the end of the logs and nosed in as close as I could get. It was pretty close to completely day light but I could still see his headlights as he approached to look at the entrance. There was no clear impression that I had gone through the muck and I saw the lights withdraw. Then I saw his flashlight coming throughout the logs. He had gotten out of his car and was walking the deck just in case. I was glad I gone as far back as I could go, because this guy had checked at least as 2 city blocks by shining his light through the logs. I thought he would catch me but he finally gave up about 100 feet before reaching my car. I still had to go 40 miles more, but I decided it a good time to take a nap for 1/2 hour or so, because that would mess up the calculation and make it seem unlikely it was me. There were 3 or 4 little towns and the cop was on the hiway in every one them and they gave me the look as I went by. I think that was the first time I had it over 120, and I noticed it felt a hell of a lot like it wanted to take off. It did not have much of a taste for the macadam at that speed other than as a runway….

    I had the car 8 years buying a 74 with a 360 2 barrel (there was a steel strike that year which made it hard to get what you wanted) which I sold to my friend a family man, a bit over a year over. My dad sold the 66 for $500.00 without telling me, because “he got tired of seeing it in the yard.” How he did not loose his life when I found out was a miracle. It looked brand new when he sold it. Never smoked in, no pizza or hot dogs, no ice cream, no drinks– beer or Super Slurps. The girl, she’s gone too, although I don’t miss her nearly as much. Her looks did not stand the test of time as the 66 did. Fortunately mine did too. I am still as handsome as I was when that steering wheel was in my 24 year old hands……..

    Those 290 gears were pretty tall and most Impala Super Sports would beat me off the line from a dead stop–but I got to get them up to around 25 before I punched it. They still jumped me a little, but they had no top end and once I got them up there that Dark Red Metallic 66 Charger known as “George’s Car”because of the high top end, they only thing they would see was the side-side tail-light

    Like 1

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