Not that I would ever recommend neglecting any car, but if that’s an auto’s destiny, California is one of the more climate-friendly places to do so. This 1970 Dodge Challenger has a couple of close ties to The Golden State, as it was assembled at the Los Angeles plant and also shows code N95 on the fender tag, a California-only emissions control requirement. The seller says the car has spent its entire life here, and while it’s an unrestored project, the good news is it remains mostly rust-free and original. If you’ve been looking for a first-year Dodge E-Body to tinker with, this 1970 Challenger is presently in Costa Mesa and can be found here on eBay, where bidding has reached $8,800. That’s not enough for a sale, as the reserve has yet to be reached.
Other than the Mopar being a California native, we don’t get a lot more history here. However, the seller does a good job describing this Challenger, plus he provides some good photos for potential buyers to check out. Although this one has a few body imperfections and plenty of patina, the panels appear solid overall. That’s still most of the factory paint outside, with the owner assuring us the Challenger has never been wrecked and that there’s no body filler present. It’s probably a good thing that the vinyl top was removed, with one close-up shot showing just one small hole on the passenger side under where the material once resided.
The engine is the original, numbers-matching 383, with a short video provided of it running. The fender tag code of E61 indicates a 2-barrel variety, which was factory-rated at 290 horsepower, but the manifold has been swapped out with an Offenhauser unit and a 4-barrel carburetor. The transmission is a 727 TorqueFlite automatic with no word on its present condition, but one missing component is the driveshaft, so the Challenger is not currently driveable.
The interior has gotten pretty well-baked in the California sun, but it seems to be all there, plus it’s nice to see that this one’s a factory A/C car. There are some other desirable accessories as well, such as the overhead consolette (C26), and leather seats (HRX9). The positives continue as you look further down, with the photos showing what appears to be a solid floor and frame rails, so there are certainly some good bones here. This one seems like an excellent restoration candidate, and not only am I curious about where the reserve might be set, but also how much the competition will continue driving the price up. How much would you be willing to offer for this unrestored 1970 Dodge Challenger?
The one looks fairly clean and decently priced. If that rear window treatment is original it’s also a rare model. Alas I’m a little old for taking on a project and can’t afford to pay to have it done. Hope someone will take it on and do it justice.
This one looks fairly clean and decently priced. If that rear window treatment is original it’s also a rare model. Alas I’m a little old for taking on a project and can’t afford to pay to have it done. Hope someone will take it on and do it justice.
It’s definitely an SE. In addition to the rear window plug, it also has “Special Edition” on the door panels.
The early build Challengers came with a lot of heavy duty stuff that was later made optional or lightened. It should have an 8 3/4 rear diff, HD front torsion bars and rear springs, at least a front HD sway bar, and it has PDB and HD cooling. The 15″ rims do not look original. Also, are those shoulder strap seat belts in the rear? I wonder where its license plates are – in CA they stay with the car, and original plates would increase its value to someone planning on registering it in CA again.
Liked the overhead console on the SE, but that idiotic rear window? These had enough blind spots as they were in standard form. That’s why I bought Dusters in those days. Cheaper, lighter, easier entrances and exits, plus good visibility all around.
L code, 383 2 barrel cars are quite rare, which is good, because it’s actually a pretty crummy setup. A typical 318/three speed manual would clean its clock stoplight to stoplight and use less fuel in the process. Very much a freeway combination.
I do like the standard gauges here much better than the awful uni-gauge found in the rally dash.
I had a 1970 Dodge Challenger back in the late 80s I wish I kept it.Iam kicking my self in the ass now for selling it.
I like not ever rusted comment, then look at it. Surface rust S/E vinyl top needed quick! Small rust hole at bottom. No biggie, A man with a welder can fix it. Paint it any color you want. It’s not that valuable. I like plum crazy purple and a white top and stripe. 383 2BBL can be up graded and add air.
People love these E bodies…. and I did too.. back in 71 when I bought a dealer demo 70 Barracuda Gran Coupe…. red / white vinyl top… houndstooth bucket seats… 318 column automatic. A/C.. Drove it for real in Ohio and Michigan for 120 k miles. The rust worm got it.
This car used to be alot of things… Me… I would just buy a used current model Challenger… which will cost less than this VERY DEEP project… every single piece of this car has to be worked… and what is with that rear window ?
Great minds think alike! I’ve always loved the 70’s Challengers and last year bought a 2012 SRT8 in Green With Envy colors. Couldn’t be happier.
When I first looked at it, I thought that this was overbid at the current $13,100. But then I saw that small window and understood why – there is a decent following for these SE models.
Fairly rare half ring horn option too.
Sold on 1/19/2025 with a high bid of $19,000, 48 bids among 15 bidders.
Steve R