A 1970 Challenger R/T that hides a little secret, making it even more desirable, made its way online earlier this week, hoping to convince someone to start a restoration project.
The R/T was the superstar of the first-year Challenger. The car was available as standard with the famous 383 (6.3-liter) Magnum V8 engine rated at 335 horsepower, but those who wanted more power could go for the 440 Magnum and the 440 Six-Pack. The top engine for this model year was the 426 Hemi, rated at 426 horsepower.
Sold by Dodge only in hardtop and convertible body styles, the 1970 Challenger R/T is a highly desirable project, especially when flexing the famous Plum Crazy finish.
If you check out this Challenger R/T that made its way to Craigslist earlier this week, you’re probably disappointed the Plum Crazy magic is missing. However, if you inspect the picture closely, you’ll be able to decrypt its secret eventually. The car now comes with an ugly, boring, and dull white finish, but browse the gallery and look for the picture revealing the VIN tag. Notice the purple shade? That’s right, this Challenger rolled off the assembly lines finished in Plum Crazy, and the VIN tag is living proof.
Its condition turns the car into a relic of those fantastic times, but with the right skills, you should be able to bring it back to tip-top shape. Especially considering it still sports the original drivetrain, that is.
Dodge equipped the car with a 383 engine paired with an automatic transmission. Both are still there and while the owner doesn’t provide more specifics, I don’t expect them to be in working condition.
The Challenger R/T is a convertible with a power top. However, the potato-quality photos shared by the seller don’t even reveal the car in all its glory, so it’s hard to determine the top’s condition. I wouldn’t expect good news in this regard, though.
The Challenger has been sitting for many years, judging from its general shape. The metal looks rough, and the rust has already made its way to the undersides. It’s not a rust bucket, though, as the damage is often on the surface, but a full restoration is still the only option considering the condition of everything.
The car ticks many boxes for a rare restoration candidate. It’s a Challenger R/T convertible, it comes with the original powertrain and rolled off the assembly lines wearing Plum Crazy clothes.