Author Topic: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:  (Read 5967 times)

Offline Mopar God

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27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« on: May 23, 2007 - 10:14:29 PM »
Greetings,

I am hoping I did not post this for no reason, but I couldn't wait to share with all of you what might be the end of my 27 year search for a 1970 Challenger.

Since I first saw Vanishing Point when I was 14 (I'm 41 now) I have wanted a 1970 Challenger. Over the years, I have owned a number of nice MoPars, mostly 'B' bodies, but the 1970 Challenger has eluded me. Of course, I didn't just want any Challenger, it had to be a 440, 4-Speed, Big Window, Non A/C car in Alpine White. Not just a VP replica, but a driver with K-Member Gusseting, Boxed Lower Control Arms, High Effort Steering and Rear Disc Brakes.

Over the years, I had the opporunity to buy Challenger SE's, but hate the big window and A/C. A fair number of 'Cudas have been available, but they are just not the same car. I had to have a 1970 Challenger and there was nothing else that would do.

A few months ago, I was checking in people's back yards for a prowler when I happened onto a Plum Crazy 1970 Challenger with a Slant Six and no A/C. There were no plates on the car and I decided to come back the next day and ask about the car.

The property owner said the car had been abandoned there (years ago) by a person who used to rent a room from her. I had dispatch check the VIN to see if it was stolen and the VIN comes back as 'Record Not On File.' I looked at the car and found rust under the rear window, but the speaker deck was perfect. There was no rust in the floors, because all the body plugs had been removed. There was no rust in the cowl, around the hood hinges, in the quarter panels or rocker panels.

This was a very solid car overall and completely original.

The owner has until 5:00pm PST tomorrow to come and claim the car. If he doesn't show up by 5:00pm, the property owner is going to give the car to me in exchange for removing it from her property. Since the car is unregistered and has no title, getting a new title in California is actually very easy.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me...Robert
« Last Edit: May 23, 2007 - 10:24:54 PM by Mopar God »




Offline 360 'CUDA

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Re: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2007 - 11:12:55 PM »
Sounds great Robert !!

Membership has it's privileges  :2thumbs: 

You can really go to town on that one!!

Offline Mopar God

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Re: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2007 - 11:34:57 PM »
Thanks...it would be perfect indeed. Hoping this one works out!!!...Robert :burnout:

Offline Bearcuda

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Re: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2007 - 11:49:38 PM »
Wow, very cool find and you can't beat the price. Reminds me of the 71 Cuda Gran Coupe I found in much the same fashion--abandoned. I stupidly sold that one though. Good luck in getting it and fixing her up.
1973 Cuda 440
1971 Javelin SST

Offline Carlwalski

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Re: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2007 - 11:59:26 PM »


Best of luck Robert, sure looks like a great starting point. I'm partial to White or "Vanishing Point".
Keep us posted on what eventuates. Ps: I can't use my email at the moment, it's decided to die lol.


:cheers:
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
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Offline FY1443433

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Re: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« Reply #5 on: May 24, 2007 - 03:38:06 AM »
Mopar God,

I spoke too soon in the other post.  Great find!!  Keep us informed!!

FY1443433

Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« Reply #6 on: May 24, 2007 - 06:04:11 AM »
Way cool, and good luck with it. When I worked at a storage facility I got a deal for a buddy on a 66 Mustang GT under similar circumstances. After a few months my friend decided it was too rusty to save and sold it. I wonder now if it would be worth repairing  :)


"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

- Han Solo, Star Wars

Advice Thread - Taking Pictures Of Cars

Offline Mopar God

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Re: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« Reply #7 on: May 24, 2007 - 06:16:45 AM »
HK,

I have owned a few like that. I will definitely need a few parts for this one, but not much in the way of rusty sheetmetal. Big items needed will be the R/T hood, Rallye Instruments, Rim Blow Wheel, Exhaust Tips, etc. Hopefully I will not have to difficult of a time getting those pieces. I have been working with Pontiacs for so long, I have no idea what MoPar stuff is worth anymore...Robert

Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« Reply #8 on: May 24, 2007 - 06:42:08 AM »
Every time I have to find something I get the impression that Mopar stuff goes for about twice what Ford or GM stuff goes for  :banghead:


"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

- Han Solo, Star Wars

Advice Thread - Taking Pictures Of Cars

Offline Super Blue 72

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Re: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« Reply #9 on: May 24, 2007 - 06:52:07 AM »
 :woo:  :clapping: Keep yer fingers crossed!!!

Sounds like a sweet situation!  I love hearing stories like this!!!

Keep us updated!!!!
1972 Dodge Challenger Rallye 340, AT, Code TB3=Super Blue, SBD=8/17/1971.  Yes, a Rallye without the fender louvers from the factory because of the body side molding option.

Pic #2 and 3 of my ARII 1/24 scale model car 

Phil in New England-Massachusetts  Always thank God for what you have!

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/456046/1972-dodge-challenger

Offline Mopar God

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Re: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« Reply #10 on: May 24, 2007 - 09:01:57 AM »
HK,

The MoPar stuff is pricey, but when I had my last B body (last MoPar) in 1989, there was almost no aftermarket parts available. We used to scour the wrecking yards for the best used weatherstripping and window felt we could find. I also had to refinish emblems by hand and restore aluminum mouldings by hand.

I bought a busted-up grille for a 1968 Charger from Tulare Auto Dismantling in 1983 for $75.00. I cut out sections of the eggcrate grille and fiberglassed the sections in place to make a complete grille. That's how we always had to do it.

Pontiac stuff is pretty cheap, as far as body panels and interior parts are concerned. Of course, the really rare stuff is still very pricey, so I think it averages out in the long run.

Hopefully, I will be able to close this deal tonight...Robert

Offline 71bigblock

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Re: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« Reply #11 on: May 24, 2007 - 11:06:23 AM »
:woo:  :clapping: Keep yer fingers crossed!!!

Sounds like a sweet situation!  I love hearing stories like this!!!

Keep us updated!!!!

 :iagree:

Go get er MG   :clapping:

Offline FY1443433

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Re: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« Reply #12 on: May 24, 2007 - 11:35:05 AM »
 :popcorn:

Offline The Cuda Guy

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Re: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« Reply #13 on: May 25, 2007 - 01:05:25 PM »
Some guys have all the LUCK!  You are the man, keep us posted!

Cuda Guy
The Cuda Guy Project is on going!

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Offline ksierens

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Re: 27 Year Search for a 1970 Dodge Challenger:
« Reply #14 on: May 25, 2007 - 01:06:48 PM »
Now the fun begins, congrats!  :bananasmi
1970 Triple Black Challenger R/T  440 Six Pack - 4 Speed - 3.55 Dana
Kurt - SE Michigan