1970 RT value?

[KyBishop]

I am looking at this 1970 Challenger RT.  It is an original RT car.  The VIN checks out and it is an 'S' code (Special) car.  It had been restored about 12 years ago or so painted back the original color.  Black on black.  It is a 383 car and has a 383 in it but non matching, not original.

I am told all it needs is headers and carpet of which he has new of both, they just need to be installed.  He said it is clean underneath, only driven in dry weather and stored inside.

It is an hour and a half away and I hope to go see it in person this weekend.

What would you guys consider the price range of this Challenger, what is a fair price?

Thanks for any advice.

[back n black]

35k???

[KyBishop]

The pictures are not real close so it is hard to tell the quality of the restore.  It looks good from the pictures but that is all I have seen.  He is needing money to invest in his business is the reason for selling which infortunatly is the situation for a lot of people.  His friend is selling it for him, left it in his hands to handle it all.  This friend restores corvets and does other body work/repair I think.

He says it is holding up good and no signs of rust from the resto.  He thought the carpet looked good as is but the owner bought the replacement to be done.

Thanks, I have not owned a Challenger in about 12 to 15 years.  Was my first car. 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

This is a toughie with those small pictures.   

Let's say it looks good and not hiding anything. I'm in the 25-30K range. It has AC, so maybe some other options?? Do you know that the engine runs good?

[KyBishop]

That I don't know as far as how good it runs.  It sounds as though it does run good from description, just that it has the noise from the leaking header.  May be tough to hear any lifter etc noise, not sure.

I have the VIN but how do I know if it is an original RT?  It's a JS29 starting code and I have the "red" book to decode the vin.

Do I need the build sheet to tell this?  Not sure if he has it. 

What is the S code for Special mean as apposed to H code for High?

He said it did have the SE interior.

Thanks.

[quapman]

In this market that car is worth around $20K. If there's a bale of pot in the trunk, maybe 35. A BIG bale.

Double check that VIN. JS29 would make it an R/T-S.E., which it does not appear to be. It's more likely JS23. (R/T hardtop)

[challengermaniac]

Subject to addressing the above VIN and model issue----------after you do an inspection to confirm no rust, that the NOM 383 runs out strong with proper 4 barrel operation & no smoke, proper kick down of the 727  transmission and no howls or clunking from the Sure grip rearend; if I liked driving the car, then I would likely be in the $25 to $28k range and that assumes all of the electrical works as it should.  Add $1k each if the frontend suspension has been rebuilt with USA parts, the electrical has been updated/rewired and/or the A/C actually blows cold.   

[KyBishop]

I checked.  The vin he sent me is a JS29N0E code.  The 29 I got as a Sports Hardtop in my red book.  And the N the 383 (335 HP).  0 the year and the E I did not find.  Is there a plant code 'E'? 

When he told me about the SE interior I said something about the back glass.  He did not know what I was talking about.  He is a corvette man I think and he is selling it for his friend.  He said that his friend left it up to him on what to get out of it?

Is the 29 for sports hardtop what tells you it 'should' be the SE with small back glass?

Thanks for that info, I will check all that out.  He invited me to come check it out in person.

[Moparal]

E is an La build car and probably will not have a build sheet

[KyBishop]

Okay, hmmmm.

Lets say what I find when I check it out in person is;

The VIN on the dash and title are indeed a JS29 code.  The window is indeed a regular window.  What happened?

A) Someone took two or more cars, one a rusted out SE or the like.  They took the VIN and SE interior (or dash) or emblems and put them on a regular challenger they built from the lot and used the RT/SE title?
B) Someone cut the back window out and put the regular in (why would you, I don't know)?
C) Someone wanted the SE interior and not the glass and special ordered it from the factory?
D) ??

Just if that is what I find, not sure what to make of it.

Thanks guys for your advice and patience, your being most helpful. 

[wally426ci]

Ky,

The Small back window is an insert so it is possible to Un-SE a car. Someone had one here, it was Yellow.

just so you know.

[KyBishop]

Ky,

The Small back window is an insert so it is possible to Un-SE a car. Someone had one here, it was Yellow.

just so you know.

Okay, thanks.

KB

[Alaskan_TA]

Have you asked for photos of the body numbers yet?

Fender tag?

Email with the VIN if you like & I can check the registry files to see if I have heard of it before too.

[Challenger6pak]

Have you asked for photos of the body numbers yet?

Fender tag?

Make sure the cowl numbers, the raditor core support numbers, the fender tag numbers (if there is a tag), the VIN number and the Title numbers all match.

Post a lot of pics here before you make a decision.  Get pics of the inner fenders, the rear frame rail where the e-brake cables mount and the body numbers. 

[KyBishop]

I think I remember where the fender tag is from my previous Challengers.  Been a long time. 

I will see what I can do to get these numbers.  Is there a guide or write up on locating these numbers?  Where on the cowl is it and where on the core support?

Been a while since I have seen any old Challenger in person...