Hi, i'm looking for '70 Challenger and i have some questions about it
First of all, i'm not sure what way is better - to buy a fully restored car or to restore it by myself?
Could you give me approx. prices for unrestored '70 Challenger (without rust or at least holes, a least 300bhp and preferable with manual gearbox), and how much the restoration could cost?
Also, searching in the web, i found many restored cars priced 20k at minimum. And do anybody know what's the condition of cars that cost 10-15k? I want to have a car without any damage and malfunctions, because i'm not from U.S., so it'll be a problem of getting parts to car.
Also, do you know any specialized companies that sell muscle cars with warranty? Or some companies that can state the value of the car? And how to ship it to europe?
P.S. I'm not looking for absolutely authentic car with matching #'s, the engine could be replaced (even with modern one), interior can be non-original and so on. But the body must be in good condition.
Also, i'll be thankful to everyone who gives me a good advice on how to choose a car.

 

Good luck... I'm afraid you'll need it! 20K for a restored car would be a bargain nowadays. For 300HP, you'd probably be looking at a big block, or a well built 340 car minimum. For a restored version, you'll be looking at probably 30K or more. 20K might get you a rust free car needing restoration. It will take a lot of searching, and since you're in Europe, that certainly puts you at a disadvantage. I'd probably go for the best car you can afford- preferably restored, because the parts are hard enough to find here, and are expensive to boot. The less it needs initially the better off you'll be over the long run. Enlist the help of others on the various Mopar forums who could check out cars you're interested in before you spend any money as well.

 

TeeWJay426,

Isn't that the truth, $20,000 and your not sure what you got when looking, then you get it home and who knows what???? I purchased a 1970 Dodge Challenger RT 340/904 (original according to codes - Plum Crazy), had been a F/SA & G/SA race car for 20 years. Flew in looked car over for 2 hours made the deal, arranged for delivery all in one day.

Once the car was delivered I found I had over looked several things, plus when delivered the carb had been switched and was missing the battery. Your kind of stuck because here it sits and the certified check was cashed. We did the usual thing with service and checking car from top to bottom, found it had two weak cylinders (biggest problem). Once seeing it was safe to run we tried it at our local track - 5,800'. Was told it ran 11.70's at Brainard MI, best we could manage was a 12.50 here in Denver.

This past year we did a complete rebuild on body's underside, engine and trunk compartments, new 340 inch motor, trans and rear end. Now I'm $10,000 lighter for the effort, but its new other than exterior paint which will happen next month. The new setup is doing 11.70's at 5,860' with an adjusted alitude of 6,750'. See: http://projectmopar.tripod.com/ not complaining or bragging, this sport can be costly if care is not taken.

But like mentioned be careful of what you buy, they are always in excellent condition, right!!!! Until its yours at home. !@#$%^

 

Now you'll be hard pressed to find a 70 that's in need of restoration for $20k, let alone restored!

People have gone nuts in paying insane prices for 70-71 cars, even junk. There was a 70 AAR Cuda that literally had started to be crushed and was on auction for $3,500 starting bid. 70 NOS quarter panels for $12k......NUTS!

I have read that Brock Yates and Cotton Ownes are going to be offering thorougly updated '72 Cannonball Challenger's for sale this summer similar to what Unique Performance is doing with the Mustang's and Camaro's. That might be you're best bet if you're not hung-up on having a '70 model and you've got the cash!