1970 Dodge Charger 500

This particular Charger 500 is an example of the hugely popular second generation and was built in March 1970 at Chrysler’s St Louis Assembly Plant in Fenton, Missouri. It had the 383 cu-in (6.27-litre) V8 with the double-barrel carburetor which at build produced 390 lb.ft of torque and 290 gross horsepower (measured at the engine flywheel prior to being fitted into a car) which would likely have been down in the low 200s in road use.

The original colour ex-factory was Light Green metallic with a green vinyl roof and it was built to go into Dodge’s sales bank, available on demand to any dealer, anywhere in the US rather than being ordered and specified by a customer.

It is understood that this car spent the early part of its life in California before being shipped to Spain where it was kept for the majority of the time up until May 2004 when it was imported and registered in the UK by Alan Carrington Classic Cars of Kent. It had over £17,000 spent on it to return it to a show condition and the carburetor was upgraded at that time to a four-barrel Holley 750 carb with an Edelbrock high rise inlet manifold. In June the following year it won the “Best in Show” award at the Belgian Mopar Nationals in Antwerp.

Having passed through five further owners in the UK, including two who owned it for several years each, it is now back on the market and looking for a new home. The odometer reads 06901 but MOT records indicate that this car ticked over the 100,000 miles in 2009.

NOTE 07/10/20: The vendor has sourced 12 photos from a previous owner. These photos were taken post-restoration. They show the excellent state of the paintwork prior to its wrap.

Although resprayed in its original Light Green metallic in 2004 when first imported and still sporting its dark green vinyl roof, the lower body was cosmetically wrapped a couple of years ago in matt mid green with a Charger 500 tail stripe and skull and crossed lightning bonnet decal. There are a few scuffs on the wrap here and there but nothing which detracts from the overall look.

Clearly we cannot be sure of the condition of the exterior paintwork underneath the vinyl wrap but all we can find are a few tiny bubbles showing by one of the wheel arches which could be the beginnings of rust. Everything else is smooth and consistent (and experienced vehicle wrappers will tell you that any ripples and other imperfections in bodywork are visually amplified underneath a wrap). The wrap appears done to a high standard, please feel free to have any professional inspection to gain confidence in the bodywork. The vinyl roof shows in a good overall condition with a couple of bumps above the windscreen. There are plenty of glimpses of the actual body colour in the door shuts and the paintwork there is in great condition.

The chromed brightwork around the car appears in good order, with very little pitting or scratching. The often troublesome headlamp doors seem to operate well. The windscreen has some signs of mastic application.

The evocative American Racing Equipment Torq-Thrust 15-inch performance alloy wheels all present well and are fitted with BF Goodrich Radial T/As with white painted lettering.

The interior appears largely unmolested and original-looking with the green vinyl bucket seats and other beautifully detailed upholstery showing in a good condition without undue wear or damage, save for a small tear on the driver seat back seam. Here and there around the steering column and instrument panel, some of the original paintwork remains showing age-appropriate patina.

The four-spoke Grant GT Rally leather-trimmed steering wheel isn’t original but doesn’t look incongruous and gives the driver a better grip on the power of the Charger than the large thin-rimmed wheel which would have come with the car.

The instruments are recessed into the black vinyl dash and all are reportedly functional. The centre console is trimmed in a light wooden veneer, edged in chrome and the automatic gear selector is fitted with a knob in matching timber. A modern CD radio bluetooth stereo, fitted five years ago as shown in the document gallery, is neatly installed into the centre armrest cubby so as not to spoil the period look up front.

The factory fitted air conditioning is reported to work by a previous owner, but in the current climate we are unable to test it

The carpets look original and are largely intact, with just the typical wear and tear under the driver’s feet and have protective Charger overmats. The headlining looks original too; bearing the crackling patina of its age.

Under the bonnet (or hood if you prefer), the crackle finish on the airbox and oil filler cap is starting to peel away, but otherwise the engine bay presents in a clean and looked-after condition. Hoses and leads look in good order, the radiator appears renewed and there is little needing to be done with no signs of corrosion aside from a little surface rust starting to take hold under the bonnet lid lip.

The undersides look to be in a sound condition with light surface rust on some of the chassis structures and steering and suspension components. The wheel arches and underbody have good coverage of underseal and appear intact and undamaged. The exhaust downpipes are steel and show surface rust but the twin centre pipes and rear sections are in stainless steel and present in good order. There is slight corrosion to the body seam under the rear right hand side sill.

Inside the boot (trunk) the carpets and linings are clean and intact, as is the floor underneath, and there is a full-size spare wheel with unused BF Goodrich rubber fitted. It also comes with a fire extinguisher and jack. There is a very small area of paint bubbling up in the corner of the boot shut but this shouldn’t be a major issue if caught soon.

There is some documentary history with the car, particularly from its time in the UK, showing almost annual MOT checks with just the one failure. Of special note is the Chrysler Production Broadcast sheet which was found behind the rear seats (as was Chrysler’s habit), to have this retained with the car after so long is quite exceptional. There are also dockets from Dyno testing in 2008 and a number of invoices for self-servicing parts, maintenance and repairs up until five years ago:-

Apr 2015 - Gearbox rebuild and oil cooler - AC Automotive, London

Mar 2015 - Sony stereo installation - Whitton Car Audio, Middlesex

Feb 2015 - Headlamp door refurb and other minor works - AC Automotive, London

Oct 2010 - fuel pump, plugs - US Automotive, Bedford

Mar 2010 - oil & filter - US Automotive, Bedford

Dec 2009 - hoses, radiator cap - US Automotive, Bedford

Nov 2009 - oil & filter, HT leads, shocks, distributor, plugs, belts - US Automotive, Bedford

Sep 2009 - ball joints - US Automotive, Bedford

Aug 2009 - ball joint, tie rod ends, brake pads - US Automotive, Bedford

Nov 2008 - New carb jets, rolling road dyno test - SPC Horsham

Jul 2008 - Custom stainless exhaust, new engine mounts - Alan Carrington, Kent

Jan 2007 - HT leads, steering parts and sun visor trim - Year One, Georgia US

Restoration work done in preparation for sale after import to UK - Alan Carrington, Kent:-

Feb 2005 - replacement radiator - Reliable Rads, Kent

Sep 2004 - new 4-barrel Holley carburetor - Real Steel Parts, Uxbridge

Jul 2004 - Torque-thrust alloy wheels and tyre - North Hants Tyres, Hampshire

Jul 2004 - crackle finish cam covers and airbox - Classic Cars of Kent

Jul 2004 - rechroming bumpers, overriders, filler cap - NIC Ongar Plating, Essex

Jul 2004 - prepping & stripping chromed parts - CC Restorations, Kent

Jul 2004 - ignition parts, plugs, oil and air filter - Frost Auto Parts, Northants

Jun 2004 - New trunk (boot) floor welded - AR Smith, Kent

May 2004 - number plates - Jepsons, London

May 2004 - Gearbox parts - Crewe Classic Transmissions, Crewe

Other works during restoration are outlined in the Carrington sale particulars document although there are no invoices which relate to them.

The rolling road tests in 2008 suggest that the motor was delivering approximately 224 horsepower and around 310 lb.ft of torque. Not many have escaped then! And on our test drive, it drove well (but a complete contrast to the 1962 Mini we drove alongside!), made some fantastic exhaust noise and turned many heads.

The car’s most recent MOT expired in January 2019 and although exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it tested at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MOT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic car, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner and any subsequent purchasers but is also invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies.

Whilst the matt wrap finish won’t be to everyone’s taste, this is still a fabulous looking muscle car which was given a new lease of life and an upgrade around 15 years ago and still runs and drives brilliantly with a gorgeously throaty V8 soundtrack.

This is a solid and reliable hunk of iconic American performance muscle, and we think it will sell for between £31,000 and £45,000. As ever, the reserve is set lower so give it your best bid and you might find yourself the owner of a great alternative to the more obvious Mustangs.

The colour choice will be up to the new owner, both greens, the light metallic paint and the dark matt wrap, are suitably period and compliment the shape well.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.