Total Rookie - 70 Dodge Charger 500

[#41]

There are a lot variables that need to be answered to nail down values. It's probably worth somewhere between 25-35k as it sits, assuming it is complete. If all the parts are there and they still need to be rebuilt and reconditioned, and that someone else will be paid to do it, you still have 50k of work to be done (engine, trans, wiring, gauges, fuel system, HVAC, suspension, brakes, seats.....). This gets you to a nice driver quality car, and then its worth maybe 55-65k.

There are a lot of variables: Did they paint the engine bay and door jambs? Is the engine/trans/HVAC system still in the car and what kind of shape are they in? The one picture showing the rusted out inner fender well in the trunk with a fresh paint job would have me very suspicious about the quality and longevity of the body work which lowers the value, and to me would make me hesitate to dump a lot of money into the car.

The lower road plsn which you ms not have considered is to just get it running well without rebuilding everything, assemble it, and enjoy as-is. You might find a shop to do that for 10-15k assuming this was a running/driving car when it went into the body shop.

 

[DeltaV]

Welcome to FBBO from Georgia.

 

[Coelacanth]

Welcome from Edmonton, AB, Canada...I'm also working on a '70 Charger 500, pretty much the same specs as yours but no A/C.

 

[Kern Dog]

ALL 68-70 Chargers are worth money. For a shop to estimate a measly $10,000 value, they are clearly out of touch with the market. Cars that are relatively complete but need a LOT of work often get listed for over $20,000.
What sets the 1970 apart are the one year only parts that are harder to find than what came on the 1968 and 1969 year model cars. The fenders, hood, grille and front bumper are all unique to a 1970. It makes matters worse that there were fewer 1970 Chargers built than the 1969 models partly due to the release of the 1970 Challenger which certainly pulled some buyers away from the Charger. Fewer cars built means fewer parts cars to pick from and the aftermarket hesitates to make parts for lower production cars. The seats in a 70 are different, the door panels, the K member and front sway bar too.
It sure would be helpful if you can find a nearby fellow enthusiast to guide you with this.

 

[Coelacanth]

Going back to the valuation...since both our cars are virtually identical regarding specs, other than A/C...both with 383 Magnums that the original buyers must've chosen all the hi-performance options with the exception of the 440 engine...before my Charger 500 went to the body shop for body & paint, it was mostly complete, I have pretty much all the parts to reassemble everything, I had an appraisal done for $33.5K CAD. I insured it with Hagerty's. After about a year, they emailed a notice that the valuation according to market trends increased to about $41K CAD. That's for an unfinished but complete car. It'll be a few years before it gets completed and one can only guess how much it'll be worth when it's back on the road. So yes, second-gen Chargers have skyrocketed in value, and so has the cost to restore them!

 

[Triplegreen500]

Beautiful car, and I love the one-family-owned aspect. Mom bought one brand new, but a cousin totalled it...so I had to hunt to find one for myself. I also love the color - mine was that color originally until a cheap $99 respray sometime in the late 70s (I think).

It's your call on "finishing the restoration". Me personally? I love having an unrestored original with flaws. I can DRIVE it, and not worry about every bug splat or fingerprint.