WTB 1970 base model with standard trans

[ConradK]

My older (adult) son and I are looking for a car that probably no longer exists, a 1970 base model Barracuda or Challenger with a manual transmission. Ideally the car is in original color paint. I remember as a teen these base models were common but by this point it seems most have been modified away.

If you know of one, or if you have one and are interested in a younger generation taking the keys and keeping the car as-is, please let me know. Thanks!

[Cuda Cody]

Welcome to the forum!  And yes those are still out there.  You can find them and you are right about how they were somewhat common back in the day.  If you keep looking you will find one.   

[pschlosser]

Are we talking about like... a 318-2 (barrel) with 3-speed manual?  Possibly a convertible?

If so, these are getting harder and harder to find unmodified.  Once you start driving your Mopar E-body, and feeling the V8 performance (even if its a smaller displacement) we cannot help but get hungry and greedy for more.  Along the 50-year life (as of this date) of these cars, they get tweaked, changed, modified and upgraded.

The better performers are SB 340, BB 426/440 and 4-speed manuals, so countless numbers of them get upgraded and converted.  And when they are actually driven... aggressively, statistically... they end up in the car crusher.

These days, the only way to find such an original car, is from an owner who was stubborn, stuck to their ideals, and chose to not drive it, and/or succumb to temptation to upgrade.

And those that do, know the car is nearly as valuable as the fako 426-hemi cars sold at Mecum.  If you can find such a car, it is improbable it will be an economical purchase, like such car were back in the later 1970s and 1980s.

Further, such cars were poorly optioned to keep the sticker price low enough for would-be buyers.

And original paint, after all these years?  Yea, those cars are, for the most part, long, long gone.  Too late.  Sure, some barn finds are still possible, but one has a better shot winning a 20 billion lottery than finding one... they can afford.

[ConradK]

Yes I agree with you. I'm doubtful but it's always worth asking.

We would be willing to pay for a survivor car, but just being mostly original would be ideal.

We're both in the MoPar club. I'm the one with the unreasonable need for horsepower. My son is the opposite and likes it original.

[70_440-6Cuda]

took me 2 years to find the car that fit what I was specifically looking for in a price range I wanted to pay - so be patient. they are out there.  Be realistic in expectations and what the "must haves" are - even if modified, many are easy to return to stock

[198D13]

Are we talking about like... a 318-2 (barrel) with 3-speed manual?  Possibly a convertible?

If so, these are getting harder and harder to find unmodified.  Once you start driving your Mopar E-body, and feeling the V8 performance (even if its a smaller displacement) we cannot help but get hungry and greedy for more.  Along the 50-year life (as of this date) of these cars, they get tweaked, changed, modified and upgraded.

The better performers are SB 340, BB 426/440 and 4-speed manuals, so countless numbers of them get upgraded and converted.  And when they are actually driven... aggressively, statistically... they end up in the car crusher.

These days, the only way to find such an original car, is from an owner who was stubborn, stuck to their ideals, and chose to not drive it, and/or succumb to temptation to upgrade.

And those that do, know the car is nearly as valuable as the fako 426-hemi cars sold at Mecum.  If you can find such a car, it is improbable it will be an economical purchase, like such car were back in the later 1970s and 1980s.

Further, such cars were poorly optioned to keep the sticker price low enough for would-be buyers.

And original paint, after all these years?  Yea, those cars are, for the most part, long, long gone.  Too late.  Sure, some barn finds are still possible, but one has a better shot winning a 20 billion lottery than finding one... they can afford.

Four speeds were available as an option with 318 cars, but only in 1970. I have several. In 1971, they could only be three speeds if you wanted a manual transmission. I have one of those too.

[ec_co]

Basic base would be a slant 6 yes? 170/198/225 Slant. Mine started life as a 225/3spd (upgraded to a 4spd OD) with only drip rail molding and the basic R11 radio.

Al recently sold mines sister Challenger, a high mile original survivor. They are out there, but not many 'base' models left, everyone wants to upgrade them. My slant 6 is now more rare than a ' '71 Hemi Cuda'

[198D13]

Basic base would be a slant 6 yes? 170/198/225 Slant. Mine started life as a 225/3spd (upgraded to a 4spd OD) with only drip rail molding and the basic R11 radio.

Al recently sold mines sister Challenger, a high mile original survivor. They are out there, but not many 'base' models left, everyone wants to upgrade them. My slant 6 is now more rare than a ' '71 Hemi Cuda'

BASE MODEL:
BH or JH coded cars
Motor options would be:
B,C,G,H,L,N

[JH27N0B]

The thought has crossed my mind that a fun project would be to buy a cloned /6 Barracuda or Challenger convertible and restore it back to original. Clone cars are pretty common now, a stock /6 is something spectators would often walk past hemis to check out because they are something most have never seen in person!
Seeing an E body with a flat hood is pretty rare now, whereas back in the day when new they were the majority.

[318Stroker]

Are we talking about like... a 318-2 (barrel) with 3-speed manual?  Possibly a convertible?

If so, these are getting harder and harder to find unmodified.  Once you start driving your Mopar E-body, and feeling the V8 performance (even if its a smaller displacement) we cannot help but get hungry and greedy for more.  Along the 50-year life (as of this date) of these cars, they get tweaked, changed, modified and upgraded.

The better performers are SB 340, BB 426/440 and 4-speed manuals, so countless numbers of them get upgraded and converted.  And when they are actually driven... aggressively, statistically... they end up in the car crusher.

These days, the only way to find such an original car, is from an owner who was stubborn, stuck to their ideals, and chose to not drive it, and/or succumb to temptation to upgrade.

And those that do, know the car is nearly as valuable as the fako 426-hemi cars sold at Mecum.  If you can find such a car, it is improbable it will be an economical purchase, like such car were back in the later 1970s and 1980s.

Further, such cars were poorly optioned to keep the sticker price low enough for would-be buyers.

And original paint, after all these years?  Yea, those cars are, for the most part, long, long gone.  Too late.  Sure, some barn finds are still possible, but one has a better shot winning a 20 billion lottery than finding one... they can afford.

Four speeds were available as an option with 318 cars, but only in 1970. I have several. In 1971, they could only be three speeds if you wanted a manual transmission. I have one of those too.

Did the 1970 318 4-speed cars come with a pistol grip or a ball shifter?

[198D13]

All ball shifters are three speeds. The four speed is always a pistol grip on E Bodies.

[198D13]

All ball shifters are three speeds. The four speed is always a pistol grip on E Bodies.

1970 318 four speed survivor
1972 225 three speed survivor

[ConradK]

Thanks all. I appreciate the encouragement and motivating pics/stories. Take care.