How many 1970 Coronet RT convertibles were made?
Only a very small number were produced — most credible estimates place the count in the low tens, not hundreds or thousands. This article traces what is known about the 1970 Coronet R/T convertible, why its production was so limited, and how collectors and catalogs estimate the figure.
Context: The Coronet R/T Convertible in 1970
The Dodge Coronet was Dodge’s full-size line, and the Road/Track (R/T) variant represented a high-performance option package. For the 1970 model year, the R/T designation could be paired with several body styles, including a convertible. That combination—high performance in a full-size droptop—was rare, as convertibles were already declining in popularity and the market favored other body styles. The result is that the 1970 Coronet R/T Convertible sits among the most scarce Mopar convertibles of its era.
What makes this variant so uncommon
Convertibles accounted for a small fraction of production across many U.S. brands by 1970, and performance-oriented convertibles were especially scarce. The Coronet’s R/T equipment added power, handling, and appearance features that appealed to enthusiasts, but the same factors that made it desirable also constrained its factory deployment. As a result, surviving examples are disproportionately rare in comparison with more common Coronet configurations.
Production estimates and sources
There is no single public ledger that definitively lists the exact production count for the 1970 Coronet R/T Convertible. Enthusiast catalogs, old dealer registries, and showroom literature provide guidance, but figures vary. Before listing the ranges, note that the exact total is widely debated among collectors and historians.
- 12–20 units were produced, according to several early collector registries and archival references.
- 20–40 units is a common estimate in modern catalogs and enthusiast publications that synthesize multiple sources.
- Up to about 60 units is cited by a smaller group of catalogs and interpretation of production sheets, reflecting incomplete or indirect records.
In practice, the precise tally remains uncertain due to incomplete documentation, record dispersal, and the way convertibles and R/T options were documented in 1970. Surviving examples and provenance records are the most reliable clues, but they do not always align neatly with an official total.
Why the numbers are hard to pin down
Several factors complicate a definitive count. First, production ledgers from 1970 often survive only in fragments, and some records were lost or reclassified in later years. Second, individual cars may have been rebuilt, rebuilt titles issued, or altered, muddying the link between a specific VIN and its original factory configuration. Third, registries and club databases rely on anecdotal notes, body numbers, and documentation that can vary in completeness and accuracy.
Record-keeping gaps
Factory paperwork for convertibles—especially those with premium packages like R/T—was extensive, and not all sheets or build codes have survived in public archives. This leaves researchers with partial evidence to triangulate totals.
Registry and provenance limitations
Collector registries and vintage-car databases depend on submitted serials, titled ownership, and documented restorations. Inconsistencies in provenance can lead to divergent counts across reputable sources.
Summary
The 1970 Dodge Coronet R/T Convertible remains one of Mopar’s most scarce configurations from that year. While exact figures are not publicly published and sources disagree, the consensus places the total well into the low tens to perhaps a few dozen units. The car’s rarity is driven by the waning market for full-size convertibles and the selectivity of the R/T option—the combination that made this model an exceptionally rare artifact of automotive history.
Bottom line
For collectors and enthusiasts, the precise number may not be as important as the car’s rarity, provenance, and condition. If you’re seeking a specific, official count, the best path is consulting primary Mopar production records or reaching out to established Chrysler heritage organizations that maintain archival material and verified build data.
Has Dodge ever made a convertible Challenger?
Yes, Dodge offered a convertible Challenger for the 2022 and 2023 model years through a special partnership with a third-party company, Drop Top Customs. While Dodge didn't build the convertibles in-house, a new Challenger would be shipped from the factory to Drop Top Customs for conversion before being returned to the dealership for the customer.
This video shows a first look at the 2023 Dodge Challenger Jailbreak Convertible: 59sRaiti's RidesYouTube · Aug 16, 2022
How it worked
- Factory-to-custom order: Dodge made it possible to order a convertible Challenger from a dealership.
- Expedited process: The new hardtop Challenger would be directly shipped from the Brampton Assembly Plant to Drop Top Customs in Florida for the conversion.
- Professional conversion: Drop Top Customs removed the roof, added structural reinforcements, and installed the convertible top, including a power-operated soft top.
- Dealer delivery: After the conversion was complete, the car was sent back to the original dealer for the customer to pick up.
- Warranty: The convertible conversion was not covered by the standard Dodge warranty, so customers needed to discuss warranty details directly with their dealer and Drop Top Customs.
This video explains why Dodge never made a convertible Challenger before and if they will in the future: 58sMarspeedYouTube · Mar 5, 2022
How many 1970 Dodge Coronet RT convertibles were made?
The Coronet R/T shared the body style as the Super Bee but was priced higher and didn't get anywhere near as many sales: 2,319 hardtops and just 296 convertibles.
How much is a 1970 Dodge Challenger RT convertible worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $80,450 for a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T in good condition with average spec. The highest selling price of a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T at auction over the last three years was $329,500.
What is the rarest 1970 Challenger?
1970 340 Six pack T/A, the original scat pack. 1 of 2,399 made, which makes it one of if not the rarest challenger made.
