1978 Dodge is found abandoned in a barn after years, still runs and is hiding an unbelievable surprise inside

A 1978 Dodge Magnum Force barn find has been uncovered in Michigan, and the car’s engine still runs after decades out of sight.

This limited-production coupe, sold briefly at the end of the 1970s, is believed to be the last surviving GT version.

The interior is original, from the red bucket seats to the dashboard trim, showing little sign of wear.

Its condition and history make it one of the most notable discoveries in recent Mopar memory.

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Rare barn find and its history

The Dodge Magnum Force GT was introduced in 1978 as a performance version of the Dodge Magnum, which had replaced the Charger in the US market.

It arrived during a time of shifting buyer priorities, with higher fuel prices and tighter regulations steering sales away from large, powerful coupes.

The Magnum Force was discontinued after just two years, leaving very few on the road.

This 1978 Dodge was first spotted by its current owner while driving to the hospital with his family.

Parked on a lawn, the car caught his attention, and when it was still there on the way back, he bought it.

It has since been stored alongside other late-1970s Dodge and Plymouth models, avoiding the wear and tear that many cars of the era suffered.

The Michigan barn find retains its original Magnum Force body kit and remains operational.

On closer inspection, the real surprise was inside.

The cabin is almost completely untouched, with factory red bucket seats, original carpeting, and dashboard trim still in place.

Even the scent is said to resemble that of a new car, a rare detail for a vehicle of its age.

Few Magnum Force GTs were ever built, and this example is believed to be the only one still documented.

While the Dodge Magnum name continued in Brazil and Mexico into the 1980s, the Magnum Force GT stayed a US-only model, adding to its rarity and significance among collectors.

Hemi V8 comeback

The find comes as Stellantis prepares to restart production of the Hemi V-8 engine.

Manufacturing is set to resume in August at the Dundee Engine Plant in Michigan, with three versions planned: the 5.7-liter Hemi, the 6.4-liter “Apache” (392), and the supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat.

The Hemi’s return reflects a continued interest in high-powered Mopar vehicles.

It also connects past and present, linking cars like the 1978 Dodge Magnum Force barn find with the next generation of performance models.

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