The 1970 Dodge Challenger: Unveiling Rare Gems
Introduced in 1969 on the new E-body platform, the first-generation Dodge Challenger enjoyed considerable success, with almost 77,000 units sold in its debut year. The 1970 Challenger lineup, while seemingly commonplace, housed a collection of rare models.
Out of the total, 73% were standard trim, leaving just 18,512 R/T models. The majority of R/Ts featured the 383-cubic-inch V8, with only 6,231 units equipped with the larger 440-cubic-inch RB and 426-cubic-inch HEMI engines.
The HEMI variant stands out as the rarest, with only 356 produced. A mere 60 had the SE package, and a mere nine were convertibles. The 440 Six Pack had a limited run at 2,035, while the standard four-barrel 440 appeared in 3,840 vehicles.
Dodge crafted a small-block gem, the Challenger T/A, designed for the SCCA Trans-Am series. With only 2,399 street-legal units produced in a brief span in 1970, the T/A featured distinctive elements such as side-exiting pipes, a fiberglass hood, and a unique stripe package.
Powered by a 340-cubic-inch V8 with a triple two-barrel carburetor setup, the T/A, while not as powerful as big-block counterparts, offered 290 horsepower. Its advantage lay in curb weight and superior handling.
The 1970 Challenger T/A Resurgence
In 2023, the Challenger T/A stands as one of the most coveted 1970 models. While some endure as restored classics, others languish in obscurity. A particular Sublime green T/A, once forgotten, now thrives again.
Documented by “Auto Archaeology” on YouTube, this T/A spent decades in hibernation, parked since 1977. Rescued in 2022, the car emerged surprisingly well-preserved despite its lengthy storage period.
The Sublime paint may have faded, and the vinyl top vanished, but the body remains straight with minimal rust. Some trunk floor rust proved an easy fix. The engine bay, though initially empty, retained the original block, and missing components were replaced with period-correct alternatives.
This automatic T/A, one of 1,410 with this drivetrain, may have sported a rare V1G gator grain top, potentially making it one of just 33 T/As with this configuration.
This Challenger T/A, now back on the road, stands as a testament to successful revival, not yet fully restored but no longer consigned to barn obscurity.
# FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
## FAQ 1: How rare is the HEMI version of the 1970 Challenger?
Only 356 HEMI Challengers were produced, making it the rarest variant of the 1970 lineup.
## FAQ 2: What sets the Challenger T/A apart?
The T/A, designed for the SCCA Trans-Am series, features unique elements such as side-exiting pipes, a fiberglass hood, and a distinctive stripe package.
## FAQ 3: How many Challenger T/A models were produced?
A total of 2,399 street-legal Challenger T/A models were built and sold during its brief availability in 1970.
## FAQ 4: How many T/A vehicles were equipped with an automatic transmission?
Out of the 2,399 T/A models, 1,410 were built with an automatic transmission.
## FAQ 5: What is the significance of the Sublime green T/A example?
This particular T/A spent over four decades in storage, yet its solid condition allowed for successful restoration and a return to the streets.
