1970 Dodge Challenger T/A

When Dodge finally got a legitimate pony car to race in the Sports Car Club of America's Trans American Sedan Championship in 1970, it built a muscle car version for the street that was even wilder than the competition model.  We're talking about the 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A.  SCCA rules required Dodge to sell production editions of the track car, and Dodge responded with the Challenger T/A.  The race cars ran a de-stroked 305-cid version of Mopar's fine 340-cid V-8. It had a four-barrel carb and some 440 bhp.  Street T/As stayed with the 340 but upped the ante with a trio of two-barrel Holleys atop an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold making 290hp).

For consignment, a low mileage, 48,083 title verified actual and still wearing 90% of its original sheet metal, (doors, fenders, and rear quarters), a rebuilt by Ray Barton Racing Engines numbers matching 340ci V8, and wearing it's original fiberglass hood 1970 Challenger T/A.  All draped in Rally Red paint with matte black adornments, folks we are talking about a rarity here.  No fooling around here under the hood and trunk spaces which are absolutely pristine.   Read on for more mouthwatering details.

Exterior
If you look in the dictionary under the definition of Muscle Car a picture of this should be there…it is that good.  Bathed in Rally Red, this full-on Coke bottle body design has well minded straight gaps and strong steel panels.  We do note one spot of bubbling on the lower rear passengers quarter panel, but one has to really look closely with a handheld light to notice it.  A matte finished black fiberglass scooped hood has a corresponding hole underneath to create a perfect seal with the gasketed 6 pack cover for the free flow of air into the mill.   A blackened stretched oval grille complete with horizontal dual headlights, and center egg crate design, has a nicely preserved surrounding chrome trim and small front bumper, and looks menacing from front view.  A wide black T/A stripe works the curve of the front quarter through the doors and to the rear quarter and ends mid rear quarter, adding a great sporty contrast to the Rally Red.  Towards the back of each front quarter is a 340 SIX PAK badge denoting the adhesion to the SCCA rules of 1970.  The swooping rear roof line leads the eye to the small black contrasting rear deck area spoiler and blackened rear vertical panel which houses the horizontal brake lights and central badge.  Just below is another pristine shiny mirror-like bumper kept nice and small nestled in the rear panel.  15-inch Mopar rally wheels which have 235/60's upfront, and 255/60's on the rear adorn the corners, a first for using offset tire sizes.

Interior
Born and still remaining a 4-speed car, the Hurst Pistol Grip floor shifter, which is set within a beautiful central console which uses clean black vinyl and wood appliqué to create storage and good looks between the high back black vinyl buckets.  In back is a matching pattern rear bench, and it could have never been sat in, it is that good!  Upfront a black rimmed ribbed column and wood grain steering wheel fronts a very clean and totally original dash.  Not even a hint of dirt here, showing just beautifully.  Above is a perfect black headliner, and below is black carpet flooding the floors sporting red embroidered Challenger T/A floor coverings.  Door panels are all original and nice and tight, and a mention of the trunk which has been meticulously restored to original and has a space saver spare tire along with the jack and tire inflator canister.

Drivetrain
A beautiful example of preservation, with an orange block, almost as shiny as the exterior red.  All supple rubber hoses and gaskets are attached to this numbers matching 340ci V8.  Our consignor has had the engine rebuilt by Ray Barton Racing Engines and now makes a dyno proven 362hp.  On top is a 6 pack of 3-2-barrel carbs to feed this mill.  In the interest of exacting decoding, the center carb is correct but further research is being performed on the outboard units.  It has an Edelbrock intake.  On the back is an A833 4-speed manual transmission circa 1974. The rear axle is the correct 8-3/4 and has 3.55 gears in a Sure Grip setup. 

Undercarriage
All fully restored and extremely clean with all finished in black paint and undercoating.  Perfect frame, floor pans and unibody construction with a no leak oil pan and transmission.  All correct suspension pieces with torsion bar upfront, and leaf springs on the rear.  Power disc brakes are on the front and power drums are on the rear.  Dual exhaust snakes its way to either side and exits just before the rear wheels and is topped with chrome tips cut on an angle for visual pleasure.

Drive-Ability
She fired right up and came into a melodious idle.  Slipping the shifter into 1st gear and we were away to the Classic Auto Mall test track.  The car handled, accelerated and stopped beautifully.  Sometimes you can't get enough of 70's muscle but alas this car with a mere 48,083 actual miles on the beauty we resisted temptation and only logged a mere 1.5 miles on our test drive.  We did note that occasionally when pressing the brake pedal the brake lights would not illuminate, but overall driving a car of this rarity is truly a pleasure and we were lucky to get to experience it.

A fabulous car, with nice paint, correct stickers, and a beautiful interior.  Also, fine attention to detail on the engine compartment, and trunk with its factory spare.  Low mileage is the key here, along with 90% original metal, and a factory hood, nearly as perfect as you will want to go.  This is a showpiece, but also a driver if you wish, a true time capsule from 1970…Scooby Doo!!

JH23J0B296451

J-Challenger
H-High Price Class
23-2 Door Hardtop
J-340ci V8 290hp 3x2bbl Carbs
0-1970
B-Hamtramck, MI Assy Plant
296451-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.