1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 1974 Dodge Challenger Dodge Challenger was the name of two automobile models marketed by the Dodge Division of Chrysler Corporation in the 1970s. Contents 1 First model 2 Second model 3 2009 4 Popular culture 5 See also 6 References 7 External links First model The first Challenger was the division's late entrant to the pony car market segment in the United States, launched for the 1970 model year. It was strongly based on the similar Plymouth Barracuda's new E-body but with two inches (51 mm) of extra wheelbase and somewhat different outer sheetmetal. Exterior design was done by Carl "CAM'" Cameron, whom also did the exterior for the 1966 Dodge Charger. For the 1970 Challenger grille, CAM' based it off of an older sketch of his of a '66 Charger prototype that was designed to have a turbine engine. The Charger never got the turbine, but the Challenger got that car's grille. Although the Challenger was well-received by the public (with 80,000 sales in 1970 alone), it was criticized by the press, and the pony car segment was already declining by the time the Challenger arrived. Challenger production ceased after the 1974 model year, only having lasted five years; performance dropped off dramatically after the 1971 models. About 165,500 Challengers were sold over the this model's lifespan. Engine choices included the following: 225 in³ (3.7 L) slant 6: 1970-1972. 318 in³ (5.2 L) LA V8: 1970-1974. 340 in³ (5.6 L) LA V8: 1970-1973. 360 in³ (5.9 L) LA V8: 1974. 383 in³ (6.3 L) B V8: 1970-1971. 440 in³ (7.2 L) RB V8: 1970-1971. Available in Magnum 4-barrel carbureted form (developing 375 bhp (280 kW)) or Six-Pack (3 × 2-barrel carburetors and 390 bhp/490 ft.lbf) form. 426 in³ (7.0 L) Hemi V8: 1970-1971. 425 bhp (317 kW)/490 ft.lbf, costing an extra $1,228, and very few sold. Performance :: 340  : 14.8 @ 96mph 340 T/A  : 14.4 @ 97mph 383  : 15.1 @ 93mph 440 Magnum R/T  : 13.9 @ 101mph 440 Six-Pack  : 13.8 @ 104mph 426 Hemi  : 13.6 @ 105mph For obvious reasons, the 440 and the 426 Hemi engines were considered the most desirable, and nowadays command sizeable premiums over the smaller engines. Challengers could either be hardtop coupes or convertibles (through 1971 only). The performance model was the R/T (Road/Track), available in both body styles; both standard and R/T hardtops could be ordered as the more luxurious SE specification, which included leather seats, a vinyl roof and a smaller 'formal' rear window. The convertible Challnger was only available as an R/T in 1970. In 1972, Dodge dropped the R/T badging and now called it "Rallye". Other options, as well as engines and manual transmission, included steeper rear axle ratios, a limited-slip differential, and a shaker hood scoop were gone for 1972. A 1970-only model was the Dodge Challenger T/A (Trans Am) racing homologation car, which used a specially tuned Six-Pack version of the 340 cubic inch (5.6 L) powerplant, topped with a giant hood scoop on a fiberglass hood. 'Megaphone' exhaust outlets were fitted in front of the rear wheels. These cars came standard with front and rear sway bars to enhance handling. Unusually, different-sized wheels were fitted front and back, with very fat rubber on the rear. The T/A also came with a rear ducktail spoiler and front ground effect spoilers as standard equipment. By 1972, maximum power was down to 240 hp, and production stopped in 1974. Although the body style remained the same throughout the 5 year run, there were two notable changes to the front grille. 1971 models had a more stylized "split" grille, and the final manipulation coming in 1972, with the incorporation of the "sad-mouth" design. With this change to the front end, 1972 through '74 Models had little to no variation. The only way to properly distinguish said models is by the front and rear "bumperettes" which exponentially increased in size during each consecutive year. These changes were made to meet US regulations regarding crash test safety. Only a few subtle changes were made to the Challenger after 1972. The increase in size of the front and rear bumperettes are the only significant externally distinguishable features between these three model years. (l-r '72,'73,'74) . The 1970 tail light went all the way across the back of the car, with the backup light in the middle of the rear. In 1971, the backup lights were on the left and right instead of the middle. The tail light array also changed for the 72-74 model years, with the challenger now having four individual lights similar to the mid-size Mercurys of the time. As the Chrysler E body line reaches legendary proportions, so too do the prices to buy these sleek machines. 1970 and 71 model years tend to generate more attention from potential (and usually deep pocketed) buyers, as the performance and style options had not yet been toned down. However, with the popularity of these vehicles on the increase, coupled with the number of useable and restorable Challengers being on the decrease, many collectors have begun looking towards the later models to create their own customizable dream machines. Indeed, many "clones" of the more visceral '70 and '71 model Challengers have been created by using 72 through 74 model year donors; The front and rear grilles/bumpers on these vehicles are easily interchangeable. However, the tail panel is not so easy to change, since the 70 and 71 tail panels are quite different than the 72-74 models. Second model 1981 Dodge Challenger See Mitsubishi Sapporo for more information The Challenger name was revived in 1978 for a version of the early Mitsubishi Galant Lambda Coupe, also sold overseas as the Mitsubishi Sapporo, sold through Dodge dealers as a captive import and identical except in color and minor trim to the Plymouth Sapporo. Although mechanically identical, the Dodge version emphasized sportiness, with bright colors and tape stripes, and the Plymouth on luxury with more subdued trim. Both cars were sold until 1983. The car retained the frameless hardtop styling of the old Challenger, but had only a four-cylinder engine and was a long way in performance from its namesake. Nevertheless, it acquired a reputation as a reasonably brisk performer of its type, not least because of its available 2.6 L engine, exceptionally large for a four-cylinder. Four-cylinder engines of this size had not usually been built due to inherent vibration, but Mitsubishi pioneered the use of balance shafts to help damp this out and the Challenger was one of the first vehicles to bring this technology to the American market; it has since been licensed to many other manufacturers. 2009 A sketch of the 2006 Dodge Challenger Concept Industry analysts claim that a new Challenger model will be introduced on the Chrysler LX platform in 2008. It would be a rear wheel drive performance coupe with V8 power to take on the Ford Mustang, Pontiac GTO, and possible future Chevrolet Camaro. Dodge will show a Challenger concept car at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. This concept uses a shortened LX platform, has the 6.1 L Hemi V8, and borrows styling cues from the original 1970 model. Popular culture The 1971 movie Vanishing Point (as well as its 1997 remake) were centered on a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T, and another appeared in the 2003 movie 2 Fast 2 Furious. See also Dodge Charger - Dodge's intermediate muscle car with similar styling in these years. Plymouth Barracuda - Mopar's other pony car Ford Mustang, Mercury Cougar, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird - the competition List of Dodge automobiles References } |2= }} |2=}} |then={{web reference}}: Parameter url, title and date must be specified |then= () |2=}} |then=. |2=}} |then= [ ]. |then= () |then= . |then= . |then= URL accessed on then=, [[]] }} }}. KOConnell External links First Generation Dodge Challenger Musclecarclub.com on the Dodge Challenger The Dodge Challenger Home Page - informative fan site. Dodge Challenger .NET Second Generation Allpar's Sapporo/Challenger page Service Manual www.msapporo.com New Dodge Challenger 2008 Dodge Challenger 2009 Dodge Challenger Forums Dedicated to the New Dodge Challenger Dodge Vehicles Category (edit) Current: Cars: Neon | SRT-4 | Caliber | Stratus | Charger | Magnum | Viper Vans/SUVs: Nitro | Caravan/Grand Caravan | Durango Trucks: Dakota | Ram | SRT-10 | Sprinter Historic: Cars: 024 | 400 | 600 | Aries | Aspen | Avenger | Challenger | Colt | Conquest | Coronet | Dart | Daytona | Demon | Diplomat | Dynasty | Intrepid | La Femme | Lancer | Matador | Mirada | Monaco | Omni | Phoenix | Polara | Shadow | Sierra | Spirit | St. Regis | Stealth | Super Bee Vans/SUVs: Mini Ram | Raider | Ramcharger | Ram Van | Ram Wagon | Sportsman | Town Panel | Town Wagon | Tradesman Trucks: A100 | B Series | C Series | D Series | Power Wagon | Rampage | Ram 50 Search Term: "Dodge_Challenger" Categories: Dodge vehicles