Past Collection – 1970 Dodge Challenger RT/Hemi

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
Dodge Challenger is the name of three different automobile models marketed by the Dodge division of the Chrysler Corporation since the 1970s.

First generation (1970-1974)
Production- 1970-1974
Class- Pony car
Body style(s) – 2-door convertible, 2-door hardtop coupe
Platform – FR E-body
Engine(s) –
198 cubic in. Slant 6
225 cubic in. Slant 6 I6
318 cubic in. LA V8
340 cubic in. LA V8
360 cubic in. LA V8
383 cubic in. B V8
426 cubic in. Hemi V8
440 cubic in. RB V8
Transmission(s) – 4-speed manual, 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic

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. Intended as a competitor to the Mercury Cougar, it was based on the similar Plymouth Barracuda’s new E-body. The wheelbase, at 110 inches (2,794 mm), was two inches longer and it had substantially different outer sheetmetal than its Plymouth cousin, much in the same way that the Cougar was related to the Ford Mustang.

Exterior design was done by Carl Cameron, who also did the exterior for the 1966 Dodge Charger. For the 1970 Challenger grille, Cameron based it off an older sketch of his 1966 Charger prototype that was to have a turbine engine. The Charger never got the turbine, but the Challenger got that car’s grille. Four models were offered: Challenger Six, Challenger V8, T/A Challenger, and Challenger R/T. Challengers could either be hardtops, coupes, or convertibles (through 1971 only). The standard engine on the base model was the 225 cu in (3.7 L) six-cylinder. Standard engine on the V8 was the 230 horsepower (170 kW) 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor. Optional engines were the 340 cu in (5.6 L) and 383 cu in (6.3 L) V8s, all with a standard 3-speed manual transmission, except for the 290 horsepower (220 kW) 383 cubic in. engine, which was available only with the TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The 4-speed manual was optional on all engines except the 225 cubic in. I6 and the 383 cubic in. V8.The performance model was the R/T (Road/Track), with a 383 cubic in. Magnum V8, rated at 335 horsepower (250 kW). Standard transmission was a 3-speed manual. Optional R/T engines were the 375 horsepower (280 kW) 440 cubic in Magnum, the 390 horsepower (290 kW) 440 cu in (7.2 L) Six-Pack and the 425 horsepower (317 kW) 426 cu in (7 L) Hemi. The R/T was available in all three body styles; both standard and R/T hardtops could be ordered as the more luxurious SE specification, which included leather seats, a vinyl roof, a smaller ‘formal’ rear window, and an overhead interior console that contained three warning lights (door ajar, low fuel and seatbelts). The Challenger R/T came with a Rallye instrument cluster which included a 150 mph (240 km/h) speedometer, an 8000 rpm tachometer, and an oil pressure gauge. The convertible Challenger was available with any engine, as well as in the R/T and SE trim levels. In 1972, Dodge dropped the R/T badging and now called it the “Rallye”, although it was never badged as such. Other options, as well as engines and a manual transmission, included steeper rear axle ratios, a limited-slip differential, and a shaker hood scoop were gone for 1972.
Collector’s value
Original “numbers matching” high-performance 1970-71 Challengers are now among the most sought-after collector cars. The 1970 and 1971 models tend to generate more attention as performance and style options were still available to the public.

Export markets
Dodge Challengers were mainly produced for the US and Canadian markets. Interestingly, Chrysler officially sold Challengers to Switzerland through AMAG Automobil- und Motoren AG in Schinznach-Bad, near Zurich. Only a very few cars were shipped overseas each year to AMAG. They did the final assembly of the Challengers and converted them to Swiss specs. There are few AMAG cars still in existence. From a collector’s point of view, these cars are very desirable. Today, less than five Swiss Challengers are known to exist in North America.

Chrysler exported Dodge Challengers officially to France as well through their Chrysler France Simca operation, since Ford sold the Mustang in France successfully in small numbers. However, only a few Challengers were exported and Chrysler finally gave up the idea of selling them in France. A few French Challengers still exist today.Engines
Engine choices included the following:
C-225 cubic in. (3.7 L) Slant 6:
(145 bhp)1970-1972
G-318 cubic in.(5.2 L) LA V8:
(230 bhp) 1970-1974
J-340 cubic in. (5.6 L) LA V8:
(275 bhp) 1970-1973
H-340 cubic in. (5.6 L) LA V8 Six-Pack
(290 bhp) 1970 *T/A
J-360 cubic in. (5.9 L) LA V8:
(245 bhp) 1974
L-383 cubic in. (6.3 L) B V8:
(290 bhp and 330 bhp) 1970-1971
N-383 cubic in. (6.3 L) B V8:
(335 bhp) 1970-1971
U-440 cubic in. (7.2 L) RB V8:
Available in Magnum 4-barrel carbureted form (375 bhp) 1970-1971
V-440 cubic in. (7.2 L) RB V8 Six-Pack
(3 x 2-barrel carburetors and 390 bhp/490 ft lbf (660 N m) 1970-1971
R-426 cubic in. (7.0 L) Hemi V8:
(425 bhp) (317 kW)/ 490 ft lbf (660 N m), costing an extra US$1,228, and very few sold. 1970-1971

Performance 1/4 mile
340: 14.8 @ 96 mph (154 km/h)
340 T/A: 14.4 @ 97 mph (156 km/h)
383: 15.1 @ 96 mph (154 km/h)
440 Magnum R/T: 13.8 @ 102 mph (164 km/h)
440 Six-Pack: 13.4 @ 107 mph (172 km/h)
426 Hemi: 13.0 @ 108 mph (174 km/h)
Production numbers
1970 = 76,935 *includes 2,399 T/As
Hardtop I6: 9,929
Hardtop V8:. 39,350*
Sports hardtop I6: 350
Sports hardtop V8: 5,873
Convertible I6: 378
Convertible V8: 2,543
Hardtop R/T: 13,796
Special Edition hardtop R/T: 3,753
Convertible R/T: 963Colors
1970
Light Gold Metallic-FY4, Plum Crazy (purple)-FC7, Sublime (green)-FJ5, Go-Mango(orange)-EK2, Hemi Orange-EV2, Banana (yellow)-FY1, Light Blue Metalic-EB3, Bright Blue Metallic-EB5, Dark Blue Metallic-EB7, Rallye Red-FE5, Light Green Metallic-FF4, Dark Green Metallic-EF8, Dark Burnt Orange-FK5, Beige-BL1, Dark Tan Metallic-FT6, White-EW1, Black-TX9, Cream-DY3, Panther Pink-FM3