Accept the Challenge

By the end of the 1960s two trends were evident rolling out of Detroit: muscle cars and pony cars. Chrysler's Plymouth division was already competing against other pony cars such as the Ford Mustang and the Chevy Camaro with the Barracuda, the car that technically launched before Ford's icon. There was another wave of pony cars that Chrysler felt they needed to address that included the Mercury Cougar and the Pontiac Firebird (though this was essentially a twin of the Camaro). So for the 1970 model year Dodge accepted the challenge and introduced the Challenger.

The Challenger had a slightly longer wheelbase than the "traditional" pony cars. It also featured some more luxury appointments and for this reason carried with it a slightly higher sticker price. The car came with eight engine options ranging from the base 198 cubic inch slant 6 up to the 426 Hemi V8 or even a 440 RB V8. Any of these could be mated to either a three or four speed manual or a three speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission.

The R/T (or Road/Track) trim came with the 383 cubic inch Magnum V8 that was rated at 335 horse power. In 1970 they released the TA or Trans Am trim. Essentially this was a street legal version of a race car that allowed Dodge to meet the homologation rules of the Sports Car Club of America.

Various other trims and numerous cosmetic changes followed the Challenger through it's first generation that ran from its introduction in 1970 through the 1974 model year. Our feature car is a first generation model from 1972 sporting the racing inspired 340 cubic inch four barrel V8 engine. By this model year only small block engines were available.

After a brief hiatus, the Challenger name reappeared in 1978 with its second generation. This much tamer automobile was actually a re-badged Mitsubishi Galant Lambda that gave drivers a choice between a 1.6 liter (98 cubic inch) and a 2.6 liter (160 cubic inch) inline four cylinder engine. There was a standard five speed manual transmission with an optional three speed automatic. This generation of Challenger ran through the 1983 model year.

The third generation roared back to life in 2008. A fierce, retro looking car it backed up its mean stree looks with plenty of power including the famed 6.2 liter Hellcat supercharged V8 option that was introduced in 2015.

The Challenger was highly successful on its release in 1970 and continues to be a very collectible classic today, especially as more and more people are once again leaning toward MoPar muscle for their foray into the old car hobby. Dodge made sure to meet the challenge.