Dodge Challenger

Dodge was the last one to the pony car party, but it spent its time wisely, perfecting its entry, the Challenger. The Challenger debuted with an engine lineup that ranged from a docile slant six to the powerful 440 Six Barrel and the awesome 426 Hemi. Other pony cars could only dream of a line up like that.

Comments: The Dodge Challenger was based on the Plymouth Barracuda platform, but its wheelbase was stretched by two inches to provide more interior room. The Challenger was offered in both hardtop and convertible versions. Performance versions wore the R/T (Road/Track) badge and either the base or R/T model could be ordered with the SE luxury package. The SE package included leather seats and a vinyl roof with a smaller "formal" rear window.

Challenger R/T's came standard with the 335 bhp 383 engine. Optional were two 440 engines, the four-barrel Magnum with 375 bhp and the tri-carb Six Pack with 390 bhp (chosen by 2,035 buyers). Topping the list was the almighty 426 Hemi with 425 bhp (chosen by 356 buyers). The Hemi cost an additional $1,228 and required heavy-duty equipment. The 440s and the Hemi came standard with TorqueFlite automatic. Optional was a four speed manual which included a pistol-grip Hurst shifter and a Dana 60 axle. Gear axles climed from 3.23:1 to 4.10:1, with limited slip as an option. All R/Ts received a heavy duty suspension and the 440s and Hemi received 15 inch 60 series tires, although essentials such as power steering and front disc brakes were still optional. The R/T's standard hood had two hood scoops, but they did not feed directly into the air cleaner. For just $97, the buyer could specify the shaker scoop, which mounted to the air cleaner and stuck up through an opening in the hood. It was known as the "shaker" as it vibrated along with the engine. Some faults of the Challenger included poor outward visibility and it feeling too bulky for its size.

But Dodge had one more trick up its sleeze. In order to race in the Sports Car Club of America's Trans American Sedan Championship, it built a street version of its race car (just like Plymouth with its Plymouth 'Cuda AAR) which it called the Dodge Challenger T/A (Trans Am). Although the race cars ran a destroked version of the 340, street versions took the 340 and added a trio of two-barrel carbs atop an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold, creating the 340 Six Pack.

Dodge rated at the 340 Six Pack at the same 290 bhp rating as the original 340 engine (and mysteriously the same rating as the Camaro Z/28 and Ford Boss 302 Mustang), it actually made about 350 bhp. It breathed air through a suitcase sized air scoop molded into the pinned down, lift off matte-black fiberglass hood. Low-restriction dual exhausts ran to the stock muffler location under the trunk, then reversed direction to exit in chrome tipped "megaphone" outlets in front of the rear wheels.

TorqueFlite automatic or Hurst-shifted four-speed transmission, 3.55:1 or 3.90:1 gears, manual or power steering were available. Front disc brakes were standard. The special Rallye suspension used heavy duty parts and increased the camber of the rear springs. The T/A was among the first production vehicles to use different size tires front and rear: E60x15 fronts, and G60x15 in back. The modified camber elevated the tail enough to clear the rear rubber and its side exhaust outlets, thick side stripes, bold ID graphics, and a ducktail spoiler added to the street punk image.

The interior was strictly stock Challenger. Unfortunately, the race Challenger T/A wasn't very competitive and the street version suffered from severe understeer in fast corners. But it could turn mid 14s in the quarter mile which would do any small block muscle car proud. The T/A would only be available for 1970 as Dodge would pull out of Trans Am racing.

Production:
Challenger Base: 53,337
Challenger T/A: 2,142
Challenger R/T Coupe: 12,747
Challenger R/T Convertible: 1,070
Challenger RT/SE Coupe: 3,679

Engines:
225 I6 145 bhp.
340 V8 275 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 340 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
T/A: 340+6 V8 290 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 345 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm.
383 V8 330 bhp.
426 Hemi V8 425 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 490 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
440 V8 375 bhp @ 4600 rpm, 480 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
440+6 V8 390 bhp @ 4600 rpm, 480 lb-ft @ 2300 rpm.

Performance:
T/A: 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.5 seconds @ 99.6 mph.
R/T 440-6: 0-60 in 6.2 seconds, 1/4 mile in 13.7 seconds @ 105 mph.

- musclecarclub.com -

Ausweichen war der letzte, der das Pony-Car Partei, aber sie verbrachten ihre Zeit sinnvoll, die Perfektionierung ihres Eintrag, den Herausforderer. Der Challenger debütierte mit einer Motorenpalette, die von einem gefügigen Slant Six an die mächtige 440 Six Barrel und der ehrfürchtigen 426 Hemi reichten. Andere Pony Cars konnte nur von einem Line-Up wie das zu träumen.

Dodge è stato l'ultimo alla festa pony car, ma ha speso il suo tempo saggiamente, perfezionando la sua entrata, il Challenger. Il Challenger ha debuttato con una scaletta motore che variava da un taglio docile sei al potente 440 Six Barrel e il fantastico 426 Hemi. Auto pony Altri poteva solo sognare di una line up del genere.

Dodge was de laatste die op de pony car partij, maar het bracht zijn tijd verstandig, het perfectioneren van de opneming, de Challenger. De Challenger debuteerde met een motor line-up die varieerden van een volgzame Slant Six aan de krachtige 440 Six Barrel en de ontzagwekkende 426 Hemi. Andere pony's konden alleen maar dromen van een line-up als dat.

Dodge pony car partiye son biriydi, ama onun girişi, Challenger mükemmelleştirmek, akıllıca onun zaman geçirdim.Challenger güçlü 440 Altı Namlu ve müthiş 426 Hemi altı uysal bir eğik arasında değişmekteydi bir motor serisi ile giriş yaptı. Diğer midilli arabaları sadece yukarı böyle bir hat hayal olabilir.

وكان دودج آخر واحد لحزب المهر سيارة، لكنه قضى وقته بحكمة، واتقان دخولها، والمتحدي. لاول مرة في تشالنجر مع تشكيلة محرك تراوحت بين الميل منصاع 6 للبرميل لمدة ستة قوية 440 ورهيبة هيمي 426. ويمكن ترجمة حرفية السيارات الأخرى تحلم فقط من خط يصل من هذا القبيل.

道奇小马汽车党是最后一个，但它的时间花在刀刃上，完善其入门，挑战者。挑战者从一只温顺的斜六个强大的440六桶，真棒426半不等的发动机阵容亮相。其他的小马车只能梦想线长达那样。