Lasting Impact Of The 1970-1974 Dodge Challenger
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- Опубликовано: 28 дек 2018
- When Dodge first debuted the Challenger for the 1970 model year, nobody would have predicted its lasting impact. When Challenger production ceased at the middle of the 1974 model year, it looked as though the Challenger was a failure and would never again return. Not only did the Challenger eventually return but it has thrived. Here's the story behind the 1970-1974 Challenger which made all of this possible.
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Am a proud owner of purple 70 challenger RT,, every time I drive it puts a priceless smile on my face
Alex Carpenter
You’re a lucky man Alex
Enjoy 😎
It's not 'purple', it's 'plum crazy'.
Yeah and I'm a young guy and proud owner of a 2016 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack 392 shaker guy like me who I worked to the Bone to get to this point I'm happy that I did it and I'm almost finishing paying it off
@@hectorguajardo6392 Nice Hector I'm a old guy who paid cash for my Hemi Orange 2009 Challenger R/T from the dealer. It's great that young people like yourself keep the Challengers alive.
@@MrSloika ... Plum Crazy, Lime Green, and more!!👍👍
Vanishing Point ~ For you younger folks who don't know, this is a 1971 movie starring a 440 R/T Challenger! A must watch for any Challenger fan. . .
Look up nicks garage on here
ALL STEEL , NO PLASTIC - SIMPLE ,ROUGH AND 1000000000 BETTER THAN THESE NEW AUTOROBOTS
Kowalski! The Lone Driver of the Golden West! As good for Cleavon Little as Super Soul as for the car!
For sure 👍🇨🇦
Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia
In some ways 🤔
Proud owner of a '73 Rallye Challenger! My dad still owns his '74! Grew up riding in it and now have my project!
The 70 and 73 are definitely my favourite
I sold my viper and kept my 70’ Challenger,that’s how much I love it.
One of the most beautiful looking cars ever produced, especially the 1970! The new ones, in my opinion, are the best execution of a retro look in a modern car. Thanks for this historical chronology of the Challenger. You did an excellent presentation here!!
I had the 1972 Challenger in light blue, white top, white interior with the rally wheel package, my brother still has his Orange 1970 440-6 'Cuda with Shaker hood...These looked nice side by side on the family driveway..I miss the 70's
Yeah I miss the 70s too
I had the Cuda 440/6 in black .
At least your family is still living and using the 1970s as your theme.
The '70 Challenger is almost a perfect car, even though the facelifts changed the styling very little for each year, the '70 is still the best looking!
Great video as always btw!
berra
Taillights better on 71😎
1970 was such a great year for MOPAR design across the board. I love the Coronet/GTX with the 'crosseyed grill', the big Fury and Chrysler 300 (I affectionately call the big A-Bodies 'bathtubs' but I love 'em), the Charger, all of 'em. The 1970 Dart is such a clean, perfect design that it's literally my dream car.
It's so tragic that '70 became 'The Year The Muscle Car Died".
Dang ol' insurance companies!!
DEVO DAVIS: Yeah, I think it was around that time (1970) that many states passed the "no-fault" vehicle insurance laws that required all motor vehicle owners, by law, to have insurance. Therefore, the insurance companies could really jack up their prices, as drivers had no choice, and they built their case that muscle cars and pony cars were inherently dangerous, as they were built for speed. Soon, vehicle owners were penalized for so much as having rally stripes on their cars, or anything that looked even slightly "racy" or high performance.
@@devodavis6454 1970-'71 was truly a great moment. The '70 Challenger and the '71 Road Runner are cars to die for.
The muscle premium from insurance companies hurt, but while it was available if you got the 383 engine you received the standard rating for insurance.
Agreed which is why the new Challenger borrows a lot of styling from the 70 version.
I never got to see the glory of the original car, but i was a preteen when the 2009 models came out, after the limited production first edition 08 cars (all of which were SRT8's). I'll never forget the first time i saw one. I was going of the high-dive at the local pool and on my way down caught a glimpse of something orange in the near empty parking lot beyond the fence. I managed to convince my parents to walk home through the park (which you had to walk through the parking lot to get to), and sure enough as soon as i could i rushed over to admire the car. It was just an R/T, but it was in hemi orange with the fat 5 spoke chrome wheels that did a good job blinding me in the Houston sun. Walking around it and admiring the body lines, the likes of which no other car on the road had or has till this day (besides the original) was a religious experience for me. To this day, I can probably spot one even if i got pepper sprayed. When I drive down the road, I give even the craptastic base models side-eye. To me it's not a car, its a challenger. One day I'll see about getting my hands on a 1970-74 hardtop to build into a tuned up vanishing point clone, and drive it cross country.
AK02
Sounds like a plan to me 👍😀😎🇨🇦
Whoa, we didn’t ask you that.
I love the Dodge Challenger. 1971 in my opinion is the best looking one. I worked hard & long to get my 2016 Scat Pack Shaker. It'll be paid off in another year God willing. She's my summertime, fair weather car & I love her
As a "young" person, I absolutely love this channel. It can be tough to understand the significance of cars from other eras, so you're doing important work here. How amazing that a modern version of these cars is offered with 700-800+ hp from the dealership!!
As a owner of 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT8 I am most grateful for the early 70’s models. Love the channel...keep up the good work!
There was only one minor error in this presentation. It was stated that the Mitsubishi-built 1978-1983 Challenger was front-wheel drive. Actually, it was rear-wheel drive, and it had a lot of neat features, but it WAS a four-cylinder subcompact, and it's true that it did not live up to the "Dodge Challenger" name.
73 Cuda;
340 four barrel, 727 three speed automatic.
Favorite of all the cars I’ve owned.
my first cuda was a 73 340 bought in san fran in 87 for $1900 loved the car but sold it to buy a new 88 mustang gt
@@justanotherdrunk My fatherht for me a 1973 340 Ralley Challenger. We went to Little Rock Dodge where I looked for a 440 or 426 Hemi. I didn't know Dodge stopped producing those options in 1971.
Anyway.....the 340 was a good engine.
I remember racing and beating a 1974 or 1975 Corvette with a 454.
I was really surprised.
Arguably one of the best-looking body styles Chrysler ever produced... I loved them back in the day and it still brings smile to my face every time I see a new one go down the road..
I owned two 1970 Challenger's, one a 440 R/T auto & the other a 318, today I love my 2014 R/T Blacktop Edition with 392 gear Super Track Pack, the last year with the '70 style interior & exterior with CD player/hard drive stereo.
@ecky1965 It sure does to me, I have wanted a newer Challenger since they became a reality in 2008 but I bought a new Hemi Ram that year instead, so I lovingly paid my Ram off & jumped on my present R/T Challenger, out of the 90 cars I've owned it is in my Top 3 favorites of all time, couldn't be happier & it still makes me smile every time I look at it let alone drive it, say nothing of being extremely reliable compared to my old '70 models that needed work constantly.
Good to see a civilized conversation 👍🇨🇦
ecky1965
🤔
@ecky1965 I've owned the best of them including two '69 Chargers, one a 440 RT/SE, a '70 396 4-speed Chevelle SS, '70 Camaro SS, '70 Nova SS, '67 Mustang GT, '70 Buick GS convertible, '70 Chrysler 300-H, '71 Demon & '68 Galaxie 500 fastback to name a few, the best of times & cars, all dirt cheap before overpriced TV auctions & investors ruined the hobby.
@blackandgold51 Certainly, if one has the big bucks for a proper NASA quality restoration, so for me a new one works just fine & I can savor my memories & photos of my past 90 vehicles, many classic muscle cars.
One of the cleanest, well maintained, highest rpm capable Mopars I've ever seen is a 1973 Challenger up in Juneau, Alaska...it's got a stroked 340 Keith Black built small block, pistol grip 4spd, 8.75 "snubbed" posi rearened runnin 5.38 gears, impeccable 100% stock interior, and a line lock that allows it to produce the biggest burnouts I've ever seen...it's red on black, it hasn't seen any water in the form of rain or snow or car washes since it's current owner, Dave Stewart, became the second owner of the car in 1978....it's stunning....
Speaking as a definite non-Dodge guy..... I have much respect for these particular cars and the old Chargers. I honestly think Dodge really nailed the muscle car look and performance.
The mitsu based one was rwd 2.6 liters. Not fwd.
I forgot that I owned one until I saw it in this video, lol. It was precursor to the Starion/Conquest.
And, it had a hemi! Around 105 hp, four cylinder, but a hemi.
@@seed_drill7135 lol
Old guys think everything built after 75 was fwd
We don't like to mention the 78-83 Mitsubishi Challenger. We want it to fade from memory/history. However since you brought it up, it was rear wheel drive.
Sometimes you have to mention the bad with the good
My younger brother had a 1980 that he stuffed a 340 with an A-833 4 speed under the hood, and took a whole lot of people's money with it. That car was scary fast, at the time.
had an 82 challenger for a minute in 92 - a great newcomer car!
Those cars were every bit as good as The Pontiac Sunbird that they were competing against for sales. Though, I do see those days as the dark days of the automobile. Very few cars from the late 70's - early 80's, we're very inspiring.
With you Mark. What were they thinking when they brought these cars out?! I think Jay Leno said it's best in several of his videos: Chrsyler used to be run by engineers. Like Elvis, it looks like the engineers had left the building.
I was a kid in the 70's. A neighbor 2 houses down from me had a white Challenger with white interior from what I recall. I loved looking at that car. Looking in the window the interior was so cool! I need to buy a new Challenger!
I'm just restoring a Matchbox toy one of these,,,back in 78 I went in a yellow one of these when visiting Calgary Canada,,,gorgeous car,,,,as always Thanx for all your great vid's,,,Hope yourself and fellow subscribers had a great Xmas and wish everyone a great New Year,,,
Does restoring Matchbox lessen value? I always liked Matchbox much more than Hot Wheels.
fern Haloo,,,, Hi firstly back in the 60s,70s Hotwheels weren't that readily available here in England,,,though yes I started collecting Hot wheels soon as they became available here,luv them for sure,,,with Matchbox yes mint ones cost a fortune if especially if boxed,,, £20 upwards gets something reasonably nice,,,but I just enjoy getting them for £1 and restoring as enjoy the challenge,,,it's true as the saying goes if the rivets are removed and it's restored it's not worth much,,,and there only original once,,,for sure if I was wealthy I'd collect mint condition but I actually enjoy the buzz of finding a project car and then seeing it restored,,,,the first few models looked a bit rough but now I get them pretty close to original,,, Most importantly do things you enjoy,,,,Have a great New Year,,,,
I bought a 1974 Challenger in 1976 for $3000.
It was in perfect condition and had a 318 V8 connected to a 3 speed stick shift.
A couple of years later the engine started getting water in the oil and I almost traded a mechanic an even trade for a 1962 Impala station wagon that was in great shape.
But before I could,I had lent the Challenger to my brother-in-law to use to go pick up a couple of his friends and he totaled it.
I replaced the challenger with a Plymouth "Gold Duster"
ebayerr You should have totaled your brother-in-law.
Cornell Green : Yeah.I didn't want to lend it to him in the first place,but he pressured me into it.
And then afterwards,that accident caused a lot of legal problems for me because the people he picked up ended up getting badly hurt in the accident and they wanted to sue me.
@@ebayerr i bought a 74 black on black a year and a half ago for 16k :( but its a fun car
David Coronado : Nice.
One of the many things I liked about the '70 Challenger was the designer's ability to fill in the massive front-end cavity with four head lights, grill work and slightly overarching hood or brow. The overall affect was a serious yet somewhat mysterious appearance.
The 1970-1974 Challenger was, and still is, one of the most iconic and beautiful cars ever made. Dodge did a great job with the modern Challenger too, especially the Hellcat.
The '70 Challenger is not only one of my absolute favorite Chrysler designs, but along with the '65 Riviera and '63 Stingray it's one of the best looking cars of all time. I wish Chrysler could have brought it to market a couple years earlier.
Wow, I never knew that a 6 cylinder was even available for the Challenger's of the early '70s. I thought they all came with various V8's only. I've never even seen or heard of a 6 cylinder in any of these early Challenger's. Learn something new every day.
I've got one.
Howabouthetruth: I've seen a couple, but only in the pages of Mopar magazines, including a feature on one couple who actually owned a 1970 Challenger convertible with a Slant Six. I always knew that the 225 cubic-inch "Slant Six" was the base engine in Challengers and Barracudas, though I've never actually seen any Challengers or E-body Barracudas with that engine. I've always thought that those would be highly collectible now, just because they're so rare. I'm sure that the vast majority of people wanting a Challenger or a 'Cuda definitely wanted a V-8 in them. I've always wondered just how many E-body Mopars were made with the Slant Six?
I have a 71 Challenger 6cyl, 443 made with 225
auto.
I had a 1971 Challenger with the slant six and vinyl roof.
Well done. Makes me long for the good ol' days of fast cars, cheap gas and affordable insurance.
Gas is still relatively cheap and thanks to Dodge we have 840HP! Insurance I'm with you but if you pay cash for your car, you pay around $60-$80 a month for a Hellcat.
thats why the performance models went away..the insurance was usually higher than the car payment..not so affordable for the youth market back then...
This an absolutely awesome video. I'm actually very glad to have found your channel.
Any plans to do a Cuda or Roadrunner video?
Roadrunner / Superbee would be good
Thank you for posting your excellent video on the 1970-74 Dodge Challengers and for showing the newer Dodge Challengers too!
The 70-71 Challenger body style, has always been my most favorite Chrysler body style. The Road Toads with the 340, 440, and Hemi cars with a 4 spd were the best. The 72 on ups, do nothin for me. The new plastic cars are impressive in performance, but don't excite me. (Neither does the prices)
"Go Vanishing point!" (thumbs up) :)
Correction: 78-83 "Challenger" Was a rear wheel drive car.
While I've always loved the styling of the 1978-83 Mitsubishi based Dodge Challenger, I think Mitsubishi should've offered it with a V6 engine option along with the standard cylinder engine.
@@jasoncarpp7742 someone should find a clean one and Hemi swap it!
Jason Carpp: Or even, at least, a turbocharged version of their 2.6-liter "Silent Shaft" 4-cylinder engine, like Ford offered in their 1979 and later "Fox-body" Mustangs. I always did like the styling of the '78 Challenger. Ironically, when the '79 "Fox-body" Ford Mustang came out one year later, in the fall of 1978, I remember reading a review of the new Mustang in a car magazine, where they commented that it looked like "the Mustang was trying to copy the Dodge Challenger"!
@john jones: Wow! I had forgotten all about the Mitsubishi Station! Yes, they certainly could have put it's turbo engine in the '78 - '83 Challenger (and Plymouth Sapporo).
Friendly FYI about a small error: While showing the T/A, the host says at 5:23 "The Challenger R/T had it's own unique graphics package and dual exhaust system where each exhaust pipe exited in front of the two real wheels." Should have said T/A, not R/T. This channel is excellent.
I miss my AAR 'Cuda
Anthony C you're so right, I couldn't believe my ears as he said it. how can he say r/t when the graphics on the car clearly says t/a in huge graphics that can be seen from the moon? no actual Mopar fan would ever verbally mix up the exhaust facts even without the images. the t/a and only the t/a had exhaust outlets in front of the rear tires in stock trim from the Dodge factory. no other Mopar had this factory exhaust configuration.
in '78 I, had a brand new Chevy vette, L82,4sp, gymkhana suspended etc. my neighbor had a '74 challenger w/360 4bbl,automatic. I,was surprised how easy it was to blow his doors. but, it was the most comfortable of all the pony cars,back then. some how my vette was thirstier w/smaller engine, manual, & lighter. we have fun taking nice trips w/many pals in different cars. fun,fun,...
The 360 was a boat anchor. I had a 440-6 in 76 that would have left you wondering where i went. Turn high 12s low 13s with the lousy tires of the times
Nothing compares to the beauty of the 1970-74 Challenger. Dodge did an amazing job recreating the look of the current version. It’s a beautiful car I wouldn’t say “no” to. I realize it has to be the way it is for several reasons. But side by side the new one looks so bloated and inelegant compared to the original.
The current Challenger is based on a larger car. The beltline is higher. But the backseat is better.
mercoid You're on the money -- the '70 Challenger was the most beautiful pony car ever built. The key to its visual appeal is the car's fuselage design, an approach they borrowed from Jaguar. Like an XK-E, the Challenger's body, seen from head on, is more an oval than a rectangle, as are most cars. Also like the E-Type, the rocker panels continue the body's curved shape by "rolling" it under the car.The body encapsulates the cockpit, which like a fighter jet's fits the driver snugly. Beside new-generation Challengers, which are built on a sedan chassis, the original is much smaller and lower, free from heavy handed styling. The original Challenger was Mopar's finest hour from that era: all business, not too expensive, and available with Chrysler's legendary performance V8s.
@@johntechwriter True but the Barracuda was an exceptionally beautiful car as well. Both cars were pure inspiration. The current Challenger lacks a necessary sleekness, but is a handsome design worthy of admiration.
@@RootsandTendrils i was going to say the 1970 barracuda compares quite nicely.. i had 1970 "gran coupe" with a 318 and some bolt on goodies an aftermarket intake manifold, headers and side exhausts. probably got about 275 horsepower out of it.
@Glen Baker at least they're trying to make it great despite being a four door. I don't see other American companies doing that.
I SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY 71 CHALLENGER WHEN I WAS YOUNGER
THANK YOU. My Favorite 'pony' car of that era. I owned two - '74 360 and a '70 340. Loved them - they just looked so gorgeous to me.
My pops had a 360. Brown metal flake paint with white vinyl seats. I drove it a couple times. I almost cried when he sold it. I still love the smells of cars hot cold or olde. Don’t get me wrong not huffing. I love cars planes trains and motorbikes. I made a living off computers. They don’t smell as good. Happy healthy new year. Thanks for keeping these dreams alive. I know it’s not easy. Data collection and editing is a beotch. What you share has so much meaning to me. Sorry I can’t afford more to help your channel. Btw. I drove a 340 six pack. I couldn’t afford the gas and tires. Those cost me more than the car. Keep on
A very detailed & enjoyable profile on my favorite muscle car of all time, Happy New Year my friend!
I'm partial to the Cuda, especially the AAR, but I'd look pretty good screaming through the desert toward a couple of bulldozers in a Challenger though.
@@dukecraig2402 I had a chance to buy a clean 1971 440 Cuda automatic, Black on Black with Black vinyl top & rare factory sunroof & power windows in 1988, the fellow wanted $5500 which I thought was outrageous at the time finding my 1970 440 auto Challenger R/T the following week for $2700 after talking him down from $3000. That was when the hobby was the most fun & attainable compared to today where only the wealthiest can enjoy these cars. Always wanted a Cuda but never had one.
@@vinniecorleone62
Yea, I tell young kids all the time that like to watch the auctions on TV that you could buy cars like that when I was in high school in the early 80's for $1,500 to $2,500, I wish I would have bought 10, worst thing is I'm from SW Pennsylvania and there were Yanko cars of different models around in the area dirt cheap compared to what they go for now.
@@dukecraig2402 Yes indeed, I bought my clean & well running 1969 383 Charger for $850 & my '69 440 loaded RT/SE Charger with 70K miles for $2100, my '71 Red Demon for $350. I also owned many other very well loved Chevy & Ford classics for peanuts all day long as they were simply "old cars" few even wanted. Happy New Year my friend!
Got to drive my friend's 1972 Challenger from Dallas TX to OKC back in the 70's when the speed limit was 55 mph. I tucked in behind a trucker heading north and barely touched the accelerator - that car zoomed up from 55 to 80 without the engine even revving up, absolutely no vibration and perfect handling. I have never driven any car since that came even close to that. Can only dream of owning one...
Love the channel. I appreciate the insight into the TA. I knew it was limited but you gave details I didn't have.
the 1978 - 1983 Dodge Challengers and Plymouth Sapporo's were also rear wheel drive, not front wheel.
Modern Challenger looks like a hybrid of the old Challenger and old Cuda. Pretty cool combination of them in my view!
In 1974, I bought my best friends 1972 340 Ralley Challenger for $2,000.00...he was the original owner....it had 46,000 miles on it. It is black paint, black vinyl top, and black interior. I still have it today and it is all original. I literally grew up in that car.
I love these videos, I worked a Chrysler development back in those day and drove lots of development miles on these. I was also a major permonter of product development instead of Paycheck development, they called me names. In a few years hundreds of thousands of employees lost their jobs and some people did notice how I pointed it out. Today I routinely mention to buy American and some people argue. Foreign products made in America are foreign profits.
Did you drag on Woodward in those days?
I have a special space for this beauty in my garage , thanks for such a great video 👌
An awesome muscle car and one of my favorites
beautiful automobile, timeless 😎
i so look forward to new releases on this channel, always great content.
Nice video on the car. My first car was a 1972 Rallye Challenger in yellow and black. My dad and I picked it out. I was 17 years old and had the coolest car in school. My mom was not happy and accused my dad of “helping me” pick out a car HE wanted.... lol
She was right!!!
That Yellow car in the beginning of the video is absolutely gorgeous.
My high school car in 1979 was a mint 1974 dodge charger SE. Black interior and black exterior, factory air 440cid. I got my license and the car on the week of my 16th birthday. I put 80 miles on that car the first day.I bought the car with money I had saved since age 10. From moving lawns and loading and unloading freight when I hit my growth spurt to 6'-1''. I have always wanted a Challenger or Cud'a. But a high optioned 1967 Plymouth GTX is my dream car.
Great vídeo! Thank you for upload! Have a properous New year! Congratts from Brazil!
This was very informative... Thank you very much!!!
Very nice work with this video. I really liked how you related the old Challenger to the new one.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my 2015 392cid ScatPack Challenger
BornTexan ! You should. I got to drive a 6 speed Scat with a shaker.. such a great car. I love my Boss 302 but that car just has presence.
Too many gadgets in my opinion, which is why I hang onto my 09 R/T 6 speed. Yours is faster, I know, but mine still gets 27.5 mpg highway at 70 mph cruise on and is a great road trip car.
Thanks for another informative and entertaining video
👍 always good to watch your videos! Thanks
Great job as always, thanks
At 58 years old, my mother bought a 1970 Challenger (the best looking). Orange with the deluxe white interior, white vinyl top, AC, etc. 383 4-barrel. That thing could light up those puny 14" tires.
Good on her. Imagine those cars then with today's suspension, handling and brake systems.
A proud owner of a 1970 Challenger R/T with a 383 with a three quarter race cam with ported and polished heads putting out 425 HP! I ran a 454-450 HP Chevelle and we were bumper to bumper! This Challenger was FAST!
Always enjoy your video's. Thanks.
By far the best looking Mopar ever
Very good overview!
My grandfather was the G.M. Of Yawn Motors, Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth in Alice, Texas during the 60's and 70's. He was a WWII combat veteran. He worked his way up from shop mechanic to General Manager. He always drove the coolest cars. As a kid, my mother saved the news paper clippings of me wearing my white cowboy hat and gunslinger outfit. I was the Good Guy in those dealership adds. I remember riding in the new high performance cars. At age 16 in 1979 I bought a mint 1974 dodge charger SE. Black interior and black exterior, factory air 440cid. from my grandfather at that dealership.
Awesome vid!! Thanx for posting. As much as i love The Challenger, The 'Cuda was one i dug more. Especially whatever year (all of them?) that had the round tail lights.
man, a new Challenger would be a blast, though.
It is insane to think the Original was only around 1970 to 1974 & the New One 2008 - 2021 & Beyond.
During the 60's and early 70's at the height of the Vietnam War returning GI's went straight to the dealer and bought the muscle car of their choice after returning home. My Cousin was a little different he got his draft notice, and he went down and bought a 1970 Challenger R/T with a 440 before he went to Nam. My Uncle used to take it out on the weekends while he was away. That was a really sharp car.
As always, enjoyed this video. Concise and correct.
Great video, can you do one on the 1970 to 1976 Plymouth Duster. Thanks!
That would be a great video
I have a 2019 RT Blacktop....Love that Hemi sound
hi. my mom & dad had a dodge store. in 1970 we had a totally stripped yellow t/a challenger 4 speed manual. in 1971we had a totally stripped 426 super bee. column shift automatic. I was 13 & learned to drive the 4 speed. drove the1971 hemi. a nice benefit of being a lot-boy. (car washer).
Thanks for the Video!
I was a Mustang/Cougar fan for over 40 years, but I highly admired Kowalski's Challenger in the movie, "Vanishing Point"! It became my, all time, favorite movie. In 2012, I bought a white 2013 R/T with the 5.7L, 6 speed manual, 3.73 limited slip rearend. Great fun to drive without breaking the bank.
The E-body cars were the definition of sexy. Just beautiful. The E platform did the Barracuda a huge favor. The Barracuda used to be a Valiant with that giant glass in the rear. Losing the Valiant heritage was a huge plus for the "Cuda.
You were able to escape the rising insurance costs if you had the 383. That engine only got the standard rating, not the muscle premium.
Great video about the E-Bodied Challenger, *Old Car Memories!*
Now I know which one I want; a Plum Crazy 1970 with the S/E package, so I can have white leather inside! Maybe I can pick up one of the anemic '74 models someday, as long as it has bucket seats & A/C, I'll be happy.
I shared it to two different Facebook groups, hopefully you'll collect some subscribers today. Happy New Year!
Thank you for the video 👌🏻
Great episode, one of your best! The Chrysler E body was one of the most beautiful designs of all time. I'm not a fan of the new one, though---too chunky-looking. For buyers back then that didn't want to break the bank, a Challenger with the 383 Magnum was a solid choice
i didnt know the dodge e body wheel base was 2 inches longer than the plymouth e body
@@justanotherdrunk You can see the difference when you look at the space between the door and the rear wheel opening of either car. Once you've seen that, you'll always notice. ;-)
I had a 1972 ( 318 engine) Challenger loved that car. Sold to my younger brother, he lost his life in it back in 1976.
wow
Beautifulllllll cars
I own the red 440 6pak four-speed RT challenger in the video just saw this video cruising around RUclips love it bought it from the original owner in 1989 for $900 but I didn’t look like that Nice job on the video
I had a 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Magnum... sold it for only 6 grand! (it was a 9 out of 10 condition) - Worth 40-50 grand now
OUCH!
Nice history lesson on this!
Not exactly riveting, but a concise yet comprehensive history of the fastest and most beautiful pony car. From is rounded fuselage design, to the availability of the industry's hottest engines, the Challenger stood apart from its competitors as the thinking man's pony car. Oh, and the cult movie “Vanishing Point” didn’t hurt either.
I bought a pieced together 73 Challenger from Wildcat Auto in Sandy, OR about 20 years ago for $1200. It was Blue(my favorite car color) and had a 318 with 727 auto trans. and the body was straight and the paint was OK . After having the tranny rebuilt and rebuilding the 2BBL carb it ran like a champ! It wasn't my daily driver but, I drove it a lot and would fix things when I could like the rusted-out fuel tank. I was happy as a clam(whatever that means) until I was rear-ended by an uninsured "motorist" and broke the frame rails. I didn't have the cash to save her and sold her for $1200 for parts. I didn't lose money on the deal, just my dream car!!! Nowadays, you can't even find a rusted out, junk-heap of an original Challenger for under $10k!!!
A very nice looking car in those 4 years of production!!
I had a 1970 Challenger RT with a 383 that had a three quarter race cam and ported and polished heads that was putting out at least 425 HP. I raced Chevys legend Chevelle 454/450 HP. We were bumper to bumper. The guy in the Chevelle left town after 2 runs with my Challenger that was badged with 383!
Great video
Thank you for making this, I thought this was the ultimate muscle car. Being a huge drag racing fan, there were sooo many Cuda-Challenger bodied funny cars, they just looked cool.
That's why I bought a 2016 Challenger Hemi!!..Fell in love at 14 in '70 with 'em and never forgot!!!..Now, if only I could afford a 1970 T/A!!!..I also fell in love with "six packs" too!!!
Great video! And a GREAT car! 2018 R/T owner.
A high school friend of mine had a yellow 72 Rallye 340 which was similar looking to the beauty at 6:48. No vinyl top though.
A quick note on insurance for 1970 muscle cars. The Challenger R/T's base engine was the 340. The Cuda base engine was a 383. I ordered a new 70 Cuda 340 and at State Farm Ins I didn't have to pay the 50% ins surcharge the owners of R/T''s with 340s were charged. My personal opinion is the new Challenger takes a lot of styling cues from the Cuda.
20 yrs ago had a `74 Torre-red base model w/nice black interior, consol & vinyl roof on 14" rally wheels. I was only 3rd documented owner. Not a high-perf car w/stock #`s matching 318 but it looked & sounded good, and could still "spin `em" though it normally got enough thumbs-up there was never a need to stunt.
My grandma had a 1970 challenger Special Edition, it was going to the car for their local Dodge/Plymouth dealer. But his wife didn’t like it for some unknown reason. She had it til 77, she sold it to a cousin before she moved from PA to FL. It was wrecked in the 80s by that family member. By far the coolest car owner my someone in my family. No surviving documents have survived but it wasn’t an RT model and probably was the 8-cylinder model. The Plymouth station wagon pales in comparison, when you have 3 small kids safety is the priority.
Beautiful car A new challengers probably one of the few things I would own if I could still drive to me it ranks right up there with the second generation Camaro firebird and the 1970 Mach 1 mustang and an AMX for just flat out beautiful
America made some badass cars in the 60s and early 70s. This has got to be in the top 5 coolest ones though. Would love to own one.
Hey, another fantastic old muscle car. A magnificent cradle to the 2000 era Challenger. Nothing like American cars of those years and not only cars but beautiful American women like Barbara Eden. Wow, my two crushes together.
Thanks, Hank!
One of my friends had a 340ci engines laying around when I had my old 91 Nissan 240SX and was bugging me to swap it in, but I never got around to it. I sold it shortly afterwords, but I still wish I had that beastly engine in there. Lol
Good overview.