1970 Dodge Challenger

Description

1970 was the first year of the first generation Dodge Challenger which was produced until 1974.

The 1970 Challenger was available in hardtop and convertible forms, and it came in four versions: base, R/T (Road/Track), SE (Special Edition), which was also available in conjunction with the R/T, and T/A (Trans Am).

The grill of the 1970 Dodge Challenger was unique to this year. The full-width taillights with a backup light in the middle were also specific to this year only.

The R/T Challenger came with the 383 Magnum engine with 335 horsepower and 425 ft-lbs of torque. The R/T also came with the rallye instrument cluster which had four large round dials, and heavy duty brakes and suspension. Side stripes or rear Bumble-Bee stripes came at no cost.

The Challenger T/A (Trans Am) was a limited edition car produced to qualify the Challenger for Trans Am races. It included a special 340 Six-Pack engine rated at 290 horsepower and 345 ft-lbs of torque, a special flat-black fiberglass hood with huge hood scoop, front and rear spoilers, special side stripes, side-exiting exhaust pipes, upgraded suspension, and larger tires. The Challenger T/A was only made in 1970.

The 225 cubic inch slant-six with 145 horsepower and 215 ft-lbs of torque was the base engine in the six-cylinder Challengers, while the 230 hp two-barrel 318 cubic inch engine with 320 ft-lbs of torque was the base engine in the V8 Challengers.

Optional engines for 1970 included the 340 rated at 275 hp and 340 ft-lbs of torque, the 383 two-barrel with 290 hp, the 383 four-barrel with 330 hp and 425 ft-lbs of torque, the 383 Magnum with 335 hp and 425 ft-lbs of torque, the 440 Magnum with 375 hp and 480 ft-lbs of torque, the 440 Six-Pack with 390 hp and 480 ft-lbs of torque, and the 426 Hemi with 425 hp and 490 ft-lbs of torque.

The power bulge hood had functioning hood scoops, but they were not ram air scoops. The functional shaker scoop, which was optional, fed cold air directly into the engine.

Optional High-impact paint colors included Plum Crazy, Go-Mango, Sublime, Hemi Orange, Top Banana, Green Go, Panther Pink, and Silver Poly.

Total production of 1970 Challengers: 76,935 (the most for the first generation Challengers)

1970 Challenger Key Differences

The front grill of the 1970 Dodge Challenger was specific to this year. The full-width taillights with a backup light in the middle were also specific to this year which make identifying a 1970 Challenger easy.

Similar Years

1970 to 1974 Dodge Challengers share the same body and are quite similar. Slight grill and tail light changes from year to year can be used to identify each year, but 1973s and 1974s are virtually identical other than the 360 cubic inch engine which is unique to 1974.

How to Identify a 1970 Dodge Challenger

Overview

• 1970 was the first year of the first generation Dodge Challenger (1970 - 1974)
• The Challenger could be had as a hardtop or as a convertible (1970 - 1971)
• Hardtop in Plum Crazy purple shown

1970 Challenger Grill

• The grill design was unique to this year (1970)

1970 Challenger Grill Emblem

• The "Challenger" name plate was on the left side of the front grill (1970 - 1974)
• The grill was a fine, square grid pattern (1970)

1970 Challenger Front Bumper

• For the first three years, the front bumper fit closely to the car and protruded relatively little (1970 - 1972)

1970 Challenger Bumper Guards

• The optional front bumper guards were chrome and small (1970 - 1972)

1970 Challenger Front Side Marker Light

• Trapezoidal front side marker lights were used (1970 - 1971)
• The lights had a chrome surround and were recessed into the fender (1970 - 1971)

1970 Challenger Rear Side Marker Light

• Rear side marker lights were also trapezoidal (1970 - 1971)
• The lights had a chrome surround and were recessed into the fender (1970 - 1971)

1970 Challenger Tail Lights

• Two long tail light units spanned the width of the car (1970)
• The white section in the middle was the rervese light (1970)

1970 Challenger Back Up Light

• A large, rectangular back-up light was mounted in the center of the rear panel (1970)

1970 Challenger Dash

• The rallye dash, standard on the R/T, consisted of four large round dials in a single row (1970 - 1974)
• Simulated wood-grain finish was standard on the R/T (1970 - 1971) and optional on the SE (1970)
• Wood-grained steering wheel was standard (1970 - 1971)
• Dash had "Challenger" embossed on the far right-hand side (not shown, 1970 only)

1970 Challenger Seats

• High-backed front bucket seats were standard on the R/T Challenger (1970 - 1974)
• A front bench seat was standard on base Challengers (1970 - 1974)

1970 Challenger Fuel Cap

• The pop-open fuel cap was optional (1970 - 1971)

1970 Challenger R/T Hood

• The R/T Challenger came with the power bulge hood with functioning, but non-ram air, scoops (1970 - 1971)
• The hood could also be had on regular Challengers with an upgraded engine

1970 Challenger 340 Four Barrel Badge

• The optional shaker hood came with a scoop that was mounted directly on the engine's air cleaner, with a corresponding cut-out opening in the hood (1970 - 1971)

1970 Challenger 340 Four Barrel Badge

• The badge mounted on the side of the hood scoops indicated the size of the optional engine (1970 - 1974)
• The 340 cubic inch Four Barrel V8 was rated at 275 horsepower and 340 ft-lbs of torque

1970 Challenger 383 Magnum Badge

• The 383 cubic inch Magnum V8 was rated at 335 horsepower and 425 ft-lbs of torque

1970 Challenger 440 Six Pack Badge

• The 440 cubic inch Six-Pack was rated at 390 horsepower and 480 ft-lbs of torque

1970 Challenger Fender Emblem

• The "Challenger" nameplate was mounted on the front fenders behind the front wheels (1970 - 1971)
• R/T Challengers also had an "R/T" badge (1970 - 1971)

1970 Challenger Rear Bumper

• The rear bumper was like the front bumper and fit closely to the body (1970 - 1972)
• Small, chromed rear bumper guards were optional (1970 - 1972)

1970 Challenger Rear Emblem

• The Challenger badge was also mounted on the trunk lid for most cars (1970 - 1971)

1970 Challenger Rear Wing

• The rear wing was optional (1970 - 1971)
• The rear Bumble-Bee stripe around the trunk and rear fenders could be had on R/T Challengers in place of the body side stripe (1970 - 1971)

1970 Challenger Rear Deck Spoiler

• A smaller rear deck-lid spoiler was also optional (1970 - 1971)
• For these cars, the nameplate was mounted on the spoiler instead of on the deck lid itself (1970 - 1971)

1970 Challenger Front Spoiler

• A front chin spoiler was also available (1970 - 1971)

1970 Challenger Vinyl Roof

• A full vinyl roof was optional on Challengers (1970 - 1974)

1970 Challenger Wheel

• Optional slotted Rallye steel wheels (1970 - 1974) with chrome trim ring (1970 only for the chrome ring)

1970 Challenger Magnum 500 Wheel

• The optional chrome Magnum 500 wheel (1970 - 1974)

More 1970 Challenger Pictures

For more photos of vintage 1970 Challengers, visit the Dodge Challenger Gallery at the Muscle Car Jungle.

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