… Will Never Leave the Family Again”

I’ve owned a lot of Dodge Challengers through the years, including the very first HEMI® Challenger ever made (it still exists). But the T/A Challenger is my all-time favorite. I currently own three Challengers; a Sublime 1970 R/T convertible with a 383 and automatic and two 1970 T/A Challengers, both 340 Six Pack four-speeds. The R/T convertible is awaiting a full restoration and isn’t a very pretty sight right now. But the T/A Challengers are near perfect. The Plum Crazy T/A Challenger is unrestored and has 51,000 miles on it. I purchased it in 1988, sold it in 2000, and bought it back in 2003. It will never leave the family again. The white T/A Challenger has 15,000 original miles and is also not restored. It’s one of two known to exist with a blue interior. I purchased it from a long-time owner in 2006 and it, too, will never leave my garage. I have a new Challenger on order and hope to purchase several as different colors and options are announced in the coming years. It’s a dream come true for a 56-year-old kid.
Larry Bell
New Castle, Ind.

500 Cubes, HEMI Orange

Here are some photos and information about my 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T for your upcoming Challenger issue. It’s a real R/T and was built into a square tube chassis drag car over 10 years ago. I’ve raced it for the past five years. It’s powered by a 500 cid Wedge motor that propels it into the 9.0 second zone at 148 miles per hour. It’s painted HEMI orange with the original style R/T stripe.
Keith and Stacey Richards
Windsor, Calif.

9.66 @ 137.87

I’d like you to see my pride and joy for 37-plus years. I bought this car new in 1970 and race it in NHRA Division 3. It has a 495 cid engine/727 Torqueflite transmission with a 4.88 Dana rear end. How about these numbers: 1/8 mile: 6.11 @112.37; 1/4 mile: 9.66 @137.87.
Charlie Barbaglia
High Ridge, Mo.

Numbers Matching ’70

Here is a shot of my numbers matching 1970 T/A Dodge Challenger. It has 45,000 miles on it and has been a show car for most of its life. I bought it new and it’s been campaigned in the World of Wheels [check out www.autorama.com for more information—Ed.]. There are five T/As in the town where I live, and over 20 T/As and AARs within 50 miles of my house!
Scott
Via e-mail

Just Like the Concept

Here’s a look at my 1970 383, 4-bbl, pistol grip 4-speed Dodge Challenger R/T. I purchased the vehicle locally about seven years ago and traced its original sale from a dealership in West Virginia. I recently completed a refreshening of the entire vehicle. Of course its high-impact color is very popular of late since the vehicle is quite similar to the concept Challenger introduced by Chrysler a couple of years ago. In fact, around town my vehicle is known as the “first generation twin” to what is now referred to as the Challenger matched set of bookends. Since I work at the Chrysler Technical Center in Auburn Hills, Mich., it was used on several occasions for side-by-side promotional photo shoots and ride-and-drives.
Mike Mordarski
Via e-mail

Rally Round the Rallye

I bought this 1973 Rallye Challenger during high school in 1987. It’s been my prize possession ever since. I had it painted shortly after high school only to have it vandalized shortly afterwards. I kept it in primer while I was starting a family. A few years ago, I started restoring it and here it is. It has a 360 block bored out .040" over, 340 J heads with mild porting, and a 780 Holley. It also has a 8 3/4" rear out back with 3:91 gears. Lots more to tell, but there’s probably not enough room in Reader Rides!
Dan Ruecker
Oakdale, Minn.