Introduced for the 1970 model year, the Dodge Challenger arrived slightly later on the muscle car scene but left an indelible mark during its brief stint with access to high-compression big-block V8 engines. Although Chrysler discontinued these engines in 1971, the Challenger’s impact during its short tenure solidified its status as an iconic muscle car of the golden era.
The Challenger also marked Dodge’s return to the SCCA Trans-Am series, aiming to enhance its competitiveness against Ford and Plymouth. Despite initially struggling in the series, Dodge’s venture with the Challenger T/A showcased its commitment to developing a more formidable racing contender.
Powered by Keith Black 303-cubic-inch V8 engines, the Challenger T/A failed to secure a win in a season dominated by the Ford Mustang Boss 302. However, Dodge’s foray into the Trans-Am series led to the creation of a track-oriented production model, fulfilling homologation requirements by developing a road-legal Challenger T/A.
Featuring a unique stripe package, a distinctive air scoop, and a specialized suspension, the Challenger T/A boasted a limited production run of 2,399 units in 1970. Despite its relatively low production numbers, the T/A lineage, including rare variants like the Plum Crazy example, remains highly sought after by collectors, embodying the essence of classic American muscle.