Dodge Challenger

Vanishing Point Challenger

Background:

While Plymouth was one of the first Makes to introduce a Pony Car with its 1964 introduction of the Barracuda, its sister division Dodge, had to wait until 1970 for its first Pony Car -- the Challenger. While both the Dodge and Plymouth Pony Cars of 1970-1974 were E-Bodies, the Challenger had a wheelbase 2" longer, mostly for it to compete with the more luxurious Mercury Cougar.

From 1978 to 1982, Dodge sold the 4-cylinder Mitsubishi Sapporo through its dealers as the Challenger, and Plymouth sold a virtually identical car through its dealers as the Sapporo.

With Pony Cars making a come back a few years ago, Dodge brought back the American Challenger, after a 34 year absence. Like Ford with the Mustang, and Chevrolet with the Camaro -- the Challenger has a retro look to it, having a close resemblance to the Challenger of the early 70s.

This Wiki is well underway, but can still use your help!

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History:

Model Predecessor

The Challenger is the first and only Pony Car for Dodge

Model Successor

The Challenger is the first and only Pony Car for Dodge

Export Versions

The export versions were basically the same as the domestic version. For a brief period they were sold in France through Simca, and a version was assembled in Switzerland to Swiss standard by AMAG. Both version are very rare today.

Related Models

• Plymouth Barracuda
• AMC Javelin

Competition

• Ford Mustang
• Chevrolet Camaro
• Pontiac Firebird
• Mercury Cougar

Year by Year Changes, Production Numbers, and Cost:

1970

1970 Hemi Challenger

Production Numbers

• 1970 = 76,935 *includes 2,539 T/As
  • Hardtop I6: 9,929
  • Hardtop V8:. 39,350*
  • Sports hardtop I6: 350
  • Sports hardtop V8: 5,873
  • Convertible I6: 378
  • Convertible V8: 2,543
  • Hardtop R/T: 13,796
  • Special Edition hardtop R/T: 3,753
  • Convertible R/T: 963

Available Colors

• Light Gold Metallic-FY4,
• Plum Crazy (purple)-FC7,
• Sublime (green)-FJ5,
• Go-Mango(orange)-EK2,
• Hemi Orange-EV2,
• Banana (yellow)-FY1,
• Light Blue Metallic-EB3,
• Bright Blue Metallic-EB5,
• Dark Blue Metallic-EB7,
• Rallye Red-FE5,
• Light Green Metallic-FF4,
• Dark Green Metallic-EF8,
• Dark Burnt Orange-FK5,
• Beige-BL1,
• Dark Tan Metallic-FT6,
• White-EW1,
• Black-TX9,
• Cream-DY3,
• Panther Pink-FM3

Platform

E-Body

Engines

• C: 225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant 6 I6: 145 bhp
• G: 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8: 230 bhp
• H: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8: 275 bhp
• J: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8 Six-Pack: 290 bhp 1970 *T/A ONLY
• L: 383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8: 290 bhp and 330 bhp (246 kW) 1970-1971
• N: 383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8: 335 bhp 1970-1971
• U: 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8: Available in Magnum 4-barrel carbureted form 375 bhp 1970-1971
• V: 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8 Six-Pack: (3 × 2-barrel carburetors) 390 bhp 1970-1971
• R: 426 cu in (7 L) Hemi V8: 425 bhp costing an extra US$1,228 and very few sold. 1970-1971

Length, width, height, wheelbase

• Length 191.3 in
• Width 76.1 in
• Height 50.9 in
• Wheelbase 110.0 in

1971

1971 Challenger R/T 340

Production Numbers

• 1971 = 26,299
  • Hardtop I6: 1,672
  • Hardtop V8: 18,956
  • Convertible I6: 83
  • Convertible V8: 1,774
  • Hardtop V8 R/T: 3,814

Available Colors

• Light Gunmetal Metallic-GA4,
• Light Blue Metallic-GB2,
• Bright Blue Metallic-GB5,
• Dark Blue Metallic-GB7,
• Dark Green Metallic-GF7,
• Light Green Metallic-GF3,
• Gold Metallic-GY8,
• Dark Gold Metallic-GY9,
• Dark Bronze Metallic-GK6,
• Tan Metallic-GT5,
• Bright Red-FE5,
• Bright White-GW3,
• Black-TX9,
• Butterscotch-EL5,
• Citron Yella-GY3,
• Hemi Orange-EV2,
• Green Go-FJ6,
• Plum Crazy-FC7,
• Top Banana-FY1

Platform

E-Body

Engines

• C: 225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant 6 I6: 145 bhp
• G: 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8: 230 bhp
• H: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8: 275 bhp
• J: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8 Six-Pack: 290 bhp 1970 *T/A ONLY
• L: 383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8: 290 bhp and 330 bhp (246 kW) 1970-1971
• N: 383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8: 335 bhp 1970-1971
• U: 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8: Available in Magnum 4-barrel carbureted form 375 bhp 1970-1971
• V: 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8 Six-Pack: (3 × 2-barrel carburetors) 390 bhp 1970-1971
• R: 426 cu in (7 L) Hemi V8: 425 bhp costing an extra US$1,228 and very few sold. 1970-1971

Length, width, height, wheelbase

• Length 191.3 in
• Width 76.1 in
• Height 50.9 in
• Wheelbase 110.0 in

1972

Production Numbers

• 1972 = 22,919
  • Hardtop I6: 842
  • Hardtop V8: 15,175
  • Hardtop V8 Rallye: 8,123

Available Colors

• Light Blue-HB1,
• Bright Blue Metallic-HB5,
• Bright Red-FE5,
• Light Green Metallic-GF3,
• Dark Green Metallic-GF7,
• Eggshell White-GW1, Black-TX9,
• Honeydew-GY4,
• Light Gold-GY5,
• Gold Metallic-GY8,
• Dark Gold Metallic-GY9,
• Dark Tan Metallic-GT8,
• Light Gunmetal Metallic-GA4,
• Medium Tan Metallic-GA4,
• Super Blue-GB3,
• Hemi Orange-EV2,
• Top Banana-FY1

Platform

E-Body

Engines

• G: 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8: 230 bhp (172 kW) 1970-1974
• H: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8: 275 bhp (205 kW) 1970-1973

Length, width, height, wheelbase

• Length 191.3 in
• Width 76.1 in
• Height 50.9 in
• Wheelbase 110.0 in

1973

Production Numbers

• 1973 = 27,930
  • Note: All models were V8-powered hardtops

Available Colors

• Black-TX9,
• Dark Silver Metallic-JA5,
• Eggshell White-EW1,
• Parchment-HL4,
• Light Gold-JY3,
• Dark Gold Metallic-JY9,
• Gold Metallic-JY6,
• Bronze Metallic-GK6,
• Pale Green-JF1,
• Dark Green Metallic-JF8,
• Light Blue-HB1,
• Super Blue-TB3,
• Bright Blue Metallic-GB5,
• Bright Red-FE5,
• Top Banana-FY1,
• Light Green Metallic-GF3

Platform

E-Body

Engines

• G: 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8: 230 bhp (172 kW) 1970-1974
• H: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8: 275 bhp (205 kW) 1970-1973

Length, width, height, wheelbase

• Length 191.3 in
• Width 76.1 in
• Height 50.9 in
• Wheelbase 110.0 in

1974

Production Numbers

• 1974 = 11,354
  • Note: All models were V8-powered hardtops

Available Colors

• Yellow Blaze-KY5,
• Golden Fawn-KY4,
• Parchment-HL4,
• Bright Red-FE5,
• Deep Sherwood Metallic (Green)-KG8,
• Eggshell White-EW1,
• Black-TX9,
• Light Blue-HB1

Platform

E-Body

Engines

• G: 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8: 230 bhp (172 kW) 1970-1974
• J: 360 cu in (5.9 L) LA V8: 245 bhp (183 kW) 1974

Length, width, height, wheelbase

• Length 191.3 in
• Width 76.1 in
• Height 50.9 in
• Wheelbase 110.0 in

1978 - 1983

The Forgotten Challengers

In 1978, Chrysler partnered up with Mitsubishi to sell their small coupe sold overseas as the Sapporo through Dodge as the Challenger. Plymouth sold virtually the same car (with a silver grill instead of the Challenger's black grill, and in different body colors) through its dealers. These cars came with an unusually large (for the era) 2.6 liter 4 cylinder engine. Mitsubishi had pioneered smoothing out the larger displacement 4-cylinder engines with its balanced crank shafts. The Challenger and Plymouth from this era had brisk performance, when compared to other 4-Cylinder Sport Coupes of the same era.

Body Styles

2-Door Sport Coupe

Engines

• 1.6 L (98 cu in)
• 2.6 L (159 cu in)

Transmissions

5-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic

Length, width, height, wheelbase

178.1 in, 65.9 in, 53 in-53 in.3, 99.6 in

2008 - 2011

Compare 1970 with 2008 Challenger

Body Styles

2- Door Coupe

Platform

LC-Body

Related Models

• Chrysler 300
• Dodge Charger
• Dodge Magnum

Engines

• 6.1 L (370 cu in) HEMI V8
• 5.7 L (345 cu in) HEMI V8 (2009 & later)
• 3.5 L (214 cu in) SOHC V6 (2009 & later)

Transmissions

• 4-speed Automatic (2009 & later V6)
• 5-speed Automatic
• 6-speed Manual (2009 & later)

Length, width, height, wheelbase

• Length 197.7 in
• Width 75.7 in
• Height 57.0 in
• Wheelbase 116.0 in

Drag Pack

Doug Duell and his S/S Challenger

2009 Drag Packs

need some help here to tell of the
number produced, engines and
transmissions offered etc...

Current Roster

The below is a roster of owners of the 2009 Drag Packs. Please update any verified changes my adding an entry for that number under the previous owner, without removing the previous owner.

1. Don Garlits 6.1 A/SA
2. Larry Griffith
3. Randy Warford
4.
5.
6. Irvin Johns
7. Jim Pancake
8.
9. At Donato Engineering being prepared for owner in Sweden 6.1 Manual Black RaceJunk
10.
11. Fred Hanson 6.1
12.
13. PB Candies 6.1
14. Jeg Couglin Jr.
15. Al Carpiniello 6.1 Auto
16. Jeff Teuton 5.9 Magnum
17.
18. Scott Justo
19. Derek Atwill (6.1) Ottawa Ontario
20. Mel Warford Current Status
21. Mike Booker
22. Chuck Lofgren 6.1
23. At Donato Engineering being prepared for owner in Sweden
24. David Wertman 6.1 Auto A/SA
25. Tom Lee 6.1
26. Larry Curtis 6.1
27.
28. On Racing Junk 6.1 Manual
29. Tom Gaynor 6.1
30. John McLeod
31.
32. Al Smyth 6.1
33.
34.
35. Roy/Allan Johnson 6.1 Auto
36.
37.
38.
39. Mike Wagner 5.7 Manual
40. Denny Bairel 5.7 6-speed
41.
42. Dave Schultz 6.1 6-Speed Old Hippie
43. Mack Reeves 6.1 MoparMack
44.
45.
46. Alex Cortezzo 6.1 A/SA
47. J.C. Beattie Jr
48. John Overby 6.1 Auto
49.
50.
51.
52. Jeff and Sandra Hull 6.1 6-speed WV
53.
54.
55.
56. Jerry Hatch ME 6.1 Stick (A/SA)
57.
58. TBA******************* PA (6.1)
59.
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62. Dennis Radford (6.1) Oregon
63. Glen Lange, Indiana
64. Peter Ash
65. Bucky Hess
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88. Tom Johns (6.1) Alaska.
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95. (6.1) Marcelus Grace LA.
96.
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98. (6.1) Buckner Racing Texas
99.
100. Doug Duell

Reference for 2009 Roster: http://www.moparstyle.com/forums/2008-up-challengers-se-rt-srt8/9364-challenger-drag-pack-roster.html

2010

need some help here to tell of the number produced, engines and transmissions offered etc...

The below is a roster of owners of the 2010 Drag Packs. Please update any verified changes my adding an entry for that number under the previous owner, without removing the previous owner

1.
2.
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Wiki Topic References:

• Wikipedia

External Links

• MoparStyle E-Body Forum
• MoparStyle LX/LY Forum
• For E Bodies Only