Stating that any classic is unique or a genuine 1-of-1 vehicle is fraught with dangers because there will always be people who will question such claims. However, there seems to be little doubt about this 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A. The seller recently completed a meticulous five-year restoration that is fully documented with receipts and photos. That is the tip of the iceberg because they also hold documentation detailing this car’s history to Day One. That helps explain the intense interest the Challenger has generated since the seller listed it here on eBay in Clover, South Carolina. Bidding sits at $68,100, which is below the reserve.
Most manufacturers introduce a new model, and ongoing updates during the production run bring evolutionary improvements that result in better cars. However, the First Generation Challenger was an exception to that rule, with many experts believing that those that rolled off the line in 1970 were the best of the bunch. That attitude is easy to understand, as the year-on-year updates were chiefly to comply with legislative requirements, adding weight and reducing engine power outputs. Our feature Challenger is from the first production year, presenting superbly following a meticulous five-year restoration. There is nothing to criticize about its condition, with the photos suggesting the seller performed the work to a high standard. They documented every aspect of the build, with 1,200 photos as an excellent visual timeline. The paint holds a mirror shine, the panels are laser-straight, and there is no evidence of rust. The Challenger retains its distinctive T/A features, including the spoilers, stripes, and side-exit exhaust. That brings us to the question of what makes this car unique. It wears iconic Code FC7 Plum Crazy paint, which isn’t unusual. However, the original Window Sticker confirms that the first owner chose to coat the top in Code EW1 White. The seller sought clarification from Galen Govier, who confirmed that only four or five 1970 Challenger T/As rolled off the line with two-tone paint and that this car is the sole known example in Plum Crazy and White. Nobody is infallible, but that sounds like pretty compelling information and should remove doubts in the minds of many.
The Trans Am racing series was at its peak during the late 1960s and early 1970s, with many manufacturers producing homologation models to qualify for competition. This approach spawned the Mustang Boss 302 and Camaro Z28, and Dodge joined the party with the Challenger T/A. Race cars used a destroked version of the company’s 340ci V8 for racing, but road cars retained the original capacity. However, it was no ordinary powerplant, inhaling deeply through a Six-Pack induction system. Dodge claimed power and torque figures of 290hp and 345 ft/lbs of torque for the road car, but many knowledgeable individuals believe both figures are significantly understated. The first owner teamed the 340 with a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, producing a vehicle that will effortlessly storm the ¼-mile in under 15 seconds. The seller doesn’t expressly state this gem is numbers-matching, but they provide that impression. There is no information on how it runs or drives, but its recent history suggests it should be mechanically perfect.
The first owner’s decision to add White to this Challenger’s exterior makes the matching interior trim unsurprising. I’ve always considered this a bold choice, but this car’s recent history means it presents in as-new condition. There is no evidence of wear or other problems and no aftermarket additions. The dash and pad are spotless, the faux woodgrain surfaces are excellent, and the gauges feature clear lenses and crisp markings. It isn’t loaded with factory options like air conditioning or power windows, but the buyer will welcome the console, Rally gauges, factory tachometer, and AM radio.
This 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A presents superbly and is all you might expect from a classic that has recently undergone a meticulous restoration. It appears there is nothing for the new owner to do but slip behind the wheel and drive off into the sunset. Its overall condition justifies the thirty bids submitted, and I believe the total will climb before the hammer falls. That leaves the seller’s claim that this car is unique to consider. It will be fascinating to gauge your feedback on that question and whether you believe it adds to the Challenger’s potential value. More importantly, do we have any readers considering joining the bidding war? I won’t blame you if you do.
With all of the black accenting why not a black top?
I have one Dart with a black interior, but white top, and one with a white interior but also a white top. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I think this Challenger would have looked better with a black top, but I bet that would be more common.
Because it looks cooler with White??? I don’t know. Who cares??? It made it worth a TON more though because it’s ONE OF ONE built like this! Let me guess, you were gonna buy it…if it would’ve had a Black top, of course, right???
It would be “COOLER” with the white top. Maybe a Southern car? I do think a black top would look better. Most “TA’s” I’ve seen are one color body.
At first glance I thought it was a convertible maybe that was part of the decision. I like it.
Yes. For primary colors, the rule of two should apply… just us perhaps.
my guess it was sold in the south and a black roof would heat the car up more than a white one
If you read the seller’s description you would know that the car was originally sold in PA.
I recall Dodge/Plymouth dealers have a ‘White Hat Special’ sale.
I suspect this is one of those
What a nice car, too bad it’s an automatic.
The 727 is no slushbox.
I really like the kaleidoscopic tri-color Mopars. That orange/black/white formula firebird that showed up on BF recently had the same vibe, and I liked it too. Prefer vinyl over paint though.
Nice looking Challenger. Although I’m not a purple car guy and three colors bug my eyes the white top really sets this off. Better people than I would know if factory air was offered on a T/A.
No factory air on 340/440 six pack or hemi. Knowing this does not make anyone better than anyone else. lol.
Not what I was getting at. I’m more familiar with GM cars of this and later era. There are people who know and I like to know from them.
I’d be cautious about attaching Galen Govier’s name to any car I own.
Just sayin’………….
Lol. That guy called me once trying to verify the originality of a car that I restored back in the 90s. He had inspected the car and gotten it all wrong. In his defense it was on details he couldn’t have easily determined just by looking at the assembled car, but it struck me as funny that he’d gotten it so wrong. Still, he was nice enough, and he’s still considered the guru on muscle era Mopar production.
A friend recently voiced his disdain for vinyl tops, and the difficulty finding our favorite cars (Mercury Capris) without them. A sign of the times, I guess. Was the 1950 Ford Crestliner the first “modern” car with a vinyl top?
Surprised no one else commented on the incorrect ignition module. Also, the heater fan motor is also black, not chromium. I didn’t see any trunk pics. The real giveaway is pulling up the trunk mat to see if the spot welds are still visible or ( as in most cases) covered in body filler. I question the steering wheel and also the top of the console, with the caveat that I’m far better versed in AAR Cuda’s.
Are these nit picks? Not when you just went for a “factory correct” restoration.
Good point scotty. Who does know what the first “modern” car with a vinyl top was? I first saw them around 1962-63.
I’m not all that familiar with the Challenger. Was that an optional (or custom) shifter? It doesn’t look anything like the ones I’ve seen in an auto shift 1970 Charger R/T 440-6. It looks like the handle on the 4spd floor shifter of the 70 Charger.
That’s not a stock automatic shifter handle. Stock would be a round woodgrain ball with a black button on top.
bidding now around 75K. I do wonder what reserve they put on it? Guessing 6 digits
In ‘78 I checked out a ‘70 340 Challenger R/T that appeared in the local Want Advertiser – it was the kid’s grandfather’s car, dark burnt orange with a factory black painted roof. It was the first two tone E body I’d seen at that point. Asking $1100, but needed a valve job so I walked away.
Stupid s**t!!!!!!
Seems that every Mopar listed here is a “One-of-One”. Just sayin’.
Hi Nelson C
A/C was not offered on the T/A as it would have hit the large oval airbreather for the six-pack. Also not available on shaker hood cars for the same reason. There was a story going around some 30+ years ago that a 71 Cuda, 340 shaker car had A/C that a top Chrysler executive had built for himself (would have had to have the Shaker base and scoop modified). I’ve never seen it, nor was offered any physical evidence, probably folklore, who can say with Chrysler. We grew up with saying “never say never” when comes to the weird stuff that came out of Chrysler.
Hi mick,
That shifter is an aftermarket shifter made by Gunslinger. They fabricated a look-a-like Shifter for Automatics to mimic the 4 speed pistol grip shifter.
Thanks for the clarification. I sometimes assume that this kind of car didn’t offer air due to its high reving nature. Similar to GM excluding air from solid lifter and deep geared combinations. We’re far too used to having it on everything today.
I remember such a story. I believe the AC could of been added on after the car was built and possible added on by a local dealer. I don’t believe it came from the factory that way. All the AAR’s and TA’s were built at the same time and that would of put the line to a halt.
Sometimes I have to wonder who picks these cars apart. Being of the generation of the muscle cars I’ve seen ever combo offered. With that being said, when you have a chance to put out this kind of money and here sits a very attractive car, pull the trigger. I’ve owned at least 20 old mopars, and this is a very Kool car. My only thought was damn they should have made a 340 6 pak Demon and Duster. Unless you know about the 340 6 pak, it was a off the hook bad arse engine that was far more then a manifold and 3 carburetors.
You can buy 3 or 4 of today’s Challengers for a convertible 4 speed 70 Challenger especially one with this color combination.