Dodge was the last U.S. automaker to field a “pony car” as the Challenger didn’t debut until 1970, more than five years after the Ford Mustang took the market by storm. It shared its new E-body platform with the Plymouth Barracuda and both cars proved popular – for a short time. If original in finish, the seller’s car would be one of just 41 built for 1970 as an R/T with Panther Pink paint (remember those Chrysler “Hi-Impact” colors?). This example looks quite nice, but it’s not numbers matching. It’s available through a dealer in Bee Spring, Kentucky, and here on eBay where the bidding stands at $30,300. But how far does it have to go to trigger the seller’s reserve?
In its first year, Challenger production would reach nearly 77,000 units. Of those, some 13,600 were the R/T (Road/Track) model which strictly came with big-block V8 engines, beginning with a 383. The VIN provided by the seller indicates that’s what was under the hood of this car initially, but a 440 cubic incher resides there now. Of the various Hi-Impact colors that Dodge offered, Panther Pink was probably the scarcest with barely a few dozen of the R/T hardtops so finished. There are loads of photos provided with one exception – the cowl tag. Its presence would help determine the true color of the automobile when it left the assembly line.
When you ordered a Challenger R/T, it came with an 8,000-rpm tachometer as part of the Rallye instrument cluster. The car rode on Rallye wheels that augmented the heavy-duty suspension. You also got your choice of either longitudinal stripes or the wraparound “bumblebee” variety in the back. If accurate, this car has seen only 45,000 miles. But the history of the vehicle is unknown as the dealer/seller chooses to focus on the variety of features this car has.
We don’t know when the 375 hp 440 replaced the original 383 (or why). It’s paired with an automatic transmission and a more modern Dual Flowmaster exhaust. Out back there is an 8 ¾ rear end with 3.23 gears. Oddly, given all the torque this car produces, only manual drum brakes are present, which could make the car a handful to stop when on a dead run. From what we see of the white and black interior, this Dodge should otherwise be an inviting place to spend time.
Always wanted a Panther Pink MOPAR.
Me too!
Not the most manly of collars Of course, we as a society are much more tolerant of such things, such as that..these days..
A real man would have spelled colors (colour) correctly. Nah, blame it on auto correct, senility is for sure not the reason. Of course many here would for sure feel that is the case.
Dodge brought the color back in later cars. It was called Furious Fuchsia.
That is not the same color, not even close…do your research.
Not a Mopar guy in the least but they did have some cool and catchy color names…panther pink, I mean c’mon, that’s awesome.
Fender Tag code is FM3 and did not see a picture of the fender tag to verify. No pics of below either and more questions than answers. Was an N code 383 but now has a 440 but unsure of its casting number and year of the block. Kind of wished that sellers gave more information.
Damn. Sign me up for some of that sweet hot pink! Wicked and sexy don’t get much better. Dodge wasn’t playin back in the day now!!
Just in time for “Barbie”.
Those early 70 s colors were cool
I was picking up a trailer load of palletized fieldstone in Pennsylvania and I noticed a young man sanding on a door to a Challenger and I asked if he had the rest of the car and he took me in the barn and on a rotisserie was a Panther Pink T/A Challenger, it was his high school graduation project
Pretty sure the hood hinges would not be panther pink.
They are correct, painted body color.
For me the plum crazy was awesome mostly because of its rarity, you just didn’t see many, truthfully I never saw Pink. Until a few years ago someone was banging gears going up a hill in either a 440 challenger convert or a 440 Cuba convert, it all happened so fast, I think it was a challenger with the broken stripe.
Anyway the way the Pink black and white worked on the car was something I have never seen before.
After seeing and spending time with the rest, The pink is the best
My mom had a ’58 Rebel in that combo.
The pink, black & white was interesting.
Kind of like Good & Plenty candy.
Choo Choo Charlie says.
Love the colour but afraid of the gender it might attract. You just never know these days and I only like sausage on pizza.
The ebay ad says “Finished in FM3 Panther Pink” It never says an original Panther Pink car, and no fender tag photo provided. Cleverly and carefully worded…
Think I’d go a hot 340, instead of the 440. Still a cool ride.
Guy at the club has a 70 ‘cuda in Panther Pink, 340. A nice ride.
Panther Pink was a rare colour choice for a reason …
My sister-in-law has a Panther Pink R/T with a black vinyl roof. It is an automatic. I can’t remember the engine size, 383 I think, but it is set up (not cut up) for racing anyway. Black side stripes, black on the hood, and a rear spoiler. Very stock on the outside and very loud.
Best color of ANY car produced in 1970.
– Confident in my masculinity. ~S