Hold onto your hats, because, as amazing as it sounds, the world can still produce a never-restored T/A that doesn’t look like it spent 27 winters sinking into a Saskatchewan field. Not only does this 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A in Dallas, Texas, support its own weight, but it also runs and blows 63 degrees (F) air from its aftermarket air conditioning system! The T/A was Dodge’s entry in the hot Trans Am racing series, where they duked it out with Boss 302 Mustangs, Camaro Z/28s, and Javelin SSTs for pony-car bragging rights, converting racing dollars into top-line sales. This one runs against the road-racing grain a bit as an automatic-transmission car, but that won’t stop collectors who have always wanted to restore one of these hot small-block classics. Check out more pictures and details here on eBay, where $51,995 buys the right to embark on a full restoration. Thanks to reader Curvette for the tip on this Texas T/A.
Credit the seller for presenting enough pictures and information to answer many questions. The 340 cid (5.6L) V8 is not the numbers-matching block, but the seller reports that the trio of carburetors and the matching intake “are correct part numbers.” The 727 automatic transmission IS stated as numbers-matching. I can’t imagine buying a Trans Am road-racing special model like this with an automatic, but someone probably just liked the look of it in the showroom or needed the automatic because of a war injury. Today’s video-game-trained car shoppers won’t mind a bit.
Sorry, folks, I’m done apologizing for sellers who can’t take a step back to show the whole car. Here’s an AI prediction based on the original close-cropped shot. This special model will probably get the full treatment, but take me to a Mopar show and I’ll ignore four perfectly sterilized T/As to check out this never-restored specimen. Hopefully, the seller shares this classic with the public for a year or two before erasing its history.
The color-matched interior makes for a nice sight, where so many are all black. The aforementioned under-dash air conditioning speaks to the claim that this ride spent most or all of its life in Texas. Before you leave to click “Make Offer” on this beauty, turn up the sound and check out this ’70 T/A on the track, living out its purpose. Would you deplete your 401 (k) for this hot small-block E-Body, or wait for a 383+ specimen?
Wouldn’t touch it except to drive it. One of the greatest cars from the era. Got a little time using the same transmission and didn’t notice any lack of power. Really fast off the line.
Something odd about this listing – could be a scam…..where’s that A/C compressor under the hood ? If it was legit – All American would be all over it !
Think it actually been listed before…..
A 1970 Challenger T/A is on my short list of cars I’d love to own before I leave this planet. That being said, even at the lowered price to $46k, that is a lot for a car that deserves a total restoration and most importantly, does not have the original engine. From what I have read, the T/A block had the extra webbing for a 4 bolt main and was the only LA block, that had this provision. This makes a real T/A 340 engine more valuable.
Correct about the block, the webs and sides are much beefier than the non-T/A motors. The heads are also different and use unique rocker arms. I didn’t see them specifically mentioned in the add. They’ll bolt onto any 340 block. About $4K for the heads and rockers in today’s market. They don’t boost performance any in stock form though. The valve covers are also unique, and it looks like this motor has the right ones.
This would be the perfect set up to stroke to 416 and run aftermarket heads. Gobs of power and torque, and if you paint it all orange, most will never know.
Ridiculous price in this condition.
A good friend of mine came across a super cherry ’70 T/A back in ’73. It had never seen rain or snow, and was always kept inside. My friend gave the car the same treatment except the summer of ’02 when it sat outside for a week while he did some reno’s to his shop.
That particular week the local hot rod club had its annual Street Machine Weekend. Lots of people all over the city for the three day party. A guy knocked on my friend’s door and asked if the car was for sale.
My friend promptly refused, even when the guy pulled out a massive flash-roll of cash. I never heard the actual amount but it was over 150Large…
Kind of questioning the vinyl top molding as if it ever had one. Also where are the side exit ahead of the rear wheel exhaust pipes? I thought all T/A’s had those.
Troy.. yes the TA exhuast is missing and the factory exhuast manifolds also. This is a true TA but modified! Which is sad. The seller should of invested in the stock exhaust system and would gotten little more for it. I notice on one picture of the torison bar the floor has a hole. You can tell they put something over the hole. This TA needs alot of work. Just the interior is going to cost big time. Its a shame about the block is not TA specs. I was in a TA with the pistol 4 speed. And it has posi 3.91 gears. It push me back in the seat and it roared like a beast!! Fast mother!!! I hope the next owner will look this over very carefully and try to get a lower price. It won’t be cheap fixing this wonderful machine. Good luck..🇺🇸🐻
it has headers….side pipes are loooong gone…..
Some T/As were sold in California with through-the-valence exhaust, but the vast majority had side exhaust.
I can’t find where it says its not a TA block. It just says its not numbers matching. Obviously thats a question you need to ask before pulling the trigger.
i have a 68 343 4 speed sst javelin and its tons of fun…..wouldnt be near the fun with a auto in it…..makes me wonder why with the pedigree these cars had day one would any one get one with a auto…..that high reving small block and a 4 speed would be a riot
This kinda looks like the one that delivered pizzas in St. Joe back in the early 90’s
I remember back in the 80s in brentwood ny I seen w=one of these same color conmbo and was in awwee!! Guy was like 65 years od driving it unrestored . really mint shape…. these were nice cars. Look at the trash today!!!
not born as a T/A it’s a clone!
How so? What’s the giveaway?
Steve R
Nice car. $46K worth of nice car? Not even close.
The only thing a 6 Pak. and automatic transmission says to me is drag racer. Otherwise the 3 carbs are a waste without a manual gearbox. I love the body style. But I’m not in the market AND there are too many questions about this car.
Agree on the “missing” clutch pedal ~~!
In my experience, the sixpack worked very well with either trans unless you monkey with it. It can be tuned for better performance than stock, but most guys used to muck them up trying to modify them.
nice to see the fender tags showing T/A and the build sheet. all i would do it install the correct exhaust system with the exits in front of the rear tires. price is a bit stiff, but these don’t come up for sale every day. cool color combo. 1 of the best-looking hoods of that time as well.
I thought there were no “slushbox” option for the T/A’s and AAR’s. Am I wrong?
Most were automatics roughly 1000 T/As were manual trans.
T As had the rally dash strictly . Somethings up with this car .
No, T/As could be had with either instrument cluster. All AAR ‘cudas had the rally dash however.