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.
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…