Back in the day, automakers would offer special editions of some of their cars on a regional basis. For example, Ford had the California Special Mustang in 1967. And in 1970, Dodge had the Western Sport Special for its new Challenger “pony car.” This is one of those rare machines, which totaled perhaps 1,600 copies out of nearly 77,000 Challengers produced in 1970. It needs a lot of cosmetic work, and its powertrain is long gone. Located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, this interesting project is available here on eBay for $13,500 (or you can make an offer).
The first go-round of the Western Sport Special was with the 1969 Dodge Dart. The next year, the package moved over to the new Challenger, and it comprised a selection of options at a collective discounted price of $199.50. The cars were sold only in the Los Angeles and San Francisco regions and built at just one plant in LA. Starting with a base Challenger, you got Western Sport Special decals on the rear fenders, a vinyl roof, a woodgrain instrument panel applique, a remote control mirror, rim blow steering wheel, a variety of chrome moldings, and F78x14-inch white wall tires mounted on 14″ Rallye wheels, plus a few other doodads.
Two-thirds of the Western Sport Specials were built with the 318 cubic inch V8, which would include the seller’s car although the motor and automatic transmission have flown the coop. A few were built with the 225 Slant Six and even more with a 383 big block, and possibly one with a 340. But there were no T/A or Hemi Western Sport Specials. The seller and his wife bought this car several years ago with the intent of restoring it – and some work has been done – but other priorities now mean it must move on for someone else to finish.
The car has rust, although it’s hard to tell where given that the photos are of the immobile auto held captive inside the seller’s garage. The vinyl top may or may not be there and some bodywork appears to have been done in that area. This Challenger has the smaller rear back glass that was usually available as an option when you ordered a Challenger as both an R/T and an SE. So perhaps this feature here (with its limited rear visibility) might make this Dodge even rarer.
We’re given a list of work that has been done or parts that have been replaced and they don’t include much in the way of cosmetics. For example, the seller has rebuilt the front end, put in a new power steering box, added a sway bar, and replaced all brakes including new lines. The wiring harness may be a work in progress. The Dodge now sports a fiberglass R/T hood with T/A springs and a hood pin kit. Sadly, the fender tag disappeared at some point, so validating the car will be a bit more difficult.
Looks mighty close to that wall, hope it isn’t scraped.
JH23G0B…This is a non-RT Challenger came with 318 and 904 trans. Regular dash. It’s missing the fender tag. It’s nothing special except the name Western Sport Special. Right now at 13 it’s a fair price. Good luck to the seller and new owner. 🐻🇺🇸
Likely someone who thought he could be Mark Worman and found out his mechanical skills have limitations. Better than some of the 50 year old Mopar rust boxes on this site.
It did not have to be an R/T S/E (JS29) to get the small rear glass (which was really just a fiberglass plug that was covered with vinyl), just an S/E (JS23) was all that was necessary. The small rear glass was part of the S/E package in 1970 and, in 1971 became a stand-alone option called the “Formal Roof” option. It had nothing to do with the R/T package. Where do you guys come up with this stuff? I have no idea why this car has the Formal Rear Window option added. It was not a part of the Western Sport Special package.