The 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A a classic after decades remade with a stunning look


When it comes to barn finds, nothing’s more satisfying than seeing a classic that’s been sitting for decades come back to life with proper cleaning. But it gets even better when the vehicle in question is a rare muscle car. Say a 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A.

If it looks familiar, it’s because I’ve already introduced you to this Mopar. It happened earlier in May 2023 when Tom Cotter, Hagerty’s barn find prospector, found it sitting in a warehouse. It had been parked in the same spot for about 26 years but hadn’t been driven since 1984. That’s right; this rare and valuable Challenger sat almost untouched for 39 years.

But despite not getting a sip of gasoline in almost four decades, the 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) V8 engine under the hood agreed to fire up and run for a short while.

A couple of weeks have passed since then, and Tom returned to show us how he managed to fix the drivetrain and put the Challenger T/A back on the road.

Fortunately enough, the muscle car was in surprisingly good condition after so much time in storage. While almost 40 years of sitting can damage a vehicle, this Challenger got very lucky and soldiered on without major rust issues or a locked-up powerplant.

Granted, it also got a lot more attention than the average barn find, which can make a massive difference, but it’s still amazing that it emerged out of the warehouse still in one piece.

As for the 340 V8 “Six Pack,” it needed a lot of work to bounce back. Tom had to fix a vacuum leak and pull out the carburetors and the intake manifold for much-needed repairs. He also replaced a gasket and fitted the car with a new fuel pump and fuel tank.

But I think it was a far easier mission than a complete engine rebuild. And seeing such a cool muscle car being returned to public roads is priceless.

Speaking of which, this Challenger T/A is not only rare by production numbers. It’s also a rare gem in terms of originality. Because while Dodge built more than 2,000 T/As in 1970, very few of them made it to 2023 with all the sheet metal and internals still intact.

Not to mention still wearing the factory finish. Yup, this Mopar is one of those unrestored and unmolested survivors. The kind that crosses the auction block for six-figure sums.

A one-year-only version, the T/A was launched in 1970 as a homologation special, enabling Dodge to race the Challenger in the SCCA Trans Am series. While the race-spec car had a 303-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) V8, the production model arrived with a “Six Pack” version of the regular 340 V8.

It was rated at 290 horsepower. The Challenger T/A also came with extras like a low-restriction exhaust with side-exiting pipes, a larger air scoop, a fiberglass hood, and a heavy-duty suspension system.

Dodge built 2,399 units of the T/A in 1970. Although the company planned a similar model for 1971, the revised T/A was canceled following Dodge’s withdrawal from the series.

Related Posts

Own the Iconic 1966 Ford GT40 from Ford v Ferrari – A Unique Collector’s Dream!

It’s been quite some time since the Ford v Ferrari movie is no longer the hottest flick out there, but for some, the legacy it left behind…

A Shocking Discovery Of An Abandoned Scrap Yard With The Difference Between Plymouth Road Runner And Dodge Super Bee

This time on Roadkill’s Junkyard Gold, Steve Magnante is exploring a Mopar-only junkyard in rural New Hampshire. He’s there to answer one question: Which came first, the Bird or…

The desires of a vintage car aficionado were dashed when a driver collided the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle directly into a brick wall, marring its classic charm

A 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle is the dream of many vintage car enthusiasts. But one over-excited motorist ploughed his pristine vehicle into a brick wall in front of…

Gaining public notice, the 1960 Chevy Bel Air stood out for its custom construction, tailored to be an exceptionally charming cruiser

If you are familiar with the cars built by Timeless Kustoms, then you know these guys are more into radical big horsepower restomods. That is not the case…

The 1963 Ford Thunderbird, once a dream car for earlier generations, now languishes in a dismal scrap yard, forgotten and forsaken

When I pull together fragments of youthful memories, I seem to recall the classic Thunderbird being held in high regard. Whether it was my grandfather or a…

Among the prized possessions in his daring assortment, renowned renegade Nicholas Cage owned the rare and valuable 1959 FERRARI 250 GT, alongside other cherished treasures

Nicholas Cage is a well-known bad boy of the big screen. Off-screen, he has managed to accumulate a bad-boy collection of beautiful, rare, classic cars. He seems…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *