Lasting Impact Of The 1970-1974 Dodge Challenger 

Am a proud owner of purple 70 challenger RT,, every time I drive it puts a priceless smile on my face

One of the most beautiful looking cars ever produced, especially the 1970! The new ones, in my opinion, are the best execution of a retro look in a modern car. Thanks for this historical chronology of the Challenger. You did an excellent presentation here!!

Proud owner of a '73 Rallye Challenger! My dad still owns his '74! Grew up riding in it and now have my project!

The '70 Challenger is almost a perfect car, even though the facelifts changed the styling very little for each year, the '70 is still the best looking! Great video as always btw!

Vanishing Point ~ For you younger folks who don't know, this is a 1971 movie starring a 440 R/T Challenger! A must watch for any Challenger fan. . .

I had the 1972 Challenger in light blue, white top, white interior with the rally wheel package, my brother still has his Orange 1970 440-6 'Cuda with Shaker hood...These looked nice side by side on the family driveway..I miss the 70's

As a owner of 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT8 I am most grateful for the early 70’s models. Love the channel...keep up the good work!

The mitsu based one was rwd 2.6 liters. Not fwd.

Arguably one of the best-looking body styles Chrysler ever produced... I loved them back in the day and it still brings smile to my face every time I see a new one go down the road..

This an absolutely awesome video. I'm actually very glad to have found your channel. Any plans to do a Cuda or Roadrunner video?

There was only one minor error in this presentation. It was stated that the Mitsubishi-built 1978-1983 Challenger was front-wheel drive. Actually, it was rear-wheel drive, and it had a lot of neat features, but it WAS a four-cylinder subcompact, and it's true that it did not live up to the "Dodge Challenger" name.

73 Cuda; 340 four barrel, 727 three speed automatic. Favorite of all the cars I’ve owned.

I'm just restoring a Matchbox toy one of these,,,back in 78 I went in a yellow one of these when visiting Calgary Canada,,,gorgeous car,,,,as always Thanx for all your great vid's,,,Hope yourself and fellow subscribers had a great Xmas and wish everyone a great New Year,,,

I never got to see the glory of the original car, but i was a preteen when the 2009 models came out, after the limited production first edition 08 cars (all of which were SRT8's). I'll never forget the first time i saw one. I was going of the high-dive at the local pool and on my way down caught a glimpse of something orange in the near empty parking lot beyond the fence. I managed to convince my parents to walk home through the park (which you had to walk through the parking lot to get to), and sure enough as soon as i could i rushed over to admire the car. It was just an R/T, but it was in hemi orange with the fat 5 spoke chrome wheels that did a good job blinding me in the Houston sun. Walking around it and admiring the body lines, the likes of which no other car on the road had or has till this day (besides the original) was a religious experience for me. To this day, I can probably spot one even if i got pepper sprayed. When I drive down the road, I give even the craptastic base models side-eye. To me it's not a car, its a challenger. One day I'll see about getting my hands on a 1970-74 hardtop to build into a tuned up vanishing point clone, and drive it cross country.

We don't like to mention the 78-83 Mitsubishi Challenger. We want it to fade from memory/history. However since you brought it up, it was rear wheel drive.

I was a kid in the 70's. A neighbor 2 houses down from me had a white Challenger with white interior from what I recall. I loved looking at that car. Looking in the window the interior was so cool! I need to buy a new Challenger!

Well done. Makes me long for the good ol' days of fast cars, cheap gas and affordable insurance.

Nothing compares to the beauty of the 1970-74 Challenger. Dodge did an amazing job recreating the look of the current version. It’s a beautiful car I wouldn’t say “no” to. I realize it has to be the way it is for several reasons. But side by side the new one looks so bloated and inelegant compared to the original.

As a "young" person, I absolutely love this channel. It can be tough to understand the significance of cars from other eras, so you're doing important work here. How amazing that a modern version of these cars is offered with 700-800+ hp from the dealership!!

My pops had a 360. Brown metal flake paint with white vinyl seats. I drove it a couple times. I almost cried when he sold it. I still love the smells of cars hot cold or olde. Don’t get me wrong not huffing. I love cars planes trains and motorbikes. I made a living off computers. They don’t smell as good. Happy healthy new year. Thanks for keeping these dreams alive. I know it’s not easy. Data collection and editing is a beotch. What you share has so much meaning to me. Sorry I can’t afford more to help your channel. Btw. I drove a 340 six pack. I couldn’t afford the gas and tires. Those cost me more than the car. Keep on

The 70-71 Challenger body style, has always been my most favorite Chrysler body style. The Road Toads with the 340, 440, and Hemi cars with a 4 spd were the best. The 72 on ups, do nothin for me. The new plastic cars are impressive in performance, but don't excite me. (Neither does the prices) "Go Vanishing point!" (thumbs up) :)

A very detailed & enjoyable profile on my favorite muscle car of all time, Happy New Year my friend!

I owned two 1970 Challenger's, one a 440 R/T auto & the other a 318, today I love my 2014 R/T Blacktop Edition with 392 gear Super Track Pack, the last year with the '70 style interior & exterior with CD player/hard drive stereo.

Modern Challenger looks like a hybrid of the old Challenger and old Cuda. Pretty cool combination of them in my view!

beautiful automobile, timeless 😎

I sold my viper and kept my 70’ Challenger,that’s how much I love it.

This was very informative... Thank you very much!!!

the 1978 - 1983 Dodge Challengers and Plymouth Sapporo's were also rear wheel drive, not front wheel.

Correction: 78-83 "Challenger" Was a rear wheel drive car.

I love the Dodge Challenger. 1971 in my opinion is the best looking one. I worked hard & long to get my 2016 Scat Pack Shaker. It'll be paid off in another year God willing. She's my summertime, fair weather car & I love her

The '70 Challenger is not only one of my absolute favorite Chrysler designs, but along with the '65 Riviera and '63 Stingray it's one of the best looking cars of all time. I wish Chrysler could have brought it to market a couple years earlier.

Nice video on the car. My first car was a 1972 Rallye Challenger in yellow and black. My dad and I picked it out. I was 17 years old and had the coolest car in school. My mom was not happy and accused my dad of “helping me” pick out a car HE wanted.... lol She was right!!!

Great video, can you do one on the 1970 to 1976 Plymouth Duster. Thanks!

I bought a 1974 Challenger in 1976 for $3000. It was in perfect condition and had a 318 V8 connected to a 3 speed stick shift. A couple of years later the engine started getting water in the oil and I almost traded a mechanic an even trade for a 1962 Impala station wagon that was in great shape. But before I could,I had lent the Challenger to my brother-in-law to use to go pick up a couple of his friends and he totaled it. I replaced the challenger with a Plymouth "Gold Duster"

Awesome vid!! Thanx for posting. As much as i love The Challenger, The 'Cuda was one i dug more. Especially whatever year (all of them?) that had the round tail lights. man, a new Challenger would be a blast, though.

I had a 1972 ( 318 engine) Challenger loved that car. Sold to my younger brother, he lost his life in it back in 1976.

Not exactly riveting, but a concise yet comprehensive history of the fastest and most beautiful pony car. From is rounded fuselage design, to the availability of the industry's hottest engines, the Challenger stood apart from its competitors as the thinking man's pony car. Oh, and the cult movie “Vanishing Point” didn’t hurt either.

Wow, I never knew that a 6 cylinder was even available for the Challenger's of the early '70s. I thought they all came with various V8's only. I've never even seen or heard of a 6 cylinder in any of these early Challenger's. Learn something new every day.

My grandfather was the G.M. Of Yawn Motors, Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth in Alice, Texas during the 60's and 70's. He was a WWII combat veteran. He worked his way up from shop mechanic to General Manager. He always drove the coolest cars. As a kid, my mother saved the news paper clippings of me wearing my white cowboy hat and gunslinger outfit. I was the Good Guy in those dealership adds. I remember riding in the new high performance cars. At age 16 in 1979 I bought a mint 1974 dodge charger SE. Black interior and black exterior, factory air 440cid. from my grandfather at that dealership.

One of the cleanest, well maintained, highest rpm capable Mopars I've ever seen is a 1973 Challenger up in Juneau, Alaska...it's got a stroked 340 Keith Black built small block, pistol grip 4spd, 8.75 "snubbed" posi rearened runnin 5.38 gears, impeccable 100% stock interior, and a line lock that allows it to produce the biggest burnouts I've ever seen...it's red on black, it hasn't seen any water in the form of rain or snow or car washes since it's current owner, Dave Stewart, became the second owner of the car in 1978....it's stunning....

I SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY 71 CHALLENGER WHEN I WAS YOUNGER

During the 60's and early 70's at the height of the Vietnam War returning GI's went straight to the dealer and bought the muscle car of their choice after returning home. My Cousin was a little different he got his draft notice, and he went down and bought a 1970 Challenger R/T with a 440 before he went to Nam. My Uncle used to take it out on the weekends while he was away. That was a really sharp car.

👍 always good to watch your videos! Thanks

Great job as always, thanks

The second generation Challenger is not FWD, it is RWD. Well it doesn’t matter it is still a shame to carry Challenger name.

Beautifulllllll cars

Speaking as a definite non-Dodge guy..... I have much respect for these particular cars and the old Chargers. I honestly think Dodge really nailed the muscle car look and performance.

Iconic.....vanishing point anyone? I was born too late and in the wrong country. Granted i got to own a 300hp 200sx that would probably topple one of these realistically speaking (gearboxes, weight etc etc)... but that 'feel' and soul..... nah..... I missed out hard

I had a 1970 Challenger R/T 383 Magnum... sold it for only 6 grand! (it was a 9 out of 10 condition) - Worth 40-50 grand now

THANK YOU. My Favorite 'pony' car of that era. I owned two - '74 360 and a '70 340. Loved them - they just looked so gorgeous to me.

Friendly FYI about a small error: While showing the T/A, the host says at 5:23 "The Challenger R/T had it's own unique graphics package and dual exhaust system where each exhaust pipe exited in front of the two real wheels." Should have said T/A, not R/T. This channel is excellent.

I did a complete, and I mean 100% COMPLETE ground up resto on a '71 440-6 auto HEMI Orange, black vinyl top. I sold it because of a JEALOUS Biotch, then dumped her ... should have NEVER sold that car.....

One of the many things I liked about the '70 Challenger was the designer's ability to fill in the massive front-end cavity with four head lights, grill work and slightly overarching hood or brow. The overall affect was a serious yet somewhat mysterious appearance.

Who else is still waiting for dodge to make a modern representation of the 69 Charger? (no the Hellephant car does not count)

My grandma had a 1970 challenger Special Edition, it was going to the car for their local Dodge/Plymouth dealer. But his wife didn’t like it for some unknown reason. She had it til 77, she sold it to a cousin before she moved from PA to FL. It was wrecked in the 80s by that family member. By far the coolest car owner my someone in my family. No surviving documents have survived but it wasn’t an RT model and probably was the 8-cylinder model. The Plymouth station wagon pales in comparison, when you have 3 small kids safety is the priority.

Thank you for posting your excellent video on the 1970-74 Dodge Challengers and for showing the newer Dodge Challengers too!

The 1978 Dodge Challenger wasn't a Front Drive Car. The Challenger has always been a rear wheel drive car. The 1978 Challenger had fantastic road handling characteristics and frankly looked like what the Future Ford Mustang would be, they could be twins. It also included a Hemi Four Cylinder engine. It's no 1970 Dodge Challenger, but it was a very nicely equipped sporty car with great driving performance. And it was still rear wheel drive contrary to your statement to the opposite.

in '78 I, had a brand new Chevy vette, L82,4sp, gymkhana suspended etc. my neighbor had a '74 challenger w/360 4bbl,automatic. I,was surprised how easy it was to blow his doors. but, it was the most comfortable of all the pony cars,back then. some how my vette was thirstier w/smaller engine, manual, & lighter. we have fun taking nice trips w/many pals in different cars. fun,fun,...

An awesome muscle car and one of my favorites

Too bad Ford and Chevy got away from the retro styling of the Camaro and Mustang. They are trying to appease the world market. They quit making cars all together. I’m glad Chrysler is still making retro cars and cars all together.

The 1970-1974 Challenger was, and still is, one of the most iconic and beautiful cars ever made. Dodge did a great job with the modern Challenger too, especially the Hellcat.

Yes they made a lasting impact, as they did a fantastic job with the late model design and are super powerful machines. I'm lucky to have had one of the originals, and also own a Challenger SRT8 currently. The 1st one was a last year in production 1974, which is the least sought after and was only power by a 318. But I've owned many powerful Mopars over the years, including a 68 Charger RT with built 440 and added six pk. My Challenger SRT8 is also a badass machine, and is a lot of fun to drive. I would love to have a TA 340 six pk with 4 speed pistol grip, and also dig Cudas

It is insane to think the Original was only around 1970 to 1974 & the New One 2008 - 2021 & Beyond.

First NEW car I ever owned was a 72 340, blue w/black vinyl top. Ordered in 71 and was MAJOR disappointed in the new ugly front end. Even with compression cut it still kept me in trouble with speeding tickets.

Thanks for the review! The E-body cars were beautiful and made a lasting impact... E-body Challenger (or Barracuda) is out of reach for me, but the contemporary (sadly, in fact it went already to history...) Challenger is great looking and driving car too (and still affordable). Maybe the LC/LX body recreation is by nature closer to B-body cars. Greetings from behind the pond🙂

Great episode, one of your best! The Chrysler E body was one of the most beautiful designs of all time. I'm not a fan of the new one, though---too chunky-looking. For buyers back then that didn't want to break the bank, a Challenger with the 383 Magnum was a solid choice

Love the channel. I appreciate the insight into the TA. I knew it was limited but you gave details I didn't have.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my 2015 392cid ScatPack Challenger

If Chrysler would have kept the Plymouth name around a little longer it would've paid off by being able to offer a new Barracuda-Cuda at the same time the new Dodge Challenger reintroduced. To me the Cuda was the best looking E-body.

Another great video, but you need to do more research first. You made quite a few mistakes in it. You said the 440 4brl. was only available in '70, but it's available in '71 also, with the 383 Magnum being the standard engine in the Challenger R/T. The 440 Magnum was standard in the Charger R/T, and Coronet R/T., and was a cheap popular option in the Challenger R/T. You were talking about the Challenger T/A when you said R/T, about the side exhaust. Still a great video, but being a big Mopar fan, I caught it all right away.

Always enjoy your video's. Thanks.

hi. my mom & dad had a dodge store. in 1970 we had a totally stripped yellow t/a challenger 4 speed manual. in 1971we had a totally stripped 426 super bee. column shift automatic. I was 13 & learned to drive the 4 speed. drove the1971 hemi. a nice benefit of being a lot-boy. (car washer).

I own the red 440 6pak four-speed RT challenger in the video just saw this video cruising around RU-vid love it bought it from the original owner in 1989 for $900 but I didn’t look like that Nice job on the video

i posted here before but love Mopar so here again. More Charger guy than Challenger since i owned one, '69 in the late '70s but recall a 71 i think Challenger being checked out at a local wheels and deals in the late '80s. Black with a 318. Car looked nice but this guy was near red lining it which i hated. Thing is, he bought it! To be honest, i never knew a 318 could scream like that !

I never thought of the Challenger as a pony car. It was too big in my books, and being a pony car meant relatively small and compact with a V8 under the hood.

Thanks for the Video!

Thank you for the video 👌🏻

I am two 1970’s a 383 R/T and a 440 sixpack R/T S/E. B5 blue and gomango

Beautiful car A new challengers probably one of the few things I would own if I could still drive to me it ranks right up there with the second generation Camaro firebird and the 1970 Mach 1 mustang and an AMX for just flat out beautiful

For me the 70/71 Challenger are the prettiest.

I tried to give away an entire carry case of hot wheels and match box toys. I set on door steps. They were returned. Best intentions. Gosh that stings.

4:53 That yellow car is NOT an SE. It doesn't have the smaller rear window or the SE badge on the c-pillar.

One of my dream cars. Always wanted one. But with my driving record I could never afford to have one.

The E-body cars were the definition of sexy. Just beautiful. The E platform did the Barracuda a huge favor. The Barracuda used to be a Valiant with that giant glass in the rear. Losing the Valiant heritage was a huge plus for the "Cuda. You were able to escape the rising insurance costs if you had the 383. That engine only got the standard rating, not the muscle premium.

A high school friend of mine had a yellow 72 Rallye 340 which was similar looking to the beauty at 6:48. No vinyl top though.

Challenger was always good. But that T/A was over the top!

Ummm the 79-83 Challenger was rear wheel drive? Mitsubishi Sapporo platform.

Great video about the E-Bodied Challenger, *Old Car Memories!* Now I know which one I want; a Plum Crazy 1970 with the S/E package, so I can have white leather inside! Maybe I can pick up one of the anemic '74 models someday, as long as it has bucket seats & A/C, I'll be happy. I shared it to two different Facebook groups, hopefully you'll collect some subscribers today. Happy New Year!

We all would love to own one today!

One of my favorit classic musclecars but I don´t like the 74 model with that strange front. I would rather have the R/T then.

I love these videos, I worked a Chrysler development back in those day and drove lots of development miles on these. I was also a major permonter of product development instead of Paycheck development, they called me names. In a few years hundreds of thousands of employees lost their jobs and some people did notice how I pointed it out. Today I routinely mention to buy American and some people argue. Foreign products made in America are foreign profits.

One of my friends had a 340ci engines laying around when I had my old 91 Nissan 240SX and was bugging me to swap it in, but I never got around to it. I sold it shortly afterwords, but I still wish I had that beastly engine in there. Lol

At 58 years old, my mother bought a 1970 Challenger (the best looking). Orange with the deluxe white interior, white vinyl top, AC, etc. 383 4-barrel. That thing could light up those puny 14" tires.

My 72 Rallye 340 had 275 hp..my 2015 SXT V6 had 305! The 72 had more character but I enjoyed them both.

Don’t forget about the 1970 Challenger RT/SE.

Challenger T/A’s had the side exit pipes only not the R/T. Love your content but you got a bunch of info incorrect in this one? Love the channel don’t get me wrong! Cheers

I had a 1970 Challenger RT with a 383 that had a three quarter race cam and ported and polished heads that was putting out at least 425 HP. I raced Chevys legend Chevelle 454/450 HP. We were bumper to bumper. The guy in the Chevelle left town after 2 runs with my Challenger that was badged with 383!

A proud owner of a 1970 Challenger R/T with a 383 with a three quarter race cam with ported and polished heads putting out 425 HP! I ran a 454-450 HP Chevelle and we were bumper to bumper! This Challenger was FAST!

Talking about sales makes we wonder. In my home town the dealership was out of the way when compared to the Pontiac, Chevy and Ford dealerships. The Dodge/Chrysler dealer also advertised less than the Chevy and Ford dealers who used AAA prime time on the radio. GM and Ford would do lots of radio remotes to build traffic in their showrooms. The Dodge/Chrysler dealer did not put their Challenger in parades which was very short sited. One wonders if all the Dodge/Chrysler dealers were as conservative. Based on my limited experience they might have sold more Challengers with a different attitude.

Chrysler underrated all of their horsepower ratings. If it said 425 on the sticker, it was 500+. Remember that transmissions and tires in all Big 3 muscle cars had trouble lasting the power Chevrolet, Ford And Chrysler put through them.If not for the Oil Crisis, can we even imagine where performance would have gone? No we can't.