1970 Dodge Challenger T/A

In 1970, Dodge introduced a true pony car to compete in the Sports Car Club of America's Trans American Sedan Championship. To complement this, they created a street-legal muscle car that was even more aggressive than the race model. This was the birth of the 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A.

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To comply with SCCA regulations, Dodge had to produce a consumer version of the race car, resulting in the Challenger T/A. While the race cars used a modified 305-cid version of Mopar's 340-cid V-8, generating around 440 bhp with a four-barrel carburetor, the street T/As retained the 340 engine but added a high-performance Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold and a trio of two-barrel Holley carburetors.

Even with the "Six Pak" carburetion and numerous internal upgrades, the T/A's engine was rated at 290 bhp, matching the standard four-barrel 340s, though its real power was closer to 350 bhp. A large, suitcase-style air scoop was integrated into the matte-black fiberglass hood. The low-restriction dual exhaust system extended to the standard muffler position beneath the trunk, then curved back to exit through chrome-tipped "megaphone" outlets ahead of the rear wheels.

Buyers could choose between a TorqueFlite automatic transmission or a Hurst-shifted four-speed manual, paired with either 5:1 or 3.90:1 gears. Options included manual or power steering, while front discs came standard. The unique Rallye suspension featured heavy-duty components and increased rear spring camber. Notably, the T/A was one of the earliest production cars to use different-sized tires: E60x15s in the front and G60x15s at the rear.

The adjusted camber raised the rear end sufficiently to accommodate the larger rear tires and exhaust outlets, giving the T/A an aggressive, street-ready stance. Bold side stripes, striking identification graphics, and a black ducktail spoiler added to its visual impact, while the interior remained true to the standard Challenger R/T design.

While the T/A didn't dominate the SCCA circuit, its street version also struggled to mimic a true road racer, often suffering from severe understeer in sharp turns. However, the enhanced 340 engine and wide rear tires enabled production models to complete the quarter-mile in the mid-14-second range, a performance any small-block engine could be proud of.

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