Dodge Challenger
Built wider than any competitor to fit the HEMI — and it shows.
Introduced two years after the Camaro and Mustang, the Dodge Challenger arrived late to the pony car wars but made up for it with exceptional styling and a wider E-body that accommodated the 426 HEMI without compromise. Despite a five-year production run, it produced some of the rarest and most valuable American muscle cars ever sold.
History
Chrysler stretched the E-body platform wider than competing pony cars to allow the HEMI to fit without modification, giving the Challenger a more muscular stance. The 1970 model offered an extraordinary range: six-cylinder to 426 HEMI, economy hardtop to convertible, and the T/A package for Trans-Am racing homologation. The convertible was offered only in 1970 and 1971.
By 1974, tightening emissions regulations and rising insurance costs had killed the muscle car era. The Challenger was cancelled without a true successor. The rarest combinations — HEMI convertibles — are among the most valuable American production cars; fewer than 10 HEMI convertibles are known to exist.
Notable Versions
R/T
Road/Track performance package with 440 Magnum or 426 HEMI. The collector-grade Challenger.
T/A (1970)
Trans-Am homologation with 340 Six-Pack (three 2-barrel carbs), 290 hp. Rare and increasingly valuable.
426 HEMI Convertible (1970)
Fewer than 10 known to exist. Among the most valuable American muscle cars.
SE (Special Edition)
Formal luxury trim with leather interior and smaller rear window. Less common than standard hardtops.
What to Look for When Buying
Key inspection points from experienced collectors.
E-body rust is extensive
Lower quarters, trunk floor, and floor pans rust heavily. The bottom of the A-pillars is a particularly common problem area.
Convertibles need extra scrutiny
Floor pans and rockers on convertibles are almost always compromised from water intrusion. Budget accordingly.
The fender tag documents everything
The broadcast sheet on the firewall or door jamb lists all factory options. This is the primary authenticity document for high-value cars.
340 T/A is more accessible
The 340 Six-Pack T/A delivers exciting performance at a fraction of the HEMI premium. An excellent entry point to E-body collecting.
Reproduction panels are available
Quality reproduction quarters, floor pans, and trunk floors are widely available, making body restoration more practical than it was a decade ago.
Quick Specs
- Engine options
- 225 Slant Six, 318–440 V8, 426 HEMI
- Horsepower
- 145–425 hp
- Wheelbase
- 110 in
- Transmission
- 4-spd manual, TorqueFlite automatic
Market Price Guide
Approximate USA asking prices
Dodge Challenger For Sale
2 listings currently available
