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2007 Shannons Sydney Autumn Classic Auction
Lot
15

1970 Dodge Challenger 318 Hardtop (LHD)

$31,500

melbourne

Sold

Specifications

Engine V-8, 318-cid
Gearbox 3-speed automatic
Body Work Coupe
Colour Burnt Orange
Interior Black
Trim Vinyl
Wheels Steel Disc
Brakes Drums

Description

This lot is no longer available

Dodge's Challenger was the last - and some argue best - Ponycar to arrive, making its debut for the 1970 model year with styling that managed to be at once both aggressive and very attractive. The Challenger was low and wide, with a full-width grille opening, coke-bottle profile and raised rear deck. In keeping with typical Ponycar practice, the Challenger was available with a wide range of options, and could be ordered in hardtop, hardtop S.E. and convertible form. Engines ranged from a 225-cid six through to V8s of varying capacity, starting from the 318-cid and going right through to the fire-breathing 426-cid Hemis. A floor-mounted three-speed manual was standard, but four-speed manuals or TorqueFlite automatic transmissions were popular options, the latter with a new Slap-Stik shift-gate when console mounted. Safety was becoming more of an issue and the Challenger featured a collapsible steering column, side-impact bars and integral roll-over bar. For the street, the 440-cid and legendary 426 Hemis provided the Dodge Challenger with plenty of muscle while a T/A version was announced to homologate the model for Trans-Am racing, the lime green racers driven by Sam Posey and Ronnie Bucknum that year. The Challenger is an underrated alternative to the more common Mustangs, Camaros etc. and is arguably better looking than all of them, particularly the original 1970 model offered here.