The Dodge Challenger remains the Chrysler Corporation’s muscle vehicle, and it has seen three different generations (although the second generation, built from 1978 until 1983 was technically built by Mitsubishi Motors). The Dodge Challenger first started production in 1958 and shared the same construction platform as many other popular muscle cars from Chrysler, including the Plymouth Barracuda. The Dodge Challenger R/T ‘1970 is part of the first generation, yet it came with a larger engine than the standard Challenger. It also gained prominence for its placement in the 1971 movie Vanishing Point.
The Dodge Challenger R/T ‘1970 is a two-door hardtop constructed in Hamtramck, Michigan (which is actually a town completely surrounded by the city of Detroit). The R/T used a 426-cubic inch engine, offering up a 7.0 L F8 engine that came with a standard three-speed manual transmission. It was possible to upgrade the engine to a 440-cubic inch 7.2 L RB V8 engine as well for some extra horsepower and torque. The Dodge Challenger R/T ‘1970 took direct styling points from the Dodge Charger, as the same designer who works on the exterior of the 66 Dodge Charger was responsible for the design of the Challenger in its first generation.
