By Society Staff – reprint with permission only

Seen at the 34th Goodguys All American Get-Together

In 1970, Mopar fans were given the new “E” body pony cars – the Plymouth Cuda and Dodge Challenger. While these cars could be purchased with the wide variety of engines offered by Chrysler in 1970 (including the mighty 426 Hemi) a very special package was developed to qualify the cars for the SCCA Trans American series – better known as the Trans Am. The cars had special suspension packages and drive train options but the “pièce de résistance” was the small block 340 cu.in. LA engine. This already potent small block was topped off with a version of the 3 carburetor set up known by Mopar fans as the “6-pak”. That turned the 340 into a giant killer on the street.

Don Garcia’s 1970 Challenger T/A is one of those special Mopars. The “Plum Crazy” purple and black vinyl top serves as the backdrop for that fiberglass hood with enormous scoop – to feed those hungry carbs underneath.  The subtle (?) side graphics announces to the world that this Challenger is special and the side exiting exhaust tips speak loudly for the car. Even the tires were “staggered” by the factory with E60/15’s on the front and G60/15’s on the back to give the car that sinister stance.

Under that flat black hood is a mighty fine 340 with 3 two barrel Holley carbs on an Edelbrock manufactured OEM aluminum intake. The standard 340 4 bbl engine was rated by Dodge at 275 HP – This 6-pak engine makes decidedly more – interestingly Dodge never released a figure for it. Power is transmitted through a Chrysler close ratio 4-speed transmission to a 3.55:1 “Sure-grip” 8 ¾ rear axle. To get that power to ground and keep the T/A stable in the “twisties”, Dodge added large front and rear sway bars and beefed up torsion bars and rear springs. Specific to the T/A is a quick ratio steering box making this car a superb combination of power and handling.

Don has owned this T/A for a little over 2 years but knew of it for longer than that. As is the case, sometimes you have to be patient to get the car you want. After Don acquired the T/A he rebuilt the rear end and brakes as well as freshening up the lower end of the 340 engine. Most recently, Don has found an original Dodge “mini-spare” tire and inflator that was original equipment in these E body cars. He has maintained the interior to like new condition and that big “hockey stick” Hurst shifter with the Mopar “pistol grip” lets him stir those gears as he runs up the rpms on that 6-pak motor.

You don’t see many of these 70 T/A’s but Don’s is about as good as they come. He is a fine steward for this amazing example of Mopar glory.   

Read a road test of the 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A here: