1970 Dodge Challenger T/A
HIGHLIGHTS: – Genuine and rare T/A Challenger – One year only, Trans Am homologation model – Four year, nut and bolt restoration – Restored in Panther Pink with Black interior – Built, matching numbers 340ci Six pack V8 – Tremec TKO 600 Five speed manual transmission – Factory 8.75” diff rebuilt Eaton tru trac – Power steering – Power brakes – Rally wheels with white lettered tyres – Photo documented restoration with large receipt file
This 1970 Dodge Challenger TA is an exceptional, restored example of a rare and highly collectible American Muscle car! The T/A Challenger was a one year only, distinguished special edition with high-performance character used as a homologation model for SCCA Racing. Unfortunately, these limited-edition models would be discontinued due to the cost of development with only 2,399 produced. The fact that not many of these were sold makes them incredibly rare today, continues to attract the attention of many collectors.
The car was purchased by the current owner approximately five years ago and he tells us the car was in pretty ordinary condition at the time. Being a big Mopar guy, he understood how special a matching numbers T/A car was, even as a rough project, so he made the decisions to purchase the car and put it through a four year nut and bolt rotisserie restoration. Building the car for himself and his family, he wasn’t concerned for resale during the build so didn’t skimp on the quality and made a few minor tweaks to make it to his liking. Identifying a genuine TA car can be difficult, there are four VIN locations on an E-body Mopar all of which align on this car including the vin tag on the dash, fender tag, cowl on drivers side body, and radiator support. The car also has the Trans Am tag fixed next to its option tag in the engine bay as well as photos of stampings before and after restoration.
Starting with the body of the car, it was send to experience car restored Darren Gilroy here in QLD who was tasked with bringing the body back to like new. The factory colour of this car was actually Burnt orange which is quite rare but the owner wanted a bolder statement so together with his family chose to restore the car in a different factory colour of Panther Pink. The body was blasted completely back to metal and over the next 12 months Darren went about a host of repairs, doing anything that was required, and there was a lot, to make the car as good as the day it left the factory. A manual transmission tunnel was riveted in place instead of being welding it in place. This was done incase someone decides to return it to an auto down the track, it will be a much simpler ordeal. There are pictures documenting the whole bodywork process available with the car. Once it was perfect, the whole car was coated inside, outside and underneath in that bold Panther Pink! The original factory fibreglass T/A bonnet was also restored and received the factory style organisol black outs and T/A decals down the side. The other unique TA features you might spot is the front and rear spoilers, hood pins, side exit exhaust as well as the rear mounted antenna. To finish the look on the outside, the car sits on a set of factory 15” Rally wheels with period correct centre caps and chrome rings. The factory wheels are staggered measuring 7.5” wide up front and 8” wide in the rear wrapped in period Mastercraft Avenger tyres.
Inside the car has also been completely restored. The owner chose to upgraded the front seats to premium leather with brand new foams all around for comfort and durability. The rear was replaced with factory style vinyl in the factory pattern. Premium factory restored seatbelts were sourced and installed along with a new headliner. All of the glass is brand new while all of the window mechanisms were restored ,greased and installed with all new hardware and rubbers. It should be noted the drivers side rear window crank isn’t currently fitted and while the mech all works the spline would need to be extended or modified to fit the new crank supplied with the car. All of the items for the interior were all purchased from classic industries and work was carried out by Garrys Auto Trimming who specialises in muscle car interiors. The factory style removable matting was used for sound deadening and insulation because the floor was all brand new and the owner didn’t have the heart to cover it up with sticky stuff like Dynamat. The owner decided to keep it simple as far as stereos go, with a pair of 6×9 speaker in the rear factory position and a speaker in the front dash in the factory position. The radio is period correct looking, but has Bluetooth function and modern radio internals. A genuine antenna was sourced and installed which was extremely difficult to get as these are unique to the AAR ‘Cuda and TA Challenger. Location is on the rear quarter for these two models, the rest of the E-body line up got it on front quarters. It was said the fibreglass bonnets of the AAR’s and T/A’s hindered the reception of the aerial, so they relocated it to the rear quarters. Fun Fact!
Under the bonnet of the beast is the original, matching numbers 340 six pack engine. The engine was sent to Bill from BK race engines where it underwent an extensive, $35,000 rebuild that took over a year to source the best and correct parts while it was also stroked to a 408ci. The mission for the engine build was that it needed to look exactly factory from the outside, so the original block, heads, intake and carbs were all retained and fully restored while only the best available in the aftermarket world went into the guts of it. The time and money spent was well worth it, with an engine that purrs like a kitten but can roar like a lion when you need it. The decision was made to ditch the factory auto in favour of a brand new, Tremec TKO 600 five speed manual transmission. Three pedals and 5 cogs, along with a brand new clutch make for a cool driving experience. Power is fed to the rear wheels through a 8.75” Diff which was rebuilt with a 3.5 gear ratio and an Eaton True Trac Detroit locker installed along with all new bearings. Keeping things cool is a brand new Mopar authorised radiator that is correctly date coded. The factory style TA side exit exhausts expel gases and give the car a unique rumble down the road!
The suspension was fully rebuilt and upgraded with Bilstein shocks, tubular upper control arms, Hotchkis heavy duty torsion bars and strut rods up front as well as all new ball joints, bushes, hardware and rubber boots. The rear end received heavy duty leaf springs, Hotchkis shackles, Bilstein shocks along with all new rubbers, bushes and hardware. Steering is sorted thanks to a Firm Feel stage 2 restored steering box, brand new power steering pump and brand new steering column. Other handling upgraded include Firm Feel heavy duty front and rear sway bars. The brakes received a restored brake booster, brand new brake lines, new pads, new rotors, lines, valves and brake master cylinder. The callipers in the front were restored with the rear drums receiving new shoes, pistons and handbrake cable.
The engine bay and undercarriage of the car are finished to a show quality factory standard. The level of detail in this build needs to be seen. The owner tells us that every single nut, bolt, screw, fitting, washer, clamp, bracket, and wiring was done new and to look like factory. All of the stickers, decals and warning stickers were purchased from Mopar authorised dealers and manufacturers. All hoses and glass have the correct Mopar stamp and markings. All correct bolt heads were used and where studs were used instead of bolts, he has done the same. All suspension components, brackets, pedals and everything that can be powder coated was sandblasted and powder coated, even the seat frames under the seat foam that will never be seen. Countless hours of research was put into the build with the owner engaging a lot of people in the Mopar world as well as purchasing special Mopar E-body books to get things right. He purchased only the best parts and used the best people in the industry in a no expense spared build. This is a very regretful sale by the owner but an amazing opportunity for our bidders to own one of the best examples you will see of a rare and extremely collectible American Muscle Car.
PLEASE CALL LOCKY MCCANN WITH SALES ENQUIRIES ON 0403 935 488
IMPORTANT: Vehicle information is provided to us by the consignee. We do everything we can to qualify the best cars in the Australian market to represent on consignment for private sellers however, they are still old cars and we can’t capture everything in the photos, we don’t drive them any significant distance and can’t know everything about them. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied themselves as to the condition and value and to purchase based upon that judgement solely. Vehicles may have been sitting for some time and it is suggested that to protect your investment, you allow to change fuel, oil, fluids, filters and inspect brakes prior to use. All vehicles are sold under standard auction conditions, consignment and auction vehicles are sold as is, without registration unless otherwise stated and there is no cooling off period or warranty expressed, written or implied. All sales are final. Independent inspections are welcome and strongly encouraged to help with your decision making.
Located at 2 Palings Court, Nerang on the Gold Coast. Inspections by appointment during auction and public openings/viewing as advertised.
