[Kelly]

Hey guys, if you are saying that my article was a bad source, I am sorry, I wrote Allpar's Challenger article in 1997,when I was 14 or 15-this was when some of their pages were still hosted at the z.simplenet address.

I apologise for the necroposting, but I just came across this.


Anyway, as far as the '71 T/As go, I have only UNCONFIRMED rumors that a handful (~30) were built before the Top Brass pulled the plug, and they were turned into 340 R/Ts. They had a regular four barrel. I've heard stories that these cars were in an out lot close to Dodge Main for a few weeks in the fourth quarter of 1970. I don't know if they had the relocated antenna mast, but for a tiny pilot run that would be major tooling headache just for the antenna. I am not sure if these cars had the Hemi Fenders, I am guessing they would. Maybe they flew Rock in from St. Louis to convert them back?

As far as the ad car, yes it is airbrushed. There are ads of a '70 T/A with steelies, a black top, and painted, (you guessed it), top banana paint playing on a rainy track. Those ad boys were good at airbrushing-see the '70 "Shrinking Violet" ad car, for instance-It pictures the car as a hemi or six pack (can't remember right now), and it is either a 440 or a 383.

The N94 T/A hood was available at your local dodge dealer in '70 and '71, and an interesting factory part that has surfaced is dual snorkel unit Mopar adapted for the 4 barrel carbs. It mates to the bottom of the hood, and carries a different part number than the regular dual snorkel air cleaner. I would also assume that the 4-barrel B-body 'Air Grabber' unit might be also used here.

As far as factory Non-T/A N94 hood cars, there is a triple black R/T SE that exists only as a build sheet found in another car, rumored to be destroyed in the eighties (that two million dollar 'cuda was crushed in 1975, remember?), and a red hemi R/T...


The real T/A cars carried the Hemi Fenders (rolled lip in the wheelwell arches to fit those fat F60s?), and the antenna again, was on the rear quarter-reasoning is that the lack of a steel hood would impede reception on the radio. Remember, when these cars were new, Classical Music and Religious stations dominated the FM airwaves!

With that being said, take it with a grain of salt, an exhausted joint by that build sheet, and a can of Miller in the door panel. I would still go out and check that 340 R/T!


Later

KFD (yes, Kelly Doke).