Scheduled for the 1970 model year, the Challenger was planned along-side the all-new third-generation Barracuda that would also bow that season. Both would share a newly designed unitized structure bearing the E-body internal code, plus major chassis and driveline components and convertible and hardtop coupe body styles. The Dodge version would be deliberately a bit beefier than the Plymouth, riding a two-inch longer wheelbase (110 inches) and measuring 191 inches long, 76.5 inches wide, and 51.5 inches high.

The new E-body chassis borrowed heavily from Chrysler’s mid-size cars, in Dodge’s case the Charger/Coronet. This was actually an advantage in some ways. For example, use of the intermediates‘ front sub-frame meant that any Mopar engine-including the ground-pounding 440s and the mighty Hemi-could be slotted into the Challenger’s engine bay. This partly explains the broad overall body width, though styling considerations were also a factor. Adapting the Charger/Coronet rear suspension to the ponycar not only yielded a wide 60.7-inch rear track but also allowed the use of the fat tires then coming into vogue for the low, "tough" look deemed essential for good sales. The suspension itself was typical Chrysler, with longitudinal torsion bars in front and a live rear axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs. Typically, the torsion-bar front produced a better combination of ride and handling than an ordinary coil-spring-and-wishbone arrangement, not too harsh, not too squishy. Manual steering and brakes were to be standard, but power everything would be available at extra cost. And there were to be no fewer than nine engine choices, which we’ll get to shortly along with handling and appearance options.

The Challenger was also set apart from the Barracuda in having four headlamps instead of two, a set-back "venturi" grille instead of the Plymouth’s split affair, wide horizontal taillamps instead of square ones, and a less abruptly cut off back panel. Motor Trend magazine’s initial impression was "quite a hunk of car." Said Brownlie of the styling at the Challenger’s press introduction: "We call it 'road appearance'," adding in a remark indicative of the times: "The anticipatory thinking of a stylist is predicated on market research and sound engineering– coupled with some hallucinatory trips." The prevailing psychedelic trendiness of the era was most evident on the chip chart, where the 18 color choices included five "High-Impact" hues bearing very "mod" names: Plum Crazy, Sub Lime, Go-Mango, Hemi Orange, and Top Banana. Added later were Panther Pink and Green-Go.

Both hardtop and convertible were offered in two versions, standard and R/T (the latter denoting "Road/Track") for a four – model lineup. Base models had all–vinyl upholstery, three–spoke steering wheel with simulated–walnut rim, and bright wheelhouse moldings among their accoutrements, along with Chrysler’s workhorse 225-cubic-inch slant–six engine, rated at 145 horsepower. Standard gearbox was a fully synchronized three-speed manual with floorshift. Torqueflite automatic was optional, and the base V-8 was the equally familiar 318-cid unit, packing 230 bhp.

The cheapest 1970 Challenger was the six-cylinder standard coupe, priced at $2851. R/Ts carried about a $300 price premium, but you got a lot for the extra outlay: a 335-bhp 383 Magnum V-8, heavy-duty Rallye suspension, F70 x14 raised-white-letter blackwall tires, heavy-duty brakes, and a Rallye instrument cluster with a 150-mph speedometer, trip odometer, 8000-rpm tachometer, oil pressure gauge, and clock, plus windshield washers. A rear "bumblebee" stripe, a trademark of Dodge’s sportier models since the mid-Sixties, could be specified on R/Ts at no charge. Alternatively, you could get bodyside stripes, which were fluorescent when mated with the "High-Impact" colors – and quite an attention-grabber at night. Both hardtops could be ordered with a Special Edition package, a luxury option that recalled the design studio's original GT concept. It included a vinyl roof with a smaller "formal" backlight and "SE" emblems on the sail panels. Inside were leather seat facings, woodgrain dash trim, and an overhead console with warning lights for "door ajar," "seat belts," and "low fuel."
 

1970 Design Study		1970 Design Study