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Chassis & Trim

All 1970 Dodge Challengers were based on two basic variants: the Hardtop and the Convertible. Chrysler had been using the unit-body construction successfully for several years, and it was also employed for the Challenger. The firewall shared the same dimensions as the larger B-bodies and supported the use of more powerful engines. The same body shape was used for all Challenger versions.

Roof Options:

In addition to the standard painted roof, a vinyl roof could be selected as an option. For the Challenger SE, the vinyl roof was standard due to the smaller rear window.
 

Challenger SE with a smaller rear window and SE emblem

In the 1970 and 1971 Challenger, a vinyl roof was typically used, which had a spacing of 51 inches between the two seams. This contributed to a wider appearance.

The ends of the vinyl were consistently finished with chrome moldings. For the left side, moldings with part number 2954409 were used, and for the right side, part number 2954408 was used. Due to the unique rear window of the SE, moldings with part number 3514059 were used for the left side and part number 3514058 for the right side. Except for the windshield molding, no molding is interchangeable between the Challenger and the Barracuda.

The vinyl roof could be ordered in four colors:

• Green (V1F)
• Gator Grain (V1G)
• White (V1W)
• Black (V1X)

Additionally, by the end of 1970, there was a special, lighter white vinyl top exclusively used for the Deputy Challenger and the "coupe package." Gator Grain is an uncommon green color with a texture that simulates alligator leather. All other vinyl roofs are made from a material known as Boar Grain.
 

Gator Grain top on a Challenger SE

The black and white vinyl roofs were available with all the paint colors of the cars. The green roof was available with all green paint colors, as well as beige, yellow, gold, black, and white, when coordinated with a green or white interior color.

Das Gator Grain was available with the following combinations:

Vehicle Color	Interieur
Green, Dark Tan Metallic, Gold	Any Interieur
Burnt Orange, Top Banana	Black or white/black Interieur
Blue	Blue, black, or white/black Interieur

 

Gator Grain Material, Aligator Imitation

A new option offered for the 1970 Challenger was the Backlight Louver Package with sales code A44. The 5 "slats" are arranged horizontally and slightly curved to follow the lines of the rear window. They are finished in satin black

 .

Backlight Louver Package A44

At the upper end of the rear window, the louver is attached with 2 hinges, and at the lower end, it has two snap locks. The Louver Package was available without a vinyl roof, but if it was ordered with a vinyl roof, the vinyl had to be black. This option cost USD 91.10.

Another very rare option is the "power sunroof" with code M51. This was available for all 1970 Challengers except the SE. The sunroof was operated automatically by a button on the overhead console. This option came at a substantial cost of USD 461.45.

The 1970 base Challenger Convertible and the Challenger R/T Convertible could be ordered with a manual or automatic folding top. The latter version with the "power-operated top" had code P37 on the fender plate. The vinyl used in both versions was 36-ounce Crushed Grain Vinyl. The convertible top was available in black (V3X) or white (V3W).

1970 Challenger R/T Convertible

Whether red vinyl roofs were also manufactured is not documented; to this day, no Challenger with one has ever appeared. The code for the vinyl roof in this case would be V3R.
 

1970 Challenger R/T Convertible numbers matching (?) 440 6 pack with
Pistol Grip.

1 of 31 made in Rallye Red mit Shaker
 

Red Convertible with reed roof

Another very rare option is the "two-tone paint." The sales code V02 indicated this option. Various color combinations were possible for both the base Challenger and the R/T. However, for the T/A, the option was only available in EW1 white or TX9 black. In the Two-Tone Paint option, the different shades were separated by a chrome molding.
 

     

Challenger T/A with V02 Code und TX9 black roof.

The EV2 Hemi Orange T/A shown in Image 8 also has the code V08 on the fender tag. V08 is the code for Paint, Trim + Vinyl Roof Edit Waiver. This code allowed the workers on the assembly lines to install a non-recommended equipment combination. However, there are also T/As with the V02 code but without the V08 code.

Trunk Lid

In 1970, there were two versions of trunk lids. The first version was used until December 1969 when the J81 rear spoiler and the A45 front/rear spoiler package were introduced. The attachment of the rear spoiler required a restyling of the inner area of the trunk lid. Since all Challenger T/A models, which had the "Ducktail" rear spoiler with part number 3570371, were introduced only from March 1970, the second version of the 1970 trunk lid was used for these models.

Challenger T/A Ducktail Spoiler

The J81 rear spoiler was commonly referred to as the "Gull Wing" on the street. It had a 45-degree angle on each side.

The J81 Gull Wing spoiler featured the distinctive 45-degree angled extensions on each side

It was manufactured in a matte black finish and featured attachment components specifically designed for the 1970 model year.

In 1970, the "deck lid luggage rack package" with sales code M91, which added a rack for additional luggage on the trunk lid, was also offered.

Deck Lid Luggage Rack Package M91

The price for this option was USD 32.35. However, this option was not available in combination with the Gull Wing spoiler, which makes sense given the conflicting nature of these two features.

Front Fenders
 

Challenger Emblem remained unchanged from 1970–1974

Adhesive (glued) 70-71, and secured with screws from 72-74

When the car was equipped with a 6-cylinder engine, nothing was mounted below this emblem. If a 318ci or 383ci two-barrel engine resided in the Challenger, a V8 emblem was additionally centered below the Challenger emblem. For a base Challenger or a Challenger SE equipped with the 383ci 4-barrel engine, a "383 4-barrel" emblem with part number 3504233 was installed. The Challenger R/T featured a red and black R/T badge with part number 3445223.

The Challenger T/A did not have any of these emblems. The T/A name was integrated or cut out in the side stripe, in the same position where the Challenger emblem was attached to other Challengers. An additional decal displayed "340 Six Pak" as the engine call-out.

Only on the T/A, SIX PAK was written instead of the correct SIX PACK for design reasons.

T/A Engine call-out - 340 SIX PAK

Engine Hoods

For the 1970 Challenger, four different hoods were used. The base version of the Challenger had the "flat steel hood" with part number 2934850. The front edge was finished with a chrome molding. In the center front of the hood, a tri-star Dodge emblem was mounted.
 

Hood from a basic Challengers in FM3 Panther Pink

For the Challenger R/T, the R/T hood with part number 3417066 was used.

The R/T hood featured simulated air intakes, the DODGE lettering,
J45 hold down pins

This hood was characterized by the "power bulge," which is the raised portion in the middle of the hood, as well as the simulated "hood scoops" or air intakes. The borders of the simulated openings were exclusively provided in the car's body color. The "engine identification" or "engine call-outs" were attached to the edge of the Power Bulge.

Below is a list of all those available for the 1970 Challenger:

The purpose of the call-outs was to make it clear to the competition at the red light what they were up against. They were made of bright metal with red inlets. The R/T hood also had the front chrome molding to visually finish the hood, but the Dodge Tri-Star was not installed. Instead, the name Dodge was used in individual letters.

For the Challenger T/A, a special fiberglass hood was used, which was lightweight and had a very efficient functional air intake. The cool, dense air that reached the air filter in this way increased the car's performance. The chrome hold-down pins were standard on the T/A. The molding at the front end of the hood was special for the T/A and had part number 3420000. Additionally, different hood springs were used. The T/A fiberglass hood was used for a few 1970 Challengers that were ordered with a Shaker but were not in stock.

The fourth hood used was the one that came with the Shaker Fresh Air Hood Option N96. This option was available on all Challengers with multiple carburetors, whether it was a four-barrel, six-pack, or Hemi carburetor.

Shaker in DA1 Astrotone Argent Silver, Hood with cut-out,
SHAKER Sticker

On the Hemicuda, the Shaker was standard, while it was an option on the 1970 Challenger. The hood had a large opening in the center, allowing the Shaker air filter, which was directly mounted on the carburetor, to protrude. The transition between the hood and the Shaker was visually refined with a raised edge around the opening. The hood used for the Shaker also featured the Dodge Tri-Star emblem centered at the front end of the hood, just like the standard Challenger. It also had the chrome strip as a hood finisher.

The chrome J45 "hold-down" pins were optional with the Shaker hood. The engine call-outs for the Shaker option were directly mounted on the Shaker air filter. These call-outs were the same as those used for the Challenger R/T, except for the Hemi emblem. The Hemi Challenger used the emblem with part number 3462489-90 for the Shaker. This emblem was different for the left and right sides due to the Shaker's decreasing height toward the rear.

The N96 Shaker option became available only in January 1970 for the 440 Six-Pack and Hemi Challenger. In late April 1970, the Shaker was also offered for 340 cubic inch engines. For the base Challenger, the Shaker option was available only when ordering the A66 Challenger 340 Performance Package.

Initially, the Shaker was sprayed in FE5 Rallye Red if that color was chosen for the car's paint. However, initially, the Shaker was only available in Organosol black for all other colors. By the end of 1970, the Shaker became available in FE5 red, EB5 blue (only if the car's paint was also in these colors), DA1 Astrotone Argent Silver, and 5X8 black.

Stripes and Bumble Bees

To enhance the exterior appearance variations, the 1970 Challenger R/T came standard with painted "bumble bee" stripes. They were named so because they wrapped around the rear of the car, resembling the stripes of a bee. These stripes consist of two parts. The rear part (toward the rear end) is 5¼ inches wide, followed by a 5/16-inch gap, and then another stripe that is ¼ inch wide. The Bumble Bee stripes were available in five colors:

• V9W white
• V9X black
• V9R Bright Red
• V9B Bright Blue
• V9Y yellow
• V9F green

 

Bumble Bee Stripes in V9W white

These codes are indicated on the fender tag. If the customer did not want such stripes, a V98 would be entered in that space.

Stripe delete 440-6 Pack Challenger

The Challenger R/T was also available with a longitudinal stripe, which was applied just below the side crease. At the location of the Challenger emblem on the front fender, the R/T emblem was cut out, eliminating the need for the engine call-out badges. This stripe was available in the following colors:

• V6X black
• V6W white
• V6B blue
• V6F green
• V6R red

Additionally, after March 9, 1970, V6J Light Green and V6M Pink were added as color options.

1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Convertible with V6M side stripes and
FM3 Panther Pink exterior color

This side stripe was also available for the standard version of the Challenger, just without the R/T cut-out.

The Challenger T/A had a special side stripe, identified with the code V6H on the fender plate. This stripe began at the front end of the front fender, extended over the door, and ended directly in line with the rear side window. There were two variations of the stripe that could vary depending on the optional side mirrors.

In 1970, the Challenger was not available with the Elastomeric bumper option, which was possible for the Cuda of that year. However, the standard chrome bumpers were available with optional front and rear bumper guards (M85), which had rubber inserts.

M85 Bumper Guards, V6W white R/T stripe

Exterior Colors

The 1970 Challenger was available in 18 different colors. There were standard colors as well as colors that incurred additional costs, known as performance colors. The following table lists all the available colors and demonstrates them using various Challenger T/A models. At the same time, it becomes evident from this table that there were differences in the nomenclature between Dodge and Plymouth for identical shades, for marketing reasons.