1970 Dodge Challenger T/A - History, Specs, & Why It Got Cancelled! (Trans-Am Series Part 1)

[@LaGaspa]

At timestamp 7:36 Chrysler DID NOT have a 4-speed automatic back in the early '70s. The options available for automatic transmissions were the TorqueFlight A904 for a small block (Slant Six/273ci - 360ci) and the TorqueFlight 727 for the big block (383ci - 440ci) engines, which were both three speed automatics. Chrysler's TorqueFlight was one of the STRONGEST automatic transmissions in the early days of muscle cars, for which they were used in drag racing circuits!! Great video, I didn't know that the T/A was only available for one production year!

[@billwiley7216]

Chrysler did also offer a smallblock 727 Torqueflight for the smallblock performance car models and heavy duty smallblock truck models. Usually if the car came factory equipped with an automatic and the 8 3/4 rear end you would find the trans was a 727 not a 904. And yes all torqueflight transmissions back in the '70's were a 3 speed auto not 4 spd. As a hot rodder building street/strip cars back then what I would have given for a 4spd auto with an overdrive 4th gear when running street cars with say 4:56 and lower gearing!

[@ronsmith7739]

Yes, very good about the "4 speed" automatic.

[@LoganRoberts1320]

I love 70 challengers! Especially the T/A.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Me too Logan!

[@justinpeterson6839]

It's weird I rather like the first generation over the second but with the newer models I like the second generation and not the widebody those are disgusting

[@couthlazer]

I love the R/T more to be honest. But I respect the T/A lot

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

@@couthlazer 👍

[@benjaminandrew9057]

I've always loved the side exhaust of the T/A Challenger and the AAR Cuda. Wish the modern T/A had the side exhaust as well but I guess modification would maybe make that possible.

[@EBarracuda]

Absolute beauty of a Muscle Car, Legendary and a jaw dropper whenever it is seen

[@randysmith9636]

Excellent video brother. FYI the 727 automatic was a 3 speed only. I am a little late to the party but I always smile when I get Marspeed notification. I ran a Balanced and Blueprinted T/A 340 in my 72 Duster. My buddy totaled his Cuda and I bought the engine. It was a incredible engine from the factory. The heads had offset rockers for larger ports and were able to flow more air.

[@scottandrews4822]

Great video but just one error. The Torqueflite auto was a 3 speed, not a 4 speed auto as your video states. I live your videos; always very informative and well researched!

[@unstablebobgable]

Great video. When I was in the USAF back in the 80s there was a guy on base who had a T/A Challenger as a daily driver.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid!!!! The TA (along with the AAR) are my favorite cars!

[@MarspeedCars]

They are unbelievable cars such a good design that still gets people excited all these 50 years later

[@captainboose8788]

Gotta love the Side Exit exhaust!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Sooooo true!

[@MarspeedCars]

Definitely an awesome touch! You can probably hear the exhaust better that way too lol

[@Ren_184]

MARSPEED YOU'RE AMAZING! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS.

[@tomd.6683]

Thanks for covering this great old muscle car. Without this original car what would we have today. I love the new ones also..

[@nathanjoseph4284]

I love classic Mopars and I love these types of videos, and these are my favorite kind of videos on this channel! Keep up the great work, Marspeed! :)

[@MarspeedCars]

Thanks for watching man! This was definitely a fun one to put together, the T/A is simply stunning what a beautiful car 🤩

[@nathanjoseph4284]

@@MarspeedCars I didn't watch it yet (sorry!), but I will! I can tell it's going to be a good video :D

[@galilalexandro4392]

Hey marspeed, always a good day when you upload another video

[@weshoyt2322]

Always loved the challengers and cudas growing up...my sister's boyfriend in '73 had a Cuda, and I just loved that car!!!

[@ronschwolsky1626]

I made it to the end. Your sales graph is jacked.

[@MoparFan987]

Great video love it when you upload Marspeed : D

[@MarspeedCars]

Thanks man Mopar or no car!

[@WarrenF19]

Has part 2 to this series been released yet? If not, I can't wait!!

[@Ecosse57]

once many years ago i was at the vintage festival at lime rock and posey's car was there. the guy watching over it let me sit in it and even used my camera to snap a photo. in the 80s i was driving truck and came across a t/a (may have been an aar. it was a long time ago) parked on the side of the street. i stopped to have a look and it was either restored or a clean original and to my shock it had a bench seat and column shifter. i found out later these came optioned out in any old way by the dealers; buyers could not order them.

[@Mettz97]

11:58 you may have used the same graph on both sides. Other from that I definitely like the video

[@YGSpider]

I'm glad the purchase of my 21 T/A help bring dodge to number 1 selling pony car 👍👍

[@WarrenF19]

Same here in all black!! I also love that you don't see many of em!! I've seen maybe 1 or 2 others (if any) on the road.

[@ZROSTARS]

10:09 you can see new/old Stellantis logo

[@LALATE]

great video

[@ZROSTARS]

Matt black hood to prevent light reflections 😲 totally makes sense in racing

[@MarspeedCars]

Yeah I didn’t even think about that until you pointed it out

[@charlescho7989]

Beautiful cars. 👍

[@davidbunch1080]

challeger t/a is my favorite muscle car with the 68 chevelle a close 2nd ( chevelle has the coil spring rear suspension and a useable back seat).

[@benzlick]

I have a well loved and driven Stone White 09 R/T, but when I go online and build a new model that's within my means I have to say it's usually a White Knuckle T/A 😎👍

[@richardkirk5098]

Had the 76 Pontiac Trans Am. Always wanted one of these beasts.

[@bufjayup7774]

Sales figures at end are same across the board. LOVED the vid though

[@NewtownVids]

Awesome video. In your magnum cancellation video, i said to myself Challenger in Magnum out.

[@Brownballers562]

Love my 17 T/A 392 🤙

[@Leo-xf7xn]

3:40

[@johnosbourn4312]

I love those old beasts!

[@iamzuesthisisthetruth8864]

Proud owner of 2018 T/A 392!! 500 HP!! Representing the Past!! That’s why I Bought it!! Ohh and it is Black on Black!!!

[@uPilot]

12:00 both graphs are same?

[@thewheelman3603]

Love the video man I have a orange 70 t/a and just picked up a red rt charger yesterday like yours

[@DF-ee8vt]

Enjoyed it, but there seems to be a problem with the chart of Challenger vs. Mustang sales at 11:57!

[@novawagon1965]

I remember going to the Dodge dealer trying to order a 71 T/A in yellow just like the ad in Hot Rod magazine and was told they didn't know if it was going to happen. Well we all know the rest of the story. I had to settle for a used Light green metallic one but I traded it later for a 71 Challenger R/T In Light Gunmetal Poly unfortunately lost track of both of them.I actually liked the look of the 71 grill and tailight's better than the 70. Thanks for posting I enjoyed it.

[@ConemantheBarbarian]

The auto transmission options were three speeds

[@512bb]

You did a superb job explaining the T/A story. I owned the same FM3 Panther pink T/A you featured in this video. I can tell you first hand these were better driving on the street then the 69 Z28 or Boss 302.

[@512bb]

@@iilagz Yelp, destroked motors are great on the racetrack but it's torque that rules on the street.

[@nathanlehman5342]

Never liked a video quicker! I liked before the ad even ended.

[@jondickson75]

Great channel

[@MarspeedCars]

Appreciate it thanks 🙏🏼

[@nguyenkhangchannel8429]

we still have the T/A package in challenger r/t 392 scatpack

[@MarspeedCars]

Yup gonna talk about that during Part 2

[@nguyenkhangchannel8429]

@@MarspeedCars thx !

[@SixPackGarage]

Actually the current 77 car was the 76 car just renumbered. The 77 car had a hard life and what was left of the car was found in a junk yard in or near detroit. Only thing left was the front suspension and firewall and it was installed on a late model pontiac firebird/trans am crew members from the Autodynamics team looked this car over and pointed out things that they only installed on the 76 car. There is an old SIAC article which interviewed the then owner of the car and he explained this then.

[@2000speer]

Thanks

[@Miskamandariini]

THAT'S MY DREAM CAR!

[@scottandrews4822]

I think you meant that, on the production car, transmission choices were limited to a THREE speed auto and four speed manual, not a four speed on both as your video states. Otherwise, great video and very informative!!😊

[@bryanvogt6702]

I have read that the Trans-Am Series charged OEMs for the right to use their name. Pontiac paid-up. Dodge did not, thus: T/A

[@JDB5824RG]

What happened to part 2 ?

[@BBBILLY86]

Where is part 2?

[@jamesjordan4306]

i think you misspoke. the torqueflights were 3 speed automatics.

[@user-zx8de8op9l]

well done, you did your home work

[@roadhouse1234]

I’ve got a challenger I’m making a ta clone. Dear dodge… I love my car!!!

[@nguyenkhangchannel8429]

can we remove the speedlimiter in the dodge challenger super stock?

[@captainboose8788]

Yes

[@sdmoparmaninsd6713]

7:35 *3 speed torqueflite

[@USSEnterprise123]

I wonder if that's my car #77 or #76 I grew up I had a 1970 Dodge Challenger yellow with black stripes. Mickey Thompson and N-50s on the rear 60s on the front. I wonder if that car was originally 💛. Interesting. I lived in Kent Washington.

[@sophiaskeens6417]

Still waiting on Part 2.

[@sophiaskeens6417]

Still waiting.

[@sophiaskeens6417]

Still waiting.

[@transam1870]

Still waiting. .

[@sophiaskeens6417]

Still waiting

[@sophiaskeens6417]

Still waiting

[@jason3280]

I never understood why the #77 race car had R/T stripes

[@nintendoatarikiller]

For a second I thought the thumbnail was a straight pipes video

[@nicholasmagcamit8233]

That’s was Pontiac used this name on the firebird

[@j.d.b.pennamesonofharraant3367]

Go get Cotton Owens .... He drove the 6 car in that Elvis Speedway movie ... I'm gonna have to give you a Technical bruh

[@dougfarrell9268]

You have your 4 speed and automatic numbers backwards.

[@johnabbott1787]

Messed up again it didn't have flat black roof just hood rear spoiler

[@Richard4point6]

The original Challengers look great. The contemporary ones look like bricks.

[@thegelik4967]

The Thumbnail looks like one from the straight pipes

[@nguyenkhangchannel8429]

yeah , i am being mistaken :))))))))

[@freddielm7381]

I have one of these made out of lego

[@josephnorris4095]

Clearly, people have money what with the 54000 Challengers being sold. 🙂Those cars are not cheap and pricing across the board is more, as well.

[@Dogboy1960]

"Ending 4th behind Ford and AMC but ahead of Chevy, Plymouth. and Pontiac"....... huh? Despite this 4th place finish for Dodge behind Ford, AMC and Chevrolet the E bodies probably shouldn't have been expected do better than 4th and 5th place in their first and only year. A learning curve doesn't happen over just one season. In the end though we're lucky to have these cars at all. Trans Am had passed it's best years by 1970. GM was no longer sponsoring the series. AMC's strong second place showing, in 1970, was a result of the series best driver, Mark Donahue, leaving the Camaro team he'd won with in 1968 and simply DOMINATED with in 1969, for the better deal in a Javlin still strongly supported by the factory at AMC. With Chevy gone Ford easily won the series in 1970. Dodge and Plymouth were late to the party and the poor showing by Chrysler's Challenger TA and AAR Cuda teams never did manage to be a competitive threat. Chrysler wouldn't return in 1971. The street car versions of the TA and AAR are super cool though. To this day I still see the 340 TA and AAR as the best balanced of the 1970 Cuda's and Challengers. Nose heavy Big Blocks were exciting in a straight line but excitement bordered on white knuckle FEAR in corning and breaking. Weak performing 318 and slant six cars were more economical to drive but there is no excitement to be found in a grocery getter level performance. The TA and AAR with a rockin 340 and some actual effort put into higher spring rates and shocks along with stabilizer bars may not have been as quick off the line as Hemi Cuda but in actual street driving with corning required on a winding road these 340 six pack cars were as good as gets for an E Body in 1970. Way more "go" than the pedestrian models and an actual effort to control the power..... was a rare effort to build a balanced car in 1970. In some ways BETTER than a Z/28 or Boss 302. Ford and Chevy chose to sell the street versions with race car displacements. Chrysler's 340 and it's extra "no replacement for displacement" was a stronger runner on the street than the super "peaky" power found in the 302 Ford and Chevy. Sacrificing all the power down low with small displacement may not have mattered much to racers but on the street it definitely matters,

[@munthermunther1030]

The sales figures are duplicated

[@ronsmith7739]

The "A" motor small block was okay as a passenger car, but was not good at all on muscle car, lousy heads. It needed a complete new engine as the small block could not compete for anything. This is why for any kind of pro racing it is Chevy and Ford small blocks. Now if we had a new / old Poly-sphere head that would make a world of difference. They also they needed a new four bolt main bearings and crankshaft. Why do they keep using the "new" 392 engine is dumb as the new small block. It is well known that new small block is weak and cannot handle endurance racing. The old 392 big block was from 1957-58 with the first generation Hemi and weighted over 800 pounds. If nothing else use a 397 cu in engine as it would be an even 6.5 liter engine.

[@rebeccajohnson1407]

wow lousy heads lmao we all did thank you we needed a good laugh . so the 340 x heads were shit . oh my chest hurts stop it. 340 , ran hard the big block killer, i watched it happen over and over good old days love them all

[@ronsmith7739]

@@rebeccajohnson1407 So just how often did SB Mopar win in racing???

[@stevejewell9263]

Love the look but Chrysler was too late and bucks down against serious competitors. Still "better late than never", Very cool to know that a Challenger and Barracuda actually made into the series for 1970. Beating Chevy that year for third place is nice hat tip for bragging rights. (We won't dwell on the fact that Chevy had abandoned the effort in 1970 and left racers choosing to run a Camaro to fend for themselves). Coming in behind AMC isn't as poor a showing as it appears. After Chevy left Trans Am racing for 1970 Mark Donahue chose to follow up his winning seasons with a Camaro in '68 and '69 and run a Javlin in 1970 because Chevy had refused to go racing again. AMC offered him BIG BUCKS to run their car so no big surprise AMC had their best season ever.

[@davidn7457]

They lost the series due to driver incompetence is my guess.

[@Modine.]

And that sme 6-pack on a Dodge was called a 6- barrel.

[@johnabbott1787]

Torquflite wasn't 4 speed automatic it was a 3 speed automatic and 4 speed wasn't available yet until late 1989 get your facts correct but other than that so far your spot on.