dodge challenger 1969 review

Even implying that any particular muscle car is the perfect example of the breed is a reason to incite riots these days but this challenger's backstory sets the stage for a compelling argument in its favor.

Most people would agree that muscle car performance and looks top the list when it comes to discussing the ideal car. But what about a woman's perspective? Who cares a knee-jerk reaction might trigger? After all the madness of muscle cars is still male-dominated lifestyle. Aside from bragging about whose muscle car is superior usually measured by how the car performs on the street and in striptease in a way how cool it looks or sounds women's typical of muscle cars Evaluation may be from Okay but that's certainly loud for total apathy -- or worse total dismissal.

But is there a muscle car that can surpass the unmeasurable -- but very real -- standards of every gender? In the fall of 1969 at least one young consumer thought so and his confidence in that belief led him to buy a very hot car of a somewhat dubious color. so what is it What was he thinking about?

The answer to this perplexing question might never have been discovered had it not been for the tenacity and detective skills of Bruce Hershberg the current caretaker of the car from Soldotna Alaska. It's worth noting that he's known about the controversial color coupe since the late '80s. But it's only four years Before that the third owner who had owned the car since 1972 finally relented and agreed to sell it to Bruce.

Luckily Bruce has the unique skillset to transform his Challenger from a dilapidated state to its current meticulously cleaned competition-grade restoration. Bruce's efforts to restore the correct factory look may be considered fanatical Some people but to him it's just the right handling of a great car. Before we delve into the car's recently completed restoration some history is provided to provide insight into why the 1970 440 Six-Pack Challenger might be the ideal muscle car.

In the spring of 1970 Rex Lynch 27 was earning a decent salary as a ball mill operator at a copper mine outside Tucson Arizona. He could afford a nice blue 1969 Chevelle SS four-speed from the year before. Rex loves his Chevy but He was distracted by the rush of new car commercials which made him eager to get involved in Detroit's latest wave of fast products.

One afternoon when Rex and his best friend David Drumgould started watching TV they got their first glimpse of Dodge's new white hat ad campaign. When it introduced Challenger R/T the 60-second ad grabbed the attention of impressionable men. they heard the new E-body's previous performances but the message has never been as imaginative as the grumpy local sheriff played by actor Josh Higgins wearing aviator sunglasses sombrero and Deep South stretches: Look now boy when I watch Time for a race car!

The TV commercials represented one aspect of Dodge's then-coveted youth market effort. The other is a Scat Pack Club created for 1970 and comes with a newsletter parts catalogue wallet card jacket patch and bumper sticker. It's a well-designed marketing plan to attract New customers buy the company's products but perhaps just as importantly it makes new customers feel like part of an exclusive team. The advertising department was responsible for some of the most colorful and creative media advertising of the time.

Apparently it worked: Rex and his friends hurried out the door to find local Mopar dealer Bill Breck Dodge to see what could satisfy their newfound craving. They were in different cars so Rex arrived first - but he wasn't ready for what greeted him in the center showroom. The unabashedly bright pink on the Challenger R/T dazzled him. Rex describes his experience as the resurrection of Cleopatra!

The dodge challenger 1969 is a direct result of the 1967 Mercury Cougar. It has a longer wheelbase than the 'Cuda which is more directly aimed at the Mustang market and the Challenger's larger size and more luxurious interior offer a larger and more luxurious pony car target among wealthy young buyers.

The relatively large size of the E-Type body also ensures that the engine bay can swallow any high-performance engine in the Dodge lineup including the big-cube high-torque 440 six-pack found in Panther Pink cars so appealing to the Rex that day.

The R/T has a ton of extra options ordered by the dealer including a Hemi four-speed mixer a Pistol Grip shifter between the salt and pepper bucket seats a Track Pack Shaker cover a Go Wing rear window which probably doesn't mean much Cons Blind Cover Pin Painted Racing Mirror and A slew of other cast members who swooned the Mopar pals today.

A man has to feel very comfortable with his masculinity to deal with such a bold conflict of expectations as a pink muscle car. When Rex told the salesman he wanted that pink challenger he seemed to realize something most people don't. Five minutes later his friend came to the dealership Tell the salesman that he wants the same challenger to apparently succumb to the same spell on Rex.

As far as the salesman is concerned he didn't miss a beat. He refocused David's attention on the ivy green semi-challenger offered to him for the same price. It wasn't long before the two newest subscribers to the Dodge White Hat ad campaign were seen racing each other down the track. Leaving the dealership.

Mopar's history shows that few people have the insight (or the guts) to buy a muscle car in this less-manly hue. From the point of view of the 76935 Challenger made in 1970 only 90 were called Panther Pink. Of the 1640 Challenger R/T two-door hardtops built with the 440 Six Pack there are only five According to Chrysler authority Galen Govier the pink version is currently known to exist. Although the Shaker hood is a rarity on any Challenger all five 440 Six Pack cars in pink have it.

For the next six months Rex loved his new car and drove it—over 25,000 miles. It's probably safe to assume the driving experience is an enjoyable one especially if you consider the following road test reviews from Road Test Magazine's first test period Six-Pack Challenger: Ride on normal throttle…totally docile. An explosion occurs when you put your foot on the gas pedal intentionally or not. The car jets forward like a released race car...and all of a sudden you're over the speed limit.

As he ran those miles Rex realized that everywhere he went would be a sensation. When he stopped a group of men and women gathered around the car. Guys of course appreciate his car's predatory sleek looks and plentiful performance features had to ask for a peek Protruding hood.

But the pink car also seemed to excite the gathered women almost driving them into a frenzy. Rex lamented that he was forced to pick among passionate women all eager to cruise on his glamorous journey.

It wasn't long before the Rex's colorful car attracted challengers interested in seeing if the pink machine was all on display without success. Although Rex never ran his car on the track he did go to all the local street racing circuits regularly regularly working out his Challenger and quickly built a An enviable street representation. He recalled that it was only half a mile to beat him before he was beaten.

Rex remembers a race in the LS6 El Camino on a hickory boulevard north of the I-10 freeway and the straights stretched nearly 10 miles. It wasn't short-term: After hitting triple-digit speeds he noticed that his view of the roadside trees was like snapping teeth. comb. Rex's comfort at high speeds paid off and soon the pilot of the El Camino quit giving up the victory and having to face the enviable scolding of telling his friends he had just been spanked by a pink car of repentance.

Despite his love for the Challenger Rex he has owned the car for less than a year. Its next owner ended up moving to Alaska where the pink beast was parked for a long hibernation. Years of hard running and long storage took its toll on the challenger so it's up to the current caretaker Bruce brings it back to its former glory.

Bruce knew the Challenger was unique from when he first got to know it in the mid-80s but when he finally got the car in 2005 he really realized how important it was and realized it was worth his best effort . Fortunately advanced restoration isn't new to Bruce. he He has performed in his home many times over the years including many Mopars and even COPO Camaro.

Using the information on the warranty card and some excellent detective work Bruce was able to track down the original owner. In addition to the bounty he also found a broadcast sheet between the springs of the front passenger seat. He also determined that the transmission and rear end of the engine never Remove from the car. Most of the original components are still in place even the original upper and lower radiator hoses that he was able to reuse.

Bruce did extensive research when restoring his Challenger striving to capture its factory original look down to the smallest detail. Electrical components such as electromagnetic voltage regulators and switches are either original or NOS with the correct date stamp.

He also went to great lengths to recreate the factory look for the bottom of the car. This includes rebuilding the drips and running water left by the line workers and overspray with the correct grey dip primer and the correct primer and on the fuel tank and Frame rails. All quality control paint smears found during cleanup have been reproduced. Bruce even found a complete NOS exhaust system that cost him $9000.

One of the deviations from the factory look is the paint finish. Color sand the primer/clearcoat with 1500-2000 and 2500 grade paper then polish. Then repeat the process two more times to achieve a specular reflection. 250+ hours invested in polishing alone. Bruce hit his mark with this challenger: the overall look is stunning.

Bruce put a lot of time energy and attention to detail on this car and it's easy to prove that it's the queen of trailers. But Bruce thinks the Challenger can drive all over America. All systems work fine right down to the windshield washer and doors buzzer. In Bruce's words the car sounds and drives like a brand new 1970 Challenger which isn't an understatement given his home in Alaska.

Bruce's car has been judged by the OE at the next Mopars race on the Las Vegas Strip March 20-22 in Las Vegas. We will keep you informed of the results.

Last October Bruce shipped his finished car back to Arizona for a photo shoot at a remote airstrip near Casa Grande and reunited with original owner Rex who saw his old car 37 years later. Che was very happy; he was sure the Challenger had gone to the junkyard long ago. This The pinnacle of Rex's reunion though was when Bruce threw him the keys causing Rex to swipe gears up and down the empty taxiway again.

Rex summed up his relationship with the special Challenger saying the color of the car is part of its strength.

Owner's Perspective I don't want to ignore Daniel Paulk because it's been 33 years since he bought my car in June 1972. As much as Rex he loves the attention that wild pink paint brings. During his tour of small communities in Alaska Paulk discovered that people either Love or hate his Black Panther Pink Challenger. No matter how people look at it what the car sold him was its performance. --Bruce Hershberg

Club Scene

WPC Club P.O Box 3504 Kalamazoo Michigan 49003-3504 www.chryslerclub.org Membership: $35/year • Membership: 4000 www.Challenger-registry.com Membership: Free (donations welcome)

www.PantherPink.com Membership fee: Free (donations welcome)

Pros + Striking pink paint + Colorful story from the original owner + Both men and women love

Cons - Striking pink paint - No heater in Alaska winters - Pony cart is too heavy

Specifications

Price Base Price $3266 Priced for Alien $4740.85 Auto Shaped FM3 (High Impact) Paint Option $14 440 3/2 $249.55 Vibration Cover $97.30 Track Pack $142.85 AO4 Radio Pack (includes Music Master Radio Power Steering Left Remote Mirror) $188.35 Shutters $91.10 Power Brake $42.95 Console $53.35 Manual Four-Speed ​​Transmission $194.85 Racing Mirrors Remote Left & Manual Right $26.10 Hood Tie Down Pins $15.40 Radio Music Master AM $61.55 Power Steering $90.35 14 or 15 Inch Rallye Wheels $43.10 Destination Fee $164

Engine Type: Chrysler RB Series OHV V-8 Cast Iron Block Displacement: 440 cubic inches Bore x Stroke: 4.32 x 3.75 inches Compression Ratio: 10.25:1 HP@RPM: 390@4700 Torque@RPM: 490-lb.ft . @ 3200 Valvetrain: Hydraulic valve lifter cast iron heads with 2.08/1.97" valves Intake/Exhaust Main Bearings: 5 Fuel System: Three Holley Two Barrel Carburetors; Mechanical Pump Ignition: Dual Point Distributor Lubrication System: Pressure Gear Pump Electrical System: 12 Volt Exhaust System: Dual Exhaust with Dual mufflers and resonators

Transmission Type A-833 Heavy Duty (Hemi) Four Ratios 1st Gear 2.65:1 2nd Gear 1.93:1 3rd Gear 1.39:1 4th Gear 1.00:1 Reverse 2.57:1

Differential Dana 60 to Sure-Grip ratio 3.54:1

Steering type Recirculating ball constant control full-time power ratio 15.7:1 Turn lock 3.5

Brake Type Hydraulic Assist Front 10.75" Disc Kelsey Hayes Caliper Rear 10 x 2.5" Drum

Chassis and Body Structure Unit Body w/ K-Frame Body Style Two-Door Hardtop Layout Front Engine Rear Wheel Drive

Heavy-duty front suspension with special torsion bar; includes front anti-roll bar Rear Heavy-duty rear springs Five full spring leaves ½ leaf per side

Wheels and Tires Wheels Rally Type Front 15 x 7" Rear 15 x 7" Tires Goodyear Polyglas GT Bias Front E60-15 Rear E60-15

Weight and Dimensions Wheelbase 110" Overall Length 191.3" Overall Width 76.1" Overall Height 50.9" Front Track 59.7" Rear Track 60.7" Curb Weight 3605 lbs

Capacity Crankcase 6 quarts Cooling system 17 quarts Fuel tank 18 gallons Transmission 7.5 pints

Calculated data BHP/CID 0.89 weight/BPH 9.2 weight/CID 8.2

Production Dodge produced 18,512 Challenger R/T two-door hardtops of which 1,640 were 440 six-packs; those 874 were four-speeds. Only five are Panther Pink.

Performance *Acceleration: 0-60 MPH 5.8 seconds 1/4 mile ET 13.62 seconds @ 104.28 MPH *Based on Car Craft's November 1969 review of a 1970 Challenger 440 Six Pack with a TorqueFlite transmission and 3.23:1 rear gear.