Let's Talk Cars, Motorcycles and Other Life-Changing Events

Tag: Challenger

Flash Back Friday: 1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye

1873 Dodge Challenger Rallye Front Karl

I purchased my first Dodge Challenger in 1991 while I was still attending college

I grew up a car guy for several reasons, not the least of which were two older car-guy brothers. Their influence had me reading about muscle cars, with a particular focus on Mopars, before I was 15. I was well schooled in all the various Mopar muscle cars before I got my driver’s permit, and while I gravitated toward the Plymouth Superbird and GTX I also had the same fondness for E-bodies that every Mopar fan has. The Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda are two of the most iconic muscle cars ever created.

1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye Interior

My Dodge Challenger Rallye’s interior was in relatively good shape

I’ve never owned a Plymouth Barracuda, but I’ve had two original Dodge Challengers. The first one, a 1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye, was purchased in 1991, during my last year in college. It was equipped about as well as that year’s Challenger could be, with a 340 V8, pistol-grip 4-speed transmission and factory air conditioning. It was also an original B5 Blue car with a black vinyl top, though when I got it the top was stripped off and the roof was painted black.

Ford GT at Pacific Palisades Car Show and Ford GT Parts

In May of 2009 my Ford GT attended the Pacific Palisades car show, along with my 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE. That month I also used a then-new 2009 Ford Flex as a Ford GT parts runner to haul two GT seats, a headlight, a steering wheel and a rear tire about 50 miles. The Flex had room to spare and drove easily with the extra parts in the cargo area.

2005 Ford GT Long Term Pacific Palisades Car Show

Two classic American shapes teamed up at the Pacific Palisades Car Show

May 2009: Ford GT attends Pacific Palisades Car Show

May 17, 2009 at 18,209 miles

On May 17, 2009 I displayed my car at the Pacific Palisades Car Show next to my 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE. It was a cool, cloudy day in Southern California, but show turnout was large with plenty of spectators circling the Ford GT and Challenger all day long.

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