Preferred year for Challenger?

[Foreman72]

70...all the way...

[DavidSL]

I've no experience driving ANY Challenger, so my choice is purely aesthetic - but I'm going '70 for the same reason as a lot of other people, Vanishing Point. I didn't know Challengers existed before I saw this movie not that long ago, to be honest - and it could well be the starting point for my appreciation of muscle cars.

Yes, I know you didn't ask for my life story, but you got it anyway... 

[RusTy/SE]

The 1970 model year. Even though i have a 440 R/T SE Challenger 'in the process', those which left the factory with the A66 package are the best all-around examples of that model assembled, given the quality of the day.

[maxwellwedge]

My 440 R/T rag (with air).

That white/blue is great looking!

Thanks! - It is a sharp combo for sure!

[maxwellwedge]

My 440 R/T rag (with air).

just one more reason i'm moving up north , has the adoption papers come through yet ?  

There go the hinges on my beer fridge!

A couple other 70 survivors...

[Brock Samson]

Q:
did the ses come with the taller bumper guards or was that a seperate option?..

[maxwellwedge]

Q:
did the ses come with the taller bumper guards or was that a seperate option?..

The purple SE in the above pick didn't come with front bumper guards - they are optional. The black car has front guards but they were dealer added. Every Challenger I have ever seen takes the same front guards. Or....are you asking about rear guards?

[Brock Samson]

 Yes, Thanks! The pic above had the taller front guards and i was wondering if they were a similar deal to the late build '69 Chargers B.G.s we were discussing... I noticed it was an SE.
Was there an SE option in '71 I don't recall ever seeing one?. 

[maxwellwedge]

There were no "JS29" '71's as a unique model like in 70......Not sure if there was a separate SE "Axx" package similar to the A47 package.  

OK - Found it - Code A78   1971    Formal Roof Package. Vinyl Roof, Formal Rear Window, SE Nameplates, Formed Headlining, Functional Overhead Consolette. I guess the only difference is the non "29" body designation, leather front seats, carpet on door panels and the lack of the tail panel trim panel.

[TheGhost]

I'll be different and say 72, because of the taillights, the vents on the fenders on the Rallye models, and there's just something about that "sadmouth" grill that I like better than the 70-71 grills.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Honestly I love the 70's but I find the 71 a little more appealing - no idea why - I would almost call them equals - but the tail lights and grille on the 71 are a little more unique...     

[Scaregrabber]

I'm okay with the 70 or 71 Grilles, however the backup light in the middle on the 70 and the 70 longitudinal R/T stripes send the 70 into the top position for me.
I really 74's as well, they look the same as a 72 or 73 but I like the one year 360 deal.

Sheldon

[472 R/T SE]

The 1970 model year. Even though i have a 440 R/T SE Challenger 'in the process', those which left the factory with the A66 package are the best all-around examples of that model assembled, given the quality of the day.

I like the way you think. 

A shaker hooded '70 Challenger, don't get much better than that. 

[69bronzeT5]

Mike, I love that car more and more everytime I see it! Do you still have it?

[TiMopar]

There were no "JS29" '71's as a unique model like in 70......Not sure if there was a separate SE "Axx" package similar to the A47 package. 

OK - Found it - Code A78   1971    Formal Roof Package. Vinyl Roof, Formal Rear Window, SE Nameplates, Formed Headlining, Functional Overhead Consolette. I guess the only difference is the non "29" body designation, leather front seats, carpet on door panels and the lack of the tail panel trim panel.

I own a 71 V-code Challenger R/T with the A78 Formal roof. It does not have 'SE' nameplates on it, nor as you say the leather seats, door carpet. I believe the 70 SE's had additional bright trim along the top of the doors and rear of the hood, which I don't think the 71 A78 cars had; certainly mine does not. Years ago MCG did a big 'expose' on 71 A78 cars and subsequently carried an article on a blue V-code car in Canada, which also lacked any 'SE' designation.

[tan top]

like love  them all  70-74  , but would like   white 70 hemi & a 4 speed  aka vanashing point    ..also  had a ideas  for a good few years in wanting to restore  a 74 also   

[chargergirl]

My first car was a Challenger, orange with black up the middle of the hood. She is somewhere in Maui hopefully restored. Bought her for $350 back then. Loved that car but didn't know anyone that would fix it. Left her with a friends boyfriend who loved her too. I wish I knew Mark then...we would still have the car!

[DavidSL]

like love  them all  70-74  , but would like   white 70 hemi & a 4 speed  aka vanashing point    ..also  had a ideas  for a good few years in wanting to restore  a 74 also   

Not to be an ass, but I believe in the original Vanishing Point the Challenger had a 440 Magnum. It was only in the TV remake that they gave it a Hemi.

Unless of course you mean the remake, in which case, to each their own...

[greatwn73]

I guess I'll be the only one saying 74 but I'm biased. Couldn't afford a 71 , so I'm building this one.

[maxwellwedge]

There were no "JS29" '71's as a unique model like in 70......Not sure if there was a separate SE "Axx" package similar to the A47 package. 

OK - Found it - Code A78   1971    Formal Roof Package. Vinyl Roof, Formal Rear Window, SE Nameplates, Formed Headlining, Functional Overhead Consolette. I guess the only difference is the non "29" body designation, leather front seats, carpet on door panels and the lack of the tail panel trim panel.

I own a 71 V-code Challenger R/T with the A78 Formal roof. It does not have 'SE' nameplates on it, nor as you say the leather seats, door carpet. I believe the 70 SE's had additional bright trim along the top of the doors and rear of the hood, which I don't think the 71 A78 cars had; certainly mine does not. Years ago MCG did a big 'expose' on 71 A78 cars and subsequently carried an article on a blue V-code car in Canada, which also lacked any 'SE' designation.

Yup - Forgot about the trim - does yours have the front valance trim? I was quoting Galino Groovy's book on the contents on the package so it could be inaccurate. I had a 70 V-Code Shaker RT/SE which I sold to a buddy, still have the 70 Hemi RT/SE.

[greenpigs]

1971

[Brock Samson]

  Thanks for the additional info.. I forgot about the extra back of hood and valance trim on the '70, what was the deal with the big trim at the front corners on the '71?.. and also the '71 elastomeric front bumbers? was that togeather or seperate?.. 
Still much prefer almost any '70 over a '71 but the details are getting hazy in my old age, as i was 13 in '70...

[71ChallengeHer]

  Thanks for the additional info.. I forgot about the extra back of hood and valance trim on the '70, what was the deal with the big trim at the front corners on the '71?.. and also the '71 elastomeric front bumbers? was that togeather or seperate?.. 
Still much prefer almost any '70 over a '71 but the details are getting hazy in my old age, as i was 13 in '70...

They were seperate options.

[Magnumcharger]

1970....for this reason:

[Troy]

1970....for this reason:

Oops! So I tried to remove the pic with the nekkid chick but got the wrong one so both ended up deleted.

Troy