[dave-r]

1970 model year product change notices.

7/23/69:
Power Convertible Top (P37) is optional on all Challenger convertibles and must be inserted in the "Group" section of the order form. Because the standard Manual Top will not be available until early September, all convertible orders must be coded P37. The 340 Performance Package (A66) will be available on the hardtop and convertible models in conjunction with the 340 engine in early September. The 340 engine will only be available in combination with the 340 Performance Package.

10/20/69:
The Shaker Hood (N96) featured in the Challenger and Scat Pack literature will be available for January production. Effective immediately, F70x14-inch RWL tires (T87) are standard with the 340 Performance Package. The E60x15-inch tires (U82) will be optional at extra cost. The Collapsible Spare (W34) and Rallye Wheels will no longer be required with the 340 Package. A Rear Spoiler in Dull Black (J81) will be available in early November. Effective immediately, Performance Axle Packages A31 and A36 are available with the 340 Package.

11/12/69:
A Wood grain Instrument Cluster is available effective immediately on all Challengers except R/T and when the Rallye Cluster (A62) is ordered. Factory wholesale price is $4.50. Color-Keyed Racing Mirrors (G34, left only, and G36, left and right) will be available in mid-November in all paint colors. The optional Chrome Mirrors (G31 and G33) will be discontinued. A Rear Window Louver Package (A44), including dual painted racing mirrors, will be available in mid-November on all Challenger hardtops except Special Edition models. Factory wholesale price is $70.35 without the Radio Group. Hood Tie-Down Pins (J45) are immediately available on all Challengers. The Manual Convertible Top will be available in late November.

1/9/70:
The Shaker Hood (N96) will be available in late January with the 440 Six-Pack and 426 Hemi engines. The Dome Air Cleaner will be black on all units except those ordered with Bright Red Exterior Paint (FE5). The Wood grain Door Panel Trim that was originally standard on all cars ordered with Leather and Cloth and Vinyl interior trims is now standard on all Challengers.

2/12/70:
Two new High Impact Colors are now available on all Challengers: Green-Go (FJ6) and Panther Pink (FM3). Interior trim, vinyl roof and stripes may be black or white. Matching color-keyed mirrors are available with these paints. On R/f models, matching fluorescent tape stripes are available with these paints, code V6J for Green-Go and V6M for Panther Pink. These stripes are not available with any other exterior paints.

2/12/70:
Longitudinal Tape Stripes on the Challenger high-Iine models (JH23, JH27, JH29) will be available in mid-March as an extra-cost option. Color availability and codes are: Black (V6X), White (V6W), Red (V6R), Green (V6F) and Blue (V6B). This tape stripe will be similar to the standard R/T stripe but without the R/T nomenclature. This stripe is a no-extra-cost option with the 340 Performance Package (A66). A Formal Vinyl Roof will be available in early March on Challenger and Challenger R/T hardtops (JH23, JS23). This will be the same vinyl roof that is standard on the SE models (JH29, JS29). The Overhead Consolette, Moulded Headlining and SE Medallion are not included. To order, enter sales code A78 in the "Group" section of the order form and specify the Vinyl Roof color. A Spoiler Package (A45) consisting of a front chin spoiler and the rear spoiler will be available in mid-February. Both spoilers are in Flat Black Finish. The front spoiler will be shipped in the trunk for dealer installation. Chrome Racing Mirrors previously canceled are again available. Use code G31 for the left mirror, G33 for left and right mirrors. The Painted Racing Mirror will continue to be a part of the Radio Group. F70x14-inch RWL Tires (T87) are now available on 6-cylinder models. Heavy Duty Suspension (S13) will be required with these tires. The Shaker Hood (N96) has been delayed until late February.

2/12/70:
The Challenger T/A Package (A53) is released for late March production on High Line (JH23) models. This model is equipped with a specially modified 340 engine and includes three 2-barrel Holley carburetors on an aluminum manifold. Appearance features include an R/T hood and grille, unique tape stripes, unique rear spoiler, side-exit trumpet exhaust, and l5x7-inch black wheels with trim rings and hubcaps.

2/25/70:
A new lower-priced Challenger Coupe (JL23) will enter production in early March. Standard equipment will be similar to the Challenger hardtop with the following exceptions: The rear quarter windows will be fixed in place. D78x14-inch BSW tires are standard with D78x 14-inch WSW as an option. The standard engine is the 198 Six (E22), with the 225,318, 383 2V and 383-4V engines optional. A unique L6 Vinyl Bucket trim is available in either black or white. A black steering wheel replaces the wood grain wheel. The Day/Night Mirror, Cigar Lighter and Dual Horns are options. The Wood grain Door Trim is omitted and not optional. Air Conditioning is not available with the 198 Six. The only steering wheel option is the Rim Blow Wheel (583). No optional trims are available.

3/5/70:
The R/T hood on the Challenger T / A has been replaced with the Fiberglass Fresh Air Hood (N94), The R/T hood will not be available.

4/13/70:
The Formal Vinyl Roof Option on the Challenger and R/T models previously announced will become available during early May. The Shaker Hood is now available on the Challenger R/T with the 440-6V and 426 engines. In addition, this hood is also available with the 340 Performance Package (A66) and will be available on the 383 and 440-4V engines on R/T models in late April. The Challenger T/A Fiberglass Hood (N94) is now available on all Challenger models with 4-barrel engines. It cannot be ordered with the Shaker Hood, Moulding Group A (A63) or with the Special Edition models. The radio antenna will be mounted on the rear quarter panel as with the T/A Package. Because of the Dull Organasol Black finish, the Hood Performance Tape Treatment (V21 ) will not be available.

6/2/70:
Challenger Deputy models ordered with the 198, 225 and 318 engines will require E78x 14-inch tires as the minimum size required.

[Eddie]

Interesting. Thanks for posting this Dave! The Shaker info in particular. But it's all good!

[Jon]

Thanks for posting this Dave. Quite a bit of information to digest. The availability of the vinyl top seems to conflict with my Oct 69 door Vin sticker. The top appears to have come with the car. I think bad lead work precipitated the installation of many vinyl tops.

[Jimiboy]

I think bad lead work precipitated the installation of many vinyl tops.

I have heard or read somewhere sometime, the car factorys did hide paint disorder on the roofs with vinyl, is this something you guys believe in or think is thrue?

[Jon]

Mine was pretty bad at the quarter to roof junction. The paddle marks were visible and it was overly filled. Spent some time block sanding both sides down.

[dave-r]

I have heard or read somewhere sometime, the car factorys did hide paint disorder on the roofs with vinyl, is this something you guys believe in or think is thrue?

They didn't paint the roof at all unless requested not to fit a vinyl top.

If the standard vinyl top was deleted then they had to do more bodywork to make the joins look better. So it was quicker and cheaper for Chrysler to fit vinyl tops.

[Culvers]

1970 model year product change notices.2/25/70:
A new lower-priced Challenger Coupe (JL23) will enter production in early March. .

never seen a JL23

[dave-r]

They ended up being stamped as JH same as the base models.

The "L" would have stood for "Low". They must have decided late in the day to keep the "High" code. I have wondered if that was for practical or image reasons.

[christer]

The availability of the vinyl top seems to conflict with my Oct 69 door Vin sticker. The top appears to have come with the car.

I don´t follow you there...

[christer]

1970 model year product change notices.2/25/70:
A new lower-priced Challenger Coupe (JL23) will enter production in early March. .

never seen a JL23

one of none car....

[Jon]

The availability of the vinyl top seems to conflict with my Oct 69 door Vin sticker. The top appears to have come with the car.

I don´t follow you there...

Hey Christer, From the quote below the JH23 or JS23 models didn't get a vinyl top until March 1970. My Vin is Oct. 69. I bought it in 76 so cannot say it came with it for sure though. Maybe the "Formal Vinyl Roof" part is in question. Were there different grades available from Chrysler?.

A Formal Vinyl Roof will be available in early March on Challenger and Challenger R/T hardtops (JH23, JS23). This will be the same vinyl roof that is standard on the SE models (JH29, JS29).

[christer]

Formal Vinyl Roof = SE = Small rear window .....right?

Not valid for your car since it has the large rear window?

[Jon]

Have heard of a "Gator" grain and then a finer version. Maybe that was in Dave's post recently. I will add a

[rtse4406pack]

from what i understand about the special edition model from the updates posted above.it seems along with a S.E. model which automatically came with a formal window and much more,dodge also was to offer an option for a formal window under A78 with less stuff than an S.E. model.there must of been a demand for the small formal window without all the extra high dollar cost of a S.E. model.

that is a small clue of things to come in 1971 as the A78 option was still offered for 1971 but the S.E. model was no longer available in 1971. cool

thanks for the info dave,just shows how complicated dodge where with many updates and changes.

[dave-r]

Hey Christer, From the quote below the JH23 or JS23 models didn't get a vinyl top until March 1970. My Vin is Oct. 69.

I think what this probably means is that all Challengers made before that date probably got the narrow seam top. After that date the wide seam version would have been there to use on the formal roof cars.

Gator Grain tops were also narrow seam and I think were only available in black and green but I am not sure about that. You don't see many of those.

[Alaskan_TA]

Gator top info;

http://www.cledawgshome.com/gatorgraintop.htm