1970 340 package (unofficial RT) • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **Brant** » 13 Oct 2004 23:25

I was up real late last night searching for info on Challengers. I crossed paths with a site that had indepth information on the western sport chally's, and other useful info.

It also stated that many of the 70 challengers with the performance package 340, came out of the manufacturer with RT badges. I've always known that the 340 - 70 challenger is not an RT car, but this site mentioned that it could be looked at, as the unofficial RT - due to the common mix up.

I'm curious if anyone knows or has seen proof of unrestored 340 1970 challengers with RT Badges? how often did this happen - was it common?

by **NZ440R/T** » 14 Oct 2004 7:24

Funny you should mention this.

There was, and still maybe a 1970 Challenger "R/T" with a 340. He said it had R/T badges on it and the guy he bought it from said they we're from the car and factory so thats why the seller on eBay posted it as an R/T car. Only until he recieved some emails telling him that the VIN was not an R/T car did he change it.

As far as I've heard no loest mill was the 383, and I mean lowest with all respect. :wink:

by **dave-r** » 14 Oct 2004 7:56

The 340 package was a great deal. Someone just e-mailed me last night asking about these.

You could not get the 340 in a R/T but with the 340 package in the base JH Challenger you basically got a 340 plus all the 383 R/T suspension and brakes. The only difference (apart from the engine) between a 340 package car and a 383 R/T is the badges and the dash instruments. On the 340 the rallye dash was optional.

There was one thing you DID get with the 340 that you didn't on the R/T. 15-inch wheels! On the R/T you would have to buy the Hemi to get 15 inch wheels as standard.

Now having said that the 340 did not come with the R/T badges officially it does seem to be the case that ALL the 340 convertibles and most of the hardtops did get the badges. Why I don't know.

by **Brant** » 14 Oct 2004 14:07

Crazy nuts, drink'n on the job! I knew you guys could clarify that for me. cool.

by **Christer** » 18 Oct 2004 10:39

dave-r wrote: Now having said that the 340 did not come with the R/T badges officially it does seem to be the case that ALL the 340 convertibles and most of the hardtops did get the badges. Why I don't know.

Maybe the R/T badges were dealer installed due to an unexpected public demand for these? Nowadays, most of us seems to like these emblems and I am pretty sure that they were as popular back then!?

by **dave-r** » 18 Oct 2004 12:31

Nope. The R/T emblems were fitted on the production line.

by **Brant** » 18 Oct 2004 13:52

A seller on ebay stated that NOS RT badges w/pins were only available to public when they came on a car. NOS RT badges available to public not on a car were all sticker-back type. Is this bull? I wonder cause I don't see that making any sense. Surely they would have plenty left over which would be offered as NOS. (with pins)

Just curious!

by **dave-r** » 18 Oct 2004 14:32

My 1970 had been re-painted before I took delivery of it so I don't know if the badges are original or not But as the paint was mostly missing on them they did look original and the only pin type R/T badge on my car is on the grille. The two on the fenders and the one on the trunk lid are all stick-on.

However I have a feeling reading somewhere that the fender badges were supposed to be the pin type.

Anyone care to comment which is right?

by **Christer** » 18 Oct 2004 15:59

dave-r wrote:However I have a feeling reading somewhere that the fender badges were supposed to be the pin type.

Anyone care to comment which is right?

Yes, I think the fender badges are supposed to have pegs. At least that is what the Year One catalouge says: "This emblem uses pegs for attachment like original"

by **Kevin** » 18 Oct 2004 16:16

It was me, Dave, that was asking you about the A66 cars. I have been trying to do some research on these cars, as I see them as possbily an affordable alternative to the R/T...for me, that is. There were some references by NZ, above, to an A66 on eBay, I believe. I spoke with that owner, via email, several times as well. He says that the original owner of that car swears it came with the badges. I am doubting it was a factory application, but rather probably a dealer or owner installed thing.

I am posting some pics of another A66 car on this board, and asking for advice on value. If you will notice in those pics, there are no R/T badges on the grille or front fenders. It does, however, appear that there may be one on the trunk lid (hard to see from the pic, though).

Kevin

by **dave-r** » 18 Oct 2004 16:48

Yeah i figured that out just after I wrote it. I am slow but I get there eventually! :wink:

I am 99% sure on this one so lets see if I can score a hit!

Sticking my neck out here but I am ready to be proved wrong!

All the 340 Convertibles and a large number (but not all) of the hardtops had these R/T badges placed on the car as they came down the production line.

My guess (and this is just a guess) is that 100% of the 340 cars coming down line 2 at Hamtramck got the badges and only a small number (if any) on line one. I have my reasons for assuming that.

I don't know but I suspect that if a dealer stuck R/T badges on a non-R/T car he would be in trouble for mis-representing the car for sale?

by **Kevin** » 18 Oct 2004 17:12

[quote]I don't know but I suspect that if a dealer stuck R/T badges on a non-R/T car he would be in trouble for mis-representing the car for sale?[/quote]
You may very well be right on that. Dave, did you see the pics I posted of the black A66? It's in General Chat, entitled "Value?". Strange that it would appear to have an R/T badge on the trunk, but no where else. I saw another A66, some time ago, and remembered it not having any. Hmmmm

Kevin

by **roadrunner** » 23 Oct 2004 13:17

I am totally confused now!!! Last year I started a restoration effort on my 70 numbers match special order 340 4 speed car. I’m the third owner. The original owner was the son of a Dodge dealer and I have the hand written order sheet. When I got the car the interior was a total loss but the body was reasonably sound with the typical rust spots (it sat in a barn for 25 years). I have been told no 340 RT cars were ever made. When I got the trunk open it was full of the “original” parts such as the console, trunk trim, rocker molding clips plus numerous other small items. And buried deep in a coffee can covered with dirt and god only knows what else were 4 RT emblems. These were removed by the 2nd owner when he tried to repaint the car. I had no intention of putting them on the car because there was no RT’s made, but now I don’t know what to think. The car is a hard top. So who knows……

by **dave-r** » 23 Oct 2004 14:30

No listen. The 1970 340 was not an R/T but for some reason a lot if not most 340 pakage cars got the R/T emblems anyway. There is NO confusion. If that car came with R/T emblems put them back on.

by **roadrunner** » 24 Oct 2004 13:17

dave-r wrote:No listen. The 1970 340 was not an R/T but for some reason a lot if not most 340 pakage cars got the R/T emblems anyway. There is NO confusion. If that car came with R/T emblems put them back on.

I have had the fenders and power hood painted for a while and I don't think I'm going to put any emblems (either Challenger or RT) on them (fenders). I like the clean look it has. I could always add them later.

Thanks for clearing this up.

by **dave-r** » 24 Oct 2004 13:31

To be honest I always prefer cars with as little clutter as posible stuck on too. Which is why I am always torn between restoration and modification.

by **dave-r** » 22 Feb 2006 8:50

dave-r wrote:I am 99% sure on this one so lets see if I can score a hit!

Sticking my neck out here but I am ready to be proved wrong!

All the 340 Convertibles and a large number (but not all) of the hardtops had these R/T badges placed on the car as they came down the production line.

My guess (and this is just a guess) is that 100% of the 340 cars coming down line 2 at Hamtramck got the badges and only a small number (if any) on line one. I have my reasons for assuming that.

I don't know but I suspect that if a dealer stuck R/T badges on a non-R/T car he would be in trouble for mis-representing the car for sale?

I have since noticed that 1970 A66 340s with side moulding didn't seem to get the R/T badges. Including convertibles. So my statement about all convertibles getting badges is not correct.