By all accounts, 1970 was a monumental year. Every single Detroit automaker was at the height of its game, both in the sphere of performance and general design. Some of the most iconic muscle cars hit showroom floors that year, and of them, Mopar was among the best. Amid all the refreshes and redesigns of existing models (Charger, Super Bee, Road Runner, GTX, etc.), new platforms were unveiled, notably the E-Body based Barracuda and Challenger, as well as the new A-Body Darts, Dusters and Demons. The E-Body was particularly exciting as it was, as many felt, Chrysler’s answer to Ford’s larger Mustang and GM’s F-Body Camaro and Firebird.

In addition to Hemi-powered ‘Cudas and R/Ts, Chrysler also unveiled its road racing prowess via the Challenger T/A and AAR ‘Cuda options. These machines were purposefully lightweight, agile and quick. Touting stouter suspension and braking components, a rev-happy near 1,500cfm “triple deuce” six barrel carburetor intake atop the LA block 340, the T/A and AAR E-Bodies were answers to the already established Boss 302 and Camaro Z/28. Normally remiss of heavier bells and whistles like air conditioning, power windows, etc., some T/As and AARs have snuck through the option list with a few added comforts despite their original intent.

Of one such original T/A Challengers is this automatic-shifted M3 “Panther Pink” machine that sat for decades before being discovered and wheeled out to an auction recently. One of 2399 built in 1970, the T/A is only out of over 70,000 Challengers built that model year. Of course, it’s well deserving of a complete restoration, as an original T/A is such a rare piece of Mopar history. Below is a great walk around of this original E-Body filmed by Road Test TV, who clearly have zero understanding as to the T/A’s original intent as they inexplicably compare it to today’s Hellcat. Nevermind them, and enjoy the video: