1970 Challenger RT Tail Panel

[kent_goins]

Hello again...I have another mystery to solve with my Challenger RT restoration. Does anyone know if there was a difference between the tail panel on a 70 Challenger SE and 70 Challenger RT. Some seem to have a full width panel painted argent and black with 2 end corner trim pieces molded in and others seem to have just the 3 rear trim pieces with no panel. See pics of both...

Thanks
Kent G.

[soundcontrol]

The wide tail panel is a part of the SE trim package. My car has that even not an SE, so I guess it also was available as an option.

[anlauto]

1970 Challenger R/T's never had a blacked-out tail panel, always body colour.
RT/SE's or just SE's had the argent tail panel

[Cuda Cody]

   And T/A's would be black.  That's the 3 options you could get.

[Cuda Cody]

@kent_goins

Challenger = Body Color
Challenger RT = Body Color
Challenger SE =  Astrotone Painted Applique
Challenger RT/SE = Astrotone Painted Applique
Challenger T/A = Black

[Cuda Cody]

And I think the SE exterior trim package could be ordered without the SE package, right?

[MoparDave]

Which I think is very odd that the RT grille was black, but when adding the SE to that. the rear finish panel was argent. Definitely an after thought IMO. they should have had the RT in black and base SE should have been the Argent. but who am I.

[RUNCHARGER]

I've always thought the R/T SE was kind of a confused package anyway. Limo window and leather with performance features, but that's what makes them special!
I agree R/T and standard challenger were just finished in body paint with the thin moldings, T/A painted black with the thin moldings and SE and R/T SE with the applique.

[70/6chall]

Hey guys! Don't forget the Western Sport Special, it also had the rear Astro tone finish panel as part of the A91 WSS package.    Thanks,   Al

[1 Wild R/T]

And in spite of all the claims that all rear trim panels were Astrotone I know way to many R/T SE's that had black textured panels back in the early 70's for me to accept that they weren't original.... My uncle bought one new & owned it into the late 80's with a black textured panel, I bought mine in 74..... This has been posted about on various forums & dozens of long tern owners have chimed in supporting the existence of the black panels..... 

It's been pointed out by nay sayers that there is no part number for the separate black panel but that has been countered with the fact there are dozens of production parts that don't appear in the parts manuals...

[stevec]

correct, and some dealers installed SE parts to make them flashier to the buyers.

[70/6chall]

Words of truth on your observation Randy, and also on your observation Stevec, that Mopar tidbit about dealers chucking a few SE parts at a hard to get rid car is true. My old '70 SL6 Challenger had quite a few SE parts on it when I bought it. Being a 6 cylinder car and sat on the dealers lot for 8 months no doubt had to have a little help to find a home. Either the dealer or a collaboration between the dealer and a prospective buyer to make a deal a bit more tastier. Only because the Dodge was originally light on upscale parts.     Thanks,   Al

[stevec]

I remember seeing a 426 hemi car with no badges, a flat hood and green interior, the body was white. A true sleeper. Dealers did a lot of things and towards the end of the year would slap on stuff and discount cars. It was a wild time.

[RUNCHARGER]

Randy: I think they were more of a really dark graphite rather than a true black though? And the one part # is easily explained as well, they just plain didn't service the black panel, why stock something so obscure when the lighter tone panel was stocked anyway.

[6bblgt]

Challenger = painted Body Color
Challenger w/A63 (OPTIONAL) =  Astrotone Painted Applique
Challenger SE =  Astrotone Painted Applique
Challenger RT = painted Body Color
Challenger RT w/A63 (OPTIONAL) =  Astrotone Painted Applique (black early)
Challenger RT/SE = Astrotone Painted Applique (black early)
Challenger T/A = painted Black