A66 Challenger Registry

[6bblgt]

my comment was not to "dis" the 340 Challenger -

it was in reply to the question regarding the V6_ stripe being available on a car with an OPTIONAL package that includes a V9_ stripe

[6bblgt]

the 340 cars were "just" base Challengers with an "engine package"

I have to respectfully disagree with you there. From everything I have read, the A66 has an almost identical suspension, Well it is identical to the 383 R/T cars. They had 383 torsion bars and HD suspension. Most had sway bars front and rear. An A66 car is for all intents and purposes a small block R/T car.

Oh and my 340 4 speed A66 Challenger loses to my buddies 68 440 727 Charger R/T by about three feet. I'll take that.

if you look at the big picture -  for 1970 the fact that there was a 383HP Challenger R/T probably caused many discussions in Dodge's product planning - prior to 1970 all R/T cars were 440 or HEMI powered

rear sway bars for the e-bodies came out as part of the A53 "TRANS AM" package after which they were included with the S13 suspension (STANDARD in R/T & part of the A66 package)

[6bblgt]

the 340 cars were "just" base Challengers with an "engine package"

I have to respectfully disagree with you there. From everything I have read, the A66 has an almost identical suspension, Well it is identical to the 383 R/T cars. They had 383 torsion bars and HD suspension. Most had sway bars front and rear. An A66 car is for all intents and purposes a small block R/T car.

Oh and my 340 4 speed A66 Challenger loses to my buddies 68 440 727 Charger R/T by about three feet. I'll take that.

Well said! Let's not forget the 340 was a performance engine from start . There is only one other power-plant that I'm aware of  in the 1970 lineup that holds this distinction. We all know what that is! All other BB " performance" engines are just derivatives ! In that if one was to go digging they'll find a 2- barrel low compression variant very easily.

I'm glad they weren't branded with the "R/T" moniker. Makes them even that much more intriguing and charming!

so where exactly would someone find that 2bbl low performance 440 at?

[6bblgt]

Sorry for being away the last few days; just got my power  and internet back after the hurricane.

340 A66 cars came with HD brakes, suspension with the same front torsion bars as a 383 RT Challenger. The 727 trans on an automatic was a HD unit for the small block. (it was a HD unit for the 340, there was no 727 for a passenger car 318)  Many A66 cars came with the 3:55/gearing (I'd bet most were 3.23 OPEN) and all had HD rear leaf springs. Yea they had the RT hood, bumble stripe, and bee in the window, but they were essentially an RT Challenger see R/T comment above with a high performance small block and a JH serial code. Later in the model run, you could get different stripes, spoilers, a TA hood, and even a shaker on an A66 car. Rear sway bars were not standard on the package (again, the rear sway bar became part of S13 after the T/As existence), but optional suspensions were available that included this. Interestingly, a high number of A66 Challengers came with front disc brakes as I expand on data from the A66 Registry. In 1971, RT Challengers could be ordered with a 340 (no A66 designation code) with basically the same standard and optional equipment. They were a little more then just  a 340 engine!

As mentioned above, the V6 stripe did become available  later in the model run. Pretty rare. Only way to tell is a build sheet (or fender tag). Keep the Registry forms and associated data coming. I would like to better track this rare option! I will review the Registry data on this; I have listed stripe codes when available.
Interestingly, Quite a few A66 Challengers with the factory hood stripe! (V21) on file.
Another reference point; standard torsion bars on an A66; 778-779. I am finding a few A66's with the 780-81 bars indicating the original owner ordered the xtra HD suspension. Wonder how many were ordered like that? (I should have those numbers)
Phil

if an axle package was ordered A31 (3.91s) or A36 (3.55s) on an A66 Challenger, the "axle package" included the S15 (XHD suspension) torsion bars 780-781, leaf springs 024-034 & shocks and on a "LATE" car (A31, A36, S15) would eliminate the rear sway bar

[6bblgt]

I'm not looking to play 50 year old musclecar one-upmanship 

a 340 is "just" a performance variant of the first "LA" engine: 273
a 426 HEMI is "just" a performance variant of the first "RB" engine: 383 or 413, whichever came first
a 383HP is "just" a performance variant of the first "B" engine: 350

all are based on pedestrian transportation powerplants

[6bblgt]

GG's numbers on 1970 A66 Challengers with an axle package:
A31 (3.91s) ~152
A36 (3.55s) ~114

RARER than I thought they'd be

I have record of 7 with 3.91s & 6 with 3.55s (of those 13: 2 are 340 convertibles & 4 are 340 hardtops with rear window louvers  )

[benlavigne]

GG's numbers on 1970 A66 Challengers with an axle package:
A31 (3.91s) ~152
A36 (3.55s) ~114

RARER than I thought they'd be

I have record of 7 with 3.91s & 6 with 3.55s (of those 13: 2 are 340 convertibles & 4 are 340 hardtops with rear window louvers  )

Thanks again for sharing the info!
Mine is one of those 114 A66 hardtops with A44 Louvers... and A45 spoilers, V21, but only 14'' Road Wheels!

Ben

[benlavigne]

I was going to ask, are there any A66 cars in the registry with the OPTIONAL "V6_" stripe?

from another thread:

That stripe was not an option on the A66, Bumblebee was standard, could be deleted, or body side moldings deleted it.

NOT TRUE
mid -year 1970 the "R/T" sport side stripe was available on Deputy, base Challenger and SE (without the "R/T" cutout) but it was significantly "RARE"

of the ~60,000 non-R/T Challengers ~200 had the V6? side stripe

Thanks Dan,
I stand corrected... Do you have any bulletin, etc... on this? Since it was an option on cars without stripes, they'd still offer it on A66's?

Ben

Looking back at my notes, I see that V6 Stripe availability was announced on 02/12/70, on JH models, and as a no-extra-cost option with the 340 Performance Package...

Ben

[benlavigne]

FROM AN ORDERING STANDPOINT the 340 cars were "just" base Challengers with an "engine package", so yes they would be included with the stripe offering

I looked but can't locate the memo/bulletin/etc. that mentions it ....... I thought I had info on a 318 Mr. Norm's car with a side stripe,  also unable to locate

but here's an A66 car 

@6bblgt This has N95 California emissions, but also N42 chrome exhaust tips? Didn't N95 mandate turned-down tips?

Ben

[340challconvert]

FROM AN ORDERING STANDPOINT the 340 cars were "just" base Challengers with an "engine package", so yes they would be included with the stripe offering

I looked but can't locate the memo/bulletin/etc. that mentions it ....... I thought I had info on a 318 Mr. Norm's car with a side stripe,  also unable to locate

but here's an A66 car 

@6bblgt This has N95 California emissions, but also N42 chrome exhaust tips? Didn't N95 mandate turned-down tips?
Ben, my recollection on this; the California big block cars, possible just the 440's and hemi's required the turned down exhaust.  It was California's idea of noise reduction purposes. Many of the California built A66 cars seem to have the regular tips through the valence.  6BBll may have other information on this!

Ben

[340challconvert]

Always found this time frame helpful (from Barry)

7/23/69:
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:
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.

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).

4/13/70:
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.

[6bblgt]

@6bblgt This has N95 California emissions, but also N42 chrome exhaust tips? Didn't N95 mandate turned-down tips?

Ben

on a '70 e-body:
CA required N95 (ECS Emissions) all engines "fuel vapor related"
CA required N97 (noise reduction) 440+6 & HEMI engines ONLY - this requirement "DELETED" the N42 "bright exhaust tips"

[benlavigne]

the 340 cars were "just" base Challengers with an "engine package", so yes they would be included with the stripe offering

I looked but can't locate the memo/bulletin/etc. that mentions it ....... I thought I had info on a 318 Mr. Norm's car with a side stripe,  also unable to locate

but here's an A66 car 

Wow, that's quite an interesting tag! Late car, A66, three-speed manual, N95, V6X... So V6 deletes V9?
Thanks for posting!

Ben

@6bblgt  Here is another shot of the tag, and of the car, I am waiting on more info, looks like it's been modified with a Six-Pack setup, wonder if it's still a 3-speed? It does still have the V6X...

Ben

[340challconvert]

Looking good Ben; posting the plum crazy A66 Challenger

[340challconvert]

Another TX9 A66 Challenger in my files; I have no other information on this beauty. 
Automatic, black interior, black vinyl roof. non-rallye dash, 15" rallyes, and molding packages. Looks to have tinted glass and front bumper guards