From model years 1970 to 1974, the first generation Dodge Challenger pony car was built using the Chrysler E platform in hardtop and convertible body styles sharing major components with the Plymouth Barracuda.

[1] Introduced in the autumn of 1969 for the 1970 model year,[2] the Challenger was one of two Chrysler E-body cars, the other being the slightly smaller Plymouth Barracuda.

Positioned to compete against the Mercury Cougar and Pontiac Firebird in the upper end of the pony car market segment,[3] it was "a rather late response" to the Ford Mustang, which debuted in April 1964.

Cameron based the 1970 Challenger grille on an older sketch of a stillborn 1966 Charger prototype that was to have a turbine engine.

The Special Edition hardtop, available on either the base Challenger or on the R/T, added a number of appearance, convenience, and comfort features.

[10] Produced for the 1970 model year only, this more luxurious SE specification included as standard a vinyl roof with a "SE" medallions on the pillars, a smaller "formal" rear window, leather and vinyl bucket seats, and an overhead interior console that contained three warning lights (door ajar, low fuel, and seatbelts).

The Challenger R/T came with a Rallye instrument cluster that included a 150 mph (240 km/h) speedometer, an 8,000 rpm tachometer and an oil pressure gauge.

A low-restriction dual-outlet exhaust ran to the stock muffler location, then reversed direction to exit in chrome-tipped "megaphone" outlets in front of the rear wheels.

Options included a TorqueFlite automatic or pistol-grip Hurst-shifted four-speed transmission, 3.55:1 or 3.90:1 gear ratios, as well as manual or power steering.

Dodge contracted Ray Caldwell's Autodynamics in Marblehead, Massachusetts to run the factory Trans-Am team.

The Challenger T/A's scored a few top-three finishes, but lack of a development budget and the short-lived Keith Black built race engines led to Dodge leaving the series at season's end.

The street version suffered from severe understeer in fast corners, largely due to the smaller front tires.

A 1971 model using the 340 engine with a 4-barrel carburetor was planned and appeared in advertising, but was not produced since Dodge had withdrawn from the race series.

Like the Challenger Deputy it replaced, it had fixed rear quarter windows and a basic black steering wheel with horn button.

The Rallye model featured four simulated vents on the front fenders, from which exited matte black strobe tape stripes.

Although the body style remained the same throughout the Challenger's five-year run, there were two notable changes to the front grille.

In a historic review, the editors of Edmunds Inside Line ranked these models as: 1970 was a "great" year, 1971 was a "good" one, and then "three progressively lousier ones" (1972–1974).

Chrysler officially sold Challengers to Switzerland through AMAG Automobil- und Motoren AG in Schinznach-Bad, near Zürich.

The SAE gross horsepower ratings were determined testing the engine with no accessories, no air cleaner, or open dyno headers.

Two factory-backed cars were prepared by Ray Caldwell's Autodynamics and driven by Sam Posey and Tony Adamowicz.