Dodge Challenger R/T
Even though Plymouth had the Barracuda, the first pony car model introduced two weeks before the Ford Mustang, its Dodge stablemate didn’t enter the segment until 1970. Some muscle car historians said Dodge was almost late for the party, but the Challenger was so good that it indeed left its mark and reserved a place in history. Mopar’s E-Body models Barracuda and Challenger were brand new for 1970. They featured a unique design and better construction, as well as a broader and longer body (via Hemmings).
There was no significant mechanical difference between the Barracuda and the Challenger, only the design. These two cars had some interchangeable body parts as well. The Challenger got full firepower from Mopar’s engine, and buyers could get a powerful 383 V8, a big 440, and the famous 426 Hemi. Of course, the best performers were the 440 and the Hemi. Depending on the specifications, differential ratio, and gearboxes, Challengers equipped with those engines could accelerate to 60 mph in the 5.5 to 5.7-second range, which was considered quick for 1970.