Search Articles
Back to Online Enthusiast
Home

Jim Dalton is an E-body man. A salesman at Smith Stokes, Jim’s fascination with Dodge ponycars has manifested itself in the form of two ‘70 Challengers - a Dark Green Metallic (F8) RT/SE and a Go Mango (K2) Challenger T/A.

The RT/SE has been in Jim’s family since it was new. His sister visited the local Dodge dealership in 1969 with the intention of ordering a 1970 RT/SE Charger. Once there, though, she changed her mind and ordered a new-for-1970 RT/SE Challenger instead. She sold the car to Jim in 1973 (feeding the 383 Magnum was painful during the gas crunch of ‘73). Other than a repaint and some cleaning, the car is as delivered in 1969 - which is to say it’s extremely nice.
The Challenger T/A made its way into Jim’s collection in 1979. The car had seen its share of typical street mods for the time, with aftermarket wheels, headers, etc., replacing the factory pieces. But, the body was sound, the original drivetrain was still in place, and nothing had been done to the car that couldn’t be reversed. So, after a little TLC from Jim, the T/A is now another prime example of Mother Mopar’s brief foray into SCCA road racing.

Like many of the other gearheads at the Smith Stokes dealership, Jim believes the fun of owning classic muscle cars lies in the driving. There’s not a trailer queen in the bunch. On nice days he can be found behind the wheel of one of his Challengers, enjoying them the way they should be.
Main