Most car guys know what a limited slip differential is. They probably also recognize Positrac – or Positraction – by other marketing names used by the Big Three manufacturers, such as Sure-grip, Traction Lock, Safe-T-Lok, and so on. Well, I’m a car guy from way back; I got my drivers license in 1972. (Please hold those age jokes.) As is typically the case with older more intelligent car guys, I have a special appreciation for domestic cars built in the 67, 68, 69 and 1970 model years: those built and roaming the streets while I was counting the days until I could get my own drivers permit.
So, what did I learn during those formative years, when I had more brain cells and my synapse connections were still being hardwired?
Custom 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A – Performance Preferences, Now and Then
1.) Positrac
2.) Four Speed transmission
3.) Eight cylinders
I know the main reason I was conditioned to think about this particular option list. As a newbie car guy, I was influenced by hours of performance talk with my car savvy peers. If I think back to recall the first time I was finally driving solo – hmmm, where did I go? Well, to make the rounds and see my high school buddies, of course. When I rolled up, the conversation would go a little something like this:
“Hey Diamond, looks great – you’re the new man cruising the street. Whatcha driving? (Nova.) Automatic? (Yes.) Six Cylinders? (Yes.) POSITRAC? (No.)”
“Oh. So you got your Mom’s car for the night.”
Instant ego deflation. I have hot new transportation, but it’s a light weight in the current generation of muscle cars. No one’s going to come to start up a BS session or admire an engine bay when I pop this hood at the A&W!
While automotive offerings always change, the basic concepts of what’s cool and what’s not are usually fundamentally the same. I always like to see the passion an owner has for his ride, no matter the make or model. These are the kind of car guys that have a unique vision for their vehicle and will talk at ease with anyone showing even the slightest interest. To see what I mean, just do a walk around at the next Show & Shine in your area and listen in on the conversations going on while onlookers circle a classic or custom car.
Enough introductions! Nowadays, I like all cars and rods, but, of course I do have personal favourites and interesting finds to share with the Unfinished Man community. Opinions are strictly mine, but hopefully, I can share some classic automotive gems that everyone can enjoy.
Speaking of which, for your consideration: a special order 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A.
Mr. Norm’s Grand Spaulding Dodge was – and still is – a high performance dealership in Chicago, with a rich racing heritage that has produced some awesome street machines. Someone at Grand Spaulding envisioned and ordered a very different look T/A Challenger in 1970. Black paint, flat black fiberglass hood, and if you look closely enough you will see the TA Challenger side stripes in satin black. Now, set this combo off with a white interior and white top – can you say wow factor? Back in the day, I never had the means to factory order a spanking new muscle car. But if I had… well, let’s just say “dream on”!
Want to know more about muscle cars, or have a great hot rod to show me? Shoot me an email. See ya next time – Diamond Don
Rusters! Filled with “planned obsolescence! no suspension! Safe only in a straight line and very unstable at high speeds! This car and other “Muscle Cars” mark the end of the American Automotive Dynasty! The Datsun 240-Z’s had computer spec’d, metric accurate fully balanced, High Ni content blocks, a straight “6” that knocked the socks off of these asinine, “Cowboy”: attempts at real sports-car value! Even the 1950’s Ford flat heads were more durable, a better buy, ran on ‘regular’ gasoline not exotic, high test and very expensive stuff! I loved the old Lumps, the big Merc’s, the Hudson’s of and earlier generation, famed for durability, quality, workmanship, then America wavered, let the Executive’s children call the shots, let the salespeople over-rule fine American engineering, and we got these, and the failure of the whole industry!
Hey Uncle B, have to agree with Diamond Don
Muscle cars of the late 60s through ’70 weren’t all about being ‘a better buy’ or being ‘famed for durabilty’ – that sounds like my mom talking. We’re talking cool here – these muscle cars were and still are gorgeous, and are still so in-demand its crazy.
Check out Speedtv – can safely say there are way more of those safe only in a straight line and very unstable at high speed muscle cars than 240-Zs showing up on Pinks and the like…
Take a gander at parts prices on eBay and note the wild bidding that happens each and every time anything muscle car related (from magazines to nuts and bolts on upward) get listed. That’s a very clear indicator that a whole bunch of people don’t agree with you.
Anyone else remember the first Japanese imports that came over? Talk about rusters – even the first Hondas! I also like many of the fifties cars. The sixties cars had a huge advantage in power to weight ratios and an overall ease of drivibility that the fifties offerings just couldn’t touch.
Handling/traction improved once you slapped some radial tires on your muscle car.
Great car. I love old american cars, new cars su*ks.