If Dodge came late to the Pony Car party, it certainly came well equipped from a powertrain perspective. The Dodge Challenger was originally offered as a two-door hardtop or convertible, in base, SE (Special Edition), R/T (Road/Track) and T/A (Trans-Am) trim. But it was the range of powertrain choices that was truly remarkable – from the small, but durable, 225-cubic-inch Slant Six to the fearsome Elephant Motor – the 426 HEMI.

The Challenger made its debut in the fall of 1969 as a 1970 model. While it shared Chrysler’s E-body short-deck, long-hood platform with the third-generation Plymouth Barracuda, the Challenger’s wheelbase was 2 inches longer, creating more interior space and a more comfortable highway ride.

Driveline choices for various engines included Chrysler’s TorqueFlite automatic transmission and a three or four-speed manual transmission, which could be equipped with a signature Hurst pistol-grip shifter. Big-block Challengers were available with a heavy-duty Dana 60 rear axle and limited-slip differential.

Even the paint schemes screamed performance, with wild colors like Plum Crazy and HEMI Orange accented with bumblebee stripes. Customers could further customize their cars with twin-scooped hoods, shaker hoods and deck-lid wings. What the Challenger may have lacked in longevity, it more than made up for with audacity.

Photos: Chrysler

In 1970, Sam Posey drove a lone Challenger in the Trans-Am racing series, prepared and run by Ray Caldwell. While Posey didn’t win a race, he finished fourth overall in points. Dodge offered in the limited-edition T/A model to meet homologation requirements for Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am racing. The T/A was one of the first production vehicles to offer staggered size tires in the front and back; E60 x 15-inch in front and G60 x 15-inch at the rear.

That year, drag racers, including Dick Landy and Ted Spehar, campaigned Challengers in the NHRA’s new Pro Stock class. For two years, the HEMI-powered Challengers virtually ruled the class, but it was a big screen epic – the filmVanishing Point – that elevated the Challenger to a cult favorite with muscle-car fans. That first year, approximately 83,000 cars were sold.

The Challenger, however, would not enjoy many carefree years, as the Mustang had since 1965 and the Camaro since 1967. New EPA emission standards for 1971 led to a number of powertrain changes. The 340-cid Six Pack-equipped powerplant and the 375 horsepower 440-cubic-inch big block were eliminated, while the 383-cid Magnum was detuned to 300 horsepower. Still, the legendary 390-horsepower 440 six-pack V-8 and the 425 horsepower 426-cubic-inch HEMI still topped the range of available engines.

In an increasingly hostile environment, pony cars from all manufacturers were in transition. Escalating insurance rates, new EPA emission requirements and five mile-per-hour bumpers drove product features and styling as surely as did Chrysler’s product team. By 1973, output of the venerable 318-cid V8 had fallen from 230 to 150 horsepower, while the 340-cid mill that once put out 290 horsepower in the Challenger T/A was the only optional engine with just 240 horsepower.

In April 1974, Dodge Challenger production ceased. During that five-year span, approximately 188,600 Challengers were sold, yet the car made a far greater and long-lasting impression than its numbers might suggest.

The dark years following saw an evolution of North American cars that few remember fondly. Whether the Ford Mustang II, the Chevrolet Vega or the Mitsubishi-built Dodge Challenger, each addressed the needs of the time but failed to adequately capture the charisma of their predecessors.

That would have to wait until January, 2006, when Dodge unveiled the Challenger concept to immediate acclaim at the North American International Auto Show. Using the Dodge Charger’s advanced rear-wheel-drive platform and HEMI V-8 engine; the Dodge Challenger concept featured the long hood, short deck, wide stance and two-door coupe body-style strongly inspired by the iconic Challengers of the 1970s. Market response to the concept quickly led to a production decision and the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 debuted at the Chicago Auto Show that year.

With a 425 horsepower, 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine, five-link independent rear suspension, 20-inch forged Alcoa aluminum wheels optionally shod with Goodyear F1 Supercar tires, 4-piston Brembo disc brakes and the return of HEMI Orange exterior paint, panache was back in style at Chrysler. Through 2009, the Challenger line continued to evolve, with SE, SE Rallye and R/T models filling out the offering.

Supplementing the 425-horsepower 6.1-liter HEMI, available in 2009 with a Viper-spec 6-speed manual transmission, are the high output 3.5-liter V6 producing 250 horsepower, as well as the 5.7-liter HEMI that delivers 372-horsepower and 401 lb.-ft. of torque on demand. Advanced technology in the 5.7-liter motor featured dual Variable-cam Timing (VCT) and dual ignition (two spark plugs per cylinder) to increase power and torque, while improving refinement and efficiency and still taking the Challenger R/T from zero to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds.

Certainly, performance was a hallmark of the original Challengers, but visual presence was equally important. In 2009, a limited run of Challenger R/T Classic and Challenger SRT8 were delivered in B5 Blue – retrieved from the paint code archives. The trial was so well received that two of the wildest and rarest 2010 Dodge Challenger special editions will soon be available to Dodge fans and collectors to celebrate 40 years of Dodge Challenger performance.

The 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic and Challenger SRT8 Furious Fuchsia editions will sport Furious Fuchsia Pearl Coat exterior paint and all-new Pearl White leather performance seats. These limited-edition Dodge Challengers deliver the best of modern American muscle-car characteristics — now in some of the most significant hues. Detonator Yellow and Plum Crazy are scheduled to make a return on 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic and SRT8 versions as well.

Setting aside the heritage rainbow, 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T and Challenger R/T Classic buyers can add even more performance and excitement with the Super Track Pack. This handling package includes 20-inch Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Car tires, front and rear Nivomat self-leveling shock-absorbers, a larger rear stabilizer bar, a 3.06 rear-axle ratio, performance brake linings and enthusiast-desired “ESC-off” stability calibration.

We’re pretty sure that Sam Posey would approve. Call it what you will… panache, charisma or legend, the Dodge Challenger will be reckoned with and the time is now.