With both Chevrolet and Chrysler planning to revive the fabled Camaro and Challenger names it behooves me to take a brief look back at where they came from. (Did you know that the Barracuda actually preceded Ford's Mustang by two weeks? Of course that first 'Cuda was merely a Plymouth Valiant with a fastback but it eventually grew to be a "challenger" for the Pony Car crown.) The real Challenger, a Dodge, finally made its appearance in 1970 on a slightly larger platform than the Barracuda. Variations were extensive, including hardtop and convertible bodies and 18 color choices. Base engine was a slant-six; V-8 engines ranged from 275 hp to a 425 hp R/T HEMI although only 356 of the latter were sold. A 4-speed manual was standard and a 3-speed TorqueFlite automatic was optional. A street version of the TransAm racer, the T/A, offered 290 hp, suspension mods, dual exhausts, and broad body striping. Burdened by federal clean air regs and fuel shortages, the Challenger faded away in 1974 but is fondly remembered as one of the best-looking of its era and with the Hemi engine, one of the fastest. The new Dodge Challenger strongly resembles the original, a good thing in my view.