Owner: Duane Rusk
1970 Dodge Challenger T/A

The no-doubt familar looking car you see here is, of course, Duane Rusk's '70 Challenger T/A, from Missoula, Montana. This April fool's car (built on April 1st, 1970) came with rather unusual options, the first being the original Panther Pink paint, only available for approximately four months out of the year. This car is 1 of only 17 T/A's painted pink. The original owner had a few strange ideas when ordering the options and Chrysler being Chrysler allowed for personal taste or oversights on the order form, whichever the case may be.

Missing from Duane's car are the usual radio (replaced by a delete panel on the dash) and antenna (there isn't even a hole in the quarter panel for it). However, it did get a few extras in other places, like the much desired pistol grip four speed with console, 3.55 rearend ratio, quick ratio steering, rear window louvers, crisp white interior, tinted glass and a painted grille.

When I first saw this car at the Spokane Mopars Unlimited Show 4 years ago, I had to admit that color kind of grew on me. By the time I was ready to go home, I wanted to own that car (and still do!). It was Duane's car that prompted me to buy my own pink AAR (if you can't get the Dodge, go with the sister car!). Still, a set would be nice! The last time I spoke to Duane he mentioned he would have to let it go if someone offered him $50,000 for it! I wonder if that's U.S. or Canadian?

The PANTHRR has taken many awards, both in it's class and for people's choice, and it is well-deserving of every one. To see this car is to see a truly fine specimen of what Mopar Muscle really means, and it's not often you find a flawless show car and a powerful pony car at the same time. After many years of being babied, Duane took a friend for a cruise in the T/A and after a lot of pressure from the passenger, the clutch was popped (ever so slightly) and the tires smoked. When they were able to peel themselves off the seats, Duane had to admit that the 340 six pak had surprised him (the owner of a 440 six barrel Plymouth Sport Fury with 3.91 gears!).