Takes a look at a 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A muscle car that sat for years in the derelict Packard Plant in the “Motor City”, Detroit. This barn find showcased might just be one of the very best. A 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A, that has come out of its hiding place in superb condition. Its hiding place was the actual Packard Plant, the very one that has sat dilapidated and derelict for years in Detroit.
The owner of the muscle car bought it, but before its rescue, the plant was sadly condemned and parts of the car were stolen. Happily, though, the car was eventually rescued, and it is in this that we can get up close and personal with a unique survivor.
How This Car Became Stuck In The Packard Plant
Before it could be saved, the plant was regrettably condemned and pieces of the muscle car were stolen, so the owner of the car purchased it. But thankfully, the vehicle was eventually saved, and in this YouTube video, we can meet a special survivor up close.
That was except this car, which remained in the plant until at least the year 2000. Before it eventually left the plant, the rear taillights and other components were stolen from the Challenger T/A which, as you would expect, did not sit well with the car owner. Later on, its owner was looking to sell it. This led to a guy who had some dollars saved up for his wedding being able to buy the car and is eventually what led to its release from the Packard Plant.
The time in the plant wasn’t too harsh on the Challenger T/A, but it isn’t exactly in immaculate condition. For the most part though, the muscle car is sound and even comes with new old-stock tailpipes from the Plymouth Barracuda. At the moment, the Challenger T/A has the wrong dash, but the owner is seeking that dash, to finally start the full restoration of the muscle car. Meaning an incredible piece of muscle car history will finally get a chance to get back on the road once again. However, its former home is not set to be so lucky.
The Packard Plant Is Slowly Disappearing
As a report from the Detroit Free Press earlier in 2023 reveals, the Packard Plant is slowly disappearing from the Detroit landscape. The plant is the largest remaining abandoned auto factory in Detroit. The city is working to slowly demolish the condemned building. The plant became a safety hazard in September 2022, and its continued presence in the city was a deep source of frustration to many residents due to its view as an eyesore. Ultimately, the current owners of the plant were then ordered by the Circuit Court to demolish the building.
The Packard Plant is huge, taking up 3.5-million square-feet of space, all of which is now scheduled for complete demolition. The plant itself was first constructed in 1903, and the building completed in 1911. It became most famous as the location where luxury cars from Packard Motor Car Company, and latterly the Studebaker-Packard Corporation, were built. But the factory also built the Packard V-1650 Merlin. A license-built version of the famous Rolls-Royce Merlin engine that powered the Supermarine Spitfire. The Packard version would find fame powering the North American P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft of the Second World War.
The plant would close in 1958, although other businesses would operate out of the complex until the late 1990s. Since 2010, the site has stood abandoned, and it has become a haven for urban explorers, paintballers, and of course graffiti artists. There were plans to redevelop the plant and the site, but the plans evaporated in 2020. Despite the complete demolition that now looms, Detroit does plan on saving a small portion of the plant for new uses. The city recognizes that while now an eyesore, the plant is an integral part of the history of the famous Motor City.
When Did The Challenger T/A Make Its Debut?
The Dodge Challenger of course made its debut in the fall of 1969. The muscle car shared the E-Body from Chrysler, which had a short-deck and long-hood, and it was the platform found on the third-generation Plymouth Barracuda. However, the wheelbase of the Challenger was two inches longer than the Plymouth, creating a muscle car with more interior space. The T/A trim level, which stood for Trans Am, also made its debut for the 1970 model year as we can see with this rescued example.
The muscle car’s street version of the Trans Am racing homologation version, the T/A was only ever offered for the 1970 model year. A 340 cc engine with three two-barrel carburetors and an aluminum intake manifold served as the powertrain. Dodge claimed that the 340 Six Pack engine it produced had 290 horsepower, just 15 more than the original 340 engine. The Challenger T/A is a particularly uncommon variation of the muscle vehicle because it was only produced for one year. One that has been sitting in the Packard Plant for more than ten years is even rarer.
What The Owner Plans For His 1970 Challenger T/A
Although this car’s restoration was always planned, it was tragically delayed for a while. This occurred just as the new owner was getting ready to marry and establish a family. But now that the kids are older and more self-sufficient, and the marriage has stabilized, the time is right to begin the restoration. The owner has really had the same 1970 standard 340 Dodge Challenger since he was a high school student. But for the time being, the major attraction will remain this incredible Packard Plant survivor.