Panther Pink is still one of Mopar’s wildest colors

Whether you’re a Dodge fan and prefer Panther Pink or a Plymouth fan fond of Moulin Rouge, the paint code and the result are the same: a shockingly bright hue that was never seen on a car before its January 1970 debut. The FM3 paint code made its way onto the Mopar muscle cars filling showrooms by the early spring. It was gone as soon as it had arrived and only made it onto a few 1971 models after it was removed from regular production in the summer of 1970, by which time it had been selected by only a few hundred buyers. Despite its short-lived tenure, it made a lasting impact on Mopar collectors. In 2010, Dodge offered Furious Fuschia, which is the closest we’ve seen to the memorable hue since.

Even if you’re a big fan of Panther Pink, you’ve got to admit that an entire car slathered in the color could be a bit much. We think it looks best when there’s some contrast, like a vinyl top for example. Or, in the case of the Trans Am homologation Challenger T/A, with a flat black hood and those unmistakable stripes that follow the E-body’s curves.

This 1970 Challenger T/A that’s going up for bid at Mecum’s Indy event later this week brings production versions of the go-fast bits that helped the Challenger on the track, like heavy-duty sway bars and suspension, as well as creature comforts like a driver-side remote mirror, Rallye dash, and Slap Stik shifter for the A727 automatic transmission. It’s true that a four-speed would mean a 15-percent boost in value, but the A727 was the same sturdy auto found behind the dragstrip-pounding big-blocks and was ready to take on brutal launches from even the torquiest of Hemis. The triple Holley carbs and unique heads atop the 340, along with its side-exit exhaust, give the high-revving 340 small-block plenty of breathing room. It was laughably underrated at just 290 hp. Anyone who’s been behind the wheel when the secondary carbs enter the picture can attest to that.

Values for Mopar muscle cars can hinge on the color. Panther Pink may be polarizing, but it’s also rare and can be desirable for the right collector. For a 1970 Challenger T/A, this rare High Impact color could make all the difference on the auction block.