It was a combination of searing performance and head-turning good looks that made the Challenger T/A a commanding presence on the street, even in the rarified atmosphere of Chicago’s muscle car scene, where horsepower and image were taken to their extreme by dealers like Mr. Norm. Indeed, Chicago was the epicenter of the first muscle car era, during which Mr. Norm’s Grand Spaulding Dodge turned out hyper-tuned muscle Mopars at a breathtaking pace.
If you were into Mopars in those days, Norm Krause was the man to see. His place of business was more than just a dealership; it was a cultural phenomenon. His ads on the back cover of Drag News pulled in buyers from all over the country, many of whom had their airfare paid for by Krause when they headed back home with a bill of sale for a new car. Mr. Norm’s showroom could feature a Hemi-powered FX drag racer one day, and attract hundreds for an indoor rock-and-roll concert the next. His fully-equipped dyno testing shop bustled night and day with a constant stream of customers of all makes seeking those extra few horses to win the next stoplight grand prix. And if you wanted a combination that wasn’t available on the factory order form, he would put it together for you.
But even out-of-the-box machines such as Roy Gagnaro’s well-documented 1970 Challenger T/A 4-speed were subject to the Grand Spaulding tuning treatment that drew out every last ounce of potential. Today this Mr. Norm original not only remains a Chicago resident after all these years; it is also in splendid Grand Spaulding showroom-fresh condition as a result of a comprehensive rotisserie restoration. In addition to its correct special-casting T/A engine block, it retains all the features listed on the original paperwork, including such details as the locking flip-top gas cap, remote-controlled dual outside racing mirrors, rear spoiler, 15x7-inch Rallye wheels with staggered-size Goodyear Polyglas tires, center console, AM radio and space-saver spare.
Once a part of Mike Guarise’s Chicago-based collection of premier muscle cars, this 1970 Challenger T/A was featured on the cover of the November 2012 issue of Muscle Car Review, where it was one of four machines comprising a look at archetypal Chi-Town muscle cars. Its extensive documentation includes the new car order form, dealer order checklist, deposit receipt, bill of sale, two page shipper, IBM card, deal jacket, license plate envelope and inventory card, all issued by Mr. Norm’s Grand Spaulding Dodge. The car even bears Norm Krause’s autograph on the dashboard praising its eye-popping Banana Yellow paint.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Sold new at Mr. Norm's Grand Spaulding Dodge in Chicago
- Documented with Mr. Norms dealership paperwork and factory Chrysler IBM card
- Frame-off nut and bolt restoration
- Hi-Impact Banana Yellow paint
- Correct Trans Am 340 Six Pack engine
- Original Six Pack intake and air cleaner
- Factory 4-speed, Pistol Grip shifter
- Fiberglass hood, Black vinyl top
- Sure Grip 3.91 rear end
- AM radio, console
- Remote left and right racing mirrors
- Power disc brakes, space saver spare
- Heavy duty shocks and suspension
- Flip-top gas cap, rear spoiler
- Mr. Norm's paperwork includes the new car order form, dealer order checklist, deposit receipt, bill of sale, two page shipper, IBM card, deal jacket, license plate envelope and inventory card
- November 2012 Muscle Car Review cover car
- Formerly part of the Mike Guarise Collection
- Mr. Norm autographed the dash
https://www.mecum.com/lot-detail.cfm...=CH1014-195837