Their layout was dated by the time they were introduced ( personally , I like it ! ) ; there were many quality control issues ( especially at the Hamtramck Facility ) ; they were reasonably popular their 1st year , but sales declined in '71 ( recession + insurance rates ) ; and the market for these kinds of cars was a waning one ( it was surprising that Chrysler even approved a convertible body style for them , as drop tops were falling-out of popularity ) .
Many years ago ( 20+) I read an article about the 1970 Trans Am programme which was planned for the 'Cuda and Challenger twins . The article spoke of some wild one-off items ; things such as an adjustable trunk spoiler , a Daytona / Super Bird type nose , and a truly trick Westlake 305 c.i.d. engine with 3x2Bbl induction and Westlake cylinder heads .
Obviously , this end of the programme was cancelled , thanks to ambiguous year-to-year changes in emissions-reducing equipment , ever-changing safety requirements , insurance companies' surcharges , and the expenses involved in producing such a specialty vehicle on a regular assembly line ( the T/A & AAR models that did make the cut were a ***** on the ***'y line within themselves ) .
