Challenger III was originally built for ORMHOF inductee Larry Minor in 1975 by legendary builder Smokey Allerman. It was raced a few times at the Parker 400, Baja 500, and Baja 1000 until it was purchased by Mickey Thompson.

Mickey used the Allerman chassis as a short course racer from 1978 thru 1980 after he reworked the chassis to look more like his Challenger IV desert racer. Although it never won any races, the technology used with the V8 motor and shock packages would turn out to be the basic template for some of the most competitive off-road race cars today.

The list of Hall of Fame drivers for this car is quite impressive from, of course, Mickey Thompson, Larry Minor, Roger Mears, and Johnny Johnson. The car was purchased by Rory Ward and Cody Swanty in 2021 and returned to its original glory in 2022.

SPECS:
Chassis:Custom Smokey Allerman built single tubular frame seat buggy (Smokey SS1)
Engine:MT 350-cu Custom fabricated Aluminum block, Aluminum Brownfield racing cylinder heads
Trans:B&M 2 speed G.M. Powerglide automatic transmission
Front suspension: Straight axle with trailing arm, torsion bar assist.International Harvester spindles, Dual MT gas pressure shocks per wheel w/cooling fins, Approx 10”-wheel travel
Front Wheels/Tires:31X11.50X15 Mickey Thompson Baja Belted15X8 Centerline aluminum racing wheels
Front brakes: Custom Hurst/Airhart disc brakes with rotors and calipers
Front hubs: Halibrand knock-offs
Steering: G.M. Saginaw power steering box Custom tubular guide with rods ends attached to straight axle
Cockpit: RAC cockpit racing gaugesTaylor suspension seat with the special M.T. rear shock mount, Titanium transmission scatter shield, B&M automatic shifter, Custom throttle and brake pedal assembly
Body: Custom Aluminum body and rear wing fabricated by Nye Frank (ORMHOF Inductee)
Fuel system: Earls steel braided lines and fittings throughout, Fuel safe fuel cell ,unknown capacity (approx. 15 gallon), Holley electric fuel pump, AC fuel filter
Rear end: Henry's Machine built Titanium axle tubesHenry's Machine Dana 60 differential, Summers Brothers racing axles
Rear suspension: 41" Rick Haslow custom-built coil over shocks w/reservoir (1 each side), Rear sway bar secondary suspension system, Custom 3-link (JMR Manufacturing)Approx. 18”-wheel travel
Rear wheels/tires: 36x13.50X15 Mickey Thompson Baja King15X10 Centerline racing wheels
Rear Brakes: Hurst/Airhart Grand National calipers, rotors, and hats
Rear Hubs: Halibrand knock-offs
Misc: Earls oil and transmission coolers, Earls AN fittings, Simpson safety harness, Accel ignition system, REF Unlimited built Tri-Y exhaust headers, Neal turning brake, K&N air filter
Wheelbase:109 inches.