![]() ![]() One with the Six-Pack (three two-barrel carburetors) with 390 hp (395 ps), and the one that this Charger has. The 440 was also available in two different configurations. This particular model, being the R/T, featured two engine options: the infamous 426 Hemi and the colossal 440 ci (7.2-liter) Magnum V8 - which is the one this particular Charger has. You had many engine options, from a small slant-six to massive V8s. Now, it's time we get under that long hood of the Charger. Adding a little class to the mix is a wooden dashboard and a wood-rimmed steering wheel, which fronts a 150 mph (240 kph) speedometer and an 8,000 rpm tachometer alongside a few other gauges. Moving on to the interior, it is mostly original and finished in black but accented by gray inserts on the seats and a whole lot of chrome. Behind said wheels, the R/T brought a few more goodies, like better suspension and more powerful brakes, but this one has Wilwood stopping power all around. This Charger is finished in the popping Hemi Orange with black tail stripes.Ĭomplementing the old-school muscle look, it has a set of American Racing billet Magnum style wheels measuring 15 inches with BF Goodrich rubbers around them that have white lettering, tying the retro look together. The main differences are the grille and the taillights, cementing the shape we still have today. On the outside, the 1970 Charger, the last year of the second generation, followed the same principle as the redesign from 1968 but did a little better. Now, to see what makes it so good, let's look at this one from 1970 and analyze it more profoundly. The latest iteration borrowed a few design cues from the previous one but cranked them up to 11 and placed them in a brand new Coke-bottle styling.Īlso that year, a brand new package was introduced called the R/T, which took the Charger to the next level, making it the best possible version of what a 3,700 lbs (1,700 kg) sports car could be. Richard Sias, the head of design, visioned an entirely new look for the Charger. In 1968, Dodge's design studio cooked up something pretty special. Even with racing wins behind its back, Dodge sold only 37,000 of them in the first year meanwhile, Ford sold over a million Mustangs – so some more work was due for Dodge. They changed the roof, the quarter panels, the decklid, and the grill so it looked properly mean, and with many engine options, including the 426 Hemi, you would expect it to sell like hotcakes. So, Dodge's design team got to work on the brand new car based on the Coronet, and in 1966, the Dodge Charger was finally born. Their sister brand, Plymouth, launched the Barracuda to fuel the fire, putting more pressure on Mopar muscle to do something. They needed an entire car, not just a badge slapped on a limited run of vehicles. ![]() But they still needed to solve their Mustang problem. The Charger name was first used as a package on the Dodge Dart GT Charger. Of course, they only started to sell it after a while, but it got people talking, and finally, Dodge started producing a cheap sporty car of their own. ![]() On the side of that wannabe rollbar was a badge written in cursive that said: Charger. Powering it was the 426 ci (7.0-liter) Hemi V8 (until it was reaped out and replaced by a stock 383 engine because of Hemi shortages). It had no roof, a chopped windshield, and a roll bar thingy. The new design was based on the 1964 Dodge Polara and looked terrific. ![]() So, they needed a brand-new vehicle to compete with the Mustang, and they needed it fast.Īfter chaos ensued, a few designers at Dodge came up with a concept car. No one had a car in their lineups, even remotely similar to Ford's new golden child. When Dodge and everyone at Chrysler saw Ford's fun and reliable offering, they all freaked out. The Charger was born in part thanks to the Mustang. ![]()
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