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History of The Dodge Charger
Based on the short-lived fastback coupe design from the 1940’s, 1964 heralded the arrival of the first Dodge Charger on the American automotive scene with a customized Polara appearing at motoring shows around the country. Designed to provide a more aerodynamic profile, the fastback coupe epitomized speed and style. People responded favorably and from the Polara, the first Dodge Charger was born. It was available for purchase in late 1965, bearing the model year 1966. The first generation Charger was little more than a Dodge Coronet clone, with the addition of headlights that hid behind a unique grille that rotated to allow the passage of light.
Due to the resurgence of stock car racing at the time, rules regarding participation in NASCAR required production models of the race vehicle to be available on road. This meant that the Dodge Charger was the first production vehicle with a trunk lid mounted spoiler available. Despite strong sales in 1966 and a successful NASCAR campaign, sales in 1967 dropped to half the 1966 numbers due to competition from strong rivals, the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro.
Second Generation Dodge Charger
From 1968-70 the second generation, designed by Richard Sias, was available. The iconic, curvy, “Coke bottle” muscle car styling hit the Dodge Charger. Gone were the fastback roofline and the fancy interior that set the four occupants in luxury in the first generation vehicle. Now with the R/T (Road/Track) model designation, performance was available with the 440 Magnum engine or with the optional 426 HEMI. In 1969, the Dodge Charger 500 and the Dodge Charger Daytona were released and 1970 saw the release of the 440 Six Pack engine, boasting triple carburettors and 390 horsepower.
Sales again fell but this was as a result of the release of the Dodge Challenger and an increase in insurance premiums across the board. The NASCAR season saw 10 wins for the Dodge Charger, more than any other vehicle, setting the Charger as a force to be reckoned with. The second generation Dodge Charger was also immortalized in pop culture by its use in the TV series, “The Dukes Of Hazzard”. The series ran for seven seasons from 1978-1985 and led to a strong following worldwide of the iconic vehicle.
Third Generation of Dodge Charger
The third generation was built between 1971 and 1974. It resulted in a complete body restyle with a split grille, less angular lines and the option of the ram charger hood, which allowed air to be sent directly into the air filter. Built on the B-platform, and with six trims available, the Super Bee muscle car trim was moved from the discontinued Dodge Coronet to the Charger. Due to the availability of the R/T trim, the Super Bee was marketed as a budget option in the range. Rapidly rising insurance and gasoline prices saw a fall in the popularity of the HEMI engine and 1971 was the last build year offering this option.
The R/T trim was replaced in 1972 by the Dodge Charger Rallye hardtop and a lower compression ratio allowing the use of standard fuel, rather than premium. In 1973 the new Charger SE sported a vinyl roof and three “opera windows’ and resulted in sales of 108,000 units for the Charger for the year. The dawn of 1974 saw some new color options and replacement of the Chrysler 340 V8 engine with the 360 V8 and a four-barrel carburetor.
The end of the muscle car era was apparent with the move from the Charger being built as a performance car, to a personal luxury vehicle. In 1975, the Dodge Charger was built on the Chrysler Cordoba platform. Released only as the Charger SE, there were plenty of engine specifications available but only the single trim. Sales for 1975 amounted to 30,800. The change in body shape meant that it was unsuitable for NASCAR and the racing teams continued to use the B-platform body. In 1976 the range was expanded to include a base model, Charger Sport, Charger SE and the Charger Daytona. As a result, sales increased to 66,000 units. In 1977, the base model and the Charger Sport were removed from production and sales fell again to 36,200 units. In 1978 the Dodge Charger ceased production, the last of the 1977 models were sold and the Dodge Magnum replaced the Charger in the Dodge line-up.
The Dodge Charger nameplate made a brief reappearance in the 1980’s, however it was neither an inspiring performance vehicle nor full-sized luxury sedan. From 1982-1986, a three-door, front wheel drive hatchback bore the name but none of the Charger soul. Even with the better handling and power from a Shelby model, this generation was not to remain in production and the Charger disappeared again.
Resurgence of The Dodge Charger Concept
Fast-forward to 2006, after the appearance of a Dodge Charger concept vehicle in 1999 and the resurgence of interest in muscle cars, Dodge made the move into the advent of modern retro vehicle styling. The all-new Charger was built on the LX platform, a chassis designed during the amalgamation of Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz and shared by the Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Magnum. Replacing the Dodge Intrepid, the Charger was a full-sized, four-door sedan and comprised the models, SE, SXT, R/T, Daytona R/T and the SRT-8. Boasting the excitement of its performance heritage, all the benefits of modern convenience and dynamic handling, the Dodge Charger drew the attention of those who loved the original and a new generation of fans.
In 2009 the Dodge Charger starting moving towards the modern need for economy in the V8 engines and utilized the Multi-Displacement System, which allowed four of the eight cylinders to be shut down when cruising and coasting. This advancement reduced the demand for the tepid 2.7L V6 and the Charger was back on track to being the performance car it was once deemed to be. As the years progressed, so did the engineering with all-wheel drive as an option and modern safety features beginning to appear, first as options and then as standard equipment across the range.
In 2011, the Dodge Charger was redesigned for the seventh and longest running generation to date. Modern retro styling to appeal to the lovers of the second-generation B-platform model and a raft of new technology seamlessly blended to create an aggressively styled, aerodynamic performance vehicle. Remaining a four-door sedan with a sweeping roofline, the appeal of the Dodge Charger continued to grow a new generation of Charger fans.
In 2012, the all-wheel-drive option was added to all but the SRT-8 trim. The Super Bee trim, continued from the sixth generation, returned to its budget roots by offering a high-performance vehicle, similarly specified to the SRT-8 but devoid of all luxury options. Performance inclusions were the 470 horsepower 6.4L engine, four-pot Brembo brakes, custom badging and unique cloth embroidery, paddle shifters and a digital meter measuring G-force and lap timing. In 2015, the Dodge Charger received significant styling updates including LED lighting and improved front-end aerodynamics but not the overhaul and new generation improvements that some were expecting.
Dodge Charger Hellcat and Beyond
With a heritage design and nine trims, the 2018 Dodge Charger can be a mild-mannered gentleman in the SE, or at the other end of the trim spectrum, the ground-tearing Hellcat. Boasting 707 horsepower from the legendary Super-charged 6.2L HEMI SRT V8 engine and performance-tuned chassis; the Hellcat is the Dodge Charger that you dream of owning. Today, the Dodge Charger has a strong following of enthusiasts worldwide with many of the models being collectible and carefully restored. The eighth generation is rumored to be in production for the 2021 model year.