Dodge Charger

The idea to create it originated with the beginning of the era «muscle car'ov", when in 1964, was released Pontiac GTO, which was an ordinary sedan, equipped with powerful 335-horsepower engine. The model was so much more popular as the other American car manufacturers have decided to create such models. Concept Charger (1965) based on the Dodge Coronet received high ratings, and the car went into a series.

January 1st, 1966 at the annual Rose Bowl Game was first shown to spectators «Dodge Charger» - a new flagship car of Dodge. The main designer of the project was Carl Cameron (Carl «CAM» Cameron). Sales began in mid-1966.

In 1966, the Charger is a feature grille «electric shaver» (English electric shaver - Electric) - used in full hiding lights that Chrysler has not been used since 1942 (on some models of units DeSoto) - when the lights are open or closed grille looks a whole detail.

Dodge Charger 1967

Inside, Dodge Charger has four separate anatomical seats, the console is long from front to rear (Full Console). Rear seats and part of the console can be folded forward, and delete the partition boot back, which allowed to place luggage inside the cabin. Many of the items were exclusive - door panels, instrument panel lights, and others.

dashboard lights (model 1966)

All engines have a choice of V8. Six-cylinder engines up to 1968 have been proposed. In 1966 four engines were offered a choice:
318 V8 (5.2 liters), the base model, with triple carburettors
361 V8 (5.9 liters) with triple carburettors
383 V8 (6.3 liters) with 325 hp (242 kW) with Quad - the majority of orders in 1966
V8 426 «Street Hemi» (7 l) - a new Chrysler engine with two quad.

At the end of 1966 as a dealer installed option on the boot lid spoiler (due to the rules of participation in NASCAR). In 1966, the Dodge Charger was the first production car in the U.S., equipped with a spoiler.

Spoiler NASCAR in 1966

Total production Dodge Charger in 1966 amounted to 37,344 units.

Despite the fact that the start of sales were in the middle of the 1966 Dodge Charger's debut was very successful. In 1967, there have been some changes to the exterior, as well as vinyl roof become available. Inside full length console was gone (due to customer complaints on nuisance boarding and alighting from the rear seats). Separate bucket seats are standard, and a folding armrest is an option that allows to sit in front of three.

In 1967 he was offered a choice of five engines:
318 V8 (5.2 liters), the base model, with triple carburetor, used wedge-shaped combustion chamber (series «Chrysler LA»)
383 V8 (6.3 liter) with triple carburettors
383 V8 (6.3 liters) with 325 hp (242 kW) with Quad
V8 426 «Street Hemi» (7 l) - a new Chrysler engine with two quad
440 V8 "Magnum" - a conservative 375 hp engine with a single quad.

Despite success in NASCAR in 1966, sales in 1967 declined by half. In 1967 it was sold just 15,788 Dodge Charger - Dodge faced with competition from the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.

In 1968, Dodge has planned restyling of the entire line of models and decided it was time to separate the model «Dodge Coronet» and «Dodge Charger» more. The style of the new Dodge Charger, designed by Richard SIAS (Richard Sias), would later be called "Coke Bottle Style» («Coke bottle styling»), as the profile of the body bends like a bottle of Coca-Cola.

Salon 1969 Dodge Charger

Charger retained its original grille with hidden headlights, but fully rotating headlights with electric have been replaced by a simple rotary actuator with a vacuum, as in «Camaro RS». The interior has remained almost unchanged, tachometer instead of the standard equipment was the option in the boot cover is replaced by a vinyl mat.

In order to further improve the image of the vehicle type «muscle car» added a new option package under the name R / T, which meant «Road / Track» (that is, between the road and track). Index «R / T» was placed only on cars with high power - Dodge Charger R / T engine "440 Magnum» (standard R / T) or "426 Hemi» (optional). At sufficiently heavily loaded rear axle and rear tire width of a large Dodge Charger equipped with the engine "440 Magnum» managed to lift the rear wheels when starting "with two pedals."

Dodge Charger 1969

In 1968, Chrysler Corporation has launched a new advertising campaign featuring a bee with a motor on the back. These cars were called «Scat Pack». Coronet R / T, Dodge Super Bee, Dart GTS and Charger R / T received the "bumblebee stripes" (two thin stripes framing two thick stripes). They could be removed at no cost. These changes proved to be very popular among the population and helped to sell 96,100 in the 1968 Dodge Charger, including more than 17,000 Dodge Charger R / T.

Dodge Charger 1969 back

In 1969, the Dodge Charger was somewhat changed. Exterior changes include a new grille with the division in the center and the new rear lights from designer Harvey J. Winn. Added a new trim line called the Special Edition (SE). It can be ordered separately or together with the package R / T, resulting in a package of R / T-SE. In the SE package added leather inserts on front seats, chrome moldings, and wood inserts on the dashboard. The list of options has been added to hatch, but it would be very rare option - about 260 cars sold. Total production in 1969 amounted to about 89,199 units.

In 1969, Dodge has released two of the most rare versions Dodge Charger: Dodge Charger 500, Dodge Charger Daytona.

Dodge Charger 1970

In 1970, the Dodge Charger again underwent minor changes. Was introduced a large chrome bumper, radiator grille again divided in the middle. The rear lights were old, but modified Dodge Charger 500, Dodge Charger R / T received a new, more attractive taillights. Changes in the interior include a new high back seats, door panels have also been revised.

A new engine option - "440 Six Pack». With three carburetors and dual-chamber capacity of 390 hp (291 kW), it was one of the most exotic plants in the early 1960s. «Six Pack» was known at that time - it was used in mid-1969 on the Dodge Super Bee and engines «Hemi» of his superior. Despite this new engine sales fell again (up to 46 576 units), but it was associated with the release of the Dodge Challenger and high insurance rates. In the season of NASCAR 1970 Dodge Charger has brought more victories (10 wins) than any other car, including a special Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Superbird.

Dodge Charger 500


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