The History of the Dodge Charger
What if we told you that the Dodge Charger has been a sedan for as long as it was a coupe when it initially debuted? Dodge relaunched the Charger nameplate in 2006 and received some flack from automotive purists who didn’t appreciate the classic two-door muscle car return in the form of what appeared to be a muscle sedan. Given that the Charger remains one of Dodge’s most enduring models, it’s safe to say Dodge made the right call in 2006. That said, how did we get here — to the 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye to be exact? Let’s find out about the mode’s colorful history over the decades.
The first-ever Dodge Charger model debuted in 1966 as the Chrysler corporation found itself in a pinch and unable to compete with the likes of GM, Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile. These other automakers were consistently putting out “intermediate” muscle cars that would sell like hot cakes and were encroaching on Chrysler’s territory — including at dealer lots, drag strips, other racetracks around the country and more. The 1966 Dodge Charger took its cues from two concept cars that preceded it and rode on the existing Dodge Coronet platform. Numerous V8 engines could be found under the hood of the first Dodge Charger models — there was a 5.2-liter V8, a 5.9-liter V8, a 6.3-liter V8, and a hefty 7.0-liter HEMI V8 option, while transmission options included a three- and four-speed manual, and a three-speed automatic transmission.
Usually, when anyone thinks of a vintage Dodge Charger, chances are they’re thinking of the second-generation Charger. The second-generation Charger that debuted in 1968 is fondly remembered as one of the vehicles that epitomizes the muscle car era due to its Coke bottle curves, menacing grille, hidden headlights, and a vinyl-covered fastback roofline. This era also saw the rise of the Charger Daytona thanks to the automotive industry’s preoccupation with NASCAR at the time. The Charger Daytona was always powered by either a Magnum or HEMI engine, and featured a fiberglass wedged-shape nose cone and a towering rear wing as a special accent. Funnily enough, NASCAR deemed the model too powerful and subsequently banned it from its racetracks along with the Plymouth Superbird.
By 1974 it felt as if the party had come to a crashing halt and the nameplate pivoted away from the muscle car segment, becoming more of a coupe variant of the Dodge Coronet platform instead of honing in the muscle car design. These days, anything past the second-generation of the Dodge Charger — with the exception of the modern generation — isn’t held in high regards by enthusiasts. The 80s brought yet another dull decade for what passed as a Dodge Charger, and by 1987 the nameplate officially ceased production. Another two decades would pass before Dodge revived the nameplate with a twist.
Inspired by the success of its 2005 Dodge Magnum model, the automaker saw fit to give dealers another sedan to pair up with the Magnum and the modern-day Dodge Charger was born. Giving the new sedan muscle car credentials was of the essence for Dodge and they exceeded expectations thanks to their new rear-drive LX platform that gave the vehicle proper muscle car proportions. The rest, as they say, is history — by 2011 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) completed its merger and refreshed the Dodge Charger, setting the stage for the model we know and love today. The 2021 model year brings us a new Charger Hellcat Redeye to the lineup with 797 horsepower and a 203-mph top speed, along with a Widebody package that adds 3.5 inches to the overall body width which allows for wider tires and additional grip.
Ready to get behind the wheel of your very own Dodge Charger? Check out the Dodge Charger inventory at Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and schedule your test drive today. Whether you’re looking for an entry-level Dodge Charger SXT, or something more menacing like the Dodge Charger Hellcat, Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has got you covered. Reach out to us via Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram via social media if you’ve got any questions.
Photo Source/Copyright: Dodge