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Dodge Charger (L-body)

2007-07-05T00:56:43Z

24.107.204.119: /* Charger/Turismo (1983-1987) */

The "L-body" '''[[Dodge]] Charger''' actually started its life in 1979 when it was originally known as the '''024''', and was based on the front wheel drive L-body [[Dodge Omni]] platform (hence the "L-body" Charger designation), and was also known as the Omni 024. The "Charger" name was resurrected as a performance option package on the 024 in 1981, known as the '''Charger 2.2''', signifying the 2.2L (135 cid) I4 engine. In 1983, all models of the 024 were now Chargers, as the 024 designation was dropped altogether. [[Plymouth]] had an identical model initially known as the '''TC3''' (or Horizon TC3), and shared all of the 024's drivetrain and underpinnings. The TC3 would become the '''Turismo''' in 1983. Both the Charger and Turismo would be discontinued after 1987.

This report covers both models except where noted.

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | {{{Image}}}
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Dodge 024/Charger'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Dodge]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 024 (1979-1982) Charger (1983-1987)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Subcompact
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| 3-Door Hatchback
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
|
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
|
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Height
|
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 99.1"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| 2400-2700 lbs
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| 4-Speed Manual, FWD 5-Speed Manual, FWD 3-Speed Automatic, FWD
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| 1.6L (97 cid) I4 (1983-1986) 1.7L (105 cid) I4 (1979-1982) 2.2L (135 cid) I4 (1981-1987) 2.2L (135 cid) Turbo I4 (1985-1987 Shelby)
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| 64-176 hp
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| [[Plymouth Turismo|Plymouth TC3]]/[[Plymouth Turismo|Turismo]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Platform
| L
|}

===024/TC3 (1979-1982)===

The front wheel drive subcompact [[Dodge Omni]] (and [[Plymouth Horizon]]) were introduced with great success in 1978, and a year later, they spawned a couple of 3-door hatchback sport coupes called '''024''' and '''TC3'''. Both shared the "Omnirizon's" 70 hp [[Volkswagen]]-based 1.7L (105 cid) I4 engine. They could have either a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission. The 024 and TC3 also shared the same interior and dashboard as their 5-door sedan counterparts. 024s and TC3s had slightly different grilles and taillights but were otherwise identical. 1980 models had no real changes except the 024 and TC3 could have an interesting '''DeTomaso''' appearance package, which included a front air dam and rear spoiler in addition to a multitude of stripes and decals. The DeTomaso still had the base Omnirizon's 70 hp engine, so its performance was (at the very least) modest, and were little more than a dressed up pretenders. The DeTomaso package would last but only one year. In 1981, the 024 got a new engine option, the 84 hp 2.2L I4, and was the basis for the Charger 2.2 sport option package (Plymouth's version was the Turismo 2.2). Both had bogus hood scoops, decals and a rear spoiler. Lesser models continued as before. There were no changes to the 024 and TC3 in 1982.

===Charger/Turismo (1983-1987)===

In 1983, the 024 and TC3 designations were dropped and both became known as Charger and Turismo respectively. Both got a new base engine, this one was a 64 hp [[Peugeot]]-built 1.6L (97 cid) I4. The 2.2 got a 10 hp power boost to 94. The Charger got an interesting '''Shelby''' option package that was not offered on the Turismo (see separate report below for information on that model). In 1984, both got new noses with a quad headlight design and the rear C-pillar quarter windows were now blanked off on all models, a design inspired by the Shelby Charger a year earlier. Dodge introduced another 3-door hatchback sport coupe this year, the [[Dodge Daytona|Daytona]], but that was a K-car-based model marketed to a more upscale audience than the Charger supposedly appealed to. There weren't many changes in 1985 other than the usual color-shuffling. The '''Duster''' name reappeared that year, last used in 1979 as an option package for the [[Plymouth Volare|Volare]], and it was now an option package for the Turismo that had a rear spoiler, rallye wheels, and special striping. In 1986, both the Charger and Turismo gained the required Center High Mounted Stop Lamp, and the 2.2 got a slight hp gain to 96. For the L-body Charger and Turismo's final year, the 1.6L I4 was dropped, making the 2.2 as the base engine. All instrument panels gained a tachometer, oil pressure and volt meter gauges this year as well as revised gauge graphics. Due to falling sales (and internal competition from Dodge's own Daytona), the Charger and Turismo were dropped after the 1987 model year. There were no successors for either car line.

===Shelby Charger===

After working together for years during their heydays at [[Ford]], then-Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca and racing legend Carroll Shelby joined forces once again to come up with a performance package for the Charger. While this of course was nothing like the fierce and revered Shelby Mustangs that Ford produced between 1966-1970, it did inject at least a ''little'' excitement in the otherwise underwhelming Omni-based Charger. The Shelby Charger debuted in 1983 with a "high-output" 110 hp 2.2L I4 that wasn't shared with the lesser Charger 2.2, and was only available with a 5-speed manual transmission. It also had closer gear ratios, quicker steering, a stiffer suspension. The Shelby Charger had a deep front air dam with accompanying ground effects and rear spoiler, and blanked-off rear C-pillar quarter windows. Inside there was a unique 2-tone blue and silver seating pattern with "CS" on the seatbacks. For its first two years the Shelby was available only in 2-tone silver and blue.

In 1984 when the Charger got a redesigned front clip, the Shelbys retained the older style dual headlight nose. Running changes included a revised camshaft, chrome valve cover, stiffer suspension, 50-series Eagle GT tires on 15 inch wheels, and low-restriction exhaust. Dodge now offered a similar package this year on the pedestrian 5-door Omni and called it the GLH (Goes Like Hell), but it was initially available only in black. In 1985, color choices were expanded to maroon/silver and black/silver. The big powertrain option this year was the 146 hp turbocharged 2.2 I4 borrowed from the Daytona, and shared its multiple-point fuel injection and a close-ratio five-speed transmission. This car was by no means sophisticated, but it did have appeal to those who valued bang-for-the-buck above all else.

'86 Shelby Chargers got the required center high mounted stop lamp like all other cars this year, but there was no other real change. For its last year in 1987, the last 1000 Shelby Chargers went out with a bang, using the turbocharged intercooled 176 hp version of the 2.2L I4 engine that was used in the limited-edition Omni GLH-S a year prior. This would be the only Shelby Charger that would not be available with the Shelby's signature 2-tone paint - these were solid black (just like the GLH-S was). Like the "regular" L-body Charger, the Shelby Charger would also die after 1987, although Carroll Shelby's collaboration packages with other Dodge models such as the [[Dodge Lancer|Lancer]] and [[Dodge Shadow|Shadow]] continued for a few more years afterwards.

{{Dodge}}

Dodge Daytona

2007-07-05T00:52:17Z

24.107.204.119: /* 1984 */

{| border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4 style="float:right; margin:0 0 .5em 1em; width:250px; background:#fff; border-collapse:collapse; border:1px solid #999; font-size:83%; line-height:1.5; " summary="Infobox Automobile"
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"
| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | {{{Image}}}
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Dodge Daytona'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Dodge]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production:
|1984-1993
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class:
|Compact
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style:
|3-Door Hatchback
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length:
|177.9"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width:
|69.3"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Height:
|52.3"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase:
|97"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight:
|2800-3100 lbs
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmissions:
|3-Speed Automatic, [[FWD]] 4-Speed Automatic, [[FWD]] 5-Speed Manual, [[FWD]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engines:
|2.2L (135 cid) I4 (1984-1986) 2.2L (135 cid) I4 Turbo (1984-1990, 1992-1993) 2.5L (153 cid) I4 (1986-1993) 2.5L (153 cid) I4 Turbo (1989-1993) 3.0L (181 cid) V6 (1990-1993)
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| 94-224 hp
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| [[Chrysler Laser]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Platform
| K
|}

The '''[[Dodge]] Daytona''', taking a hallowed muscle car name from the past, debuted for 1984 along with its identical '''Chrysler Laser''' twin. These cars were (naturally) K-car based, but the wheelbase had been shortened from 100.1" to 97". Chrysler fancied the Daytona and Laser twins to be alternatives to such heavyweights as the [[Chevrolet Camaro]], [[Pontiac Firebird]] and the [[Ford Mustang]], even going so far as comparing it to the [[Porsche 944]] in some of its advertising (which it did resemble somewhat in its side profile). But in reality it competed more favorably with sporty 2+2 cars such as the [[Nissan 200SX]] and the [[Toyota Celica]]. At the time of Daytona's introduction, Dodge had already had a 2+2 sports car on the market, the [[Dodge Charger (L-body)|Charger]]. But Chrysler was convinced that the Daytona would appeal to a different, perhaps more sophisticated crowd than the Charger did, so they figured the intramural rivalry would be minimal. Whether or not that's really true is unknown, but the Daytona and Laser did offer a viable alternative to those who wanted a good looking, relatively sporty American-made 2+2 coupe that was fairly quick and got decent gas mileage, something a comparable Camaro or Mustang wasn't able to offer.

Here's a rundown from year to year:

==1984==

The Daytona's and Laser's premier year (known internally as the ''G24 coupes''), they were the first sporty 2+2 coupes that were based on the venerable K-car. Daytonas and Lasers were virtually indistinguishable from more than 10 feet away - the biggest differences were that the higher-end Daytonas had a wraparound rear spoiler whereas the Lasers had a raised decklid spoiler. Standard engine was the 94 hp 2.2L I4 on base Daytonas and Lasers. The Daytona Turbo and Turbo Z models (along with Laser XE and XT models) had a turbo 142 hp 2.2L I4. The top-of-the-line Daytona Turbo Z and Laser XT models sported ground effects all around. Standard analog dashboards had a speedo, tach, voltmeter, oil pressure and turbo boost gauge (on turbo models), and a digital dash was available as an option. Transmissions were either a 5-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic, available on either engine. T-bar roofs (T-tops) were an option on all models, just like the Camaros and Mustangs of the era.

==1985==

Turbo engines got a minor power boost to 146 hp, along with some new color choices. All else remained the same.

==1986==

Daytonas and Lasers received the mandatory Center High Mounted Stop Lamp. A new Chrysler-built 100 hp 2.5L I4 engine was available as an option. Daytonas could have the Carroll Shelby ''Competition Series'' package, which consisted of different rims, sport shocks and beefed sway bars, along with "C/S" badges on the fenders. Daytona Turbo Z and Laser XT models had modified ground effects that were even deeper and lower this year than before ''(watch those curbs!)''. Stereo sound systems were revised (an AM stereo could now be had), but engine and transmission choices remained the same as last year.

==1987==

The Chrysler Laser would be dropped this year (the ''Laser'' name would reappear on a [[Mitsubishi]]-made [[Plymouth]] sport coupe in 1990), and the Daytona saw its first major restyling. Exposed quad headlamps were replaced with dual pop-ups (perhaps as a tribute to its 1969 namesake), and the taillights were larger and upright instead of forward-sloped as before. Exterior and interior dimensions, however, remained the same. Dashboards were also restyled. The base 2.2L I4 was dropped this year, and the 2.5 would become the standard engine on the base coupes. A Shelby Z version became available, with an intercooled 174 hp turbo 2.2L I4 as standard, and became known as the Turbo II (the 146 hp version, or now Turbo I, continued on lesser models). The C/S package was replaced by the Pacifica package, which was largely the same package as the previous C/S.

==1988==

The C/S package returned this year after a one year absence, but this time it was available only on the base model, and there were two versions: the ''AGB'' version, which had the Turbo I engine and could be had with either 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic, or the ''AGR'' version, which had the Turbo II engine and 5-speed only and more go-fast goodies. Infinity sound systems became available this year also, as well as a driver's side airbag with integrated cruise control buttons. All other models remained the same. Since Dodge had discontinued the Charger last year, the Daytona now became Dodge's lone sporty coupe, but the Daytona nonetheless received some heady new competition this year from [[Ford]] with its new [[Ford Probe|Probe]] and [[Chevrolet]] with its new [[Chevrolet Beretta|Beretta]] sport coupes.

==1989==

The Daytona reached its sales peak of 70,000 units this year, its best ever in spite of new competition. This year, yet ''another'' turbo engine became an option, the 150 hp turbo 2.5L I4. The Turbo Z model was dropped, and the Pacifica model now became the ES model, and had the 2.5 turbo engine as standard, along with a turbo "bulge" on the hood. All other engine and transmission choices, along with the base, Turbo and Shelby Z models, were the same as before.

==1990==

The Mitsubishi-built 141 hp 3.0L V6 became available, the first time a 6-cylinder engine was available on a Daytona. A 4-speed automatic transmission became available too on the V6 only. T-tops were no longer available, but the interior received a major makeover this year, including a new wraparound dash (which eliminated the digital dash option), and new door panels. ABS became available on the ES and Shelby models. Yet ''another'' turbo engine (for those keeping score, that now made a total of 4) became available, an intercooled 2.2L I4 with Variable Nozzle Turbo (VNT) that was now known as the Turbo IV, but its hp rating was the same as the Turbo II's 174. Despite the worthwhile changes, the Daytona saw a major sales drop this year to around 38,000 (a near 50% decrease). There were many reasons for this, not the least of which was the introduction of the new [[Mitsubishi Eclipse]], [[Eagle Talon]] and [[Plymouth Laser]] 2+2 sport coupes this year, which were less expensive, smaller, quicker and more nimble than the Daytona was, plus the Daytona was now getting a little long-in-the-tooth.

==1991==

The Daytona was greatly simplified this year, starting with dropping the Shelby model and replacing it with the IROC model ([[International Race of Champions]]). The IROC name had previously been used on the Chevrolet Camaro, but [[GM]] lost the rights to use the name at the end of calender year 1989, so Dodge now carried the IROC banner with the Daytona. The turbo 2.2L I4 engines were dropped (temporarily) - the turbo 2.5L engine was now known as Turbo I. The IROCs were available with the turbo 2.5 or 3.0 V6. The C/S package held on for one more year, but it too would be gone by the end of this year. Sales were now down to around 18,000 units.

==1992==

The Daytonas got another facelift this year, eliminating the expensive (and trouble-prone) pop-up headlights in favor of exposed flush units (a change that was also ironically made on the Mitsubishi Eclipse/Eagle Talon/Plymouth Laser triplets this year). The base and turbo 2.5L engines, along with the 3.0L V6 carried on, but the Daytonas got one final shot-in-the-arm in its twilight years in the form of a new '''IROC R/T''' model. These had a new 224 hp DOHC turbo 2.2L I4 that incorporated a head design from [[Lotus]], and was known as the Turbo III. This was available only with a 5-speed manual transmission, and was the same engine borrowed from the [[Dodge Spirit]] R/T. Predictably it gave quite blistering performance (torque steer tendencies not withstanding) that even remains quite respectable today... but refined it was not. All this horsepower wrapped in a mundane K-car chassis (albeit highly modified, but still a K-car chassis nonetheless) made this a car only a diehard go-fast addict could love, which may explain why only about 300 IROC R/Ts were sold.

==1993==

The Daytona's 10th and final season. It had been a good run, but the Daytona was clearly past its prime, especially with such an outdated platform. Base models finally got ABS as standard equipment and air conditioning became standard on all models. The IROC R/T returned for one more year, but only 180 were sold. Less than 10,000 Daytonas were made this year, so Chrysler mercifully threw in the towel after this year. The Daytona would be replaced in 1995 by the [[Dodge Avenger|Avenger]], which would be based largely on Mitsubishi's upcoming newly redesigned 1995 Eclipse.

==Main Competitors==

*[[Acura Integra]]
*[[Chevrolet Cavalier]]/[[Chevrolet Beretta|Beretta]]
*[[Ford Probe]]
*[[Honda Prelude]]
*[[Mazda MX-3]]
*[[Nissan 200SX]]/[[Nissan 240SX|240SX]]
*[[Pontiac Sunbird]]
*[[Toyota Celica]]
*[[Volkswagen Scirocco]]/[[VOlkswagen Corrado|Corrado]]

{{Dodge}}

Dodge Shadow

2007-07-05T00:47:32Z

24.107.204.119:

Dodge Shadow

2007-07-05T00:46:50Z

24.107.204.119: