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Dodge Dart

2009-02-25T06:03:15Z

75.104.204.166: /* 1970-1976 */

{| 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:1962 Dodge Dart GT.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Dodge Dart'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Chrysler Corporation]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| Swinger 
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 1960-1976
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| compact
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body type
| 2 door, 4 door, [[Sedan|sedan]], [[Coupé|coupé]], convertable, wagon, GT
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Powertrain
| Front engine, rear-wheel drive
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Engine
| 1-6, V-8, Hemi, OHV
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Transmission
| 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual, automatic
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Similar
| [[Plymouth Valiant]] [[Chevrolet Nova]] [[Ford Falcon]]
|}
The '''Dodge Dart''' was an automobile built by the [[Dodge]] division of the [[Chrysler Corporation]] from 1960 to 1976. The Dart was introduced as a lower-priced, shorter wheelbase, full-size Dodge in 1960-61 and became an intermediate offering for 1962. The Dart line became the very popular compact for 1963 up through 1976. Dodge also used the "Dart" name for a Ghia-built show car in the 1957.
== Model years ==
=== 1960 ===
The 1960 Dodge Dart Pioneer four-door hardtop was aimed squarely at the market segment dominated by the [[Chevrolet Impala]], [[Ford Galaxie]] and the [[Plymouth Fury]]. The first Dodge Darts were full-size cars developed to replace the Plymouth as the low-priced car for the Dodge dealer network; Dodge dealers had been selling Plymouths since 1930, but divisional restructuring in 1960 took Plymouth away from the Dodge dealer network. The Dart was a shorter wheelbase full-size car than the standard-size Dodge line, and was based on the Plymouth platform. The Dart line was divided into three trim levels: the entry-level Seneca, the mid-range Pioneer, and the well-appointed Phoenix.

Introduced for the 1960 model year, the Dart was at once a short term marketing masterstroke. Sales of the Dart outstripped those of the full-size Dodge Matador and Dodge Polara, but it also created an in-house competitor for Plymouth. Even advertising from 1960 and 1961 compared the Dart to the "C" car (Chevrolet), the "F" car (Ford) and the "P" car (Plymouth).

As Dart sales climbed, Plymouth's sales dropped and Chyrsler's corporate heads did nothing to stop the in-fighting between the divisions. (This ultimately would prove to be one of the major catalysts for Plymouth's demise in 2000.) Dart sales were so strong in 1960 that Dodge had to cut back its medium-priced model lineup. The full-size, mid-priced Matador was discontinued after the 1960 model year as buyers flocked to the better-appointed and less expensive Dart Pioneer. The premium Polara was left alone to wage battle in the medium-price segment.
=== 1961 ===
1961 Dodge Dart advertising image showing a three-quarter view of the automobile. The reverse fins (which became smaller towards the rear of the car) proved unpopular with American consumers. The Dart emerged again in 1961 as the smallest full-size Dodge (118 in, 2997 mm wheelbase), restyled to emulate but not duplicate the senior Dodge Polara (which had a 122 in, 3099 mm wheelbase). Darts were again subdivided into three trim levels; the premium Phoenix, mid-range Pioneer and base Seneca.

Engines choices available started with Chrysler's new-for-1960 225 in³ (3.7 L) Slant-6 engine; the 318 in³ (5.2 L) and 361 in³ (5.9 L) V8s were also available in various configurations. Phoenix convertibles were all equipped with V8 engines. Beginning in mid-year, some Darts ordered with the 225 in³ engine were equipped with the die-cast aluminum block. Darts in all series were equipped as standard with three-speed, column-shifted manual transmissions. Chrysler's pushbutton-shifted TorqueFlite automatic was available at extra cost.

Virgil Exner's odd restyling with its reverse fins, rear fender scalloping and odd-looking concave grille was highly unpopular with consumers. There was also an adverse reaction to the low positioning of the Dart's taillights; drivers in other cars complained that they couldn't see the minuscule lights positioned just above the corner of the bottom bumper. As designed, the taillights wrapped around to the side of the vehicle to provide side visibility at night, but of the total taillight area. The majority was faced on the side of the car, not the rear of the vehicle. By mid-year, Dodge was forced to make auxiliary taillights available to consumers at extra cost through its dealer network. This was in answer to owners' complaints and the mandates passed by several states that the standard lamps just weren't visible enough. However, the lights were awkwardly placed near the inboard side of the reverse fins and made the odd-duck Dart look even more ungainly.

As a result Dodge saw Dart sales drop by 53% to 142,000 units; the even more bizarrely styled Polara fared even worse by producing just 14,032 units — a whopping 67% decline from the "slow" 1960 sales year. And that was just the beginning of the bad news for Dodge in 1961.

Of the total number of Darts sold, almost half were sold in the Dart's least expensive model, the Seneca (66,100). Combined sales of the Dart and the Polara were lower than Plymouth's sales for 1961. Dodge ranked ninth in sales in the American market in 1961, down from sixth place in 1960.

Sales of the compact Dodge Lancer were 74,773 units compared to its Plymouth twin, the Valiant, which sold 143,078 units for the same year. The Lancer aside, production of the 1961 model year saw Dodge's total production drop below that of the slow selling 1959 model year and dangerously close to the disastrous Eisenhower recession year of 1958.
=== 1962 ===
Promotional artwork of the 1962 Dodge Dart. For 1962, the Dart was downsized as part of Chrysler's hastily planned effort to compete with what company leaders thought would be downsized large cars from Chevrolet. Chevrolet actually fielded a genuinely full-size car, and the Dart was perceived more as an intermediate than as a true full-size car. The Polara shared the body change with the Dart, but was offered in higher trim. Dodge dealers voiced their displeasure at being unable to offer consumers a true "full-size" car. To placate its dealer network, Chrysler hastily created the Dodge Custom 880 by mating its 1961 Dodge Polara front clip to its 1962 Chrysler Newport's de-finned body. Debuting in January 1962, the Custom 880 helped to remind customers that Dodge indeed offered a full-size car.

Styling aside, the new Dart was on an all-new lightweight unibody platform, featuring Chrysler's well-received torsion-bar front suspension and asymmetric leaf springs. The rigidity gained through the unibody process combined with the suspension provided sound handling, braking, and acceleration; the latter especially with the mid-year 415 hp "Super Stock" 413 in³ (6.8 L) V8. Chrysler continued to use this platform, with minor variations continued through 1979 and in several models.

The Seneca, Pioneer and Phoenix trim levels were dropped in 1962. Dart trim levels became Dart, Dart 330, Dart 440, and Dodge Polara 500, the latter being offered in 2-door hardtop and convertible styles only with a 4-door hardtop added in December. The Polara 500 was not built or sold in Canada, and the Dart series were the same as in the U.S.
=== 1963-1966 ===
At the end of the 1962 model year, Dodge dropped the Lancer nameplate and moved the Dart name to Dodge's newly-redesigned "senior compact" referred to due to the wheelbase having grown from the Valiant's 106.5 in to a relatively lengthy 111 in (2819 mm), which remained in place until the final Dart was built in 1976. The Dart was available as a 2 or 4-door sedan, 2-door hardtop coupe, station wagon, and convertible. Three trim levels were now available: 170, 270, and GT.

The Dart GT was marketed as a premium/sporty car, available as a coupe or convertible. The car, trim aside, would remain basically unchanged until it was restyled for the 1967 model year. A lightweight 273 in³ (4.5 L), 180 bhp V8 was introduced mid-1964, with a high-performance 235 bhp version for 1965, when disc brakes were also released for the first time.

Sales of the Dart began to rebound in 1963 and remained strong for the duration of the Dart's tenure as a Dodge model.
=== 1967-1969 ===
1967 Dodge DartThe Dart and its sister model, the Plymouth Valiant, were significantly redesigned for the 1967 model year. In addition to new styling, the cars received revised steering systems, wider front track (and wider spaced rails) and redesigned K-members capable of accepting physically larger engines. The Dart would keep this basic form, with a few facelifts consisting of revised front and rear end styling and interior trim, until the end of A-body production in 1976 (US/Canada/Mexico) and 1983 (South America).

The restyled Dart for 1967 featured a rear window with compound inverse curves. This created a unique appearance at the rear of the greenhouse, but tended to collect snow and created thick C-pillars that looked formal but created blindspots for drivers. Curved side glass was used for the first time on a Chrysler compact. Up front, there was a new dual-plane front end contour: the center section of the grille, bumper and leading edge of the hood were recessed from the front plane of the car. The single headlamps were placed forward of the recessed center section, defining the front plane. (There are reports Chrysler stylists were forced to use round headlamps after having originally created the front end arrangement anticipating timely US government approval of retangular headlights, which did not occur. DOT records do not support this notion, but additional research is in progress on the matter.) Park/turn lamps were set into the grille, in the corners formed by the transition area between the recessed and forward sections. This same front end treatment, with minor cosmetic changes to the grille and the park/turn lamps relocated to the front bumper, was also used by Chrysler Australia for their 1967 VE-model Valiant.

With the new design, changes were made to the Dart line-up, beginning with the elimination of its station wagons and the base model's "170" designation. The only body styles were the 2 and 4 door sedans, the hardtop, and the convertible. The base 170 model was now badged simply as Dart. The 270 and GT versions carried on unchanged for the most part. In late 1967, the GTS model debuted but was built in limited quantities due to its lateness in the model year; the 1968 GTS would be, arguably, improved by fitting the new high-outout 340 in³ (5.6 L) V8 engine as standard equipment.

The 2-door sedan was dropped at the end of 1968 and replaced with the Swinger 2-door hardtop for 1969. Also added was the Swinger 340.

'''Changes during the styling cycle'''

In 1968, Dodge released one of the most feared drag cars ever: the 1968 Hurst Hemi Dart. Dodge would ship Dart body shells to Hurst and they would install a ram-inducted 426 in³ (7.0 L) Hemi V8 under the hood. Using fiberglass fenders and hood, belt straps for window cranks, and A100 seats for decreased weight, this car and its sister car, the Hurst Hemi Barracuda, would dominate Super Stock for decades to come, in fact, it still does today 92006.) Grand Spaulding Dodge, a notable Dodge dealer in Chicago owned by legendary builder "Mr. Norm" Krause, put the 440 in³ Magnum engine under the hoods of selected Dart GTSs and renamed them GSS for "Grand Spaulding Special." Efforts like this led Grand Spaulding Dodge to become a noted provider of Dodges specially modified for extremely high performance, much as Yenko and Royal Pontiac did for Chevrolet and Pontiac, respectively.

Other changes for 1968 were more subtle. The park/turn lights in the grille were moved slightly inboard and made round. Sidemarker lights were added to the front fenders and rear quarter panels, to comply with newly introduced Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108. Other changes to comply with new federal safety laws included collapsible steering columns, additional padding on the dashboard and sunvisors, a brake system fault warning light, shoulder harnesses (separate, this year and until 1973, from the lap belts) and nonglare matte finish on the windshield wiper arms. Chrysler's "Clean Air Package" emission control system became standard equipment on cars sold in all 50 states. The steering linkage was revised again, as were the windshield and backlight gaskets and trim-lock strips, leaving the 1967 pieces in these departments as one-year-only items. The standard rear axle ratio was dropped from 2.93 to 2.76 with all standard-performance engines and automatic transmission. Part-throttle downshift functionality was added as a refinement to the TorqueFlite automatic transmission in 6-cylinder cars, to retain acceptable city performance with the taller rear axle ratio.

For 1969, the Dart received annual trim updates including another minor revision of the grille, and a return to rectangular park/turn lights. The 1968 round sidemarker lights were replaced with rectangular reflectors. Head restraints were optional equipment until January 1, 1969, when their installation became mandatory under federal law. The 6-cylinder models received a carburetor anti-ice system borrowed from Canadian-market Chrysler 6-cylinder engines, and the drum brake automatic adjustors were revised for more consistent operation. Also, the two-door pillared sedan was deleted from the lineup.
=== 1970-1976 ===
A.I + B.T 4-ever
The Dart was refreshed for 1970 with front and rear changes designed to bring the car closer to the design themes found in Dodge’s full-size vehicles through grille and contour changes. In the rear, the Dart’s new rectangular tail lights were set into a wedge-shaped rear bumper design continuing the angled trailing edge of the new deck lid and quarter panels. The revised rear styling cut trunk space almost in half compared to the 1969 model. 14-inch wheels became standard equipment, and the 170 in³ Slant-6 was replaced by a larger 198 in³ version for improved base-model performance and greater manufacturing economy (since the 198 shared a block with the 225, while the 170 had used its own block). Changes to the fuel system improved driveability, economy and emission control. Part-throttle downshift was added to the 8-cylinder automatic transmissions. In compliance with FMVSS 108, sidemarker lights and reflectors were installed at all four corners.

A number of other changes were made to the Dart line for 1970 in order to avoid internal competition with Dodge's new ponycar, the Challenger. The convertible was discontinued along with the optional 383 and 440 cubic-inch V8 options, leaving the small-block 275-horsepower 340 four-barrel V8 as the top Dart engine. The sole performance model in the Dart line for 1970 was the Swinger 340 two-door hardtop.

Beginning in 1971, the "Swinger" name was applied to the high line two-door hardtop (formerly the Custom) while the base hardtop was called the "Swinger Special." The single taillamps of 1970 were given over to the badge-engineered Plymouth Valiant Scamp, while the 1971 Dart received new dual taillamps that would be used through the 1973 model year.

Also in 1971 Dodge also gained a version of Plymouth's popular Valiant-based fastback Duster, called the Demon. As was the case with previous Dodge rebadges of Plymouth Valiants (e.g. the 1961-1962 Dodge Lancer), sales of the Demon lagged behind those of the Duster.

The Swinger 340, Dart's performance model, was replaced by the Demon 340 for 1971. Chrysler Canada, though, did build a small number of Swinger 340 hardtops based on the Swinger Special for two dealers in Western Canada. For 1973 the Demon fastback was renamed Dart Sport, in response to certain Christian groups' complaints about the "Demon" name and devil-with-pitchfork logo. The big-engined fastbacks thus became Dart Sport 340 in 1973, and Dart Sport 360 for 1974 when the 360 in³ (5.9 L) V8 replaced the 340 in³ (5.6 L) V8.

1973 models gained more massive front bumpers to comply with new federal regulations, as well as side-impact guard beams in the doors and new emission control devices. New single-piston disc brakes replaced the more complex 4-piston units offered from 1965 to 1972, though Chrysler did not address the premature rear-wheel lockup that continued to plague disc brake equipped Darts. Chrysler's robust new electronic ignition system was standard equipment with all engines, and starter motors were revised for faster engine cranking.

New for 1973 was the Dart Sport Convertriple, basically a Dart Sport with a fold down rear seat and a manual sunroof. It was advertised as "Three Cars In One" including an economy compact, a convertible alternative with the sunroof and a roomy station wagon-alternative thanks to a fold down rear seat. The fastback roofline and fold down rear seat were similar in concept to two other Chrysler Corporation vehicles of the past including the glassback 1964-66 Plymouth Barracuda and the original 1966-67 Dodge Charger.

In 1974, the US federal 5 mph bumper impact standards were extended to cover rear bumpers as well as front ones; as a result the Dart's rear bumper grew much more massive. Taillights larger than the previous year's items were set above the rear bumper, rather than within it. Shoulder and lap belts were finally unitized into a retractable, inertia-sensitive "Uni-belt", replacing the difficult-to-use separate belts that had been installed through 1973.

The Dart and its Plymouth Valiant/Duster clone led the American compact car market during the early 1970s. Their already-strong popularity was bolstered by the Arab oil embargo of 1973, which caused gasoline shortages with long lines at stations and dramatic price increases at the pump. To capitalize on an emerging trend toward luxurious compact cars, Dodge introduced the Dart SE (Special Edition) in mid-1974 as a four-door sedan and two-door hardtop. The SE included velour high back bucket seats with folding armrest, carpeted door panels, woodgrain instrument panel and deluxe wheel covers along with a TorqueFlite automatic transmission as standard equipment.

Aside from a new grille, the 1975 models were virtually identical to the 1974s, except that California and certain high-altitude models were equipped with catalytic converters and so required unleaded gasoline. A 4-speed manual transmission was offered for the first time with a 6-cylinder engine since 1965, and with a new overdrive 4th gear ratio. A special-image model of the Dart Sport, the Dart Sport Hang Ten, featured surf-themed graphics.

In 1976, several special models were offered. The Dart was made available in a police-spec version, with production code A38. The A38 Dart had the highest-specification components and systems from front to back; suspension (with a rear sway bar), brakes, cooling, electrical, and powertrain systems were all maximum-duty. The engine was Chrysler's 360 in³ V8, with an A727 TorqueFlite transmission. Production totals were low, with most A38 Darts going to the Los Angeles Police Department and the Ventura Police Department in Southern California.

The Dart Sport got several special variants for 1976. In a tie-in with the American bicentennial celebration, a Spirit of '76 edition was released featuring white paint with prominent red and blue bodyside striping meant to evoke the image of the American flag. And with fuel economy becoming more of a concern, a special Dart Lite was released. This was a Dart Sport made as light as possible with an aluminum hood, trunk bracing and bumper brackets, an aluminum intake manifold on the 225 in³ Slant-6 engine for the first time since 1960, specially-calibrated carburetor and distributor, extra-tall rear axle ratio, and TorqueFlite automatic or the A833 4-speed manual transmission. The Dart Lite and its sister model, the Plymouth Feather Duster, were rated at an impressive 36 mpg highway with a manual transmission.

For the Dart's final year of 1976, front disc brakes became standard equipment and a new foot-operated parking brake replaced the under-dash T-handle unit that had been used since the Dart's 1963 introduction as a compact car.

Over the Dart's total production run, the Dart earned a reputation as a dependable and "bulletproof" car. Ultimately, the Dart was replaced by the Dodge Aspen beginning in late spring of 1976—a replacement Lee Iacocca would later lament due to the Aspen's many early quality problems.

== Engines ==
The Dart was available with a range of engines, from the workhorse Slant-6 to the big-block 383 in³ V8.
=== Slant six ===
The 170 in³ Slant-6 engine remained standard equipment, though its power rating rose from 101 bhp to 115 bhp for 1967, owing to a new camshaft and larger carburetor. The 225 in³ Slant-6 was a very popular and inexpensive upgrade option.
=== Small block ===
The 273 in³ (4.5 L) small-block V8 was joined on the option list in 1968 by a 318 in³ (5.2 L) version. The 318 was rated at 230 bhp versus the 2-barrel carbureted 273's 180 bhp and the 4-barrel carbureted 273's 235 bhp.
=== Big block ===
The hottest Dart was the new performance-oriented GTS model. The Dart GTS came standard with the 340 in³ (5.6 L) V8; a 383 in³ (6.3 L) big-block was optional. The light weight and high power ratio of the 340-equipped cars, together with the excellent handling for which the Dart had become renowned, made them a favorite of drag racers. The big-block versions were difficult to steer and stop, so their function was practically limited to straight-line drag races. Furthermore, the big-block engine was extremely cramped in the compact Dart's engine bay. There was scarcely room for even the small, restrictive exhaust manifolds that were required due to the space constraints. Road tests of the day generally recommended the 340 over the 383 or the 1969-only 440 in³ (7.2 L) engines.
=== Hemi ===
During the 1968 model year, between 50 and 70 (reports vary) Dart 2-door hardtops were fitted with the 426 Hemi engine. These cars were purpose-built race cars, did not come with a warranty, and were not intended for street use (although some enterprising purchasers did manage to register them). They are variously known as Super Stock or "LO23" Darts, the latter taken from the first four digits of their VINs. The cars were built without engines and shipped to Hurst for completion. Many weight-saving measures were taken, including omission of the heater, radio and sound-deadening insulation. The cars also came with fiberglass front fenders and hoods, as well as plastic side windows that were raised or lowered with straps instead of the normal regulator assemblies. As an additional weight-saving measure, the standard bench seat was replaced by two lightweight buckets sourced from the Dodge A-100 van. The Dart's rear wheel openings were radiused out to allow for larger tires. The cars were shipped unpainted, with black gelcoat on the fiberglass front clip and gray primer from the firewall back.

== Foreign models ==
=== Mexican Darts ===
The Dart name was used on Mexican-market Dodge F-body cars, known in North America as the Aspen, between 1976 and 1980. The name was also applied to Dodge M-body cars between 1981 and 1982, and also to Mexican-market K-cars.
=== Dart In Brazil ===
The Dart was manufactured in Brazil between 1969 and 1981, available only with the 318 in³ engine during its whole production run, although several different versions of that engine were offered. From 1976, its upper level trims were called Le Baron (four-door sedan) and Magnum (coupé).
== See also ==
*[[Chrysler]]
*[[Plymouth]]

{{Dodge}}

==External Links==

Dodge Charger (B-body)

2009-02-25T05:59:11Z

75.104.204.166: /* 1969 Charger Daytona */

The B-Body '''[[Dodge]] Charger''' was offered from 1966-1978, when it was replaced by the Dodge Magnum. The Charger started out as basically a fastback version of the [[Dodge Coronet|Coronet]] with a few unique individual touches that set it apart from its more pedestrian offspring. The Charger would be redesigned in 1968 and still be based on the Coronet, but it now had a design all its own and would ultimately become one of Mopar's most successful and gorgeous designs ever made. In 1971, Dodge dropped the Coronet 2-door and the Charger became more or less a personal-luxury version of the Coronet - there were still some hot versions available, but its personality had definitely been toned-down. From 1975-1978, the Charger had unfortunately lived out its last few years as a watered-down [[Chrysler Cordoba]] clone after being replaced by the short-lived B-Body [[Dodge Magnum (B-body)]].

The Charger had a rich and colored racing history, including numerous Winston Cup Championships, a long driving record under the greats such as Richard Petty, Buddy Baker, David Pearson and many others. Over the years the Charger was offered with a very wide range of engines, running from the reliable old slant six up through the mighty greats such as the 426 Hemi, and 440 six-pack cars.

{| 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:Charger-66.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Dodge Charger'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Chrysler Corporation]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 1966-1978
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Intermediate
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| 2-Door Coupe
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| 204"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| 75"
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Height
| 54"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 117"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| 3400-3700 lbs
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| 3-Speed Manual, RWD 4-Speed Manual, RWD 3-Speed Automatic, RWD
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| 5.2L (318 cid) V8 (1966-1967) 5.9L (361 cid) V8 (1966) 6.3L (383 cid) V8 (1966-1967) 7.0L (426 cid) Hemi V8 (1966-1967) 7.2L (440 cid) V8 (1967)
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| 230-425 hp
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| [[Dodge Coronet]] [[Plymouth Belvedere]]/[[Plymouth Satellite|Sattelite]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Platform
| B
|}

==1st Generation (1966-1967)==

===1966===

1966 Dodge Charger was the first in a long line of outstanding (and some ''not'' so outstanding) Chargers. The styling cues of the '66 Charger were mainly carried over from the '65 Charger Concept car (not to be confused with the '64 concept car, a completely diferent design). Essentially, it was a fastback version of the 1966 Coronet, with minor changes such as a new grille with hidden headlights, full-width taillamps, etc. It contained a simple unibody structure with an unequal length control arm front suspension that used torsion bars as a springing medium and a solid rear axle on semielliptical leaf springs in the back. It was offered only as a hardtop, code XP29. With a host of options including electroluminescent dash, quad buckets and five different engines, the Charger was a moderate success. Powerplant options ran from mild-to-wild, starting with the 230 hp 5.2L (318 cid) V8, 265 hp 5.9L (361 cid) V8, 335 hp 6.3L (383 cid) V8, and the almighty 425 hp (426 cid) V8 Hemi. All engines except the Hemi had the 3-speed manual transmission as standard, with the 4-speed manual (standard on the Hemi) and 3-speed automatic as an option on all engines. As Hemi powered versions began beating up brand X on the streets and tracks, David Pearson would win the Grand National Championship for his first time, behind the wheel of a Charger. The Dodge Boys would close the year with a special “birthday” package option consisting of a lower body stripe and conical hub caps. Total unit production 1966: 37,344.

===1967===

Although the '67 Charger was virtually identical to the '66, there were a few significant changes nonetheless. First off, the 361 V8 was dropped, and the larger 375 hp 7.2L (440 cid) V8 debuted, but other drivetrain choices continued. Inside, the center console no longer ran between the front and rear seats; it now ran only between the front seats, although the rear seats still retained their bucket design and still folded down. Trim was upgraded, with new exterior chrome moldings and fender-mounted turn signals. Despite this year's improvements, sales dropped an eye-opening 50% this year to around 15,000 units. Normally these sort of low sales figures would be a death-knell of a car's existence, but Chrysler had an all-new Charger on the horizon for 1968 that would soon turn the Charger's fate around.

{| 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:Charger-68.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Dodge Charger'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Chrysler Corporation]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 1968-1970
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Intermediate
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| 2-Door Coupe
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| 208" 232" (Daytona)
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| 76.6"
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Height
| 53.2"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 117"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| 3500-3800 lbs
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| 3-Speed Manual, RWD 4-Speed Manual, RWD 3-Speed Automatic, RWD
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| 3.7L (225 cid) I6 (1969-1970) 5.2L (318 cid) V8 (1968-1970) 6.3L (383 cid) V8 (1968-1970) 7.0L (426 cid) Hemi V8 (1968-1970) 7.2L (440 cid) V8 (1968-1970) 7.2L (440 cid) 3x2 V8 (1970)
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| 230-425 hp
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| [[Dodge Coronet]] [[Plymouth Belvedere]]/[[Plymouth Satellite|Sattelite]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Platform
| B
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Designer
| [[John Herlitz]] [[Bill Brownley]]
|}

==2nd Generation (1968-1970)==

===1968===

The Charger was completely new for 1968, and this generation's success as one of the best-looking and distinctive cars ever built still endures today and continues to appreciate (emotionally and monetarily) every year. The Charger was of course still based on the Coronet, but it ditched its ungainly (and unpopular) fastback body in favor of a more conventional "coke-bottle" design (very popular for the time) and a "flying butress" rear window design previously made famous by [[GM]]'s A-body muscle cars ([[Chevrolet Chevelle]], [[Pontiac GTO]], etc). Although the Charger remained a Coronet underneath, they shared no exterior body panels other than the front windshield, and featured a longer, lower hood line and a wind spoiler that was an integral part of the rear deck. The front grille was now blacked-out and was recessed. Headlights were still hidden, but they were now hidden by conventional raising doors instead of the flip-type of the previous generation. Taillights were dual round units styled much like a [[Chevrolet Corvette]]'s inside a flat-black tail panel. Even the gas cap was race-car inspired, being a chrome flip-top design placed atop the driver's side rear quarter panel for quick and easy fillups. The Charger was originally designed with the flip-top gas cap on both sides of the car, but that idea was scrapped due to production costs. The hood and doors both had dual scallop inserts (which housed the optional turn signals on the hood) that helped set off the new distinctive design.

Trim levels were base and the all-new sporty '''R/T''' (Road/Track), a package that debuted on the Coronet a year earlier. Engines for base were the 230 hp 318 and 383 V8 in 2- or 4-bbl (290 and 330 hp) configurations. The R/T had the 375 hp 440 "Magnum" V8 as standard with the holy-grail 425 hp 426 Hemi as an option. 3-speed manual transmissions were standard on the 318 and 383-2, with a 4-speed manual optional and standard on the 383-4, 440 and 426 Hemi. A 3-speed automatic was optional on all engines. 318 and 383-2 Chargers had single exhaust, while the 383-4, 440 and 426 Hemi had duals. R/T models could have a rear "bumblebee" stripe that consisted of 2 small parallel stripes that wrapped around the trunk and quarter panels.

On the inside, all Chargers had full instrumentation (including a clock) as standard with a tachometer as optional (some had the now-very desirable tach/clock combo, known as the "tic-toc-tach"). Rear seats no longer folded down and its dashboard was now shared with the upper-level Coronet models, but that was apparently no matter to new Charger buyers, as sales jumped to an astounding 96,100 models this year - an incredible feat considering just the year before there were some in the automotive press (and general public) ready to write this car's epitaph and deliver its eulogy.

After being on the market 2 years, the Charger had finally arrived, and a true legend was born.

[[Image:Charger-69.jpg|right|thumb|300px|1969 Dodge Charger]]

===1969===

After a successful debut year, Dodge didn't change anything big on the Charger in 1969, but it did make some fairly small ones, such as a divided grille (with 3 small "gills" on each side of the divider) and new larger-length taillights that eliminated the previous Corvette-inspired units. To some, the new taillights made the car look much more aggressive when viewed from the rear, and they looked especially good in the standard flat-black concave tail panel. Reverse lights were now on the lower valance panel. Side marker lights (actually reflectors) were now larger and rectangular instead of the small round ones used from last year. Drivetrain choices remained the same as last year, but the 3.7L (225 cid) "Slant-6" was now offered as a $50 "credit option" on base models.

Inside, the seat patterns differed from last year's, and front seats now had adjustable headrests. Interior door lock buttons were relocated from the rear of the door to more towards the front. There was a new Special Edition, or '''SE''', luxury option package that included upgraded interior and exterior trim such as special exterior badging, chrome-trimmed pedals, woodgrain dash, hood-mounted turn signals among a few other small details. The SE could be had on either the base or R/T. The R/T's optional bumblebee stripe was revised this year, it was now one large stripe instead of 2 small ones.

The Charger R/T was more popular than ever, but overall Charger sales dipped a little this year to less than 90,000 units. 2 other Charger models were produced this year, the '''Charger 500''' and '''Charger Daytona''' (see separate entry below for information on those models).

===1969 Charger 500===

Dodge designed the Charger, first and foremost, to be a success on the NASCAR track. Although the deeply-recessed grille and tunneled rear window design looked great on the street, they unfortunately wreaked havoc on the car's high-speed aerodynamics - not a good thing for a race car. Dodge had been getting sand kicked in its face by [[Ford]] with its [[Ford Torino|Torino]] Talledega for the last few race seasons, and Dodge had had enough - they were determined to turn the tide. Dodge introduced the (very) limited-edition Charger 500 as a quick answer. The 500 differed from the stock Charger by having the R/T's 440 and 426 Hemi V8s with either a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic for both, and had unique styling touches, starting with a flush grille borrowed from the 1968 Coronet and exposed quad headlights (some thought this gave the Charger 500 a pedestrian 1968 [[Ford Galaxie]] look to it), and the rear window was now flush instead of tunneled. Front A-pillars gained chrome flush pillars that eliminated drag around the windshield and front windows. These changed helped... but Ford was still kicking Dodge's tail up and down the NASCAR track, so Dodge went back to the drawing board one more time. Sales figures for the 500 are speculative, ranging anywhere from a mere 392 to a whopping 505 models sold.

Going to so much trouble and expense for just a few cars indicated just how badly Dodge wanted revenge.

===1969 Charger Daytona===
[[Image:Charger-daytona-69 03.jpg|right|thumb|300px|1969 Dodge Charger Daytona]]

And so... the Charger Daytona was born. The Daytona, like the 500, shared the R/T's drivetrain choices, but the Daytona turned out to be one of the more outrageous car designs of the 1960s. The 500's flush grille was trashed in favor of a special drooped steel nose that extended the car's length by 1.5 feet and a tall 24" adjustable rear wing for downforce, but the 500's flush rear window was retained. There were also two small reverse facing scoops added atop each front fender for extra tire clearance. Headlights were hidden again, but they now flipped up much like a Corvette's headlights instead of being hidden by doors like the stock Charger.

A radical design such as this required some quick radical changes. For example, the stock bumper jack could no longer be used to change a front tire, since the nose couldn't support the weight of the car and would likely collapse if tried. A frame scissor jack had to be substituted (much like one used on today's cars). Since the trunk lid was much smaller due to the flush rear window, a regular spoiler couldn't be used if it was to generate the rear downforce that Dodge considered necessary. And if the trunk lid was to be raised more than a mere 2 feet, a taller spoiler had to be used, so Dodge raised the spoiler to clear the trunk lid (did they ''ever''). One thing was for sure though; the design screamed ''TAKE '''THAT''', FORD!'' And take it it did, as the Charger Daytona was the first stock car to lap at more than 200 mph, successfully beating Ford as its own game on the oval.

While most of the automotive press considered the Daytona to be innovative and daring, much of the general public, however, wasn't as impressed, considering such a contraption frightfully ugly and avoiding it in droves. As a result, most of the 502-508 Daytonas built ended up languishing on dealer's lots well into the 1970 (and even 1971) model years and being heavily price-discounted.

Today, on the other hand, a stock numbers-matching Daytona (and 500, to a lesser extent) can easily command a six-figure price tag, especially an ultra-rare Hemi model.

===1970===

The Charger underwent several minor changes this year, inside and out. Starting with the outside, the front end was revised with new fenders shared with the 1970 Coronet (the same fenders incidentally used on the '69 Daytona), and a new chrome loop bumper now surrounded the nose. The grille was no longer divided in the middle, but its all-new grille was split, dividing the top and bottom portion. The taillights remained the same, but the taillight panel was now body-colored and flat-black only in the middle between the taillights, and were now both encircled by a single chrome strip. The side markers contained actual lights now instead of being merely reflectors. R/Ts got new simulated door scoops with R/T emblems. The '''500''' designation was now relegated to a trim-level, being slotted in between the base and R/T models. The SE package continued and could be had on the base, 500 and R/Ts. The outrageous Daytona model was gone too, but there was a very (very) limited-edition "Daytona Conversion Package" offered that had the '69 Daytona's fiberglass nose cone and tall rear spoiler, but it still retained the stock Charger's tunneled rear window. A mere total of 3 were sold.

Engine choices remained mostly the same as before, starting with the unpopular 225 Slant-6, the much more popular 318, 383-2 and 4-bbl on base, 500 and SE models. The R/Ts still had the 440 and 426 Hemi V8s, but this year the 390 hp 440 "Six-Pack" (3x2) V8 was offered, an engine that debuted in the Coronet Super Bee a year prior. Inside, a bench seat became standard for the first time in the Charger line, and the now-optional front buckets were now the high-back type, eliminating the low-back with adjustable headrests. Like all Chryslers this year, the ignition switch was relocated to the steering column from the dash, and the glove-box was now hinged at the bottom. Radios now used conventional round knobs instead of the previous thumbwheels. Base and R/T models lost their standard door map pockets, and the clock was now optional. Interior door panels were revised as well.

Sales for the 1970 Charger fell again to just under 50,000 units, with R/T sales coming in at just over 10,000. The new-for-1970 [[Dodge Challenger]] was a likely culprit for the decline in Charger sales. This would be the final year for the Charger's classic timeless design, and as a [[muscle car]] in general, as it would be redesigned in 1971.

==Main Competitors (1966-1970)==
*[[Buick Skylark]] GS
*[[Chevrolet Chevelle]] SS
*[[Ford Fairlane]] GT/[[Ford Torino|Torino]] GT
*[[Mercury Comet]] Cyclone
*[[Oldsmobile 4-4-2]]
*[[Pontiac GTO]]

{| 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:Charger-71.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Dodge Charger'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Chrysler Corporation]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 1971-1974
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Personal Luxury
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| 2-Door Coupe
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| 205"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| 77.1"
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Height
| 53"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 115"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| 3500-3900 lbs
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| 3-Speed Manual, RWD 4-Speed Manual, RWD 3-Speed Automatic, RWD
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| 3.7L (225 cid) I6 (1971-1974) 5.2L (318 cid) V8 (1971-1974) 5.5L (340 cid) V8 (1972-1973) 5.9L (360 cid) V8 (1974) 6.3L (383 cid) V8 (1971) 6.6L (400 cid) V8 (1972-1974) 7.0L (426 cid) Hemi V8 (1971) 7.2L (440 cid) V8 (1971-1974) 7.2L (440 cid) 3x2 V8 (1971)
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| 150-425 hp
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| [[Plymouth Satellite]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Platform
| B
|}

==3rd Generation (1971-1974)==

===1971===

The Charger "matured" a bit in this generation, basically becoming a 2-door personal-luxury car to the Coronet (much like the [[Chevrolet Monte Carlo]] was to the [[Chevrolet. Chevelle|Chevelle]]). This generation Charger adopted Chrysler's new "fuselage" styling theme, becoming much more rounded and swoopy on the sides. It retained some of the previous generation's "coke-bottle" theme, but it was less pronounced and less, shall we say, "hippier". Some in the automotive press criticized Chrysler for making the new Charger look more like a [[Pontiac]] than a Dodge, and the [[AMC Gremllin]]-style upswept rear quarter window design wasn't to everyone's taste, but even though the Charger was shedding its previous bad-boy image, it could still be equipped to battle other muscle cars of the era, even though by this time the muscle car market was on the decline.

Models were now base, 500, SE, and R/T. Since the Coronet Super Bee was gone, the '''Super Bee''' model was now offered in the Charger line, slotted just below the R/T (see separate [[Dodge Super Bee|Super Bee]] entry for more information). The Slant-6 was still the base engine in the basest-of-base models, but for all intents and purposes the 318 was the true base powerplant, with the 383 available in 2- or 4-bbl guises in the base, 500 and SE just like the last generation. The 383-4 was standard in the Super Bee, the 440 was optional and standard in the R/T. The 440 Six-Pack and 426 Hemi were optional in both the Super Bee and R/T. The R/T used the same hood and tape side treatment as the Super Bee, but the R/T had two additional stripes on each door simulated vents. Hidden headlights were now optional, and Super Bees and R/Ts could have a special "endura" package that included body-colored front and rear bumpers. Sales increased from last year to 82,681 models.

===1972===

The Super Bee and R/T models were gone this year as well as the ground-pounding 440 Six-Pack and 426 Hemi V8 engines (although some early 1972 Charger brochures and dealer literature showed those engines as still available, but they really weren't). All engines were now rated net horsepower vs. gross, resulting in hp drops across the board. The 383 V8 was also dropped, replaced with a low-compression 190 hp 6.6L (400 cid) V8 with a 2- or 4-bbl carb. Base engine was still the good ol' 318, but the high-performance small-block 5.5L (340 cid) V8 became standard in the new '''Rallye''' model (which effectively replaced both the Super Bee and R/T models). Base and SE models continued, but the 500 was dropped. SE models now had their own rear quarter windows, a very slim upright formal design. A detuned 280 hp 440 V8 was still around, no longer the fire-breather it once was. Grilles and taillights were different from last year's. Sales dipped a bit to 75,594.

===1973===

A slightly restyled nose that eliminated the hidden headlight option was one of the detail changes for the '73 Charger. Taillights were changed again, they were now vertically sectioned. Styling was cleaned up a little, the rear quarter windows eliminated their upswept design in favor of a more conventional design on all but the SE models, which got their own new triple-opera-window treatment and also got their own canopy-style vinyl roof. Base, SE and Rallye models continued, the mostly-ignored 225 Slant-6 was still standard on the base, the SE had the 318 as standard (which was also standard on the Rallye this year), the 340 continued on the Rallye only. The 400 and 440s were still available, so the big-blocks weren't dead (yet). Although the Charger by now was becoming less like a [[Pontiac GTO|GTO]] and more like a [[Chevrolet Monte Carlo|Monte Carlo]], it could still be a respectable performer for its day if equipped properly. The public was evidently taking to the Charger's newfound mission, as sales topped 119,318 cars this year, the highest the B-body Charger would ever see.

===1974===

Changes on the 1974 Charger were nil, other than the 340 V8 being discontinued on the Rallye model and replaced with the 5.9L (360 cid) V8, and it was available on all models. All other engines continued otherwise. Front and rear bumpers had new larger "bumperettes" to comply with the new stricter federal bumper standards, but that was pretty much the only visual change. Sales weren't as strong as last year, but the Charger still sold in fairly substantial numbers. This would be the final year for the 3rd generation Charger, and in many eyes, it would be the last "real" Charger - period. There would be an all new Charger in 1975, but unfortunately it wouldn't necessarily be a better or more desirable Charger.

==Main Competitors (1971-1974)==
*[[Chevrolet Monte Carlo]]
*[[Ford Torino]]/Gran Torino
*[[Mercury Montego]]
*[[Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme]]
*[[Pontiac Grand Prix]]

{| 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:77dodgecharger.jpg|300px]]
|- style="color:#fff; background:#996; font-size:larger;"
! colspan=2 | '''Dodge Charger'''
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Chrysler Corporation]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Production
| 1975-1978
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
| Personal Luxury
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style
| 2-Door Coupe
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
| 216"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Width
| 76"
|- style="vertical-align:top;
| Height
| 52"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Wheelbase
| 115"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Weight
| 3500-3900 lbs
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Transmission
| 3-Speed Automatic, RWD
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| 5.2L (318 cid) V8 (1975-1978) 5.9L (360 cid) V8 (1975-1978) 6.6L (400 cid) V8 (1975-1978)
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
| 150-190 hp
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Similar
| [[Chrysler Cordoba]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Platform
| B
|}

==4th Generation (1975-1978)==

Well if the "bad-boyness" hadn't been completely depleted from the last generation Charger, it certainly was with this generation's offering. The Charger of this generation was no longer a 2-door version of the Coronet (which was discontinued this year), but now reduced to a diluted [[Chrysler Cordoba]] clone. The Charger had a different grille and taillights from the Cordoba and had the 318 V8 as standard, but other than that they were identical. While the Cordoba turned out to be a huge sales success for Chrysler, Chargers, despite being nearly the same car, languished on dealer's lots by comparison and were largely ignored. Perhaps if Dodge let the Charger name die after 1974 and this model had another name that didn't remind buyers of the mighty street-dominators of the late-1960s, it might have been a bigger seller - but who knows? Dodge even resurrected the '''Charger Daytona''' name in 1976-1977, although it was merely a two-tone paint and decal package by now, adding further insult to injury among some enthusiasts. The Charger continued into the early 1978 model year pretty much untouched, when it was replaced by the [[Dodge Magnum (B-body)]], which itself was cancelled a mere 2 years later, spelling the end of the now-legendary Chrysler B-body platform for good.

See the 1st Generation [[Chrysler Cordoba]] entry for mode detailed information about the 4th generation Charger.

==Main Competitors (1975-1978)==
*[[Buick Regal]]
*[[Chevrolet Monte Carlo]]
*[[Ford Elite]]/[[Ford Thunderbird|Thunderbird]]
*[[Mercury Cougar]] XR-7
*[[Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme]]
*[[Pontiac Grand Prix]]

==Future Chargers==

The Charger name would reappear in 1981 as a performance option package for the [[Dodge Omni]] 024 coupe, and would become a model on its own in 1983. See separate [[Dodge Charger (L-body)]] entry for more information on that model.

After the L-body Charger was laid to rest after 1987, Dodge pulled the Charger name out of the drawer once again and placed it on an all-new full-size rear-drive 4-door sedan model in 2006, a model based on a [[Mercedes-Benz]] E-Class platform. Although some considered the Charger name on a 4-door sedan a bit of a sacriledge (although it wasn't really any worse than putting the Charger name on a front wheel drive economy car like Dodge did in the 1980s), it's nonetheless become a great sales success for Dodge, becoming a legend in its own right. See separate [[Dodge Charger]] entry for more information on that model.

==See Also==
{{Dodge}}