Dodge Challenger
Contents
Background:
While Plymouth was one of the first Makes to introduce a Pony Car with its 1964 introduction of the Barracuda, its sister division Dodge, had to wait until 1970 for its first Pony Car -- the Challenger. While both the Dodge and Plymouth Pony Cars of 1970-1974 were E-Bodies, the Challenger had a wheelbase 2" longer, mostly for it to compete with the more luxurious Mercury Cougar.
From 1978 to 1982, Dodge sold the 4-cylinder Mitsubishi Sapporo through its dealers as the Challenger, and Plymouth sold a virtually identical car through its dealers as the Sapporo.
With Pony Cars making a come back a few years ago, Dodge brought back the American Challenger, after a 34 year absence. Like Ford with the Mustang, and Chevrolet with the Camaro -- the Challenger has a retro look to it, having a close resemblance to the Challenger of the early 70s.
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History:
Model Predecessor
The Challenger is the first and only Pony Car for Dodge
Model Successor
The Challenger is the first and only Pony Car for Dodge
Export Versions
The export versions were basically the same as the domestic version. For a brief period they were sold in France through Simca, and a version was assembled in Switzerland to Swiss standard by AMAG. Both version are very rare today.
Related Models
Competition
- Ford Mustang
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Pontiac Firebird
- Mercury Cougar
Year by Year Changes, Production Numbers, and Cost:
1970
Body Styles
Class
Platform
Engines
- C: 225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant 6 I6: 145 bhp
- G: 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8: 230 bhp
- H: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8: 275 bhp
- J: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8 Six-Pack: 290 bhp 1970 *T/A ONLY
- L: 383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8: 290 bhp and 330 bhp (246 kW) 1970-1971
- N: 383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8: 335 bhp 1970-1971
- U: 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8: Available in Magnum 4-barrel carbureted form 375 bhp 1970-1971
- V: 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8 Six-Pack: (3 × 2-barrel carburetors) 390 bhp 1970-1971
- R: 426 cu in (7 L) Hemi V8: 425 bhp costing an extra US$1,228 and very few sold. 1970-1971
Transmissions
Length, width, height, wheelbase
- Length 191.3 in
- Width 76.1 in
- Height 50.9 in
- Wheelbase 110.0 in
1971
Body Styles
Class
Platform
Engines
- C: 225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant 6 I6: 145 bhp
- G: 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8: 230 bhp
- H: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8: 275 bhp
- J: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8 Six-Pack: 290 bhp 1970 *T/A ONLY
- L: 383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8: 290 bhp and 330 bhp (246 kW) 1970-1971
- N: 383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8: 335 bhp 1970-1971
- U: 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8: Available in Magnum 4-barrel carbureted form 375 bhp 1970-1971
- V: 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8 Six-Pack: (3 × 2-barrel carburetors) 390 bhp 1970-1971
- R: 426 cu in (7 L) Hemi V8: 425 bhp costing an extra US$1,228 and very few sold. 1970-1971
Transmissions
Length, width, height, wheelbase
- Length 191.3 in
- Width 76.1 in
- Height 50.9 in
- Wheelbase 110.0 in
1972
Body Styles
Class
Platform
Engines
- G: 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8: 230 bhp (172 kW) 1970-1974
- H: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8: 275 bhp (205 kW) 1970-1973
Transmissions
Length, width, height, wheelbase
- Length 191.3 in
- Width 76.1 in
- Height 50.9 in
- Wheelbase 110.0 in
1973
Body Styles
Class
Platform
Engines
- G: 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8: 230 bhp (172 kW) 1970-1974
- H: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8: 275 bhp (205 kW) 1970-1973
Transmissions
Length, width, height, wheelbase
- Length 191.3 in
- Width 76.1 in
- Height 50.9 in
- Wheelbase 110.0 in
1974
Body Styles
Class
Platform
Engines
- G: 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8: 230 bhp (172 kW) 1970-1974
- J: 360 cu in (5.9 L) LA V8: 245 bhp (183 kW) 1974
Transmissions
Length, width, height, wheelbase
- Length 191.3 in
- Width 76.1 in
- Height 50.9 in
- Wheelbase 110.0 in
1978 - 1983
The Forgotten Challengers
In 1978, Chrysler partnered up with Mitsubishi to sell their small coupe sold overseas as the Sapporo through Dodge as the Challenger. Plymouth sold virtually the same car (with a silver grill instead of the Challenger's black grill, and in different body colors) through its dealers. These cars came with an unusually large (for the era) 2.6 liter 4 cylinder engine. Mitsubishi had pioneered smoothing out the larger displacement 4-cylinder engines with its balanced crank shafts. The Challenger and Plymouth from this era had brisk performance, when compared to other 4-Cylinder Sport Coupes of the same era.
Body Styles
2-Door Sport Coupe
Class
Pony Car
Platform
Engines
1.6 L (98 cu in) 2.6 L (159 cu in)
Transmissions
5-speed Manual 3-speed Automatic
Length, width, height, wheelbase
178.1 in, 65.9 in, 53 in-53 in.3, 99.6 in
