Dodge Charger
Encyclopedia
The Dodge Charger is an American
automobile
manufactured by the Dodge
division of Chrysler
. There have been several different Dodge vehicles, built on three different platforms and sizes, all bearing the Charger nameplate. The name is generally associated with a performance model in the Dodge range; however, it has also adorned subcompact
hatchbacks, full-sized
sedans, and personal luxury
coupes.
two-door car from 1966 to 1978, a subcompact (L-body)
car from 1983 to 1987, and the (LX and LY)
full-sized platform
four-door sedans built since 2006.
The name was also carried by a 1999 concept car
that differed substantially from the Charger eventually placed into production for the 2006 model year. A similar name, the Ramcharger
, was used for the truck-based vehicle.
The name Charger was also used in Brazil
as performance model based on the Dart, between 1970 and 1980.
Model years of Chargers:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
manufactured by the Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
division of Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
. There have been several different Dodge vehicles, built on three different platforms and sizes, all bearing the Charger nameplate. The name is generally associated with a performance model in the Dodge range; however, it has also adorned subcompact
Subcompact car
Subcompact car is a North American term used to describe automobiles whose class size is smaller than that of a compact car, usually not exceeding in length, but larger than a microcar...
hatchbacks, full-sized
Full-size car
A full-size car is a marketing term used in North America for an automobile larger than a mid-size car. In the United States, the EPA uses "large car" to denote full-size cars....
sedans, and personal luxury
Personal luxury car
A personal luxury car is a highly styled, luxury vehicle with an emphasis on image over practicality. Accenting the comfort and satisfaction of its owner and driver above all else, the personal luxury car sometimes sacrifices passenger capacity, cargo room, and fuel economy in favor of style and...
coupes.
Charger models
The three main iterations of Dodge Chargers were a mid-sized (B-body)Dodge Charger (B-body)
The Dodge Charger was a mid-size automobile produced by Dodge. The 1966-1974 Chargers were based on the Chrysler B platform. The 1975-1978 Chargers were based on the Chrysler Cordoba.-Origin of the Charger:...
two-door car from 1966 to 1978, a subcompact (L-body)
Dodge Charger (L-body)
The Dodge Charger was built by Dodge, a division of Chrysler Corporation. There have been a number of vehicles bearing the Charger nameplate, but the name has generally denoted a performance model in the Dodge range...
car from 1983 to 1987, and the (LX and LY)
Dodge Charger (LX)
The Dodge Charger LX is a rear-wheel drive four-door automobile introduced in February 2005. Built by Chrysler for its North American Dodge brand, the car was created to continue the Dodge Charger line, and replaced the Dodge Intrepid as Dodge's full-size sedan...
full-sized platform
Automobile platform
An automobile platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of automobiles, often from different, but related marques...
four-door sedans built since 2006.
The name was also carried by a 1999 concept car
Dodge Charger (1999 concept)
In 1999 Dodge debuted a new Dodge Charger R/T concept car. It took many styling cues from the 1960s Chargers but also had four doors. The designers attempted to blend the rear doors into the design so they would not be noticed very easily...
that differed substantially from the Charger eventually placed into production for the 2006 model year. A similar name, the Ramcharger
Dodge Ramcharger
The Dodge Ramcharger is a large sport utility vehicle built by Dodge from 1974 to 1993 , and based on a shortened-wheelbase version of the Dodge D Series/Ram pickup truck chassis...
, was used for the truck-based vehicle.
The name Charger was also used in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
as performance model based on the Dart, between 1970 and 1980.
Model years of Chargers:
- 1964 Dodge Charger (concept): a roadsterRoadsterA roadster is a two-seat open car with emphasis on sporty handling and without a fixed roof or side weather protection. Strictly speaking a roadster with wind-up windows is a convertible but as true roadsters are no longer made the distinction is now irrelevant...
-style show car based on the Dodge PolaraDodge PolaraThe Dodge Polara was an automobile introduced in the United States for the 1960 model year as Dodge's top-of-the-line full-size car; after the introduction of the Dodge Custom 880 in 1962, the Polara nameplate designated a step below the full sized best trimmed Dodge model; the Polara that year had... - 1965 Dodge Charger 273: a limited production option package for the Dart GTDodge DartThe Dodge Dart is an automobile built by the Dodge division of the Chrysler Corporation from 1960-1976 in North America, with production extended to later years in various other markets. The Dart was introduced as a lower-priced, shorter wheelbase, full-size Dodge in 1960 and 1961, became a...
- 1966–1978 Dodge Charger (B-body)Dodge Charger (B-body)The Dodge Charger was a mid-size automobile produced by Dodge. The 1966-1974 Chargers were based on the Chrysler B platform. The 1975-1978 Chargers were based on the Chrysler Cordoba.-Origin of the Charger:...
: a rear wheel drive coupe and muscle carMuscle carMuscle car is a term used to refer to a variety of high-performance automobiles. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines muscle cars as "any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving." Usually, a large V8 engine is fitted in a... - 1970–1980 Dodge Charger: Brazilian version based on the Dodge DartDodge DartThe Dodge Dart is an automobile built by the Dodge division of the Chrysler Corporation from 1960-1976 in North America, with production extended to later years in various other markets. The Dart was introduced as a lower-priced, shorter wheelbase, full-size Dodge in 1960 and 1961, became a...
, with a higher-compression 318 V8 engine - 1983–1987 Dodge Charger (L-body)Dodge Charger (L-body)The Dodge Charger was built by Dodge, a division of Chrysler Corporation. There have been a number of vehicles bearing the Charger nameplate, but the name has generally denoted a performance model in the Dodge range...
: a front wheel drive subcompactSubcompact carSubcompact car is a North American term used to describe automobiles whose class size is smaller than that of a compact car, usually not exceeding in length, but larger than a microcar...
hatchbackHatchbackA Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box... - 1999 Dodge Charger (concept)Dodge Charger (1999 concept)In 1999 Dodge debuted a new Dodge Charger R/T concept car. It took many styling cues from the 1960s Chargers but also had four doors. The designers attempted to blend the rear doors into the design so they would not be noticed very easily...
: a rear wheel drive concept car - 2006–present Dodge Charger (LX)Dodge Charger (LX)The Dodge Charger LX is a rear-wheel drive four-door automobile introduced in February 2005. Built by Chrysler for its North American Dodge brand, the car was created to continue the Dodge Charger line, and replaced the Dodge Intrepid as Dodge's full-size sedan...
: several model and trim versions of a rear wheel drive four-door sedan
Other
- Dodge Charger DaytonaDodge Charger DaytonaDodge, an American automobile brand, has produced three separate vehicles with the name Dodge Charger Daytona, all of which were modified Dodge Chargers. The name is taken from Daytona Beach, Florida, which was an early center for auto racing and still hosts the Daytona 500, one of NASCAR's premier...
– the name given to three different modified Dodge Chargers built on the B-bodyChrysler B platformThe Chrysler B platform was the basis for rear-wheel drive Chrysler cars from 1962 through 1979, and the front-wheel drive Eagle Premier / Dodge Monaco 1988 through 1992. All of the B-body cars in a given model year for either make were built upon the same chassis...
and LX platformsChrysler LX platformThe LX platform is Chrysler's full-size rear wheel drive automobile platform for the mid part of the first decade of the 21st century. The LX was developed in America from the previous Chrysler LH platform, which had been designed to allow it to be easily upgraded to rear and all-wheel drive...
. - Super Bee
- Shelby ChargerShelby ChargerThe Shelby Charger was a modified 1980s Dodge Charger. Carroll Shelby had tuned the Dodge Omni-based Charger for Dodge from 1983 to 1987, with the resulting car sold as the Dodge Shelby Charger. When the Charger was discontinued, Shelby bought the last 1,000 and replaced the fuel intake and engine...
See also
- 1971–1976 Chrysler Valiant Charger – short wheelbase ValiantPlymouth ValiantThe Plymouth Valiant is an automobile manufactured by the Plymouth division of Chrysler Corporation in the United States from 1960 to 1976. It was created to give the company an entry in the compact car market emerging in the late 1950s...
coupe produced by Chrysler AustraliaChrysler AustraliaChrysler Australia is the importer of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles for sale in the Australian marketplace. However, there had previously been a "Chrysler Australia Ltd" which had operated as a vehicle manufacturer in Australia from 1951 until 1980.... - The General LeeThe General LeeThe General Lee is the modified Dodge Charger driven by the Duke cousins Bo and Luke in the television series The Dukes of Hazzard. It is known for the chases and stunts, especially high jumps, in almost every episode, and for having the doors welded shut, leaving the Dukes to climb in and out...
– Dodge Charger used in the television series The Dukes of Hazzard