A large variation of muscle cars have been developed through the years, but
among the more best selling models has been the Dodge Challenger. The Dodge
range is owned by Chrysler, a company who has aspired to create the best
brand.
The Dodge Challenger life kicked off during 1970, with the first
generation Challenger. Then from that point autel
maxidiag elite md802, Dodge went on to produce the second generation version
in 1978 and finally the 3rd generation version in 2008.
Getting Started,
1970 to 1974,First Generation
At the outset was quite clear which cars
would be the biggest competitors for the Dodge Challenger. The building of the
car was considered to be Dodges answer to the likes of the very popular Ford
Mustang and also the Camaro, a pair of cars that made their stamp on the muscle
car sector in the 1960s maxitpms
ts601, with the Mustang mostly credited for inventing the muscle
cargenre.
Dodge set to work designing the best muscle car they possibly
could. Whilst it was to be put up against the popular Mustang, it had a greatly
shorter wheelbase. Dodge definitely tried to do things differently, producing a
vehicle that was a lot more well equipped, offering owners many more creature
comforts.
Following on from their previous experience designing the
Charger during 1966, Dodge assumed that Carl Cameron would be up to the job of
developing the new Challenger. Needless to say, he did a very good
job.
Clearly the combination of style and performance was effective. The
company was able to sell in excess of 165000 Dodge Challengers during its 1st
generation.
Continued Success, 1978 to 1983,2nd
Generation
Chrysler clearly realized fast that with the Challenger they
had hit a gold mine and with good reason were not about to give that up. The
styling was good, the performance was great and they soon had a massive
following. They waited four years and then produced the 2nd generation vehicle
for release in 1978.
The 2nd generation Challenger was produced based
around the Plymouth Sapporo which was already growing in its following. Dodge
did try and distinguish their car as much as possible. As before, Dodge went for
the sporty, elegant look.
One more area to take note of was the engine
set up. Instead of a large block, they chose to install a 2.6L 4 cylinder unit
that although small, gave the car a good amount of power.
Retro Becomes
Fashionable, 2008, Third Generation
There was no way that Chrysler would
allow their hard won Challenger slowly erode its following. With that in mind
2007 saw Chrysler take earlydeposits for the new 3rd generation version. A
selection of models were to be built, including a SRT8 which was inclusive of a
high performance 6.1l engine.
With the release of the 3rd generation the
Dodge Challenger still lives on, and is likely to for many years yet.
Related Links