The Dodge Challenger
After using the name “Challenger” in 1959 to market the “value version” of its Coronet model, Dodge applied the name to what would become one of its most popular collector vehicles. The Dodge Challenger has seen three separate generations from 1970 to present day.
First Generation
Dodge rolled out its Challenger line in the fall of 1969 as a release for the 1970 model year. Dodge developed the Challenger in response to the success of the Ford Mustang, albeit a late one, and positioned it in the market against the comparable Mercury Cougar and Pontiac Firebird. In this class of vehicles, the Challenger was considered to be in the upper end of the pony car market of the time. Upon its release, Dodge and Chrysler intended the Challenger to be one of the most potent pony cars available and equipped it with a wide range of option levels.
The 1970 Challenger was designed by Carl Cameron, who was also involved in designing the exterior for the 1966 Dodge Charger. The Challenger was given Chrysler’s E Platform body and shared some design components with the Plymouth Barracuda, Chrysler’s other E Platform vehicle. This body style would stay consistent throughout the Challenger’s first generation with the changes that were made occurring mostly to the rear lights and grille of the car. 1971 saw the grille of the Challenger split, and the following year, 1972, ushered in a grille design that extended the grille all along the front bumper of the car. As for the taillights, the initial 1970 version featured a taillight that extended all the way across the rear bumper. The 1971 version was modified so the backup lights were on the left and right sides of the car. The final change to the taillights was made in 1972, when Dodge installed four separate, rectangular lights.
First Generation
1970
- I6: Hardtop, Sports Hardtop and Convertible
- V8: Hardtop, Hardtop T/A, Sports Hardtop, Convertible, Hardtop R/T, Special Edition Hardtop R/T and Convertible R/T
1971
- I6: Hardtop and Convertible
- V8: Hardtop, Convertible and Hardtop R/T
1972
- I6: Hardtop
- V8: Hardtop Rallye
1973-74
- I6: Discontinued
- V8: Hardtop
After experiencing high sales in 1970, the Challenger saw these numbers fall off greatly in 1971 and 1972. The 1973 version of the Challenger saw a slight rebound in sales, but as Dodge began to cut back the number of options available, it ceased production on the Challenger during the 1974 model year.
Second Generation
In late 1977, Dodge brought the Challenger line back for the 1978 model year after a four-year hiatus. This new Challenger model was an exact copy of the Plymouth Sapporo. This model was manufactured in Japan and was exactly the same as the Mitsubishi model aside from bright colors and an emphasis on sportiness in the Dodge version. This version of the Challenger was imported from Japan until 1983 when, once again, Dodge shelved the model.
Third Generation
In 2006, Dodge announced that it was once again bringing back the Challenger nameplate for production in 2008. This new version was, and has continued to be, modeled on the original 1970 version of the Challenger R/T. Much like in 1970, Dodge began production on the Challenger as a competition to similar pony cars manufactured by Ford and Chevrolet.
