Dodge Charger
In 1964, competitors of Pontiac in the low and medium price range watched with envy as consumers flocked to their GTOs. These consumers where drawn in by the GTO’s combination of high performance and affordability. Dodge, one of these envious competitors, realized that it was going to have to match Pontiac in this market. As a result, it began designing a new line of muscle cars to match the GTOs. Out of this competition came the 1964 Dodge Charger, a show car that announced to Pontiac, and its other competitors, that it was serious about entering the affordable, yet high-performance, vehicle race.
First Generation
The first Dodge Charger available to consumers was produced for the 1966 model year. The first versions of the Chargers were offered in a two-door fastback design that had a four bucket seat interior. Dodge equipped standard Chargers with a 318 cubic inch V8 engine, however those looking for larger and more powerful engines were not disappointed as Dodge offered those as well.
Second Generation
After a successful introduction, the Charger’s sales dipped for the 1967 model year. In response to this dip, Dodge decided to roll out the redesigned Second Generation of the Charger. This redesign produced what some would describe as the best-looking car in its class. The original fastback roofline was replaced with a notchback, semi-fastback body, that featured duel exhaust pipes in the rear and red-sidewall tires. The exterior wasn’t the only portion of these new Chargers that was upgraded, as the interior featured vinyl-trimmed bucket seats for those who sought out performance and comfort.
Third Generation
After a successful redesign in 1967, Dodge once again mixed things up in the 1971 model year and redesigned the Charger. The new, Third Generation Chargers came with different body styles in six different body types. These cosmetic changes included:
- Split grill
- Semi-fastback rear window
- Ducktail spoiler
Most of the models in the Third Generation, including those from the 1973 and 1974 model years, were identical to the redesigned 1971 version.
Fourth Generation
The 1975 model year brought another redesign to the Charger line. Dodge continued to use the B body type and made more stylistic changes. This new design was Dodge’s attempt to enter the personal luxury car market that was growing at the time. In 1978, decided the shelved the Charger line, and temporarily stopped producing them.
Fifth Generation
1981 ended the Charger’s brief hiatus. This time Dodge brought it back in the form of a subcompact hatchback coupe that had front-wheel-drive, and the choice between either a manual or automatic transmission. Dodge offered various different engines in their Fifth Generation Chargers, including a Shelby edition for the 1983 model year that was capable of producing 148 horsepower.
Sixth Generation
After a nineteen-year break, Dodge announced that it was bringing the Charger back for the 2006 model year. This generation of Chargers was designed to remind buyers of Chargers from the 1960s and 1970s. To achieve this, Dodge styled the Chargers tail lights, hood and side panels to look like those from models in these early generations. Dodge offered the Sixth Generation of Chargers in both V6 and V8, combined with automatic transmissions and all-wheel-drive.
Seventh Generation
The most recent, and current, iteration of the Charger line was introduced for the 2011 model year. This newest generation was once again restyled and given side scoops along its doors, as well as headlights that were more angular and a more aggressive grille.
