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Archive for the ‘DODGE’ Category

1954 Dodge Wayfarer convertible

In February, 1949 Dodge introduced the Wayfarer series. There was a 2-door with a rear seat, a 2 passenger coupe, and a Sports Roadster. These three body-styles sat atop a 115 inch wheelbase. During the initial year of production, 9,342 coupes were produced. Total production of the Sport Roadster was 5,420 examples and 49,054 sedans. The Wayfarer was a low-priced vehicle in the Dodge line-up. The sedan sold for $1,756 and weighed 3,180 pounds, the coupe sold for $1,629 and weighed 3,065 pounds. The roadster could be purchased for $1,745 and weighed 3,145 pounds.

1954 Dodge Wayfarer Roadster

The vehicles featured a 230 cubic-inch Flathead 6 cylinder engine that produced 103 horsepower. It came standard with a 3-speed transmission and was void of a radio or a heater. The lifespan of the clutch was extended by fluid coupling between the engine and the clutch. A ‘semi-automatic’ transmission was available as optional equipment. On the Sports Roadster the windows were side curtains that could be stored behind the passenger seat when not in use. Roll-up windows replace the curtains during the later part of 1949.

1954 Dodge Wayfarer Classic Cabriolet

1954 Dodge Firearrow Classic car

Created by the exquisite American car designer Virgil Exner, the Dodge Firearrow was introduced in 1954 as part of a four part series and built by Ghia of Turin, Italy. The Firearrow II and Firearrow IV; ‘Dreams’ are the only two convertible Firearrows in the world. There were a total of four vehicles built between 1953 and 1954. The bodies of these vehicles were constructed at Ghia using the chassis of stock 1954 Dodge convertibles.

A true roadster, the Firearrow I was painted red and gray with a yellow interior with maroon piping. The first model had dual headlights and the wheels were full wheel covers with body side molding that wrapped all the way around the car. The Firearrow I featured exposed exhaust pipes, two on each side that rode low on the car’s flanks. An additional touch of Italian styling was featured on a wood-rimmed steering wheel.
Today the vehicle is on display at Petersen’s Museum.

1954 Model of classic retro car-Dodge Firearrow Concept

The 1954 Firearrow II was also a true roadster that was painted a subdued yellow color. Very similar in appearance to the Firearrow I, the main difference was that the body side molding didn’t wrap around the car, but ended at the headlamps and taillights. The modified version of the original vehicle, the Firearrow II retained the mockup’s two-place seating and striking frameless windshield. The full hub caps were also replaced by chrome-plated wire wheels and new single headlights replaced the dual. The split bumper was also changed from the Firearrow I and replaced with a more aggressive ‘mouth’ horizontally bisected by an uninterrupted bumper. The toothy look was achieved by five vertical design elements on the bumper.

A 2-seater Sport Coupe was introduced in 1954, the Firearrow III, also called the Firebomb. Much more civilized than the original Firearrow, the III was painted a light metallic blue. With racer/flyer Betty Skelton behind the wheel at the Chrysler proving grounds, the Firebomb clocked at 143.44mph, set a women’s closed-course record. The dual headlights were brought back on this third edition along a concave grille cut with narrow verticals. The Sport Coupe featured a hardcore element with its wraparound backlight. Crash protection both front and rear was supplied by modest bumperettes.

1954 Dodge Firearrow Roadster

Also dubbed the Firebomb, the Firearrow IV was a stunning red convertible 4-seater, that featured black and white diamond interior. Basically a convertible version of the Firebomb, the newest edition is now in the Blackhawk collection as a black vehicle with black and white ‘tuck’n Roll’ interior. Both the yellow Firearrow II and the red Firearrow IV, the last of the collection have received honors at Meadowbrook and Amelia island Concours d’Elegance. These vehicles sold for $1.1 million each.

Chrysler unfortunately made the decision not to proceed into production. These vehicles are but a great moment in automotive history and the only survivors of the early series of Chrysler concept cars.

1972 Dodge Polara American muscle car

The name Dodge Polara first appeared in 1960 and was used on Dodge‘s full-size vehicle. The name would continue to adorned Dodge vehicles in various forms unti 1973.

When introduced, the Dodge Polara‘s design was similar to vehicles of the prior years, continuing the ‘Forward Look’ design of Virgil Exner. In the front was a small grille accompanied by a large front bumper. In the rear were taillights termed ‘jet pods’. The lights were larger than what they needed to be with part of their purpose to aid in the futuristic look of the vehicle. Tail fins were part of the ensemble. There were to tail lights with the lower light built into the rear bumper. Chrome and trim were used extensively on the vehicles exterior. On the interior the vehicle was adorned in plush fabrics, appropriate since this was Dodge’s near top-of-the-line vehicle.

1972 Dodge Polara police car

A few of the changes that occurred on the Dodge Polara in 1961 were enlarging the cars tail fins and reversing their direction, meaning they grew larger as they crept towards the rear window. In the front the larger bumper treatments were replaced in favor of a more simple design. The concave grille from the Dodge Dart could now be found on the Dodge Polara. The result of the work of Exner’s styling department was a unique design and something that was different from anything else on American roads at the time. Unfortunately, the American public did not favor the design and sales were dismal, with only 14,032 units produced. This was one of the lowest figures for the Dodge Marque since the early 1910′s.

1972 Dodge Polara retro car

Change was obviously needed. For 1962 the Polara was moved to a smaller platform, now just 116 inches. The change had come as a last-minute decision in an effort to mirror the moves Chevrolet were making with their designs. Chevrolet was downsizing all of their products. Dodge designers were forced to revise their designs to more compact configurations. When Chevrolet rolled out their new products in 1962, the Chrysler Corporation were surprised to see that what was thought to be a down-size of all their products was merely the inclusion of smaller products to their mid and full-size line-up. Chevrolet had their full-size Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala. The Chevy II was now their compact vehicle. As a result Dodge and Chrysler offered smaller cars than their competitors in 1962. The public and press were not impressed with the new designs, finding them awkward. Sales remained low.

1971 Dodge Challenger R/T

1968 The first of the Dodge Challenger prototypes is produced.

1969 The Dodge Challenger is officially released to the public as a 1970 model on Friday, August 1, 1969.

1970 The first model year. In coming with Dodge‘s market position of competing with Pontiac and Mercury, the Challenger‘s wheelbase is 2″ longer than its Plymouth cousin, the Barracuda. The Challanger was offered in five different trim lines (Deputy, base, R/T, SE and T/A) 1970 and several engine options were available, ranging from the 225 CID “Slant Six” to the 426 cubic inch Hemi. There were variations of the 340, 383, and 440 CID engines in between. Almost 73,000 units were sold that first year.

1971 Dodge Challenger R/T

1970 In order to race in the Sports Car Club of America‘s Trans American Sedan Championship, Dodge built a street version of its race car called the Dodge Challenger T/A. Although the race carsran a destroked version of the 340, street versions took the 340 and added a trio of two-barrel carbs atop an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold, creating the 340 Six Pack, rated at 290 hp. The engine breathed air through a suitcase-sized air scoop molded into the pinned down, lift off matte-black fiberglass hood. Dual exhausts ran to the stock muffler location under the trunk, then reversed direction to exit in chrome tipped “megaphone” outlets in front of the rear wheels. The T/A was the first production car to use different size tires front and rear: E60x15 in the front and G60x15 in back. Bold stripes, 340 Six Pak graphics and a ducktail spoiler added to the package. The T/A would only be available for 1970 as Dodge would pull out of Trans Am racing.

1971 Revised grille and taillights differentiate the ’71 from the ’70. The T/A option is dropped, but a base model convertible is offered, as well as 50 “Indianapolis 500 Pace Car” models. The R/T model is now available with the 340. Sales slumped from 1970, with roughly 30,000 units sold.

1971 Dodge Challenger R/T

1971 The Dodge Challenger makes its film debut in the movie “Vanishing Point”. In the film, our man Kowalski works for a car delivery service and bets that he can deliver a white 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T from Denver to San Francisco in 15 hours. After run-ins with motorcycle cops and highway patrol they chase him through Utah, Nevada and California. Along the way, Kowalski is guided by Super Soul – a blind disc jockey monitoring a police radio scanner. Throw in lots of chase scenes, gay hitchhikers, and a naked woman riding a motorbike and you’ve got a great cult hit from the early 70′s.

1972 Big changes in 1972. Gone were the R/T, SE and convertible models and all big block engines, incluidng the Hemi. Another new grille (the third in three years), the “fish mouth” (“sad faced”) grille. The Challenger Rallye was introduced to replace the R/T and it came with the (now 240 hp) 340. Base engine was the “Slant Six” and optional was the 318 2-bbl with 150 hp. Production was down to just over 26,000 units.

1971 Dodge Challenger R/T+

1973 1973 brought large bumper guards and the “Slant Six” was dropped from the lineup. Base engine was now the 318 2-bbl with 150 hp. A gunmetal grey color was added and the 360 4-bbl (245 hp net) was introduced late in the year to replace the 340, which was difficult to certify for emissions. Production rose to nearly 33,000.

1974 By 1974, there were two engine choices: the 318 and the 245 hp 360. Larger bumper guards were installed to meet increasing crash standards. Challenger production ended in April, 1974, with a mere 16,000 units produced. In its short life, the Challenger turned out to be one of the best-looking pony cars and is today highly sought after. Its sales were probably never satisfying for Chrysler, which had invested quite a bit in the Challenger and Barracuda.

1978 The Challenger nameplate was resurrected on a re-badged Mitsubishi Galant Lambda, an “economy sport” car paired with the Plymouth Sapporro in United States. Offered with 1.6L or 2.6L inline four cylinder engines, the car was priced right around $8,000. It was a far cry from the original with its tiny engines and distinctly “import” styling.

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Retro car

For 1969, Dodge decided to make only minor improvements to the Charger. The grille now had a chrome center divider. Two new Charger models were available. The Charger 500 was a performance machine with some styling cues similar to the Dodge Coronet. The big news was the Dodge charger Daytonawhich is easily identified by its larger vertical tail stabilizer and front nose extension. With just over 500 examples of the Daytona produced, the $4000 vehicle was available with either the Hemi or the 440 engine.

The Charger was redesigned in 1970 and became available in new colors. The SE version added leather seats and an electric sliding sunroof. Dodge introduced the 440 Six Pack which featured three Holley two-barrel carburetors and produced 390 horsepower. In total, there were just over 10,300 Chargers sold in 1970 with 42 of those sales including the 440 Six Pack and 116 opting for the Hemi.

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Classic car

The Dodge Charger was produced from 1966 through 1978, 1983 through 1987, and again beginning in 2006. Since its inception, the impressive performance and stylish bodies made the Charger an instant success. During its introductory year, 37,344 examples were produced.

TheDodge Charger was based on the Dodge Coronet platform, but with a fastback roofline. The headlights were retractable which resulted in a sportier appearance for the vehicle. The interior had four bucket seats with the rear seats able to be folded down that provided ample space for cargo. Under the hood was a 318 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine that produced 230 horsepower. Optional was the 361 and 426 cubic-inch Hemi, available in various configurations. The 426 Hemi produced 425 horsepower and would set the buyer back $1000, a considerable cost considering the base price was $3122. Only 468 of the Hemi option were purchased.

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona American muscle car

In 1967 Dodge added the 440 cubic-inch Magnum to the Charger model line. With 375 horsepower, it was a cheaper option than the Hemi and easy to tune. The 318 cubic-inch was still the standard option with the 426 Hemi the top-of-the-line producing 45 horsepower and 490 foot-pounds of torque. The production total for the Charger in 1967 was around 15,000 with 118 of those selecting the Hemi engine.

1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee classic car

In 1949 Dodge introduced the Coronet which was the top trim level offered by Dodge. It was similar to the Meadowbrook models in many respects, deviating in their interior appointments and minor differences with trim. The base level four-door sedan bodystyle was offered for under $1930. The top of the line version was the two-door station wagon which had seating for six and cost $2865. An L-head six-cylinder engine produced just over 100 horsepower could be found under the hood. A three-speed transmission with Fluid-Drive was standard equipment.

For 1950 the Dodge Coronet continued to be Dodge‘s top-of-the-line vehicle. It still was very similar to the Meadowbrook; it include all of its features plus added addition chrome trim on the wheels, rear fender guards and was adorned with the ‘Coronet‘ name proudly displayed on the exterior of the vehicle. Little changed for the following year. For 1952 the eight-passenger sedan was no longer offered. In 1953 the Dodge Coronet incorporated an air scoop on its hood. Under the Ram hood ornament could be found the word ‘Dodge V-8‘ for the eight-cylinder variants. The Hemi head overhead valve V8 engine was capable of producing 140 horsepower. The six-cylinder unit produced 103 horsepower.

1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee American muscle car

The 440 cubic-inch V8 Six Pack became available in 1969. With this 390 horsepower engine, a zero-to-sixty time of 6.6 seconds could be achieved. The 426 and 440 horsepower engine were still available offering 425 and 375 horsepower respectively. Unfortunately, sales continued to fall – less than 7,240 examples were produced in 1969. Styling remained unchanged from 1968. The Coronet Super Bee and R/T versions were outfitted with the 426 cubic-inch Hemi V8. They were offered in two-door coupe configruation of which 166 examples are estimated to have been produced. 90 two-door hardtops were also constructed. In the R/T configuration, there were 97 constructed of these two-door hardtops and 10 convertibles.

1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee retro car

The muscle car era was coming to a close and things were fading fast by the early 1970′s. Government regulations, safety concerns, and an impending oil embargo meant that engine sizes were declining. Manufacturers responded by incorporating the new government safety items to their vehicles, detuned their engines, and tried to figure out what the American public would want next. For the Dodge Coronet, Dodge decided to simplify their line, now only offering the vehicle in four-door configuration as either a sedan or station wagon. The exterior molding and much of the trim had been removed. The Coronet was Dodge’s base trim level vehicle with the introductory price costing $2720 in 1972. The 198 cubic-inch slant-six engine produced 100 horsepower while the 225-slant six produced 110 horsepower. The 318 cubic-inch V8 produced 150 horsepower. The top of the Coronet line was the Coronet Custom which included all standard Coronet features plus color-keyed carpeting, wheel opening, and three-spoke steering wheel, among other options.

1969 Dodge Coronet R/T American muscle car

Dodge’s R/T performance history dates back to the late 1960′s. Over the years many different Dodge models offered an R/T edition. The first R/T, which stands for ‘Road and Track,’ was a high performance version of the 1967 Dodge Coronet.

1969 Dodge Coronet R/T Retro car

Offered in both hardtop and convertible form, the standard R/T featured a 440 cubic-inch V-8 power plant, heavy-duty suspension, beefier brakes, larger tires, and R/T badging. It that wasn’t enough, you could order the legendary 426 cubic-inch Hemi engine rated at 425 horsepower.

After a big marketing push in 1968, styling changes on the 1969 Dodge Coronet R/T were substantially more modest. The Coronet’s visage was revised so that the grille-headlamps combination mimicked the delta taillight shape.

Dodge’s R/T performance history slated with the Coronet R/T. Models were offered in 1967, 1968, 1969 and ending in 1970. During this time Hemi- and 440 Magnum-powered R/T’s ruled the street and the drag strip.

1969 Dodge Coronet R/T Classic car

In 1968 the Coronet was restyled and given a smoother, rounder profile. Quad headlights were incorporated into the full-width grille. In the rear the taillights were incorporated into a full-width panel. 10,456 CoronetR/T versions were sold. 230 examples of the Coronet 426 cubic-inch V8 were produced. The Coronet was completely restyled. Bucket seats, dual exhaust, heavy-duty suspension and brakes, were all standard equipment.
The 440 cubic-inch V8 Six Pack became available in 1969. With this 390 horsepower engine, a zero-to-sixty time of 6.6 seconds could be achieved. The 426 and 440 horsepower engine were still available offering 425 and 375 horsepower respectively. Unfortunately, sales continued to fall – less than 7,240 examples were produced in 1969. Styling remained unchanged from 1968. The Coronet Super Bee and R/T versions were outfitted with the 426 cubic-inch Hemi V8. They were offered in two-door coupe configruation of which 166 examples are estimated to have been produced. 90 two-door hardtops were also constructed. In the R/T configuration, there were 97 constructed of these two-door hardtops and 10 convertibles.

1969 Dodge Dart retro car

The Dodge Dart was first introduced as a show-car in 1956 and became a production model in 1960. Sitting atop a 118 inch wheelbase the Dart was not the largest in the fleet but was considered by many as a small, full-size vehicle. When production began the Dart was available in three body-styles, the Seneca, Pioneer and Phoenix. The Seneca was the base model, the Phoenix was the premium and the Pioneer was the intermediate. Multiple engine choices were available including the 318 and 361 cubic-inches which could be modified with various carburetors to increase the overall horsepower rating. A 225 slant six was available adding to the versatility of the vehicle

1969 Dodge Dart muscle car

Dodge introduced the Dart Swinger 340 in 1969. It came equipped with a 275 horsepower 340 cubic-inch V8 and four-speed manual gearbox with Hurst shifter. The suspension was Rallye and exterior displayed ‘Swinger’ bumble bee stripes and 14 inch wheels. Around 20,000 examples of the Swinger 400 were produced in 1969. Just over 6,700 of the GTS versions were sold.

Stylish sports car 1969 Dodge Dart

The Dart had lived a long production life span and had endured multiple aesthetic and mechanical changes throughout the years. It had gone from a 118 inch wheelbase to a low of 108 inches. It was a full-size, it was a compact; it was a daily driver, it was a high-performance racing machine. It could be had in two-door, four-door, convertible, hardtop, fastback, and even a station wagon. Produced for 16 years, Dodge had evolved and adapted the Dart to all the different trends, safety and emission concerns, and government regulations that the market had to offer. When individuals today envision Dodge‘s of the late 1960′s, rarely does the Dart come to mind, rather it is often overshadowed by the Charger and the Super Bee. This is unfortunate, because the Darts had class, character, and were very durable, many still around today. Country-specific Darts were sold in countries such as Australia, Spain, Canada, Brazil, and Columbia. With approximately 3.7 million compact Darts sold, the vehicle had achieved an undeniable reputation for longevity, durability, and value.

1969 Dodge Daytona Charger NASCAR

The Dodge Daytona was built especially for NASCAR racing. NASCAR required Dodge to build 500 street versions of this car before they could be raced. The unique aerodynamic design with the pointed nose and rear wing spoiler coupled with the 426 cubic inch Hemi engine made this a very fast car with excellent handling qualities. Mario Rossi owned the Dodge Daytonas driven by Bobby Allison that won at Atlanta and earned 13 top 10 finishes. The Dodge Daytona and sister car, the Plymouth Superbird, were so dominating that NASCAR outlawed the ‘Wing Cars’ in 1971.

1969 Dodge Daytona Charger NASCAR

A Dodge Daytona, very much like this one, was the first automobile to ever exceed 200MPH on a closed course. (Buddy Baker, Talladega Speedway 1969).

1969 Dodge Daytona Charger NASCAR

ThisDodge was found in a barn inn Midwest in the early 90′s by Pat McKinney of Simi Valley, California. When found it was wearing 1970 Charger front sheet metal but allDaytona sheet metal (wing, nose cone, rear window plug, etc.) was with the car. No chassis number could be found, but gold paint was found on the body and wing, therefore it was believed to be the Mario Rossi/Bobby Allison car raced in 1969-1970.

1969 Dodge Daytona Charger NASCAR

TheDodge Charger was based on the Dodge Coronet platform, but with a fastback roofline. The headlights were retractable which resulted in a sportier appearance for the vehicle. The interior had four bucket seats with the rear seats able to be folded down that provided ample space for cargo. Under the hood was a 318 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine that produced 230 horsepower. Optional was the 361 and 426 cubic-inch Hemi, available in various configurations. The 426 Hemi produced 425 horsepower and would set the buyer back $1000, a considerable cost considering the base price was $3122. Only 468 of the Hemi option were purchased.

1959 Dodge Custom Royal

As the 1950s came to a close, manufactures continued to increase the outlandish designs fitting the vehicles with red rocket-like taillight lenses, dual antennas, huge twin tail fins, and other radical designs. One of the most recognizable vehicles from this era was the Dodge D500 Custom Royal Lancer with its ‘swept wing styling’ and chrome eyebrow arches across the top of the dual headlamps. In the rear of the car were booster-shaped taillight fins.

1959 Dodge Custom Royal

This 1959 Dodge D500 Custom Royal Lancer underwent an extensive restoration in the early 1990s and the odometer reads 41,000 miles since new. under the bonnet is a powerful 383 cubic-inch V8 engine breathing through a four-barrel carburetor.

1959 Dodge Custom Royal

Before the creation of the Daimler Chrysler in 1998, the Dodge Lancerwas the model for the Dodge division and used to denote models three times in its history.
Designating both two and four door pillarless hardtop models in the Coronet, Royal and Custom Royal lines, the Lancer name was used by Dodge from 1955 to 1959.
A two door hardtop version of the mid-level models designed by Dodge in 1955, the Lancer ran in the production line until 1960.
On V8 powered models, a V8 emblem was customized to the side, just below the V in the side trim.
The Lancer name was passed on to a clone on the compact model Valiant which was met with huge success during the 1961 year. Given round taillights with full width grilles, Lancers used a Slant-6 engine.