Dodge · 1981–present

Dodge Charger 1981

The Dodge Charger (L-body) is a subcompact two-door hatchback/fastback built by Dodge from 1981 until 1987. It is based on Chrysler's front-wheel drive L platform. A companion model, the Plymouth Turismo, was also marketed.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Dodge Omni 024 · Successor: Dodge Shadow

All Dodge Charger data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

History

For the 1979 model year, Chrysler shortened the L-platform of the Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon four-door hatchbacks from 99.2 to 96.5 in (2,520 to 2,451 mm) in wheelbase to make more sporty two-door with a sloping hatchback called the Dodge Omni 024 and the Plymouth Horizon TC3. The cars shared a 70 hp (52 kW) 1.7 L Volkswagen inline-four as the only engine. In 1981, the Charger nameplate returned as a performance package on the Omni 024. Called the Charger 2.2, it cost $399 extra and came with a hood scoop, quarter-window appliques, special gearing, rear spoiler, and "Charger 2.2" tape graphics, as well as the new 84 hp (63 kW) 2.2 L I4 engine that was designed and built by Chrysler. A total of 7,306 were built. In 1982, the Dodge Charger returned for a second year as the performance option for the 024. Nothing was changed from 1981 except for a Pentastar emblem on its hood and adding a resonator to the exhaust since the previous model had no muffler, utilizing the catalytic converter as the sole method of engine noise reduction. Production increased to 15,000. In 1983, the Volkswagen engine went out of production, so a joint Chrysler/Peugeot 1.6 L engine was used instead. The Omni 024 was renamed the Charger. The Plymouth Turismo was introduced as a companion entry for 1983, with the TC3 designation now discontinued. Carroll Shelby developed a sporty version of the Charger later in the year, the Dodge Shelby Charger. The transformation continued in 1984, with quad headlights now differentiating the Charger from its Omni origins. However, the Shelby models continued to use the previous year's front nose cap/bumper assembly. The Plymouth Turismo would share the same front end. Apart from the badging, both cars were identical. For the 1985 model year, the Shelby (with it

Dodge Shelby Charger

For 1983, Carroll Shelby modified the Dodge Charger, to be sold at Dodge dealers as the Dodge Shelby Charger. Rather than focusing on speed, Shelby modified the suspension and styling. The engine compression was raised for 107 hp (80 kW), and the manual transmission had revised ratios. Shorter springs, special wheels and tires complemented stronger brakes and a quicker, 14:1, power steering rack. Outside, a new nose and racing stripes accented the performance image. The car received a free-flowing exhaust system, making for a more aggressive sound. The body kits, among other parts, were often shipped to dealerships along with the car to be put on after delivery. The reasoning behind this varied, but was said to speed delivery and compensate for ground clearance issues that the cars faced on many car carriers. Production was 8,251 for that first year. For 1984, the Shelby Charger could be ordered with an optional automatic transmission. There were 7,552 Shelby Chargers sold this model year. The high-output engine (now up to 110 hp (82 kW)) was also available in baseline Chargers and Turismos. These vehicles came in "Charger 2.2" and "Turismo 2.2" schemes, which included Shelby Charger side ground effects, an additional, skinnier, front ground effect (different from the Shelby Charger's due to the quad-headlight fascia), "2.2" decals, and an optional hood scoop. The MPFI/turbocharged Turbo I engine, commonly known as a "T1" was added for Dodge's 1985 Shelby Charger. This engine produced 146 hp (109 kW) and was changed from its first appearance in the Dodge Daytona Turbo during the previous year. A Garrett AiResearch T3 turbocharger and Chrysler/Bosch multiple-point fuel injection enabled the 2.2 L engine to produce the additional horsepower. A total of 7,709 Shelby Charg

Charger GLHS

Carroll Shelby purchased 1,000 of the last Dodge Shelby Chargers and converted them into GLHSs in his facility at Whittier, California. Every vehicle was built and optioned the same way. All were finished in black and had special badging that marked them as Shelby, not as a Dodge. This was a continuation of the Omni GLHS from the previous year. Shelby used the Turbo I engine updated with the intercooler and plumbing of the Turbo II engine, but without the stronger forged crank, full-floating pin pistons, and other durability enhancements of that engine. It has a blow-through long runner two-piece intake and a modified turbocharger, reclocked with a different compressor cover. They were rated at 175 hp (130 kW) and 175 lb⋅ft (237 N⋅m) of torque from 2400 to 4800 rpm. The Turbo II also received a stronger Getrag A555 five-speed manual transmission in place of the rod linkage A525, which was still fitted to the GLHS models. The suspension was upgraded with Koni adjustable struts/shocks and uprated Goodyear Eagle GT Z-rated tires. The Centurion 2 wheels were of Shelby's manufacture. A special sticker on the speedometer upped the readout to 125 mph (201 km/h). A special numbered Shelby Automotive badge went in place of the normal Charger badge. The modifications prompted the federal government to declare the car a Shelby model. No Dodge badges appear anywhere on the car, unlike its five-door L-body sibling, the GLH Omni, which does have the Dodge nameplate.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Dodge Charger (Chrysler L-body cars)

aka

Plymouth Turismo

Manufacturer

Dodge (Chrysler)

Production

October 1981–1987

Model years

1982–1987

Predecessor

Dodge 024 / Plymouth TC3, Dodge Charger (4th generation)

Class

Subcompact car

Body style

3-door fastback/hatchback

Successor

Dodge Shadow, Dodge Charger (6th generation)

Platform

L-body

Layout

Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive

Engine

1.6 L Peugeot 6J I4, 1.7 L VW EA827 I4, 2.2 L K I4, 2.2 L Turbo I I4, 2.2 L Turbo II I4

Transmission

4-speed Volkswagen manual, 5-speed A525 manual, 3-speed A413 automatic

Related

Dodge Omni, Dodge Rampage, Plymouth Horizon, Plymouth Scamp, Shelby GLHS, Talbot Horizon / Alpine / Solara (Europe)

Wheelbase

96.5 in

Length

174.8 in

Width

66.1 in

Height

50.7 in

Assembly

United States: Belvidere, Illinois (Belvidere Assembly)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1051245CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Charger_(1981)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1361615961 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plymouth_Duster_EEK.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Sfoskett~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

More from Dodge