Dodge · 1966–present

Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger is a model of automobile marketed by Dodge in various forms over eight generations since 1966. The first Charger was a show car in 1964. The Charger nameplate was applied to a special trim version of the 1965 Dodge Dart compact with 273 cu in (4.5 L) V8 engines. A 1965 Charger II concept car resembled the 1966 production version. In the United States, the Charger nameplate has been used on mid-size cars, personal luxury coupes, subcompact hatchbacks, and full-size sedans.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Dodge Charger 1981

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Background

The 1966 Charger was an effort by Dodge to produce an upscale, upsized pony car. American Motors Corporation (AMC) had already introduced a very similar vehicle in 1965, the Rambler Marlin, which was positioned as a personal car, an emerging market niche. Demand for larger specialty cars was rapidly increasing. Mercury was successful in its execution when it introduced the upscale Cougar, a larger and more refined version of the Ford Mustang that pioneered the pony car concept when it was introduced in 1964. General Motors was fielding specialty models across all its nameplates. The first generation Charger included high-trim and comfort features, positioned as a luxurious fastback hardtop. It was aimed at the segment that included the Oldsmobile Toronado and Ford Thunderbird rather than as a muscle car.

First generation: 1966–1967

The Charger was introduced in the mid-1966 model year. Derived from the Chrysler B-body intermediate-sized Dodge Coronet, it shared major components like the chassis and much of the two-door Coronet's front body with a fastback roofline following the pattern set by AMC's 1965 Marlin. Similar to the positioning of the Marlin, the Charger was a more substantial car focused on more mature buyers because "Pony cars, the implication ran, were for kids." The fastback styling was popular with Corvette and Mustang buyers. The Charger's interior featured four bucket seats with a center console that went to the back seats and had "race-inspired" instrument gauges. The front fascia introduced hidden headlights behind a full-width grille and a "wall-to-wall" taillamp design. The base engine was a 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 with a three-speed manual transmission, while automatic and floor-mounted manual transmissions were optional. Larger and more powerful engines were available up to the 426 cu in (7.0 L) Hemi V8. Positioned as a sporty luxury model, the first generation Chargers saw low interest among buyers. The cars' front and rear overhang made the fastback design look tall, especially given its relatively narrow track dimensions (the distance between the centreline of two wheels on the same axle). Adapting a pony car-sized fastback roofline to intermediate-sized cars was not attractive, "with pundits pointing to the similar fate of AMC's Marlin to support the theory." A total of 37,344 Chargers were sold the first year and only 15,788 for the 1967 model year.

Second generation: 1968–1970

The Charger was redesigned for 1968 with a "less daring" body, a six-cylinder engine, simplified interior layout, and a conventional trunk. Dodge planned 35,000 units for production, but demand was high, and 96,100 Chargers were built. Based on the Chrysler B platform, the 1968 through 1970 model years had cosmetic changes to the exterior and interior. These included going from twin round tail lights to broad horizontal units and adding a horizontal trim to the grille. The powertrains were carried over from 1967, with the 225 cu in (3.7 L) slant-6 available in mid-1968. The 1968 Charger was unsuccessful in stock car racing, such as NASCAR. A more aerodynamic shape formed the Charger 500 model, later followed by the 1969 Charger Daytona. The 1970 Charger won the most NASCAR races that year, helping Bobby Isaac claim the championship. The Dukes of Hazzard television series made the second-generation Dodge Chargers familiar to the American public.

Third generation: 1971–1974

The third generation Charger was introduced for the 1971 model year. Chrysler's B platform was modified to meet new emissions and safety regulations. Available in six different packages with cosmetic changes, including a split grille, semi-fastback rear window, and a ducktail spoiler. The 1973 and 1974 Chargers were similar to the 1971s, with minor differences in the grille and headlamps. The 1973 and 1974 Chargers also featured new quarter windows, which were larger and shaped differently than those on the 1971 and 1972 models. The increase in sales was primarily due to the elimination of the Dodge Coronet two-door, which meant Dodge offered the two-door intermediate-size body style only as the Charger (although the Coronet two-door would reappear in 1975). The name Charger was also used in Brazil as a performance model based on the Dart (A-Body) (1971–1980).

Fourth generation: 1975–1978

The 1975 model year Charger continued as a B-body car and was restyled in an effort by Dodge to move the model into the growing personal luxury car market segment. It shared a body with the new Chrysler Cordoba. For 1976, the former Coronet coupes were rebranded Charger and Charger Sport. A Daytona model was added featuring stripes that ran along the length of the car. In 1978, Dodge added the Magnum to that segment.

Fifth generation: 1981–1987

The Charger returned in 1981 as a front-wheel drive subcompact hatchback coupe with a five-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transmission. This economy-type model was similar to the Dodge Omni 024, but slightly larger. The Charger was available with a normally aspirated 2.2 L SOHC engine or a turbocharged version. Unlike in the Dodge Daytona, the turbo was available only with the manual transmission. A Shelby Charger was marketed starting in 1983, with a turbo version available in 1984, rated at 142 hp (106 kW; 144 PS) at 5600 rpm and 160 lb⋅ft (217 N⋅m) of torque at 3200 rpm. The engine was not intercooled and used a small t3 Garrett turbo. In 1985, the electronics were updated, allowing for an increase in boost pressure. As a result, output was increased by 4-horsepower (3 kW; 4 PS). In 1987, the intercooler-equipped 2.2L Turbo II engine was included with the Shelby-built Charger GLHS. These were the last 1,000 L-body Chargers built, with power increased to 175 hp (130 kW; 177 PS) and 175 lb⋅ft (237 N⋅m) of torque with the intercooler as well as a two-piece intake manifold, larger injectors and throttle body, as well as a Shelby-tuned ECM.

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

Manufacturer

Dodge

Production

1966–1978, 1981–1987, 2005–present

Model years

1966–1978, 1982–1987, 2006–present

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). 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/Q669856CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_ChargerCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377846826 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:24_Dodge_Charger_Daytona_RT.jpgCC0 · Photo: HJUdall · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.dodge.com/charger.htmlLink only; no content copied · 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.

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