Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Automotive News & Views Daimler's abuse of the Dodge Charger legacy.
659 messages, Last post on Jun 21, 2006 at 2:03 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
|
for the original '70-74 Challenger, and it looks like they were about 76" wide. In comparison, the '70+ Camaro and the "fat" '71-73 Mustangs were 74" wide. Interesting, considering back then the Mustang and Camaro were based on compact cars, while the Challenger and Barracuda were based on midsized cars, that the Challenger didn't end up that much fatter. These cars were pretty much rendered obsolete by the likes of the Demon/Duster, which were only around 72" wide, had smallblock V-8's that would run with the big boys (and often embarrass them), were more maneuverable, and roomier inside. Ford never really offered anything truly high-performance on the Maverick platform, although you could get them with a 302 V-8. Earlier versions of the Nova were incredibly hot, with engines like the hopped-up 327, 396, and 402. However, by 1971 the top engine was a 270 hp (gross, about 200 net) 350, and it only went downhill from there. Plus, a Nova was heavier than a Demon/Duster or Maverick, so it needed more cubes to move. I wonder if one reason they made the Charger concept so wide is to keep the proportioning? The original was 76" wide and about 192" long. So, since the new one is 198" long, perhaps it would have looked awkward if they kept it at the 74" width of the 300/Charger? Believe it or not, it might have actually made the car look bigger. One styling trick to make a car look bigger is actually to make it narrower. Sounds silly, but it tricks the eye into thinking the car is longer than it actually is. Until something else parks next to it to give you a true perspective of its real size.
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: andre1969 (Feb 24, 2006 5:20 am) Actually, the Duster was introduced in '70, the same year as a Challenger. And although the Challenger was a larger version of the also new Barracuda, the Duster was a continuation of the previous Barracuda (the 70 340 Duster used 69 Barracuda trim and interior instead of the Valiant parts used on lesser Dusters).
|
|
|
Replying to: ubbermotor (Feb 24, 2006 8:43 am) I had '68 Barracuda door panels in my '68 Dart for awhile. Almost a perfect fit, except that the rear panels were a bit too short. The Barracuda was on a 3-inch shorter wheelbase than my Dart hardtop, and all of that 3 inches was taken out of the back seat area. The seatback hid most of the gap created by the shorter rear interior panels, but you could still see it. |
|
|
Replying to: ubbermotor (Feb 21, 2006 10:11 am) trying to tell someone on another forum how to do this. Thanks for your help.
|
|
|
Replying to: xtec (Apr 28, 2006 8:35 pm) Then, when you're finished typing and post the message, the picture will show up. Now some websites such as Angelfire have blocking software, so if you try to post a pic from there, the image won't show up. And sometimes if you post a pic from a website that you have to log into to see, it won't show up either.
|
|
|
So now that it's gettting more common on the road, any new views on the new Charger? I find I really prefer it to the 300...the Charger's retro-inspired design seems more uniquely Chrysler compared with the (to my eyes anyway) look of the 300. True though that from the side, the new Charger seems way too long...I guess I'm still seeing the original coupe in my mind. It's the retro c-pillar that does it I think. |
|
|
Replying to: driftracer (Oct 16, 2004 8:34 pm) |
|
|
Replying to: andre1969 (May 01, 2006 6:56 am) not the best when it comes to computers. |
|
|
Group investigates outsourcing production of subcompact to be sold in America and overseas. http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060505/AUTO01/605050386/- 1148 Rocky |
|
|
I read somewhere that they are going to have a new engine for the Challeger to keep up with the 07 Mustang GT500.It will be a 6.8Hemi with 505 HP.Now that sounds nice. |
|
You are here:
Forums
Automotive News & Views Daimler's abuse of the Dodge Charger legacy.
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
