1960s to early 70's Dodge Chargers and Challengers VS the current models. Which are better? (muscle car, 1989)

[WannaliveinGreenville]

Originally Posted by Deez Nuttz

The 1968-1970 Charger was by far the best looking Charger. The 1968-1970 Charger is nothing short of a car well designed with very nice body lines and sex appeal like you wouldn't believe. The 1971-1974 models are ok looking, though I think the windows on the 1973-1974 look the best. All other years of the Charger I could care less for, including the first 2 years.

The new Chargers are nothing but a disgrace on the Charger name. I'm sure they probably handle much better than the older Charger, but they are butt ugly as sin and look like something an old fart on viagra would drive. Should have at least gave it a new name instead of resurrecting an old name.

The 1970-1974 Challenger is better looking, the 1970 and 1971 models the best. The new Challenger leaves a lot on the table in the looks department. Not only outside but inside too. If Chrysler would make them a little smaller, the roof a little more slanted and make them lighter, and not have such a plasticy toy car interior, but keep all else they'd have a hit on their hands IMO.

Would be nice if a Chrysler exec were to read this, take a clue and produce something a little better. But they won't because they don't care.

I had a 71 Challenger , lime green 440 Mag
( not that I am crazy about lime green but left it that color)

[Merc63]

Car companies spend a lot of money on names, and if they don't use them, they lose them (as Ford found out when they couldn't use Futura anymore, as Pep Boys brought out a tire with that name after Ford stopped using it on cars in the US). The Charger then, was simply a way of keeping around an iconic name.

So it has 4 doors. It's still V8, RWD with as much performance as most old Chargers (most of them were NOT hemi or 440 powered beasts, but 318 and slant 6 powered...), and hey, at least it's not a FWD, 4 cyl econobox like it became in the '80s...



The Challenger is a great boulevardier, a muscular cruiser. ALL cars weigh more than they used to, due to NVH and crash regs, and I daily drive a 740iL that's heavier. Not an issue for me, considering it's not supposed to be a lightweight sports car or economy car. Let it be a heavyweight bruiser. Does it's job well and STILL out handles, outbrakes the original while providing more safety, better emissions, and damn near equal power to the most badass versions of the old car, while still being able to be driven everyday. No carbs, no points, etc. While the new Mustang is a better all around performance car, the Challenger's performance envelope is still way more than is useable on the street (and it holds it's own even at a road race track, unlike the originals), and I think it looks better (though I like the Mustang a lot, too)

Make mine a Plum Crazy R/T Classic and I'll daily drive the heck out of it with a huge grin on my face.

[Blackandgold51]

Originally Posted by Merc63

Car companies spend a lot of money on names, and if they don't use them, they lose them (as Ford found out when they couldn't use Futura anymore, as Pep Boys brought out a tire with that name after Ford stopped using it on cars in the US). The Charger then, was simply a way of keeping around an iconic name.

So it has 4 doors. It's still V8, RWD with as much performance as most old Chargers (most of them were NOT hemi or 440 powered beasts, but 318 and slant 6 powered...), and hey, at least it's not a FWD, 4 cyl econobox like it became in the '80s...



The Challenger is a great boulevardier, a muscular cruiser. ALL cars weigh more than they used to, due to NVH and crash regs, and I daily drive a 740iL that's heavier. Not an issue for me, considering it's not supposed to be a lightweight sports car or economy car. Let it be a heavyweight bruiser. Does it's job well and STILL out handles, outbrakes the original while providing more safety, better emissions, and damn near equal power to the most badass versions of the old car, while still being able to be driven everyday. No carbs, no points, etc. While the new Mustang is a better all around performance car, the Challenger's performance envelope is still way more than is useable on the street (and it holds it's own even at a road race track, unlike the originals), and I think it looks better (though I like the Mustang a lot, too)

Make mine a Plum Crazy R/T Classic and I'll daily drive the heck out of it with a huge grin on my face.

Now I like this one!

Including the rims because it's still a classic look although I would rather have the rims a little small but atleast is not like the overstyled big rims like the ones they have on them rap videos.

[Merc63]

Originally Posted by Blackandgold51

Now I like this one!

Including the rims because it's still a classic look although I would rather have the rims a little small but atleast is not like the overstyled big rims like the ones they have on them rap videos.

I think they are perfectly proportioned.





But then again, my daily driver has 19" wheels.

[iTsLiKeAnEgG]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

we finally agree, egg!

What can I say, sometimes the stars align just right.

[frankgn87]

I do admit that I like the Challengers more then the Camaros...

[NHDave]

Originally Posted by Blackandgold51

I agree.

The current Charger just doesn't look like aDodge Charger(especially with having 4-Doors instead of 2)...to me it looks like an Intrepid which the makers at Dodge should've call them.

And as for todays HEMI Engine it's not the same engines as they were way back then, especially since Benz(when Chrysler was merged with Benz) had hands in production of the HEMI.

The only thing I like about the HEMI(although I somewhat like the performance) is the fact that it has a Mult-Displacement System, which the Engine can shut down it's 2 Cylinders and go from a V8 to a V6 depending on speed or by via switch resulting in better fuel efficiany/gas mileage.

Everyones entitled to opinions, myself I love the current Charger design.
MDS shuts down 4 cylinders, not 2.

[Blackandgold51]

Originally Posted by Merc63

I think they are perfectly proportioned.





But then again, my daily driver has 19" wheels.

I hope Dodge come out with a Challenger that haves a vinyl top.

[WannaliveinGreenville]

Originally Posted by Merc63

Car companies spend a lot of money on names, and if they don't use them, they lose them (as Ford found out when they couldn't use Futura anymore, as Pep Boys brought out a tire with that name after Ford stopped using it on cars in the US). The Charger then, was simply a way of keeping around an iconic name.

So it has 4 doors. It's still V8, RWD with as much performance as most old Chargers (most of them were NOT hemi or 440 powered beasts, but 318 and slant 6 powered...), and hey, at least it's not a FWD, 4 cyl econobox like it became in the '80s...



The Challenger is a great boulevardier, a muscular cruiser. ALL cars weigh more than they used to, due to NVH and crash regs, and I daily drive a 740iL that's heavier. Not an issue for me, considering it's not supposed to be a lightweight sports car or economy car. Let it be a heavyweight bruiser. Does it's job well and STILL out handles, outbrakes the original while providing more safety, better emissions, and damn near equal power to the most badass versions of the old car, while still being able to be driven everyday. No carbs, no points, etc. While the new Mustang is a better all around performance car, the Challenger's performance envelope is still way more than is useable on the street (and it holds it's own even at a road race track, unlike the originals), and I think it looks better (though I like the Mustang a lot, too)

Make mine a Plum Crazy R/T Classic and I'll daily drive the heck out of it with a huge grin on my face.

She is pretty ! I love purple ...

[WannaliveinGreenville]

Originally Posted by Merc63

Car companies spend a lot of money on names, and if they don't use them, they lose them (as Ford found out when they couldn't use Futura anymore, as Pep Boys brought out a tire with that name after Ford stopped using it on cars in the US). The Charger then, was simply a way of keeping around an iconic name.

So it has 4 doors. It's still V8, RWD with as much performance as most old Chargers (most of them were NOT hemi or 440 powered beasts, but 318 and slant 6 powered...), and hey, at least it's not a FWD, 4 cyl econobox like it became in the '80s...



The Challenger is a great boulevardier, a muscular cruiser. ALL cars weigh more than they used to, due to NVH and crash regs, and I daily drive a 740iL that's heavier. Not an issue for me, considering it's not supposed to be a lightweight sports car or economy car. Let it be a heavyweight bruiser. Does it's job well and STILL out handles, outbrakes the original while providing more safety, better emissions, and damn near equal power to the most badass versions of the old car, while still being able to be driven everyday. No carbs, no points, etc. While the new Mustang is a better all around performance car, the Challenger's performance envelope is still way more than is useable on the street (and it holds it's own even at a road race track, unlike the originals), and I think it looks better (though I like the Mustang a lot, too)

Make mine a Plum Crazy R/T Classic and I'll daily drive the heck out of it with a huge grin on my face.

nm... posted twice...