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Though the Dodge Charger is often thought of as one of the classic muscle cars,
it has had a spotty history. First introduced in 1964, the Charger was a
roadster that was often used as a show car and did not see much road time.
Later, in 1966 a mass production model was unveiled and continued through 1978.
This is the model that was portrayed as "General Lee" in the hit television
series The Dukes of Hazzard. Dodge stopped production of the model from 1978
through 1983 due to poor sales and an increased interest in models with greater
fuel efficiency. A complete reinvention of the model was developed in the 1980s,
but was generally poorly received. This hatchback version seemed almost like an
insult to the original muscle version of the model. In 2007, Dodge reintroduced
the Charger to the American public, and longtime enthusiasts were pleased with
the contemporary adaptation. Taking style cues from its original edition, the
new models are the modern muscle car.
For the Charger's first mass production model year it was available with four
different engine options. The 383 cid V8 being the base model, and the 426 cid
V8 as the higher performance version. In 1968, Dodge created the Charger 500 for
racing use; however, the model failed to win any significant races. The 1970
Charger model was available with a number of bold colors like Top Banana,
Sublime, and Plum Crazy. In 1971, a 440 cid V8 engine was introduced, and a low
compression version of the engine was available in 1972.
The most widely criticized adaptation of the Dodge Charger began in 1983, but
only stayed on the American auto market for five years. This hatchback model
took the place of the compact Dodge Omni in the maker's lineup and was fitted
with a base level 1.7L Peugeot I4. It was not until 2007 that the Charger
regained its tough, muscle car reputation. The latest variation features a base
level 2.7L V6 and a high-performance 6.1L HEMI V8.
Other than its appearance on The Dukes of Hazzard, the Dodge Charger has been
featured in many feature films and television shows. Prominently highlighted in
the film Bullitt, the Charger participated in a famous car chase. The vampire
action flick Blade also utilized the Charger and Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof
gave the model a leading part. A beat-up version of the model was used by David
Spade's character Joe Dirt in the movie of the same name. CSI, The Shield, and
NCIS have all used the contemporary versions of the model, while the Dixie
Chicks used the Charger in the video for their song Goodbye Earl.
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