Sixties muscle cars are the epitome of flash style and tire-shredding power, but some are certainly quicker than others. Although the '68 Dodge Charger 0-60 figure was OK for a car of its class, it's other qualities have elevated it above mere muscle car status. The most obvious of these are its stunning looks, which Car and Driver magazine described as having "sensuous brute appeal".
The sinuous 'coke bottle' look of the 1968 model was certainly the biggest improvement over its predecessor. The new car's long, low-slung look was sporty, but it was also elegant. It was a hit with the public who made it one of the best-selling cars of that year.
Product planners were expecting to sell in the region of 20,000, but the new car went on to rack up a staggering 96,000+ sales. To cope with demand, production levels at the Dodge plant in Hamtramck, Michigan was tripled. Chrysler Corp also added a Charger line at its plant in St Louis, Missouri. In total, the Charger accounted for an impressive sixteen percent of Dodge sales in the 1968 model year.
Style-wise, the Charger was certainly leading-edge, but at a mechanical level it was entirely conventional. Its standard power unit was a 318 small-block V8, with two big-block units, of 383 and 440 cubic inches, respectively, also available. Optional, was Chrysler's legendary 426 'hemi' V8 boasting an impressive 425 horsepower and 490 lb.ft of torque. Its appeal however was limited to dedicated racers and enthusiasts and only 467 of these hand-built semi-race units were made.
A new performance variant was also added to the lineup in 1968. The R/T (Road/Track) was an option pack that featured a high-performance version of Chrysler's 440 V8. It also included heavy duty brakes and suspension, a dual exhaust set-up and wide tires. This variant proved successful making up some twenty-one percent of 1968 sales.
Customers had a wide range of optional extras to add to their new car, including front seat head restraints, front and rear shoulder belts, padded center console, a vinyl roof and rear window de-fogger. They could also choose from 17 exterior and 6 interior colors. For the automatic transmission selector they could choose between a column or floor-mounted device.
Having been such a strong seller, Chrysler's management decided to keep the Charger mostly unchanged through to the 1969 model year. Minor updates were made to the interior and exterior trim, and the V8 engine options were as before. They did however add a six-cylinder variant as a lower-priced entry-level model, although this sold poorly and is now a rarity.
The first major re-style came in the 1971 model year when a completely new design was unveiled. This new-look car was shorter and lighter than its predecessor, and also cost less, starting at just over $2,700. This lower price helped sales get back up over 80,000, but this year really marked the beginning of the end for the Charger. New safety and emissions rules kicked in the following year which meant the car's glory days as a performance car were over.
The sinuous 'coke bottle' look of the 1968 model was certainly the biggest improvement over its predecessor. The new car's long, low-slung look was sporty, but it was also elegant. It was a hit with the public who made it one of the best-selling cars of that year.
Product planners were expecting to sell in the region of 20,000, but the new car went on to rack up a staggering 96,000+ sales. To cope with demand, production levels at the Dodge plant in Hamtramck, Michigan was tripled. Chrysler Corp also added a Charger line at its plant in St Louis, Missouri. In total, the Charger accounted for an impressive sixteen percent of Dodge sales in the 1968 model year.
Style-wise, the Charger was certainly leading-edge, but at a mechanical level it was entirely conventional. Its standard power unit was a 318 small-block V8, with two big-block units, of 383 and 440 cubic inches, respectively, also available. Optional, was Chrysler's legendary 426 'hemi' V8 boasting an impressive 425 horsepower and 490 lb.ft of torque. Its appeal however was limited to dedicated racers and enthusiasts and only 467 of these hand-built semi-race units were made.
A new performance variant was also added to the lineup in 1968. The R/T (Road/Track) was an option pack that featured a high-performance version of Chrysler's 440 V8. It also included heavy duty brakes and suspension, a dual exhaust set-up and wide tires. This variant proved successful making up some twenty-one percent of 1968 sales.
Customers had a wide range of optional extras to add to their new car, including front seat head restraints, front and rear shoulder belts, padded center console, a vinyl roof and rear window de-fogger. They could also choose from 17 exterior and 6 interior colors. For the automatic transmission selector they could choose between a column or floor-mounted device.
Having been such a strong seller, Chrysler's management decided to keep the Charger mostly unchanged through to the 1969 model year. Minor updates were made to the interior and exterior trim, and the V8 engine options were as before. They did however add a six-cylinder variant as a lower-priced entry-level model, although this sold poorly and is now a rarity.
The first major re-style came in the 1971 model year when a completely new design was unveiled. This new-look car was shorter and lighter than its predecessor, and also cost less, starting at just over $2,700. This lower price helped sales get back up over 80,000, but this year really marked the beginning of the end for the Charger. New safety and emissions rules kicked in the following year which meant the car's glory days as a performance car were over.
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