The Dodge Challenger — an American Muscle Car Icon
Dodge has long maintained their reputation by releasing their most distinguished automobile yet, the SRT Hellcats. These beastly machines put out 707+ horsepower, never before seen in the Challenger models. Now I must go back in time to where these cars had been in their prime before I continue on to their present status as super mopars.
1970
Dodge had put out few other types of the Challenger in this year, the T/As, and convertibles along with hardtops having inline 6 engines. The others simply came standard with a V8, such as the standard hardtop, hardtop T/A, sports hardtop, convertible, the “special edition” hardtop R/T, and the convertible R/T. These Challengers made up to 290–425 hp, and it seemed the T/A made less horsepower than the convertible R/T. The 1970 Challengers, peculiarly the sportier models, usually came with 3 or 4 speed manual transmissions, but they were available with 3 speed automatic transmissions.
The T/As came with a fiberglass hood, and came with large air intakes. One could question why such sportier-looking muscles produced less horsepower than the convertibles that produced a whopping 425 HP. Though it may be due to the T/As having 340 V8s compared to the convertibles having 426 V8s.
1971
In 1971, the appearance of the Challenger had changed. A new grille, and taillight pattern had appeared, a “split” pattern of some kind. For these new model year Challengers, they used a 440 cubic inch V8. Models like the SE, and the T/A would not be put into production. The convertible R/Ts were not produced as much as the R/T hardtops.
1972
For the year of 1972, the Challenger’s appearance had once again changed. An all new grille pattern, and again the lights had changed. People had joked about the front look of the car resembling a “sad” face or a sad mouth. These made slightly less horsepower, numbering down to 240 HP. It was powered by a 340 cubic inch V8, and the “R/T” name would never appear in this model year of the Challenger.
The taillights were even more split than before. They were somewhat of a “dual” design. The reverse light was centered in the middle of one of the lights. Dodge had drastically changed their tailight designs, and for the 1972 Challenger, this was more unique than before.
1973
Now to Dodge’s final Challenger, the rallye. This was essentially the 1972 model, only that it retained the 1972’s tailight design, along with the grille, just being that a “mesh” style to it, and protruding bumper guards. The 1973 Challenger would be the last Challenger Dodge would make in America, in the second generation, it would then be called a “ Colt Challenger” but elsewhere outside of America, it would be known as a Mitsubishi Sapporo/Scorpion.
2008 — Dodge’s Comeback Year
At last Dodge had finally made their return to the legendary muscle car. It came into the 21st century with the old classic grille design, featuring a SRT badge at the front left, and an adorable smiling bumper grille. It was practically Dodge’s 21st century version of the original 1970 Dodge Challenger. It made 425 hp just like its grandfather, and was this time powered by a 6.1 L V8. This automobile went 0–60 mph in 4.9 secs, and it had Brembo 4 piston brakes to slow it down as it would sail down the road. The racing stripes were standard from the factory, and it used a Mercedes-Benz W211 E-Class 5-link rear suspension. These beauties came with the option of 4–5 speed automatic transmissions, or 6 speed manuals. There had not yet been R/T models, only in the following year would there be more models of the Challenger, SEs, R/Ts, and again the SRT8s. The “SXT” models were only available in Canada.
2009–2010
Dodge came out with V6 models, SEs and SXTs. The SEs were available throughout the country, and the SXTs only were available in the Canadian markets. They both came with 5 speed automatic transmissions, and produced 250 hp. As for the R/T models, they were powered by 5.7 L Hemi V8s. The R/Ts came with either 5 speed automatic transmissions, or 6 speed manual transmissions.
There were no T/As, also in the following year.
2011–2014
The SE and SE Rallye models had received new V6 engines, 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engines. They produced 305 hp, much more horsepower than the 2009–2010 models. These model year SRT8 Challengers received new 6.4-liter Hemi V8s, and produced 470 hp, 45 more than the 2008’s 425.
From 2009 and up until 2014, the same models, SEs, SXTs, SRT8s, and R/Ts would continue to be produced. Notice that the “T/A” models would no longer be produced from 2009–2014. If you were to see T/A styling on a 2009–2014 Challenger, it is modified. Also, the signature Dodge Ram badge was no longer featured on Challengers from 2011-present. There were various styles among different models of the Challengers.
The SEs and SXTs had no stripes of any kind. As for the R/Ts and SRT8s, they were the only models to have stripe patterns. On the R/Ts, two strips ran from the two letters, to the rest of the exterior. For the SRT8s, twin racing stripes ran from the rear of the car, to the front hood. These were mainly inspired by original designs, especially the R/T. The 1970 Dodge Challenger did not have a stripe running along the body of the car, but had a “T” symbol on the hood.
Some have even put aftermarket parts, such as spoilers, to give them a more “aesthetic” look. You can see in this image, the tailight also seems to be modified. A black line runs from the center reverse light, to the rest of the light at a certain length. Keep in mind that Dodge took the tailight design from the original 1970 Challenger.
2015 — Dodge’s Preeminent Year
The car that brought Dodge to even larger prominence. It was the embodiment of what a muscle car should be, it was the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. Its signature whine, and devilish exhaust notes, it was truly a monster in sheep’s clothing. Equipped with a supercharged HEMI 6.2 L V8, it was an prodigious muscle car. And of course Dodge had to give the rest a 6 speed manual transmission, I mean, paddle shifters cannot be equivalent to the thrill of slamming a shifter from one gear to another, it would simply be heavenly. The new Challenger had its tailights inspired from the original 1971 model, as the previous model year cars used a tailight design inspired from the 1970 Challenger. The grille also took inspirations from the 1971 model.
The Challenger Hellcat as of this current date remains as Dodge’s most astonishing automobile. It is one the most highly sought after muscle cars in the country. Many wish to sit in the glamorous interior of the machine, to go on and to start its monstrous engine, to put it into drive, then to accelerate to great speeds down a long stretch of road, to be pushed back into the seat while being subjected to great G forces.
The Challenger Hellcat is purely the best Challenger Dodge has ever created. From the appearance to its performance, they are all key aspects to admiring this mighty car. So many wish to buy it, yet they are obstructed from purchasing it by its high price.
Dodge also brought back the T/A Challenger. The T/A would not have side exhausts like the original, and it would not yet be released.
The T/As would come standard with 6 speed manual transmissions, though if desired, they could be purchased with the new 8 speed automatic transmissions. The T/A 6 speed manual is priced at $37,640, and even has 2% more horsepower. For the T/A 8 speed automatic, it is priced at $39,235, with slightly less horsepower. The price is higher in combination of less horsepower, you get the same car, nevertheless it would be wiser to get the car cheaper, but everyone has different tastes, I myself would not be much inclined to getting a manual transmission Challenger.
2018 Dodge Challenger Demon — The most powerful Challenger in Dodge’s History
This was far more powerful than the Hellcat. It made 840 HP and was powered by a 6.2 L V8. The hood intake is fully functional, and it noted for being the most powerful muscle car in history.
Other (2015-present) Challenger Models
Dodge put out many models of the Challengers in the years following 2015. Many “pluses” such as the SXT plus, R/T plus, R/T plus shaker, and the T/A plus. These models had varying prices compared to the original models.
They also unleashed their 2019 Dodge Challenger Redeye. It features two intake hood scoops, and the hellcat’s eyes being red. It makes 797 horsepower. It is speculated that this Challenger Hellcat was made to rival Ford’s new Mustang Shelby GT500
In media and film
The Challenger was featured in many films, TV Shows, and video games.
In the 1971 film “Vanishing Point” a delivery driver known as Kowalski is tasked to deliver the car to San Francisco, CA, by Monday.
In the 2011 ubisoft video game “Driver: San Francisco” the main character, John Tanner, drives a yellow 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T six pack. It has two strips running from the hood, to the rear trunk of the car.
In the American-Horror drama television series “The Walking Dead” in the second episode of season one, a character known as Glenn uses a Dodge Challenger to distract the walkers. It is red, and it feature two thin black stripes running from the hood, to the rear trunk. It also has a “R/T” like stripe featured on both sides of the car.
In another American television series “NCIS” a character known as Jethro Gibbs, occasionally drives a yellow 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T. The grille’s surroundings is in a color scheme of white instead of a traditional black.
In NCIS: Los Angeles, characters G and Sam are known to use a 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT 392 for their work.
The Dodge Challenger remains as one of the most iconic muscle cars in American automotive history. It lurks around many corners, it has a menacing look, and it is a grand muscle car. There are many options to choose from, you could get a v6, or a large powerful V8. You could get the old 1970, or the new 2018 Challenger. If you desire, you could be among the many happy owners of a Challenger Hellcat.
The Challenger holds a lengthy legacy as an magnificent American muscle car. A friend, or your grandfather may have driven one. Wherever in America you may be, you would be caught by surprise by that beast, or creature. Dodge’s Challenger is one of the best muscle cars you could buy. And of course, Europe has them too, because the world couldn’t get enough of it. Do not forget this, by sitting in the driver’s seat of a Dodge Challenger, you are sitting in the seat of an American muscle icon.
~George
