Dodge Challenger - The First Generation

Dodge Challenger - The First Generation

With all the hullabaloo about the 2009 Dodge Challenger, Dodgepedia felt it was time to give homage to the original Challenger and all its folklore.

Dodge’s Challenger first appeared on dealer lots in 1970, in response to the popularity of such models at the Mercury Cougar, Ford Mustang and Plymouth Barracuda. Many of the exterior elements were based off concepts from the 1966 Dodge Charger. Under the hood, it was a different story - at the time, one could take home an R/T edition (meaning Road and Track) with a Magnum V8 and 335 horsepower - maybe a bit too much for a trip to the grocery store, but in a pre-inflation world (where gas wasn’t engulfing the majority of your paycheck) it was great to plow down your town’s main boulevard on a Saturday night.

1970 Dodge Challenger

1970 Dodge Challenger 

1970 Dodge Challenger

1974 Dodge Challenger

In 1971 the cult-classic Vanishing Point showcased a dazzling array of car stunts, a breathtaking soundtrack and enough engine revs to make any motor-head’s …well… head spin. Both movie and automobile star became ingrained in American pop-culture.

Vanishing Point

1971 Dodge Challenger

“Lucy” 

Today, car makers are focusing their designs on both new age materials, safety and the ideas of yesterday’s classic automobile. If Dodge’s 2009 Challenger becomes successful, it will most likely be one of the early contenders in a race to create (or re-create) the best new “classic” muscle car.

Dodge Challenger 1970 & 2008

One Response to “Dodge Challenger - The First Generation”

  1. A stylish classic car that must be treasured for remembrance sake. I think, this car have been good when we speak of its performance.

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