Dodge Charger Reviews

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.