Dodge Charger – 1968-1970
The Dodge Charger from 1968 to 1970 was their second generation and arguably their best. The car was a pure version and a true display of American muscle. The Dodge Charger was intended to provide a sports car that fit into a certain niche. It was supposed to be larger than the Ford Mustang, but not quite as big as the monstrous Ford Thunderbird. This would allow the Charger to have an identity all its own.
Bad To the Bone
The Charger had a base model and an R/T option. The R/T option was standard with some big 7.2L Engines. Alternatively, you could opt for the 426 Hemi that was so popular and well produced by Chrysler and placed in a lot of their sports cars of the time. The front end of the Charger with the split grill was almost villainous to see out of the rear window. The Charger was chosen to be the Chrysler entry into NASCAR. 1969 even featured a Daytona version of the Charger with an immense spoiler and did look a lot like the upcoming Plymouth Superbird which replaced the Charger in NASCAR the following year.
So Fast… But Is It Furious Enough?
The 1970 Dodge Charger made a famous appearance in the Fast and Furious driven by Vin Diesel’s character Dominic Toretto. What seemed like a solid movie at the time has since become an international sensation and one of the highest grossing movies of all time. Dom’s Charger has become an icon and fans have flocked to copy his belief in the strength of American muscle. The movie franchise has given the Charger a whole new set of fans. It’s helped remind modern drivers that cars used to be fun and make you feel cool. You’re not going to get that feeling in a Prius or a Toyota RAV4.