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Dodge Challenger


Dodge Challenger

Challenger
Vehicle Model

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Wikipedia: Dodge Challenger

Subtopics
1st Generation - 3rd Generation

Page Sections
History
1978 Specifications
1982 Specifications
Photographs
A sporty coupe produced by Dodge.  The first Challenger was produced from 1970-1974.  It was followed up by the 1978-1983 model, which was a Mitsubishi Galant Lambda sold as a Dodge Challenger.  The third version of the Challenger began production with the 2008 model year, and it is a retro-styled modern version of the first generation Challenger.

History

The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Dodge Challenger page on 14 June 2016, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

The Dodge Challenger is the name of three different generations of American automobiles produced by Dodge. The Dodge Silver Challenger was produced from 1958 to 1959. From 1969 to 1974, the first generation Dodge Challenger pony car was built using the Chrysler E platform, sharing major components with the Plymouth Barracuda. The second generation, from 1978 to 1983, was a badge engineered Mitsubishi Galant Lambda. The third, and current generation, was introduced in early 2008 as a rival to the evolved fifth generation Ford Mustang and the fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro.

Dodge Silver Challenger (1958–1959)

The first car that carried the Challenger name was the introduction of a limited edition Dodge Silver Challenger Club Sedan to the 1959 full-sized Dodge Coronet (fourth generation) model line.[1]

The Silver Challenger came only in silver paint and exclusively on Chrysler's 217.4 in (5,520 mm) long two-door body style riding on a 122.0 in (3,100 mm) wheelbase. It was available with either the 230 cu in (3.8 L) "Getaway" L-head straight-six engine for $2,297, or powered by the 325 cu in (5.3 L) "Red Ram" V8 for $2,408.[1] This car was marketed for the spring selling season to the "new-car buyers who've been waiting to get the most for the least."[2] A column-shifted three-speed manual transmission was standard and an automatic was optional.

The 1959 Silver Challenger was marketed with extra features at no extra cost. These included premium white wall tires, full wheel covers, electric windshield wipers, as well as an upgraded interior with silver metallic vinyl and black "Manchu" fabric upholstery, dual arm rests and sun visors, as well as deep pile wall-to-wall carpeting.[2][3]

When the name lapsed Studebaker introduced its own Challenger model in 1964 which was an entry level version of the Studebaker Lark series.

Second generation (1978–1983)

The Challenger name was revived in 1978 for a version of the early Mitsubishi Galant Lambda coupe. It was known overseas as the Mitsubishi Sapporo/Scorpion and sold through Dodge dealers as a captive import. It was identical except in color and minor trim to the Plymouth Sapporo with the Dodge version emphasizing sportiness, with bright colors and tape stripes, while the Plymouth emphasized luxury, with more subdued trim. The cars were slightly restyled in 1981 with revised headlights and other minor cosmetic changes. Both cars were sold until 1983, until being replaced by the Conquest and Daytona.

The car retained the frameless hardtop styling of the old Challenger, but had smaller engines (inline-fours instead of the six and eight-cylinder engines of the old Challenger) and was a long way off in performance from its namesake. Nevertheless, it acquired a reputation as a reasonably brisk performer in its class, not least because of its available 2.6 L "Hemi" engine. Four-cylinder engines of this size had not usually been built due to inherent vibration, but Mitsubishi pioneered the use of balance shafts to help dampen this effect, and the Challenger was one of the first vehicles to bring this technology to the American market; it has since been licensed to many other manufacturers.



1978 Specifications

Chassis
Body Style5-passenger Coupe
Drivetrain
LayoutFront engine, rear drive
Exterior Dimensions
Length153.3"
Width66.0"
Height51.7"
Wheelbase99"
Ground Clearance5.7"
Track (F/R)54.0"/54.0"
Engine
TypeInline 4-cylinder
Displacement156 cu. in./2555cc/2.6L
Bore & Stroke3.59" x 3.86"
91.4mm x 98.0mm
Compression Ratio8.2:1
ValvetrainOverhead Camshaft (OHC)
MaterialsCast iron block, aluminum head
Construction5 main bearings
Fuel System2-barrel carburetor
Horsepower105hp @ 5000rpm
Torque139 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm
Oil Capacity4.8 quarts
Cooling System Capacity9.5 quarts
Transmission & Final Drive
Transmission5-speed manual
Final Drive Ratio3.3:1
Suspension & Steering
FrontIndepedent struts w/coil springs & stabilizer link
RearLive axle, coil spring, tube shocks, upper and lower control arms
SteeringRecirculating ball w/power assist
Turns, Lock-to-Lock3.5
Turning Circle, Curb-to-Curb16.7'
Brakes, Wheels & Tires
Front Brakes9.9" disc
Rear Brakes9.6" disc
Wheels14x5.5" aluminum alloy
Tires195/70 HR14 rayon/polyester tubeless radial
Tire Pressure (F/R)28 psi/28 psi
Weights & Capacities
Curb Weight2698 lbs.
Weight Distribution (F/R)1470 lbs./1228 lbs.
Fuel Capacity15.7 gallons
Trunk Capacity7.8 cu. ft.
Performance
0-30 mph4.6 seconds*
0-40 mph7.8 seconds*
0-50 mph10.1 seconds*
0-60 mph14.7 seconds*
0-70 mph20.2 seconds*
0-80 mph28.2 seconds*
Quarter Mile19.4 second @ 69.5 mph
30-0 mph37.3'*
60-0 mph186.0'*
Power to Weight Ratio25.6 lbs./horsepower
Economy
EPA Estimate24 mpg city/35 mpg highway
EPA Weighted Average28 mpg
Motor Trend 73-mile Test Loop29.2 mpg*
Price
Base Price$5,761
*=As tested by Motor Trend, July 1978

1982 Specifications

0-60 mph*12.1 seconds
80-0 mph*286 feet
Cornering Capability*0.730g
Interior Noise @ 70mph*73 dBA
Fuel Economy*21.5 mpg
*=Test conducted by Road & Track, March 1982 issue

Photographs

1971/2008 Dodge Challenger Indianapolis 500 Pace Car 1971/2008 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car
Built by Bob Deneen
Photo ©2011 Bill Crittenden
C.A.R.S. in Miniature February 2011 Meeting
February 12, 2011
View photo of 1971 & 2008 Dodge Challenger Indianapolis 500 Pace Car - 2,227KB
1971/2008 Dodge Challenger Indianapolis 500 Pace Car 1971/2008 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car
Built by Bob Deneen
Photo ©2011 Bill Crittenden
C.A.R.S. in Miniature February 2011 Meeting
February 12, 2011
View photo of 1971 & 2008 Dodge Challenger Indianapolis 500 Pace Car - 3,097KB
Second Generation Dodge Challenger by Mitsubishi Advertisement Second Generation Challenger by Mitsubishi
View Second Generation Dodge Challenger by Mitsubishi Advertisement - 18.6MB
Dodge Challenger Badge Featured Vehicle Image Mid-2011 to January 2012
Photo ©2008 Bill Crittenden
28KB
Dodge Challenger Concept Badge Featured Vehicle Image January 2012 to Current
Photo ©2006 Bill Crittenden
15KB





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