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Dodge 600


600
Vehicle Model

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Wikipedia: Dodge 600

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A small car produced by Dodge for 1983-1988.

History

The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Dodge 600 page on 28 April 2016, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

The Dodge 600 is a luxury car that was built by Dodge. It was introduced in 1982, as a 1983 model, as a small mid-size car on the Chrysler E platform and was discontinued after the 1988 model year. It was Chrysler's answer to the GM A-body, whereas the M-body Dodge Diplomat would compete with full-size cars. It replaced the 400. (Dodge 600 coupes and convertibles were, essentially, rebadged 400s.) Like the preceding 400, it slotted between the Aries and Diplomat.

Debut

The 600 was intended to be Dodge's answer to the European sedans of the day. Its numerical name and rear-end styling was designed to evoke thoughts of Mercedes-Benz models, however it fell more in line with North American contemporaries such as the Chevrolet Celebrity, Pontiac 6000 and the Ford Fairmont (the 600 actually resembled the Dodge Mirada more than any European car). It debuted as a four-door sedan, available in two trims: Base and ES ("Euro Sport"). Power was provided by Chrysler's 2.2 L 4-cylinder engine, with the Mitsubishi-built 2.6 L 4-cylinder available as an option.

Sales of the 600 nearly doubled in its second year. This was in large part due to the addition of the former 400's coupe and convertible body styles to the 600's range (which continued to stay on the K platform). Like most midrange-to-upscale K-car derivatives, digital dashboards and the Electronic Voice Alert were options.

ES Turbo

Mid-way into 1984 Dodge introduced a sporty new "ES Turbo" package for convertibles. It featured Chrysler's new 2.2 L 142 hp (106 kW) Turbocharged engine (which also became an option on sedans and coupes) and a special sport-tuned "ES" suspension. The interior came with standard leather seats, digital dashboard, and four-spoke steering wheel (redesigned in 1985). Visual exterior cues differentiate ES models from base convertibles by way of blacked-out trim (replacing much of the chrome), 15-inch "pizza" style aluminum wheels, "ES" decklid badges, Turbo fender badges, and functioning dual hood vents.

Sales of the ES Turbo were initially slow, with only 1786 copies being sold for the 1984 model year. Output increased to 5621 for 1985, then eased to 4759 for 1986, after which the model was discontinued along with all 600 convertibles. Base price for the 1986 ES Turbo convertible was $14,856.

Midlife changes

Several changes were made to the 600 in 1985. The 600 sedan was moved to a longer wheelbase and the former base and ES trims were dropped, replaced by a new SE trim. This was due in part to the new Lancer, which would have competed directly with the 600 (the 5-speed manual transmission was no longer offered as well, in an attempt to keep competition between the Lancer and 600 to a minimum). The coupe and convertible remained relatively unchanged except for minor trim and interior changes. The only significant advancement was the replacement of the 2.2 L engine's two-barrel Holley electronic feedback carburetor by an electronic throttle-body fuel injection system.

The sedan's base trim returned in 1986, while all 600s were given new, restyled front and rear fascias (the front in particular adopted the now familiar "crosshair" grille, dropping the Mirada-inspired horizontal slats). The 2.6 L engine was replaced by a larger 2.5 L version of the Chrysler 2.2 L.

End of production

The phase out of the 600 started in 1987 with the coupe and convertible versions being dropped that year. The sedan would only last another year, ending production in 1988. The 600 was replaced by the 1988 Dynasty (badged as a Chrysler in Canada, whereas the Canadian successor is the Dodge Spirit).


Documents

DateDocument Name & DetailsDocuments
8 April 2008Federal-Mogul Corporation: Part 573.6 Notitication
From: Glen Parker, Federal Mogul Corporation
To: Recall Management Division, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 323KB - 3 pages
8 April 2008NHTSA Recall 08E033000
Carquest K7147, Carquest K7329, MasterPro K8683, Moog K7147, Moog K7329, One Source K8683, Parts Depot K8683, Parts Master K8683, Treadsaver K8683, TRW 104353, 1984 Chrysler E Class, 1984-1986 Chrysler Laser, 1984-1990 Chrysler LeBaron, 1984-1988 Chrysler New Yorker, 2001-2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, 1989-1990 Chrysler TC, 1990 Chrysler Town and Country, 1984-1988 Dodge 600, 1984-1989 Dodge Aries, 1984-1990 Dodge Caravan, 1984-1987 Dodge Charger, 1984-1990 Dodge Daytona, 1988-1990 Dodge Grand Caravan, 1985-1989 Dodge Lancer, 1984-1988 Dodge Mini Ram Van, 2000-2005 Dodge Neon, 1984-1990 Dodge Omni, 1984 Dodge Rampage, 1987-1990 Dodge Shadow, 1989-1990 Dodge Spirit, 1995-2000 Ford Contour, 1999-2002 Mercury Cougar, 1995-2000 Mercury Mystique, 1989-1990 Plymouth Acclaim, 1985-1988 Plymouth Caravelle, 1988-1990 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 1984-1990 Plymouth Horizon, 2000-2001 Plymouth Neon, 1984-1989 Plymouth Reliant, 1987-1990 Plymouth Sundance, 1985 Plymouth Turismo, 1984-1990 Plymouth Voyager
SuspensionNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Recall Page - 1 page
24 April 2008Ball Joint Recall Attachment A
Ball Joint Affected Date Codes and Applications
Federal Mogul
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 57KB - 1 page
2 May 2008Campaign #08E-033
From: Joe Stephan, Federal-Mogul Corporation
To: Distributors
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 70KB - 2 pages
5 May 2008Aftermarket Ball Joint Assemblies
From: George H. Person, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
To: Glen Parker, Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 121KB - 3 pages
21 July 2008Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information
Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 51KB - 1 page
October 2008Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information
Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 14KB - 1 page
January 2009Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information
Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 28KB - 1 page
4 February 2009From: George H. Person, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
To: Glen Parker, Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 43KB - 1 page
April 2009Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information
Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 25KB - 1 page
July 2009Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information
Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 36KB - 1 page
October 2009Equipment Safety Recall Quarterly Report Information
Federal Mogul Corporation
NHTSA Recall 08E033000

PDF
- 43KB - 1 page





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