Maybe One of the Lesser Known Chargers
The Dodge Charger has seen 7 generations of design changes in total (10 if you include the concept cars and oversea models). It’s even been temporarily discontinued and then resurrected semi-recently in a triumphant and rather popular return – with some noticeable ties to it roots. Step with me now through the years of the life of my favourite muscle car of all time, the Dodge Charger. I’ll be covering this segment in 10 parts – one post for each of the generations/styles/models.
1964 Dodge Charger Roadster Concept
And now for my “something new learned”…did you know there was a Charger Concept car made in 1964 before the first generation production line in 1966? I guess, in retrospect, I’m not that surprised. It is typical of auto manufactures to showcase a concept prior to its release, especially if it’s an inaugural product line. But I’ve never seen one before, even in pictures….until now. I’m so glad I’ve researched the history of this car again – what a beauty, don’t you think? It has some resembling features of the batmobile!
1964 Dodge Charger Concept – Front View
1964 Dodge Charger Concept – Rear View
The headlights remind me of a 1964 Dodge Polara – which, if I’m not mistaken, this concept was built upon this frame as a starting-point. But the signal lights above them (see the Chrysler emblem?), the interesting front bumper details on the smooth, tailored valance and the intake are features that never made it to the Charger production lines, but are, I think, a unique and pleasing feature. You can see the emergence of the sunken front grill concept that would make it onto several of the generations, although this particular model is only slightly sunken. The rear taillights, again demonstrates resemblance to the Polara (I wonder if they act in a cascade fashion when they are used for signalling a turn?) with the addition of the same bumper style and smooth rear valance as the front and a slightly more sleek and streamline body. And how much bigger can you make a truck?! OMG, that is HUGE! I’ll have to see if I can find-out how big it actually is 🙂
Milled Exhaust Tips and Wheel-Spinner
The grill-style exhaust pipe, protruding from each side of the car, just before the rear wheels, out of the ccustom-manicured body holes are just dead-nuts gorgeous! Even though, they’re probably not functional (I believe I see some Polara tailpipe exiting out the back of the car, but have been shortened); but I’ve read some posts that suggest that the exhaust actually might be “switchable” to use standard dual-muffler for street use. The wheel-spinners add a nice, tasteful touch to an otherwise stock-looking 14″ rim.
Cockpit View
The cockpit is clearly race and/or fighter-jet inspired. I LOVE low-profile windshield, the deep separated individual bucket seat, the alloy footplate and the head-rests built into the roll-bar. The position of the shifter, large polished aluminum steering wheel and 8K tachometer suggests that they wanted this car to be a drivers’ experience and what a stylish touch with the “peak-a-boo” body element surrounded by the padded inner door panel.
Under the Hood – Hemi Baby!
The Good ‘ol Emblem
Lots of space under this hood, but the engine compartment is just stuffed with a massive 426 Hemi big block and although it is shown here with a single 4-barrel carburetor, I believe I read that the hood scoop can support a twin 4-barrel setup – serious muscle and not surprising given the size of that scoop! The spring-loaded hood-mount setup is uber-familiar – if I’m not mistaken, I’d venture a guess that they’ve carried this particular piece through a number of Chrysler production lines, not just the Charger; heck I’ll bet they’re identical to the one used on my car – sure look like it anyways.
And lastly we see the iconic Charger emblem posted prominently on the roll-bar – nice to see its roots all the way back to the concept car, and seemingly unchanged for generations of Chargers to come after it.
This was a great way to start this step through the Dodge Charger history. Although my personal preference is to the late 60s version of this “B-body”, the stylings, power-plant and attention to details on this concept car is certainly nothing to scoff-at – and with fetching a reported $1M+ at the latest auction that one of these came-up, it’s clear that others think so as well!
I’d be super interested to learn of your opinion, and the opinion of others on the internet. Please submit your preference to the polling question below – a run-time tally will be kept to see what the “winning” generation will be!