Legends and Legacies: Movie Icon edition – Dodge Charger

(Image Source: alphacoders.com)

All was not well when the first Dodge Charger was introduced. The crowd had described the car as a “bland” fastback and sales did not take off with the lack of reception, Dodge had axed the model after a year to introduce a second generation.

The second generation that was introduced in 1968 carried minimal changes from the first generation with the same Chrysler B platform but somehow this new generation had taken off. Sales had increased and attention started turning the Charger’s way. Dodge made significant changes to the car as the generation ran from 1968 to 1970. (Image source: cdn.barrett-jackson.com)

But if you disagree to that statement and insist that the car had undergone massive change, you’re probably looking at the Dodge Charger Daytona, which the company had launched as a homologation special. Although the Charger Daytona had received more attention than even the normal second generation with the 5.2-litre V-eight engines but it is the 1968 Charger R/T that everybody had wanted.

R/T had stood for Road and Track, and this model utilises a 7.2-litre engine that gives a massive 375bhp output. The car was rear wheel drive, providing tyre burning lovers tons of wild handling fun especially off-road. It is also rumoured to have a recorded 0-96kph sprint of just six seconds beating out a number of Italian exoticas and all the way up to a top speed of 241kph. (Image Source: 3dtuning.com)

While the Charger might record phenomenal numbers, it isn’t the safest car with a 7.2-litre car thanks to only having two front disc brakes that were available as an option. This is not a car that encourages one to drive safe, even the four-speed gearbox was made for ultra-heavy-duty driving thanks to its manufacturer, Hurst.

The Charger comes with a myriad of options for every owner to pick and choose making every Charger a customised to the customers’ liking. The second generation’s design lasted all the way through to the third generation that was produced from 1971 to 1974. (Image Source: downshiftautos.wordpress.com)

American Muscle car enthusiasts loved the Charger and many owners would proceed to add in tons of changes to their cars. Perhaps the most common modified look came in the form of the The Fast and the Furious 1 car, you know, that car owned by Dominic Toretto’s father and sister said was cursed?

If you’ve always wanted to get up close and personal with Toretto’s car here’s your chance. While the car might be very commonly seen out and about overseas, in Malaysia, it’s not so. But there really is a Toretto car hiding somewhere on our lands, and we’ve caught it and invited it to a show at XLR8. That’s right! We’ve got the one and only 1968 Dodge Charger R/T right here on our grounds. Be sure to come over and check it out!

Jerrica Leong