About Dodge Challenger Cars

Dodge Challenger Car Review

The Dodge Challenger is the name of three different generations of automobiles marketed by the Dodge division of Chrysler.

The first car that carried the Challenger name was the limited edition 1959 Dodge Silver Challenger. This was a six-cylinder or V-8 model available only in silver paint and only on a two-door body. It came with many extra features at no cost, such as wall-to-wall deep pile carpeting, premium white wall tires and wheel covers, luxury fabrics and upgraded interior and electric windshield wipers.

The first generation Dodge Challenger was a pony car built from 1970 to 1974, using the Chrysler E platform and 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 2008 as a rival to the evolved fifth generation Ford Mustang and the reintroduced fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro.

Engines

RT 440 Six-Pack engine

Engine choices included the following:

• C: 225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant 6 I6: 145 bhp (108 kW) 1970–1972
• G: 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8: 230 bhp (172 kW) 1970–1974
• H: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8: 275 bhp (205 kW) 1970–1973
• J: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8 Six-Pack: (3 × 2-barrel carburetors) 290 bhp (216 kW) 1970 *T/A
• J: 360 cu in (5.9 L) LA V8: 245 bhp (183 kW) 1974
• L: 383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8: 290 bhp (216 kW) and 330 bhp (246 kW) 1970–1971
• N: 383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8: 335 bhp (250 kW) 1970–1971
• U: 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8: Available in Magnum 4-barrel carbureted form 375 bhp (280 kW) 1970–1971
• V: 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8 Six-Pack: (3 × 2-barrel carburetors) 390 bhp (291 kW)/490 lb·ft (664 N·m) 1970–1971
• R: 426 cu in (7 L) Hemi V8: 425 bhp (317 kW)/490 lb·ft (664 N·m), costing an extra US$1,228 with very few sold. 1970–1971

All figures above are SAE gross HP ratings, which were tested with no accessories, no air cleaner, or open dyno headers. Chrysler did underrate their performance engines with current tests by Mopar Magazine and others, which have built and dyno-tested the 426, 440 6 bbl, 440, 340 6 bbl, and 340 in 100% stock configuration (SAE net). Results have come within 1% of the above rated power SAE gross HP. The 360 four barrel horsepower quoted above is SAE net (not SAE gross). SAE net ratings became required by federal law starting with the 1972 model year. Also, the 340 four barrel was re-rated as 240 SAE net in 1972-1973.

Performance 1/4 mile

• 340: 14.8 @ 96 mph (154 km/h)
• 340 T/A: 14.3 @ 99.5 mph (160.1 km/h) 4-speed with 3.55; it was the same car used on all published tests.
• 383 2-barrel: 15.1 @ 96 mph (154 km/h)
• 383 Magnum R/T: 14.3 @ 99 mph (159 km/h)
• 440 Magnum R/T: 13.8 @ 102 mph (164 km/h)
• 440 Six-Pack: 13.4 @ 107 mph (172 km/h)
• 426 Hemi: 13.2 @ 108 mph (174 km/h)

Serial numbers

ex. JS27R0B100001

• J: Car line, Dodge Challenger
• S: Price class (H-High, S-Special)
• 27: Body type (23-Hardtop, 27-Convertible, 29-Sports hardtop)
• R: Engine code (see engines above)
• 0: Last digit of model year
• B: Assembly plant code (B-Hamtramck, E-Los Angeles)
• 100001: Consecutive sequence number

Production numbers

• 1970 = 76,935 *includes 2,539 T/As
  • Hardtop I6: 9,929
  • Hardtop V8:. 39,350*
  • Sports hardtop I6: 350
  • Sports hardtop V8: 5,873
  • Convertible I6: 378
  • Convertible V8: 2,543
  • Hardtop R/T: 13,796
  • Special Edition hardtop R/T: 3,753
  • Convertible R/T: 963

• 1971 = 26,299
  • Hardtop I6: 1,672
  • Hardtop V8: 18,956
  • Convertible I6: 83
  • Convertible V8: 1,774
  • Hardtop V8 R/T: 3,814

• 1972 = 22,919
  • Hardtop I6: 842
  • Hardtop V8: 15,175
  • Hardtop V8 Rallye: 8,123

• 1973 = 27,930
  • Note: All models were V8-powered hardtops

• 1974 = 11,354
  • Note: All models were V8-powered hardtops