FAST AND FURIOUS - 1970 Dodge Charger (REview)
No other muscle car is as iconic or influential as the classic 1970 Dodge Charger, which has cameos in hundreds of movies.
No other #muscle-car is as iconic or influential as the classic 1970 #Dodge-Charger. With cameos in hundreds of movies, the Dodge Charger tops the wish list of adrenaline junkies and car enthusiasts around the world.
Although the Charger made a weak first impression in the sixties, it is undoubtedly the king of the comeback since re-emerging in 2006. Old timers and teenagers alike can appreciate the Charger’s American bravado. Glamorizing high-speed car chases for decades, let us raise a glass to the unforgettable, second generation Dodge Charger.
The Charger has undergone several makeovers since hitting the scene in 1966. First generation Chargers left little to be desired, borrowing heavily from the Dodge Coronet. A cozy cabin with bucket seating and a large center console in both rows appealed to young professionals and small families looking for excitement.
Although these first model sales reserved no bragging rights, the Charger paved the way for a new kind of premium muscle car. The #Mustang met its formidable foe in the second generation Dodge Charger.
Most notable for performances in the 1968 movie Bullit and popular TV series the #Dukes-of-Hazzard, the classic Charger quickly became the beloved racing car of Hollywood movie makers and increasingly rare to find. The second generation Charger retained many of the same specs, with differences in exterior styling. This era of Charger is recognized as by far the most attractive and coveted among collectors.
Available in three-speed and four-speed manual as well as three-speed automatic, nuances in design separate the years of this generation. The ’68 Charger has an undivided and narrow grille like a cassette player or side of a matchbox, hidden headlights and round taillights. The ’69 Charger has a more ominous countenance with a divided grille, longer hood and rectangular taillights. A more angular hood, chrome-encased grille and streamlined body characterize the infamous 1970 Dodge Charger.
Third generation Chargers are more curvaceous, copying from the Coke bottle’s seductive lines. Its split grille and extravagant design kept car followers intrigued. Fourth generation models took many key elements from the Chrysler Cordoba.
Improvements came in the form of a larger base, more chrome accents, and a significantly thinner grille flanked by eye-catching, chrome-framed, round headlights. The Charger underwent an eighties transformation with vibrant colors in a hatch-back style coupe. The front end changed dramatically with an understated grille and large, square headlights. An overall more compact vehicle, #Dodge softened the lines of the Charger’s fierce expression. This Charger remained the last in production for what would go on to be nineteen years before resurfacing in 2006.
Bursting onto the scene with a powerful Hemi #V8 engine, the 2006, sixth generation Charger was met with mixed reactions. The once two-door coupe re-emerged as a highly capable, #four-door sedan.
With better fuel economy, increased power and enhanced drivability, sixth generation Chargers quickly gained popularity in literature, film and on the road. Since its rebirth, Dodge’s success resulted in the Charger’s seventh and most recent generation. Revamped with a sturdy body, angular lighting, aerodynamic hood and more driving options, the latest Chargers have found themselves beloved amongst law enforcement nationwide. As the old saying goes, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em,” giving cops across America a competitive edge and criminals heart attacks.
Seasoned movie-goers and youngsters easily recognize the menacing black Charger that had Dominic Toretto shaking in his boots in the 2001 The Fast and the Furious. Going against gut feelings and racing the monster machine almost cost Dom his life, but garnered him tremendous “street cred” in the film. While The Fast and the Furious series reinstated the Charger as a relevant rival to any modern muscle car, let us explore other memorable Charger moments:
Bulletproof Behemoth – Bullit
Bullit - one of the most famous dodge chargers
Your typical cop drama featuring a very a typical getaway car (for its time): 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 440. Named after San Francisco policeman Frank Bullit, the movie picks up steam with Frank in hot pursuit of the villains in the R/T 440 Charger. Frank’s mustang eventually catches up with the perpetrators, but many spectators question if the outcome would have been the same in real life scenarios. #Bullit made black Chargers the vehicle of choice for muscle-car driving bad guys.
Apple Pie Kind-of-American Classic – Dukes of Hazzard
With over 300 Chargers used in over seven years of filming, the #Dukes-of-Hazzard sure had a sweet tooth for this legendary car (nick named the General Lee!). Also starring in the 2005 movie adaption of the series, the second generation Charger became increasingly difficult find. Numerous 1960’s models were made to mimic the 1970 classic, as so many were destroyed from years in action movies and low factory production.
Volatile Villain – Death Proof
Iconic poster of Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof movie
#Quentin-Tarantino shoots for shock value in this 2007 horror flick. A mentally unstable stunt man preys on beautiful young women in his modified death mobile. A black, #1969-Charger with a skull atop the hood is this serial killer’s weapon of choice to drive his victims off the road in fatal accidents. While Death Proof makes for a suitable Halloween movie, it’s perfect as year-round proof (no pun intended) for the Charger’s rugged reputation.
Millennial Memory Lane – Fast and Furious 6
Met with zealous enthusiasm, #Fast-and-Furious 6 proved the enduring appeal of the epic #Dodge-muscle-car. Generating a whopping 430 horsepower, on 18in wheels, with shortened front and tail ends, this modified, megalo-muscle car is nothing short of magnificent. It was a magical moment for fans to see Dom take on a group of evil-doers in the once-feared monster car.
Whether in a high-speed chase or trampling the countryside in the spirit of summertime fun, the classic Dodge Charger is sure to steal the show. Despite its nineteen year hiatus, the Charger remains a resilient forerunner in the muscle car world.
Image from Fast & Furious film
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Comments (3)
the comparison between Sean Bean and the Charger is spot on.
Great article! Some really good writing here, absolutely adore these cars!
One of my all time favourite American Muscle cars