What constitutes a "REAL" Charger

[chrisd]

So, I'm curious to the opinions of what is a "Real" Charger? Is it the number of doors? Performance? Size of motor? RWD? I grew up being told the last real Charger was 1970, didn't know there was a first gen fastback until later in life, and the "luxury line" wasn't even something you wanted to be seen in. And you can imagine what I was told about FWD and 4 doors on a Charger. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the "first" Charger was a package on the A body Dart in 1965. Can a car change with the times or should the name be retired when major changes come?

 

[ezra]

IMO the new Chargers are a complete disgrace to the namesake. 4 doors and pieced together bland plastic. No thanks. 1970 was the last year in my eyes, but I can appreciate/respect the early 70s models.

The new Challenger on the other hand...whoever designed that should get to design the next Charger. Really though I think the namesake should've been left at peace.

 

[69 Runner]

While they are selling all the Challengers they can make, it is NOT a car for the "masses". Hate to say it, but the Charger is. Do I think it should have resembled ANY of the previous Chargers?

Yeah.

But mom made it, fastbacks, and front drivers that have all said "Charger" on the back. So yeah, the 4 doors are "real" Chargers

 

[1badgtx]

Real chargers have 2 doors and big blocks!!!I don,t care what year it is...
Petty Blue 67 GTX

 

[Satellite65]

Bottom line:

If Chrysler Corp. built it and decided to put a 'Charger' nameplate on it, then it's a Charger whether we like it or not.

Some may prefer the '66-'67 body style, some may prefer the '68-'70 and some may even like the little fwd K-car variants from the '80s. My cousin had one of those turbo versions. It was a go-kart on steroids. I wouldn't buy one, but it was still a Charger.

They're all 'real' Chargers. Just different years.

 

[65-440]

IMO the new Chargers are a complete disgrace to the namesake. 4 doors and pieced together bland plastic. No thanks.QUOTE]

these cars were a HUGE hit when they came out, and they are still selling strong. in todays market, V8/RWD/4dr cars are where its at. when you can have 400+ HP and still take the family on a trip comfortably, thats pretty damn cool ....

 

[Cranky]

I like my hot rods to be big block, 2 doors and a post car...not a hardtop....AND I like to be able to fix it myself without having a shop full of high tech junk to diagnose something but the new cars do have some cool creature comforts that the old ones do not have. I driven some of the new cars and they were impressive with the power they have and with all the new technology that's coming out, they are only going to get faster and faster until the insurance companies figure out how to quell that but one thing about the new cars I really don't like is that damn 'black box' that's in them. You're own car can put you behind bars these days....

 

[Redpolara]

What's with the "Black Box" you refered to Cranky?.

 

[Redpolara]

So, I'm curious to the opinions of what is a "Real" Charger? Is it the number of doors? Performance? Size of motor? RWD? I grew up being told the last real Charger was 1970, didn't know there was a first gen fastback until later in life, and the "luxury line" wasn't even something you wanted to be seen in. And you can imagine what I was told about FWD and 4 doors on a Charger. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the "first" Charger was a package on the A body Dart in 1965. Can a car change with the times or should the name be retired when major changes come?

The first Charger (prototype) was based on a 64 Polara.

 

[chrisd]

yes, but I meant the first production Charger. And I don't really see any production Charger in that car.

 

[Redpolara]

I did state "Prototype" it was merely a comment........No offence intended!

 

[Donny]

If Chrysler Corp. owns the name Charger, well, they could name a tricycle a Charger. At first I hated/despised the 4 dr car. Now, I rather like it, but, to me it's a tad too big; long wheelbase, I nail curbs all the time. The old cars; which my Plymouths are nearly identical have a shorter wheel to wheel base and more *** and front end overhang than the new ones. I'm glad to see Charger continue in a new generation of cars with the 2011.

 

[Cranky]

What's with the "Black Box" you refered to Cranky?.

The computers in all new cars today retain some memory....like if you were doing 90 mph and had a crash...that info can be downloaded. It'll spit out exactly what that car did in the last operation of it. I'm not sure just how much memory is retained, but it's enough to find out how fast you were going and when or if the brakes were applied etc. A good friend of mine has a son that does accident investigation and that's the first thing they try to obtain.....

 

[63RedFury]

The real Charger 1966-1974 even though I hate the 73-74.

 

[65-440]

to say "real charger" makes no sense. its still a charger just built on a newer platform. i understand that people dont care for the extra 2 doors, but it looks good, makes good power, is reliable, and handles way better than any charger made from 66-74.......is the only "real mustang" from 64.5-74 ? cause mustang 2 was embarrassing, so is every model after that(fox body/SN-95/etc...) not welcome as a "real mustang" ???

 

[chrisd]

I did state "Prototype" it was merely a comment........No offence intended!

None taken

 

[chrisd]

to say "real charger" makes no sense. its still a charger just built on a newer platform. i understand that people dont care for the extra 2 doors, but it looks good, makes good power, is reliable, and handles way better than any charger made from 66-74.......is the only "real mustang" from 64.5-74 ? cause mustang 2 was embarrassing, so is every model after that(fox body/SN-95/etc...) not welcome as a "real mustang" ???

This was the basis of my inquery. I've owned a few Mustangs and no one ever (despite the year of the car) ever disputed whether it was a "real" Mustang. As far as I'm concerned, if it's got the badge from the factory, it's a Charger.

 

[69 Runner]

When I was in to Porsches I learned that when the 911 made it's debut the purists said "REAL Porsches have 4 cylinder engines, NOT a six". Then when the 914 came out it was REAL ones have the motor in the back, not the middle". Then with the 924 it was "They don't have water and the motor's in the back"

get the idea? Those are ALL Porsches. Just different ones

 

[1968_Roadrunner]

Like a lot of others here, I feel that they are all Chargers. Just that some are cool and some are not. My wife would probably be driving a Charger if we didn't need a minivan. (3 growing boys) I don't really consider them a "Charger"...but they seem like a nice "soccer mom" car. Just my .02

 

[Revhendo]

I'ld be happier if they made the new Charger a bit more performance orientated. I could keep the four doors, but just be hotter. Have ya driven a Caddy CTS-V? Fricken wicked.