What if Chrysler had made this in 1978?

[Fm3 Dart]

So Chrysler was back to building cool vehicles in 1978. The Super Coupe, Lil Red Express, Street Van, Macho Power Wagon, Warlock, Magnum GT were all very cool for the time. I have always thought they could have gone just a bit further though. Like offering a 4 speed in the Super Coupe and Magnum. That would have changed everything. They could have, and really should have.
So just for kicks, here is my "dream" car of 1978, had they actually offered it this way, or if I had the budget to buy a new car, and order the parts from Mopar in 78 to covert it.
Using all factory parts that were available in the 71-78 era, that are bolt in items, no special fabrication needed.

1978 Dodge Magnum GT
Bucket seats, no console
1978 440 4 barrel police engine.
833 4 speed.
71-72 Pistol grip shifter, and floor hump.
Police car solid K frame insulators.
71-72 Dana 60 rear diff, 3.54 Sure Grip.
71-72 440 4 speed driveshaft.
71-72 HD rear leaf springs, U bolts and shock plates.
15X8 Super Coupe wheels and Goodyear GT radials.
dual painted racing mirrors
Tuff wheel.
Tachometer.
GT side stripes and hood decal.
Toss the extra sound deadening, trunk liners etc to save a few pounds.
No luxury items such a A/C or power windows etc. Just the basic muscle car.

Or as an alternative, buy a banged up used 71 Charger R/T or GTX 440 4 speed, and swap the entire driveline into a new 78 Magnum GT.

 

[ruffcut]

I couldn't afford a new car or anything else in 78, but always admired those Magnums! Way cool car for the time. Too bad they didn't last long in our climate.

 

[Fm3 Dart]

I have a survivor 79 Magnum GT. No rust, original paint. Love it.

 

[Darter6]

Yeah, Black, fender flares,cop type wheels and a T top.A neighbor bought one in 78 or 9. He was a older guy.
Drove by it daily.Good looking car.

 

[Curiousyellow71]

A friend had a 79 magnum gt t top car. Originally white, tan interior 360 2 barrel he put in a e-58 out of a st regis cop car along with headers a purple cam and stall. It ran really hard and got him into trouble. The gt he had always had police wheels from what I remember. We still have the car..I wouldn't call it a survivor.

 

[WileE]

I'm right there with you, 'cept I'll need a buddy seat so my "buddy" (miniskirted girlfriend) can side right up next to me.

 

[Photon440]

So Chrysler was back to building cool vehicles in 1978. The Super Coupe, Lil Red Express, Street Van, Macho Power Wagon, Warlock, Magnum GT were all very cool for the time. I have always thought they could have gone just a bit further though. Like offering a 4 speed in the Super Coupe and Magnum. That would have changed everything. They could have, and really should have.
So just for kicks, here is my "dream" car of 1978, had they actually offered it this way, or if I had the budget to buy a new car, and order the parts from Mopar in 78 to covert it.
Using all factory parts that were available in the 71-78 era, that are bolt in items, no special fabrication needed.

1978 Dodge Magnum GT
Bucket seats, no console
1978 440 4 barrel police engine.
833 4 speed.
71-72 Pistol grip shifter, and floor hump.
Police car solid K frame insulators.
71-72 Dana 60 rear diff, 3.54 Sure Grip.
71-72 440 4 speed driveshaft.
71-72 HD rear leaf springs, U bolts and shock plates.
15X8 Super Coupe wheels and Goodyear GT radials.
dual painted racing mirrors
Tuff wheel.
Tachometer.
GT side stripes and hood decal.
Toss the extra sound deadening, trunk liners etc to save a few pounds.
No luxury items such a A/C or power windows etc. Just the basic muscle car.

Or as an alternative, buy a banged up used 71 Charger R/T or GTX 440 4 speed, and swap the entire driveline into a new 78 Magnum GT.

Good choices. But I'd save the money on the Dana; the 1978 440 will never break the 9.25 rear end, I'd just put in 3.55 or 3.90 gears into it.

 

[WileE]

Good choices. But I'd save the money on the Dana; the 1978 440 will never break the 9.25 rear end, I'd just put in 3.55 or 3.90 gears into it.

Well, the Dana was not available anyway, so absolutely the 9 1/4 is fine.

 

[WileE]

I have a survivor 79 Magnum GT. No rust, original paint. Love it.

Well then, it's time to get another and do what you mention in this thread to that car !!

 

[DeltaV]

A different and lighter suggestion:

Chrysler Lebaron Coupe
EH1 225 horsepower 360-4v from the Little Red Express; and true dual exhaust
4 speed manual in floor. No console.
Front & rear anti-roll bars
Power front and rear disc brakes
9-1/4 Sure-Grip rear with 3.55:1 gears
15x8 Super Coupe wheels
Cloth bucket seats with firm springs/foam or optional front cloth and vinyl bench seat with firm springs/foam
Pebbled rubber floor mat, not carpet.
Optional rear vinyl bench seat
Full analog gauge package
No vinyl top
No stripes, no emblems
No vinyl rub strips down the sides
No power window lifts
No power door locks
No power seats
No power trunk decklid release
No air conditioning
No power steering
No radio
No T tops
No moon roof

Below is a '79 Lebaron Coupe for those of you not familiar with this non-B body model.

 

[Photon440]

A different and lighter suggestion:

Chrysler Lebaron Coupe
EH1 225 horsepower 360-4v from the Little Red Express; and true dual exhaust
4 speed manual in floor. No console.
Front & rear anti-roll bars
Power front and rear disc brakes
9-1/4 Sure-Grip rear with 3.55:1 gears
15x8 Super Coupe wheels
Cloth bucket seats with firm springs/foam or optional front cloth and vinyl bench seat with firm springs/foam
Pebbled rubber floor mat, not carpet.
Optional rear vinyl bench seat
Full analog gauge package
No vinyl top
No stripes, no emblems
No vinyl rub strips down the sides
No power window lifts
No power door locks
No power seats
No power trunk decklid release
No air conditioning
No power steering
No radio

Below is a '79 Lebaron Coupe for those of you not familiar with this non-B body model.
View attachment 1818311

Maybe even a little lighter, the Plymouth Caravelle was offered in Canada back then:

While Mexico offered that body with a 360 rated 300 hp. under the name of Dodge Magnum:

And the 1980 Dodge Mirada CMX was still available with a 360, I'm sure it was lighter than the previous year b-body Magnum.