Why no Plymouth version of the Charger?

[YY1]

Previous to the Scamp, all 2 door A body Plymouths, except the Barracuda were "21" body sedans

 

[Dave6T4]

Even though I own a 1967 Dodge R/T, I always thought the Plymouth GTX got a far nicer interior, with the intricate Western Scroll trim, and the fancy trim around the upper rear seat. The GTX got standard chromed exhaust tips, while these were not even an option on the R/T. Maybe Dodge Division spent all their extra $$$ on th Charger?
When the Charger came out in 1966, all the buzz was about the new fastback roofline and the new optional 426 Hemi. But the real showpiece was the opulent interior, with its full length console, and folding rear seats. There was carpet and chrome everywhere. The interior also featured a molded one-piece headliner and styled plastic interior and door panels. The construction of these door panels foretold the design of the interiors of the new for 1970 E-body Challenger and Barracuda. Although the ElectroLuminescent gauges were first introduced in early 1960's Chryslers, they really looked futuristic in the new Charger. Unfortunately, the fastback roof design never gained traction at the showroom, and Dodge changed direction with the 1968 models.

 

[YY1]

I've always found it interesting that Plymouth, being the "value" line found the money to add things like extra moldings and emblems, and header panels, among other things on their models where the Dodge equivalents had none.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Ultimately all the money made on sales went to the Chrysler Corporation. The dealers might have complained, as they did when they saw the 1970 Duster sales. Dodge got their version of the Duster for 1971, and Plymouth got their version of the Dart 2 door H/T for 1971, the Scamp. The ‘71 Scamp has rear Dart side marker lights, and a ‘70 bumper and taillights from the Dart. And the ‘71 Demon has Duster side marker lights in the rear.

A Demon is a Dart that looks like a Duster. Or is it the other way around?

 

[YY1]

Dart Demon
Valiant Duster

Valiant Barracuda (1964-66)
Belvedere GTX (1967 only)

 

[Dave6T4]

IIRC Super Bee introduced as a 68.5 model and all WM 21 "sedans", whereas RR was RM21 only for the first half of 1968 but then RM23 HT added for 1968.5

When the RoadRunner was introduced, it was based on the bare-bones Belvedere line with little trim and a taxi-cab interior. The $$$ spent here was on the performance parts. When the Super Bee was introduced later, it was based on the upscale Coronet 440, which gave it a nicer interior with carpets. As a bonus, the Super Bee got the Rallye dash from the Charger. It would be 1970 before the RoadRunner got this. Although the SuperBee did not get a hardtop body until 1969, there was never a cheap strippo version of it. The base Super Bee was equivalent to the RoadRunner with the Decor Group, which was based from the Satellite, giving it more bright trim and a nicer interior.

 

[YY1]

Yet both were "M" price class.

There's a lot to unpack when discussing topics such as this, and many others regarding how and/or why Mopar did what they did.

 

[68BabyBlue]

When the RoadRunner was introduced, it was based on the bare-bones Belvedere line with little trim and a taxi-cab interior. The $$$ spent here was on the performance parts. When the Super Bee was introduced later, it was based on the upscale Coronet 440, which gave it a nicer interior with carpets. As a bonus, the Super Bee got the Rallye dash from the Charger. It would be 1970 before the RoadRunner got this. Although the SuperBee did not get a hardtop body until 1969, there was never a cheap strippo version of it. The base Super Bee was equivalent to the RoadRunner with the Decor Group, which was based from the Satellite, giving it more bright trim and a nicer interior.

Looking back on the era, it was truly amazing what could be done with the option sheet, compared to today. The difference between the bare bones Belvedere, and my heavily optioned GTX is a prime example. When my GTX was brand new, I marveled at the fact it carried the same Plymouth name plate as my dad's stripped down Valiants. The Gen 2 Charger was pretty unique in the B body family, by starting with such a high level of trim and styling, and then going up from that price level with options.

 

[cosgig]

In my opinion, it was Dodge that was always playing catch up in the muscle car wars. Sure, the Coronet was a good seller, but in the grocery getter ranks. That’s not to say that the satellite wasn’t doing just as good. But the GTX was top dog in 67, and the R/T was a pretty distant 2nd. Same with the Roadrunner in 68, Dodge hadn’t even finished the concept of the Superbee. 70/71 Cudas far outclassed the Challenger, Duster blew the Demon out of the water, but the Charger was a unique concept thst Plymouth simply couldn’t compete with, nor should they have. To me it would’ve been a copy of an original, and no copy could compare to this particular original. And this is coming from a person who doesn’t like Chargers, and never has. Sometimes, little brother needs attention too!

 

[toolmanmike]

Plymouth had the Barracuda. Dodge didn't. Dodge had the Charger, Plymouth didn't. In 1970 both had a new E body design with the Barracuda and Challenger. The Plymouth A body crowd got a very popular Duster for many years. Dodge had the Demon and because of the name, which was dropped and replaced with Dart Sport, the line continued for years as well.

 

[patrick66]

The GTX was the Plymouth counterpart.
Nobody else sees this?

It was the Coronet R/T counterpart, not Charger.

 

[eldubb440]

surely, the front end design of the 70 Coronet was top of the line styling in 1970, much beter than the RR ........ @Richard Cranium

 

[Ray70Chrg]

Like Kern Dog mentioned, Plymouth was usually the leader, they had the Barracuda and it took Dodge quite a few years to finally have a pony car.

I have said this before and truly believe that the '63 dodge dart was the 1st pony car. In nov.'62 a guy in the neighborhood had a '63 Dodge Dart GT. Take a look at that car and tell me it's not what ford, in april '64, called a pony car. Ford knew the '63 dart was coming out in early '62 and put together a rush attempt to get a something to counter. They called it Mustang. Dodges biggest mistake with the Dart was they didn't realize how big that segment of the market could be and they did not advertise the Dart. Ford sold something like 3-4 million mustangs in the several years and Dart could never catch up in that segment. Gigantic missed opportunity by Dodge.

 

[eldubb440]

if Plymouth is the bottom feeder......... why does my 68 GTX have a nice solid tail panel, and the 68 Coronet R/T have a shitty piece of tin?

the 68 Coronet grille leaves a lot to be desired also

 

[YY1]

It was the Coronet R/T counterpart, not Charger.

That's what I said.

 

[cosgig]

I can hear the board meeting right now…..

“See, you have the Big Mac, we have the Big Mic! You have the Golden Arches, we have the golden arcs. We both have 2 all beef Pattie’s, special sauce, lettuce and cheese, but your bum has seeds, ours don’t”!

And just like that, it was all settled, they sang Kumbaya, locked arms in a big hug, went home, snuggled in their beds and waited for the morning, when Santa would come. And that, they say, is history!

 

[Dave6T4]

In my opinion, it was Dodge that was always playing catch up in the muscle car wars. Sure, the Coronet was a good seller, but in the grocery getter ranks. That’s not to say that the satellite wasn’t doing just as good. But the GTX was top dog in 67, and the R/T was a pretty distant 2nd. Same with the Roadrunner in 68, Dodge hadn’t even finished the concept of the Superbee. 70/71 Cudas far outclassed the Challenger, Duster blew the Demon out of the water, but the Charger was a unique concept thst Plymouth simply couldn’t compete with, nor should they have. To me it would’ve been a copy of an original, and no copy could compare to this particular original. And this is coming from a person who doesn’t like Chargers, and never has. Sometimes, little brother needs attention too!

I think the '67 GTX and R/T were sold in almost the same numbers; around 12,000. They were both far behind GTO production; over 80,000. I think the GTX has a better survivor (or clone) rate. I have a '67 R/T, and see far more '67 GTX's at local car shows.

 

[MarPar]

I can hear the board meeting right now…..

“See, you have the Big Mac, we have the Big Mic! You have the Golden Arches, we have the golden arcs. We both have 2 all beef Pattie’s, special sauce, lettuce and cheese, but your bum has seeds, ours don’t”!

And just like that, it was all settled, they sang Kumbaya, locked arms in a big hug, went home, snuggled in their beds and waited for the morning, when Santa would come. And that, they say, is history!

 

[guy gadbois]

For whatever reason - and I sure cant understand it - Ma Mopar has always preferred dodge. [so the Plymouth guys just worked harder and better and outshone the preferred son...] Dodge was higher in the family hierarchy , so dodge got the "Special B" platform and Plymouth didnt. As someone said, it was a bit like the Corvette and GM killing the Banshee, even tho they would have appealed to 2 different places in the market/demographics. The Charger was a 'halo car' for the performance side of the corporation and was given to the favourite son. It was marketed slightly different even . Im sure that those in the boardroom - right, wrong or indifferent -just decided that 'this town aint big enough for both of us ' and handed it over to the fratzog bunch. [and yes, the allusion to the Dodge 'good guys in the White hat ads is intentional... ]

 

[Photon440]

I have said this before and truly believe that the '63 dodge dart was the 1st pony car. In nov.'62 a guy in the neighborhood had a '63 Dodge Dart GT. Take a look at that car and tell me it's not what ford, in april '64, called a pony car. Ford knew the '63 dart was coming out in early '62 and put together a rush attempt to get a something to counter. They called it Mustang. Dodges biggest mistake with the Dart was they didn't realize how big that segment of the market could be and they did not advertise the Dart. Ford sold something like 3-4 million mustangs in the several years and Dart could never catch up in that segment. Gigantic missed opportunity by Dodge.

I don't know if the '63 six cylinder Dart GT was more of a pony car than the '63 Ford Falcon which could have a 260 V8. Dart didn't get a V8 until 1964.