Dodge Challenger - Under Powered but a Favorite with Fans and Pop Culture

The first generation of Dodge Challengers hit the streets running in 1970 as what some might consider one of the most successful classic muscle cars ever made. The initial idea for the Dodge Challenger featured a turbine engine, but the designers decided to go with two different options. First, there was an inline-V6 featuring a 225-cubic-inch motor with 145 horsepower. However, for those who really wanted speed, they offered a 440-cubic-inch V8 motor that boasted 390 horsepower.
This is the story of the Dodge Challenger
Though this first generation of Dodge Challengers only lasted for four years, it made a huge splash with car fans and pop culture. The famous muscle car was featured in plenty of movies and TV shows across the country. During these four years, a whopping 188,600 Dodge Challengers were sold. For those who love power and speed, the second generation of Dodge Challenger might not be your cup of tea. It was first produced in 1978 and was a variant of the early Mitsubishi® Galant® Lambda coupe. This generation of Challenger had very strong resemblances to the Galant Lambdas, but featured more sporty racing stripes. These vehicles also had increased head room, trunk capacity and sound proofing. The sound proofing was revolutionary for American markets, helping to dampen engine vibrations.

[@01trsmar]

Under Powered? These blew the doors off of most cars on the road...FYI: the 340,383,440 and 426 Hemi were underrated .. 340 4bbl was 335 hp 6bbl was 360 hp 383 was 375 hp 440 was 410hp the 6bbl 430 hp 426 Hemi was 500 hp

[@GoodOlRoll]

Maybe he means the 72-74 model years

[@billjamison2877]

SLANT SIX ! SLANT SIX ! NOT Straight six. The "Leaning Tower of Power" was a MoPar Icon! If you're going to do a history...Get it right!

[@rickintexas1584]

Can you imagine being “that guy” that bought 6cylinder first generation Challenger?

[@rebeccajohnson1407]

i have just that

[@LICobra]

The first generation lasted 5 years 1970-1974.

[@christopherkraft1327]

I really liked the original Challenger when it came out, I thought that it was very sporty!!! 👍👍🙂

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Yeah me too

[@danr1920]

RIP Dodge.

[@Primus54]

As a high school Junior, I remember picking up the ‘71 Dodge new car brochure and drooling over the full page photo of the Challenger R/T in bright yellow and black stripes. I thought it was perfect outside and inside. Never ended up with one. I liked the 3rd Gen but thought it was just a little too large and tall. Unlike the Camaro and Mustang, since Dodge only really had the 1st Gen to retro, the new Challenger has been stuck with the same look for 15 years… which has grown kind of stale in my opinion.

[@OLDS98]

Very informative. I did not know they took the power windows and seats put in the early 70's. I enjoyed the graphics and footage. Thank you for your effort in this video. It shows.

[@1966-Charger]

In 1970, ,the Hemi Cuda was rated as the fastest American production car. The Cuda was the sister to the Challenger. Challenger had more power than most.

[@archieguitarz4700]

These new Challengers are pretty awesome but I would never think of trading my '70 R/T for one of the modern versions. I'll keep my original thank you.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

like the 1970 RT/SE,1972 rallye ,one's I could have bought new are the 1978-79 test drove them,2008 srt8 still want one,2015 hellcat tried to buy at msrp $60,990 dealer had a $29,005 markup ,dealer had a used one for $75k ,2017 demon, saw that one after it was unloaded. all the stickers chalk marks ,plastic still on it , id love to buy a 2023 one order it to my specs , to me the 2008 SRT 8 is the Best Buy of all years, do a 500 trip 20 MPG , no worries about carbs, diet of hi octane gas. 6mpg something happing

[@kc0lif]

1980s challenger nice too.

[@StratBurst92]

The newer Challengers are not made in the USA, they are made at the Brampton plant in Canada. I had a 1972 Challenger, Hemi Orange with a black vinyl roof, Black interior, 340 automatic..

[@jrussellcase]

Get you a Challenger. I don't care if it's from 1970, or 2020. Get one, and garage it. Chrysler is about to quit making them as well as the Charger, because they want to go all "woke" and join the electric car freak-shows. 🙄 What a let down. Stop the world, I wanna get off.

[@philb386]

An inline V6 eh ????

[@davidbiddy1411]

I have a 2016 scat pack it’s an awesome car fully loaded B5 blue. And a1972 Charger Rally 440 SIX PACK top banana yellow

[@user-gs3tw1oy3w]

What exactly is "an inline V6 motor"? There is no such motor! It was an inline (straight) 6 cylinder NO "V" to it!

[@michaelmarks5012]

I almost subscribed to this channel until I heard that.

[@anthonybeno1481]

Great video only forgot one thing....The T/A Challengers....

[@zekemercado3403]

Maybe you guys can do a video about the full history of the Cadillac Eldorado?

[@ThisOldCarChannel]

Thanks! Mercury Grand Marquis next. Perhaps the Eldorado next!

[@vassa1972]

The second generation kind of looks like a fox body mustang

[@mymomsaysimcool9650]

5:49 I must have plaid seats.

[@bryanbittinger9794]

With a 3-speed 3-speed manual transmission

[@rustypliers74]

No such thing as a inline v6 it’s just a straight six

[@chrissullivan9143]

A straight 6 that Mopar called a slant 6. If it's a V6 then there are 3 cylinders on each side arraigned in a "V" pattern. That certainly wasn't what they were! I've noticed that most people who are younger than about 40 who aren't car enthusiasts don't understand the distinction. Now though from this post by a supposed "car" group making the same mistake, it's incredible! Don't call it a V6 if it's not a V6!

[@bryanbittinger9794]

You couldn't get the 4:40 or the 426

[@01trsmar]

Dodge didnt compete with lesser Ford or Chevrolet. Challenger was never meant to compete with the Mustang,Challenger was a class above the Mustang and was bigger,classier rode better,handled better and out performed the Mustang/Camaro... Chrysler had the Plymouth Barracuda and Cuda to go against the Mustang/Camaro albeit the Plymouth again was ahead of them and cost more!

[@DamienRasheed]

Kinda disappointing your just glossing over the hole Hellcat engine/generation. On no planet is the 707,717, and 840 horsepower engines not important enough to measure deeper mention.

[@gino2033]

I got a feeling the only auto company that stays with gas powered vehicles will stay where the electrics will fail...

[@kylebrown6951]

👍👍😎✌🍻🖐

[@Lafayette320]

I have a 2010 Challenger which has worked wonderfully these past more than 12 years. Its 250 Litre engine has more power than I've been able to use. I've had to do very lfew repairs on it. The first significant repairs were this past July, some only $1,500.00 worth. I only wish it was midsized like the original's.

[@kpkp2655]

Too bad that Dodge forgot about the rust belt in first gen era.