New Dodge Challenger Concept

[turbotom]

There is a definite rekindling of interest in the old sixties muscle cars.

Original classics such as mustangs, corvettes, camaros and chargers are increasing in exceptional price if they are in concourse original condition.

But the real big movement is in hot-rodding the old classics.

Many consider it sacreligious to carve up an old classic and turn it into a hybrid with modern mechanicals, but the yanks have plenty of people with the dollars to spend on truly desirable re-creations of the old classic muscle cars.

It's a trend starting to take off here too.

At a corvette convention a year ago, there was a beautiful 58 corvette roadster, with a 502 ci big block in it. Just awesome. Set up with running gear from a late 80's C4 model, it had all the nostalgic appeal of the original, with all the benefits of modern suspension and brakes and awesome reliable power and driveline.

There are C1 ('53 model) bodies, customised to a modern appearance in production in the US running the C5 chassis and driveline (LS1 6 sp)

check this out:

retro '53 corvette

I can see the trend gaining momentum.

I have an original 68 vette convertible sitting in the shed.

Excellent condition, beautiful to look at....OK to cruise in...

But I don't enjoy driving it as much as my ute.

I guess I've been spoilt with a modern performance car.

The shape of the cars back in the sixties is still very popular with petrol heads.

Getting the old classics performing and handling like modern cars can only be a good thing.....

hmmmm a 572 ci big block might just squeeze in....

[turbotom]

heres another local tasty temptation.... if it gets to production.

retro fj

[drcook]

I don't know what part Chrysler plays in Australia (I know you've got Ford and GM [Holden] but I can't say I've ever heard of an Australian Dodge), but I do know the muscle car scene never really died over there. So I thought you guys might apreciate this new concept from DCX.

Rising to the Challenger: Detroit auto show debut for Dodge muscle coupe concept

BOB GRITZINGER

Posted Date: 11/20/05

To all those purists who still can’t forgive Dodge for building a four-door Charger, here’s your answer: the 2006 Dodge Challenger concept. The Dodge boys released a sketch of the car to the world, but we obtained these exclusive spy photos of the car, which will premiere at the North American International Auto Show in January in Detroit.

Challenger draws on the 1970 model as the icon of the series, says Tom Tremont of Chrysler’s Pacifica studio in California. But instead of merely recreating that car, designers tried to build the Challenger most people see in their mind’s eye, without imperfections like the tucked under wheels and long front overhang of the old car. At the same time, the concept incorporates distinctive Challenger cues like the rear fender kick, wide mouth front end, functional hood scoops and rectangular exhaust tips.

Built on a shortened Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger chassis (116-inch wheelbase vs. 120 inches), the Challenger gets a 6.1-liter Hemi hooked to a six-speed manual transmission with a pistol grip shifter.

All that’s left to ponder is “will they build it?” With all the hardware in place and a primed marketplace, we can’t see why Dodge wouldn’t rise to this challenge.

http://autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103629

The 6.1L HEMI is getting 425hp in SRT8 form in other DCX LX cars, so this should be quite a potent machine.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that c pillar and rear guard look very 'XY falcon'

[oldraven]

That '53/03 Vette was never really a production car. As I remember it (which may be a bit off) GM commissioned the car for SEMA for their 50th anny of the Corvette. The company who did the conversion made a limited run and sold them as collector cars. I don't think they are still being made.

I'd like to say the retro phase started with the new T-bird, but honesly, it all came with the VW New Beetle. I'm just glad the big three are finally making retro versions of cars that were actually cool. (I'm a T-bird fanatic, but this new roadster is an abomination. An anemic V8 on a sloppy and heavy chassis with two seats yet is as long as a limo. The car Ford copied with this was the '55-57. Guess which was the worst selling series of T-bird ever.)

Is that Expensive Daewoo a true concept, or just a show car? If it's a design study for a future model, that's awesome. Chevy could learn something from Holden.

Am I crazy, or are there some GM fans on here?

[turbotom]

Am I crazy, or are there some GM fans on here?

Nothing crazy about being an open minded petrol head.

Truth is, I swore I'd never ever buy a Ford after some very severe quality and reliability issues with a new XB back in the 70's.

I flew the Expensive Daewoo flag from that point. But reality was, that Holden's weren't much better with quality control or after sales service.

Then I ventured into Japanese built cars, and the quality and reliability was outstanding. Had my 86 Supra for 18 years. Reluctantly traded it this year for my wife's Mazda 6 sports.

Whan shopping for a ute, I had my eye on an SS.

I was disappointed wih the lack of low rpm grunt, and the lack of space in the cabin. I took an XR6T for a spin, and I was hooked.

Haven't stopped smiling ever since.

Still got the 68 convertible 'vette, but it needs a heart transplant to invigorate my enthusiasm for it.

> 300 rwkw in a modern, reliable, comfortable and functional car can spoil you.

tom

[theeone]

Do I hear, "The Dukes Reloaded!!" blarin out of those pipes??

Ahh, pretty sure the EFIJY is a showcar, but what a car!

Edited 27/11/05 11:35 AM by theeone

[oldraven]

Nothing crazy about being an open minded petrol head.

Truth is, I swore I'd never ever buy a Ford after some very severe quality and reliability issues with a new XB back in the 70's.

I flew the Expensive Daewoo flag from that point. But reality was, that Holden's weren't much better with quality control or after sales service.

Then I ventured into Japanese built cars, and the quality and reliability was outstanding. Had my 86 Supra for 18 years. Reluctantly traded it this year for my wife's Mazda 6 sports.

Whan shopping for a ute, I had my eye on an SS.

I was disappointed wih the lack of low rpm grunt, and the lack of space in the cabin.  I took an XR6T for a spin, and I was hooked.

Haven't stopped smiling ever since.

Still got the 68 convertible 'vette, but it needs a heart transplant to invigorate my enthusiasm for it.

> 300 rwkw in a modern, reliable, comfortable and functional car can spoil you.

tom

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm with you. In my life I've owned a Subaru, VW, two Fords, a Toyota, a Chevy, and a Jeep. I still have the Ford Chevy and Jeep.

My stance is, GM's will run forever, even if their bodies start to lose direction, and Fords run like raped apes, two days at a time.

[turbotom]

Nothing crazy about being an open minded petrol head.

Truth is, I swore I'd never ever buy a Ford after some very severe quality and reliability issues with a new XB back in the 70's.

I flew the Expensive Daewoo flag from that point. But reality was, that Holden's weren't much better with quality control or after sales service.

Then I ventured into Japanese built cars, and the quality and reliability was outstanding. Had my 86 Supra for 18 years. Reluctantly traded it this year for my wife's Mazda 6 sports.

Whan shopping for a ute, I had my eye on an SS.

I was disappointed wih the lack of low rpm grunt, and the lack of space in the cabin.  I took an XR6T for a spin, and I was hooked.

Haven't stopped smiling ever since.

Still got the 68 convertible 'vette, but it needs a heart transplant to invigorate my enthusiasm for it.

> 300 rwkw in a modern, reliable, comfortable and functional car can spoil you.

tom

I'm with you. In my life I've owned a Subaru, VW, two Fords, a Toyota, a Chevy, and a Jeep. I still have the Ford Chevy and Jeep.

My stance is, GM's will run forever, even if their bodies start to lose direction, and Fords run like raped apes, two days at a time.

"Fords run like raped apes, two days at a time".

Haven't heard that analogy before.....

You're a cunny funt!

What chevy do you have?

tom

[oldraven]

"Fords run like raped apes, two days at a time".

   

Haven't heard that analogy before.....

You're a cunny funt!

What chevy do you have?

tom

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks. Haven't been called a cunny funt before either.

I've got an '86 Chevy C10 (1/2 tonne) 2WD LWB with a 383 stroker running on propane. You loose a slight amount of power, using propane, but it sure beats spending $12 a day on gas. That's what it cost me to run it when it had a 305 4-bl on gas. But even with the lost power, it's still a beast compared to that old 305. And now it costs me $35 a week, when I drive it every day.

It's an ex work truck, so it isn't a show truck. Just a winter vehicle....... with too much torque to drive in the winter.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/336205/4

My wife got rear-ended in this in the summer, so I put a roll pan on instead of a new step bumper. (cost a quarter the amount and looks far better.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/oldraven/rollpan2.jpg

Engine pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/oldraven/clark9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/oldraven/clark8.jpg