Dodge Charger (L-body)

See also Dodge Charger for other models using this name and Shelby Charger, a high-performance version

Charger (L-body)
Overview
Manufacturer	Dodge (Chrysler)
Also called	Plymouth Duster Plymouth Turismo
Production	1983–1987
Assembly	United States: Belvidere, Illinois (Belvidere Assembly)
Body and chassis
Class	Subcompact car
Body style	3-door fastback/hatchback
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform	L-body
Related	Dodge Omni Dodge Rampage Plymouth Horizon Plymouth Scamp Shelby GLHS
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L Peugeot 6J I4 1.7 L VW EA827 I4 2.2 L K I4 2.2 L Turbo I I4 2.2 L Turbo II I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed Volkswagen manual 3-speed A413 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	96.5 in (2,451 mm)
Length	174.8 in (4,440 mm)
Width	66.1 in (1,679 mm)
Height	50.7 in (1,288 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Dodge O24 / Plymouth TC3
Successor	Dodge Shadow / Plymouth Sundance

The Dodge Charger (L-body) was a subcompact 3-door hatchback/fastback built by Dodge from 1983 to 1987, and was based on Chrysler's front-wheel drive L platform.

History

For 1979, Chrysler brought out sporty versions of the L-body Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon called the Dodge Omni 024 and the Plymouth Horizon TC3. The cars shared a 70 hp (52 kW) 1.7 L Volkswagen I4 as the only engine under the O24/TC3 name.

In 1981, the Charger nameplate returned as a performance package on the Omni 024. Called the Charger 2.2, it cost $399 extra and came with a hood scoop, quarter-window appliques, special gearing, rear spoiler, and "Charger 2.2" tape graphics, as well as the new 84 hp (63 kW) 2.2 L I4 engine that was designed and built by Chrysler. A total of 7,306 were built.

In 1982, the Dodge Charger returned for a second year as the performance option for the 024. Nothing was changed from 1981 except for a Pentastar emblem on its hood and the addition of a resonator to the exhaust, since the previous model had no muffler, utilizing the catalytic converter as the sole method of engine noise reduction.

In 1983, the Volkswagen engine went out of production, so a joint Chrysler/Peugeot 1.6 L engine was used instead. The Omni 024 was renamed the Charger. Carroll Shelby developed a sporty version of the car later during the year, the Dodge Shelby Charger.

The transformation continued in 1984, with quad headlights now differentiating the Charger from its Omni origins, however the Shelby models continued to use the previous years front nose cap/bumper assembly. The Plymouth Turismo would share the same front end. Apart from the badging, both cars were exactly the same.

1985 Dodge Charger

For 1985, the Shelby (with its unique front end) and Charger names were shuffled to reflect the addition of a turbocharged engine. Two new colors were added for 1985 — Black and Garnet Red with silver stripes. Plymouth also got a version of the old Shelby Charger, reviving the Duster name as the Plymouth Turismo/Duster. However, Plymouth would never get a turbocharged version of the Shelby Charger. Two turbocharged Turismos, using the Shelby front end, were seen Chrysler headquarters with a 'Cuda Plymouth badge, but they were not put into production. The previous high-compression 107 hp (80 kW) Shelby Charger engine was now an option on regular Dodge Chargers. For 1986, the mandated center high-mounted stop light was added, and the 96 hp (72 kW) 2.2 L engine made its way down to the base models.

1987 was the last year for the Omni/Horizon-derived Charger and Turismo. A total of 2,011 Chargers with the hotter 174 hp (130 kW) Turbo II engine were now badged the Shelby Charger Turbo (not "Dodge"). For 1987, they were replaced by the Dodge Shadow/Plymouth Sundance, and the Belvidere plant was retooled to build the Dodge Dynasty, which succeeded the preceding 600 at the time. Carroll Shelby bought 1,000 of the last Chargers and equipped them with the Omni GLH's engine and suspension to be sold under this name. The Plymouth Duster name continued on the new Plymouth Sundance line midyear in 1992.

Dodge Shelby Charger

1987 Charger Shelby Edition

For 1983, Carroll Shelby modified the Dodge Charger, to be sold at Dodge dealers as the Dodge Shelby Charger. Rather than focusing on speed, Shelby modified the suspension and styling. The engine compression was raised for 107 hp (80 kW), and the manual transmission had revised ratios. Shorter springs, special wheels, and tires complemented stronger brakes and quicker steering. Outside, a new nose and racing stripes accented the performance image. The body kits, among other parts, were often shipped to dealerships along with the car to be put on after delivery. The reasoning behind this varied, but was said to speed delivery and compensate for ground clearance issues that the cars faced on many car carriers. Production was 8,251 for that first year.

For 1984, the Shelby Charger could be ordered with an optional automatic transmission. There were 7,552 Shelby Chargers sold this model year. The high-output engine (now up to 110 hp (82 kW)) was also available in baseline Chargers and Turismos. These vehicles came in "Charger 2.2" and "Turismo 2.2" schemes, which included Shelby Charger side GFX, an additional, skinnier, front ground effect (different from the Shelby Charger's due to the quad-headlight fascia), "2.2" decals, and an optional hood scoop.

The MPFI/Turbocharged Turbo I engine, commonly known as a 'T1' was added for Dodge's 1985 Shelby Charger. This engine produced 146 hp (109 kW) and was changed from its first appearance in the Dodge Daytona Turbo during the previous year. A Garrett AiResearch T3 turbocharger and Chrysler/Bosch multiple-point fuel injection enabled the 2.2 L engine to produce the additional horsepower.^[1] A total of 7,709 Shelby Chargers were made for the 1985 model year, and 7,669 in 1986. 1987 was the final year, with just 1,011 produced, plus 1,000 more Shelby Chargers that were sent to Shelby's Whittier Plant in CA, at which time were modified as the 1987 Shelby GLHS. Dodge Shelby Chargers were available in four different color combinations: Black w/silver skunk stripe (1985–87), Santa Fe Blue w/silver skunk stripe (1983–86), Silver w/Santa Fe Blue skunk stripe (1983–86), and Garnett Red w/silver skunk stripe (1984–87).

Charger GLHS

1987 Shelby GLHS

Carroll Shelby purchased 1,000 of the last Dodge Shelby Chargers and converted them into GLHSs in his facility at Whittier, California. Every vehicle was built and optioned the same way. All were finished in black and had special badging that marked them as Shelby, not as a Dodge. This was a continuation of the Omni GLHS from the previous year. Shelby used the Turbo I engine updated with the intercooler and plumbing of the Turbo II engine, but without the stronger forged crank, full-floating pin pistons and other durability enhancements of that engine. They were rated at 175 hp (130 kW) and 175 lb·ft (237 N·m) of torque. The suspension was upgraded with Koni adjustable struts/shocks and uprated Z tires. A special sticker on the speedometer upped the readout to 125 mph (201 km/h). A special numbered Shelby Automotive badge went in place of the normal Charger badge.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dodge Charger (L-body).

• Allpar.com Charger Page
• Front-Runners.net – Charger Road Test PDF