Tuesday 4th January 2011

First-Ever Dodge Charger Up For Grabs

Unique piece of muscle car heritage to go under the hammer

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We are fond of a spot of V8 Detroit iron here at PH, so when a flick through the latest RM Auctions catalogue revealed this rather intriguing Dodge Charger Concept, we felt it only fair that we should share it with you.

This stunning, Hot Wheels-esque concept was created in 1964 as a showcase for Chrysler Corporation's soon-to-be-legendary 426 cubic-inch Hemi V8. It was also the first use of the iconic Charger name badge.

Unfortunately, this first Charger wasn't as hard-charging as it ought to have been; unexpectedly high demand for the 426ci race engine meant that the motor earmarked for the concept ended up in a race car.

In the end, the Charger Concept had to 'make do' with the 305hp V8 from the Dodge Polara rather than the full-house 365hp. It would take another four decades before the car finally got the powerplant it always ought to have had.

In 1999, concept and show car collector Joe Bortz got his hands on the car, and the Charger concept was finally treated to the 426 Hemi race motor that nature had intended.

What nature didn't intend was that that engine should deliver 600hp, but that's what it has ended up with. And while we like the sound of that, coupling it to a three-speed auto and tyres as thin as a shopping trolley's does sound like a recipe for terror.

If you fancy it, the Charger Concept's up for grabs at the Arizona RM Auction on 21 January. And the estimate? A cool $750k - $1m...

You can have a butcher's at the Charger in more detail (and all the other lots on offer) at the RM Auctions website.

[DarkBlakk]

If only the production model had looked the same

Edit to add: I didn't notice how much they expect it to go for..

Edited by DarkBlakk on Tuesday 4th January 12:44

[FishFace]

It isn't the original spec which is less attractive. Less it more in this case.

[Liquid Knight]

Paint it pink and it's Penelope Pitstops car.

[PaulG40]

600BHP!

[Carparticus]

Looks like the official Batcar came from this design !

[qube_TA]

Insane looking machine, better ways to spend that sort of coin though.

[paulthefox]

insane money even for a motoring icon

[soad]

Sounds very expensive, then again - a bit special to some.

That race engine is awesome though

[LongLiveTazio]

qube_TA said:

Insane looking machine, better ways to spend that sort of coin though.

Not sure the American collectors who will be fighting for it would agree!

Awesome looking beast.

[ellis427]

me want me need.....

[nsmith1180]

Epic, expensive and scary.

Where the hell is 300bhp/ton?

[chevy-stu]

Very important car in musclecar history.... Glad to see it's for sale and not hidden away in some dusty collection.

[EDLT]

Can it actually be driven on the road?

[Lord Flathead]

"Hot wheels esque" Perfect description Riggers

That's stunning. Now where did I put that ready ca$h.

[TheOrangePeril]

chevy-stu said:

Very important car in musclecar history.... Glad to see it's for sale and not hidden away in some dusty collection.

Likely it's about to be whisked off into one of said dusty collections post-purchase...

[suffolk009]

Now there's a designer who understood how small a windscreen on a sportscar really ought to be!

[jbi]

EDLT said:

Can it actually be driven on the road?

No it's actually designed for ploughing fields

[megatron]

quite astonishing really, i want it

[stuart1970]

Stunning, however the mechanic in me (sorry old habbits die hard) wonders why the ignition coil would be so placed that close to a spitting and burbling carb? Fire Hazzard????

[qube_TA]

LongLiveTazio said:

qube_TA said:

Insane looking machine, better ways to spend that sort of coin though.

Not sure the American collectors who will be fighting for it would agree!

Awesome looking beast.

If you were a collector you'd want matching numbers though?