Classic Dodge Charger

[billhickman]

Hi,

I'm new to this site. I've been looking round the internet for a 1968 or 1970 Dodge Charger Kit Car with no success. Could anyone help me with any information?I'm interested in a Kit Car version as the price of an original will keep rising. Are there any companies that sell the bodyshell at least? Thanks in advance for any help.

Bill

[aeropilot]

Err.....the easy and short answer to your question, is no such thing exists.

Its the real thing or nothing.

So, you'll need to start saving for that black '68 440 Charger R/T

[downsman]

I like the idea, but all those huge flat panels would be a serious challenge to produce in GRP!

[aeropilot]

billhickman said:

Hi,

I'm new to this site. I've been looking round the internet for a 1968 or 1970 Dodge Charger Kit Car with no success. Could anyone help me with any information?I'm interested in a Kit Car version as the price of an original will keep rising. Are there any companies that sell the bodyshell at least? Thanks in advance for any help.

How about a restoration project instead...?

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale...

[billhickman]

Hi.

Thanks for the reply. I'll save up for a 1967 Mustang bodyshell and find a suitable donor car and put that together. I appreciate you giving me the time to reply.. Thanks again.
My Regards, Bill

[Chris-S]

Many moons ago I was lucky enough to have a ride in the Haynes Museum Charger. What a dissapointment it was I so wanted to enjoy it, but it was frankly hilariously bad. Loud, slow, handled like a boat with a dodgy rudder and the brakes were not worthy of the name. Like they say, never meet your heroes.

To be fair, the DeLorean wasn’t any better.

[billhickman]

Hi.

I reckon most of the muscle cars from that era don't handle as well as cars of the present time.

I just love the look and even after 50 Years,it's still used in movies. The modern Dodge Charger might outperform the original but it does'nt seem as cool.

My Regards, Bill

[aeropilot]

Chris-S said:

Many moons ago I was lucky enough to have a ride in the Haynes Museum Charger. What a dissapointment it was I so wanted to enjoy it, but it was frankly hilariously bad. Loud, slow, handled like a boat with a dodgy rudder and the brakes were not worthy of the name. Like they say, never meet your heroes.

Are you making that comparison to other cars from the late 60's era or to modern cars.

If the comparison isn't with similar era then frankly its pointless.

And, if you drive them in their natural element, where they were designed for, its a different matter.

Chrysler didn't design the Charger for UK country lanes, which ever era you put it in.

If you adjust your brain to what they are, they are indeed wonderfully absurd things to enjoy and own, even in the UK.
Enjoy them while you can.

[Westy Pre-Lit]

Chris-S said:

Many moons ago I was lucky enough to have a ride in the Haynes Museum Charger. What a dissapointment it was I so wanted to enjoy it, but it was frankly hilariously bad. Loud, slow, handled like a boat with a dodgy rudder and the brakes were not worthy of the name. Like they say, never meet your heroes.

Sounds more like a right good laugh to me

[Chris-S]

@billhickman - Absolutely - the modern stuff lacks character for some indefinable reason. No doubt they are 'better' cars, but that isn't always what we want is it.

@aeropilot - I wasn't consciously comparing it to anything specifically, just that it was so bad it was almost funny. On the same day, I got to ride in quite a variety of older cars, from mundane to exotic, and it was, by far, the biggest disappointment. It was far from the oldest too. That prize went to a 1936 (I think) Duisenberg that was amazing. I did enjoy the ride in a Cadillac Eldorado, which was only slightly smaller then the building they kept it in, but to be fair, that was more akin to sailing than driving.

@westy pre-lit - Sadly, and I mean that sincerely, it just wasn't I so wanted it to be great. I wasn't expecting it to be subtle or smooth, but I did expect it to be something other than it was.

But, as always, just my opinion and YMMV.

[billhickman]

Hi,

Very few would find flaws with a BMW M5. Well engineered,fast with top class handling,but if I had to choose between one and an old Charger,it would be the Charger.
To me,the BMW has'nt got that X factor that the Dodge had. There are lots of cars that tick all the right boxes,but they seem so bland.
My Regards,
Bill

[aeropilot]

Chris-S said:

@aeropilot - I wasn't consciously comparing it to anything specifically, just that it was so bad it was almost funny. On the same day, I got to ride in quite a variety of older cars, from mundane to exotic, and it was, by far, the biggest disappointment. It was far from the oldest too. That prize went to a 1936 (I think) Duisenberg that was amazing. I did enjoy the ride in a Cadillac Eldorado, which was only slightly smaller then the building they kept it in, but to be fair, that was more akin to sailing than driving.

I don't know what spec the Haynes Charger is, and that does play a big factor in what they are like. With so many options, they can easily be OK or crap. My mate in the USA has a friend that used to have a poverty spec Charger with manual steering steering and a 4-speed.......and drum brakes - which I believe was hysterical. It didn't stay in that spec for long though

Remember when they prepped the two Mustangs and two Chargers for filming of Bullitt, even after modding the Mustangs, the two stock Chargers still rang rings around them.............which may not say a lot about the Mustang

[Chris-S]

Back when I went, the Haynes car had drum brakes for sure.

Of course, improving the beast is relatively easy these days, and the complaints I had with that one I rode in could be quickly sorted at relatively little cost I should think.

Can't argue with the looks of the old Charger though - epic. I hired a modern one on a recent trip to the US.

One of my guilty pleasure is watching bhin' Rides. Those guys do some amazing work. I'd happily own one of their cars.

For clarity though, I must point out, my intent wasn't to 'hate' on the old Charger, just my observation that the one I rode in was a disappointment. If I hadn't cared about it, I wouldn't have been disappointed IYSWIM.

[Westy Pre-Lit]

Can I ask what you was expecting from it ?

The Charger is a big heavy car designed to reliably travel long distances in straight lines, on big open roads with few cars on them.

The 383 or 440 V8 isn't a high revving engine and why would you want tight stiff suspension and pin sharp steering if there are no twists ? it's no Italian light weight sports car that's for sure, they are what they are.

I have a 1967 Dodge Monaco with a 383 and the way you explain how that drives you could be describing mine When I drive mine it cracks me up laughing every time. Mine has discs on the front ( converted ) and drums on the back, you have to write a date in the diary for when you won't it to stop . To think it even come with drums on the front makes it even more comical. But that to me makes it what it is and is an experience everytime I drive it. You have to 'Drive' it rather than it 'Drive' you which gives it it's character, start changing it and I might as well be driving a modern car which would be boring.

Edited by Westy Pre-Lit on Saturday 3rd March 12:49

[Chris-S]

I think I was expecting it to be very rapid, stop pretty well, handle a bit wayward but at least controllably.

I do get that they were simple things, made down to a low price for a very specific task.

I suppose that basically, having come form a background of driving older Italian cars like Alfas & Fiat sports, I was used to a very different recipe. While they certainly rusted, those old Italian cars certainly handled and went well for the time.

Old American iron probably isn't my thing I suspect, although I do love the look and idea of them....just not the brief exposure I had to them.

I do however love my old Jeep for its Tonka Toy simplicity, so I'm not a total snob

[aeropilot]

Chris-S said:

I think I was expecting it to be very rapid, stop pretty well, handle a bit wayward but at least controllably.

To be fair to the car, as it's not even a R/T, it was kind of expecting a lot to think it would be quick or stop, or handle.

I think you'd have a different experience if you went for a ride in a Hemi R/T

[Gemaeden]

Chris-S said:

Many moons ago I was lucky enough to have a ride in the Haynes Museum Charger...

Similarly, about 30 years ago, I was taken for a ride around Goodwood in a Ferrari 250 GTO. I was expecting too much I think. It just seemed like a very fast Triumph TR4 with a noisier engine.