challenger and charger differences...

[emile]

Hey guys. I wanna get me an old mopar to fix up or a 1st gen camaro or firebird. But I had a question which I have been looking all over for the answers to.

I am just wanting to know what are the real differences between the challenger and the charger(1970 and up). I know that the charger is intended to be a fastback but other than that they look the same...


thanks

[BleedDodge]

Look again, they don't look the same.

[emile]

Originally Posted by BleedDodge

Look again, they don't look the same.

Thanks for the deep response.

Perhaps in the looks department they are more different than I can tell. But I assume that Dodge manufactured the challenger for a different purpose as they already had the charger on the market? Not many other companies at the time (as far as I know) were producing two sport muscle cars at the same time, so there had to be some intended differences...

[BleedDodge]

Well to a lot of people, a Challenger isn't really a muscle car, it is a pony car. It was built to compete with the pony cars of other brands, such as the Camaro, Firebird, and Mustang.

A comparable car to a Charger would be something like a GTO, or a Chevelle.

[emile]

Originally Posted by BleedDodge

Well to a lot of people, a Challenger isn't really a muscle car, it is a pony car. It was built to compete with the pony cars of other brands, such as the Camaro, Firebird, and Mustang.

A comparable car to a Charger would be something like a GTO, or a Chevelle.

Thanks bleeddodge, that was the type of information i was looking for..

[zstalker]

The Charger and Challenger are definately different cars, intended for different uses. The Dodge Charger, along with the Coronet/Superbee and the Plymouth Satellite/Road Runner/GTX were considered the midsize part of the Chrysler line-up, and were known as the B-Body. On the street they competed directly with cars like the Pontiac GTO, Chevy Chevelle, Buick GS, and others, but on the track they were intended to run in NASCAR against the Ford Torino and the Mercury Cyclone. These cars (the mopar B-bodys) have a long hood and a long trunk. The Charger began in 1966 as the fastback version of the Coronet, second generation in 1968 (cars like the General Lee and the Charger from 'Bullit' are in this generation), third generation began in 1971 and went 'till 1974. Chargers after that aren't generally considered musclecars.
The Dodge Challenger and the Plymouth 'Cuda (short for Barracuda) began in 1970 to compete in Trans-Am races against the likes of the Chevy Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar. Slightly larger than these cars, they have a long hood but a shorter trunk (compared to the B-Body). The Challenger was an all-new car, but the 'Cuda name was continued from a slightly smaller car that existed before, in the A-Body line.
If you're looking to restore one of these cars (Challenger or Charger) there are a few things to take into consideration. First, E-body cars wil generally go for more money. That's generally, so there are always exceptions. basically the closer to 1970 you get (be it before or after) the prices generally go up as well.
I really recommend getting one of those cars. The mopar world has a lot of very loyal fans, and lots of help on the internet if you need it (you'll need it). These cars are very cool, and always get looks out on the road, since it's not every day that you see a Challenger or a Charger (or a Road Runner or Superbee, for that matter), but everybody and their dog has an old camaro or mustang. hope this helps (and isn't too long...lol). for more (TONS more) go wander around at these sites:
http://www.moparts.com
http://www.cuda-challenger.com
http://www.dodge-charger.com
good luck!