1967 Dodge Charger

The Dodge Charger entered the market in 1966, immediately surrounded by competition from other manufacturers, but its unique styling, a long list of optional extras, and range of efficient and powerful engines helped distinguish it from the rest of the crowd. Aimed at the younger, professional set, the styling was attractive, modern, and right for the period, reflecting a clean, edgy boldness blended with a street-smart prowess. The fastback styling was en vogue for the time, with the fastback roofline ending at a fender-to-fender tail light pad paired with hidden headlights up front. The interior housed a smart dashboard with instrumentation in a very unique four lateral circle gauge layout underscored by chrome switchgear to control headlights, windshield wipers, and other components. Between the four bucket seats was a center console that stretched from under the dashboard to under the massive rear window. With the rear seats folded flat, an enormous storage area was revealed, making the Charger remarkably useful compared to many of their counterparts. In regards to performance, Dodge was not to be outdone by the competition, offering the Charger with the 426 cubic-inch Hemi V8 producing 425 horsepower and allowing sprints from zero-to-sixty mph in under six seconds, making them among the quickest street cars available at the time.

The Dodge Chargers aerodynamic profile was perfected suited for the NASCAR circuit, and its wind-cheating shape helped David Pearson win the 1966 NASCAR driver's title in the Hemi-Power Charger.

For 1967, its sophomore year, the Dodge Charger received only minor updates. Dodge added new chrome pieces to the exterior, along with front fender mounted turn signal indicators. The Charger was available as a hardtop coupe and shared components with the Coronet that also used the Chrysler B platform. They were given all the features found on the Coronet 500 plus map and courtesy lights, bucket seats, rear center armrests, cigar lighter, tinted rear window, oil pressure gauge, and paint stripes. The base engine was a 318 CID V8 with hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, a cast-iron block, a Stromberg two-barrel carburetor, and delivering 230 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. A three-speed manual gearbox was standard, with a host of optional transmission, engine, and performance options available including a four-speed manual, power front disc brakes, suspension upgrades, and heavy-duty differential. The 383-CID big-block V8 proved a popular choice with buyers, offering 326 horsepower on tap and the ability to run the quarter-mile in 16.2 seconds at 88 mph. The 383 CID V8 delivered either 270 or 325 hp depending on the setup, and the 426 Street Hemi produced 425 and was installed in 118 two-door hardtops.

Dodge produced 15,788 examples of the 1967 Charger, a significant decrease from the 37,300 examples produced the previous year. Following a complete restyling and the addition of the R/T trim package, sales grew considerably in 1968, to approximately 96,100 units.

Production of the B-Body Charger would continue to 1978, returning in 1982 as a subcompact hatchback coupe with front-wheel drive. Production lasted five years, ending in 1987. The name was revived again in 2006 and has remained in production ever since.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2015