1978 Dodge Challenger

Although the Dodge Challenger was late to the muscle car scene, arriving in 1970, it had plenty of power, options, and attractive styling. Production continued through 1974 when the name was retired as the entire 'muscle car' crave had dissolved, replaced by economical and luxury models that were safer, complied with federal safety and emission requirements, and had much lower insurance premiums. During its final year, the previous 340 CID V8 was replaced by a 360 CID version with 245 horsepower. Its body style had remained mostly the same throughout its five-year production lifespan, albeit for two notable changes to the grille.

When the Challenger name was rebirthed in 1978, it was applied to a rebadged variant of the early Mitsubishi Galant Lambda coupe, initially the 'Dodge Colt Challenger.' It continued to use the frameless hardtop styling of the previous Challenger, but its engines had become significantly smaller, at 1.6-and 2.6-liters for the inline-four, with power outputs of 77 to 105 horsepower.

The body style was a two-door hardtop 'notchback' coupe resting on a 99.6-inch wheelbase and having an overall length of 178.1-inches. It stood approximately 53 inches tall and had a height of 65.9-inches. A five-speed manual transmission was standard and a three-speed automatic was optional.

Production of this second generation of the Challenger would continue through 1983.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021