The Dodge Charger produced by Chrysler from 1966–1978 was built on the Chrysler B platform. In 1968, the entire B-body lineup was redesigned with a double-diamond coke bottle profile with curves around the front fenders and rear quarter panels. The rear end featured a "kick up" spoiler appearance, inspired by Group 7 racing vehicles. On the roof, a "flying buttress" was added to give the rear window area. The Charger retained its full-width hidden headlight grille, but the fully rotating electric headlights in '66-'67 models had been replaced by a simple vacuum operated cover. The full-width taillights were also replaced by dual circular taillights. Basic engine was the 225 cu in (3.7 L) 1bbl I6.
A new high-performance package, the R/T (or pronounced "Road Track") came standard with the previous year's 440 "Magnum" and the 426 Hemi was optional.
In 1968, Chrysler Corporation unveiled a new ad campaign featuring a Bee with an engine on its back. These cars were called the "Scat Pack". The Coronet R/T, Super Bee, Dart GTSand Charger R/T received optional bumble-bee stripes (two thin stripes framing two thick stripes). (wikipedia)
(Photos from motortrend.com, commons.wikimedia.org,
autobild.de, popularhotrodding.com & conceptcarz.com)
The famous car chase in the 1968 movie Bulitte
between a 1968 390 V8 Ford Mustang GT fastbacks and
a 1968 375 hp 440 Magnum V8-powered Dodge Charger R/T.
between a 1968 390 V8 Ford Mustang GT fastbacks and
a 1968 375 hp 440 Magnum V8-powered Dodge Charger R/T.
This particular Dodge Charger had been rebuilt to better-than-Bullitt specification and given as a gift to Bruce Willis by his then-wife Demi Moore. Bruce kept the car for years before eventually selling it on, and its next owner would be no less famous – Jamiroquai front-man Jay Kay.
The original 440 cubic inch V8 had been upgraded from its original capacity to 500 cubic inches – that’s 8.2 liters. The newly uprated big block V8 was accompanied by upgrades throughout to bring the car up to a similar specification (though obviously not identical) to the vinyl-top Dodge Charger used in the movie – including upgraded suspension and high-performance disc brakes on all four corners, which necessitated larger wheels to accommodate the rotors. The car was repainted in gleaming jet black, the interior was comprehensively re-trimmed (also in black) and the car is now in significantly better overall condition that it was fresh from the factory.
The 500 cubic inch V8 is fitted to a 3-speed automatic Chrysler transmission topped with a B&M Quicksilver shifter – and it’s more than capable of wiping the floor with almost any Mustang you throw at it (even if Steve McQueen is driving). (silodrome.com)
(Photos from silodrome.com)
