Anybody else wish the 68-70 Charger design had lasted longer?

[Charger440RDN]

Looking back I guess 3 years was a long time for that design to last in those days. I wish it had lasted for 10 years like the designs do now, because then we would have more Chargers to choose from today. For example look at the Chevy Chevelle, I believe they made about 200,000 to 300,000 of those per year which dwarfed the Charger's production numbers. That may be the reason it is much easier today, to find a GM over a Mopar of that same era.  

[Tilar]

Personally, I don't want something that everyone and their brother has. Don't get me wrong, I like a 396 Chevelle as much as the next guy, but I like more that there are two different types of people in the world today. There are those that have a 2nd generation Charger, and there are those that WANT a second generation Charger. 

[Charger440RDN]

Personally, I don't want something that everyone and their brother has. Don't get me wrong, I like a 396 Chevelle as much as the next guy, but I like more that there are two different types of people in the world today. There are those that have a 2nd generation Charger, and there are those that WANT a second generation Charger. 

Yeah that's true  I guess the lower production numbers of all mopar's compared to GM and Ford makes MOPAR a more exclusive brand. I go to local car shows here and I see at least 50 GM cars and probably 15 mopars total.

[1969chargerrtse]

GM ran a great design with the C3? corvette stingray look from 68 to 82.  There does come a time when a good thing needs to come to an end, lets see, Porches, bug, Ha ha.  As for the Chevelle the style was the same in 66/67, 68/69, and then 70 was more square with 4 headlamps, I don't think they dragged the body style out to long, it's just that it was such a hit, and great car that many people bought them.  I remember our 1st and only new car, a gold 69 chevelle 6 cly 2 dr coupe.  That baby lasted many years.  The 68 to 70 Chevelle SS 396/427/454 cars were awesome and built great.  It was a hard car to trash then and now.
As for the Charger 2nd gen style?  I think I like the 3 years just as they are.

[Charger440RDN]

It really doesn't take much effort to find a clean project GM car, but you have to really dig and search to find a clean mopar project. Much more rewarding when you do find that mopar though 

[Ghoste]

I wish there maybe a little more easier to find but at the same time I sure don't want a bellybutton car.

[Charger440RDN]

The 3rd gen chargers lasted longer than the 2nd gen for a total of 4 years from 71-74, (the 73 & 74 were different but it was the same basic body style) But the 68-70 is still the most popular.

[Charger440RDN]

I wish the current Charger design had lasted for like.........1 minute  

[General_01]

No, I do not. I might be a little biased though.

P.S.-Check out my avatar and sig 

[Charger440RDN]

No, I do not. I might be a little biased though.

P.S.-Check out my avatar and sig  

Hey I like the 3rd gen too, but not as much as the 2nd gen   There is a 3rd gen on craigslist near me that I'm tempted to go look at tomorrow, only $3,200

[Ghoste]

Maybe not longer but sometimes I wish they had made a few more... of each year. 

(but I still don't want a bellybutton car )

[mikesbbody]

No, I do not. I might be a little biased though.

I agree  I prefer 3rd Gens having said that, 68-70's are very, very cool I just like to have something that not everyone wants. 

[jaak]

Nope...me either, I love 2nd gens, but if they run longer, then no 3rd gens.
They both have their own things I like about 'em, The second gen with the scalloped hood and doors, long sleek quarters just scream Muscle car. When it comes to interior, the 3rd gen wins hands down. I just love sitting behind the wheel of  a 3rd gen crusin.

Jason

[Charger440RDN]

The seats look more comfortable in the 3rd gen. I think the dasboard in the 2nd gen looks better. I just don't like the woodgrain look as much.

[ZSmithersCharges]

No, I do not. I might be a little biased though.

P.S.-Check out my avatar and sig  

Hey I like the 3rd gen too, but not as much as the 2nd gen   There is a 3rd gen on craigslist near me that I'm tempted to go look at tomorrow, only $3,200

Don't do it. Then you would be "settling", nothing ever settles in that situation.  You would want a 2nd gen every day in the back of your heart but wouldn't ever get it because "you already have a project/nice 3rd gen".  Now don't take that as me knocking 3rd gens I love them and I have one that I'm working on but most 3rd gen guys truly love their third gens over a second gen which is how it is supposed to be. Go after the car you want forget the rest, focus and dedication will land you your dream car.  

[Hemidog]

Nope...me either, I love 2nd gens, but if they run longer, then no 3rd gens.
They both have their own things I like about 'em, The second gen with the scalloped hood and doors, long sleek quarters just scream Muscle car. When it comes to interior, the 3rd gen wins hands down. I just love sitting behind the wheel of  a 3rd gen crusin.
Jason

I would have to agree with the interior argument 

On another note, who here thinks that a 74 cuda/challenger is better looking than a 70? WHY did they do those styling changes? I just don't get it.... 

[ZSmithersCharges]

Nope...me either, I love 2nd gens, but if they run longer, then no 3rd gens.
They both have their own things I like about 'em, The second gen with the scalloped hood and doors, long sleek quarters just scream Muscle car. When it comes to interior, the 3rd gen wins hands down. I just love sitting behind the wheel of  a 3rd gen crusin.
Jason

I would have to agree with the interior argument  

On another note, who here thinks that a 74 cuda/challenger is better looking than a 70? WHY did they do those styling changes? I just don't get it....  

I think I recall reading an article about it, it had something to do with Chrysler beginning their "luxury" trend with all of their lines of cars. Which obviously is exactly the opposite of a true muscle car so, effectively they began to kill off the muscle car with little "styling" tweaks here and there. Then little changes became big changes and by the mid 70's we have a flatline on American muscle as everyone began trying to live "rich" instead of comfortable. That's mainly when the outward fad of showing everyone just how deep your pockets are with your materials began. As you all know, performance in a car doesn't necessarily take a millionare therefore performance was tossed aside for the new more materialistic America. Now what this has to do with styling is this, no one wanted to be viewed as rough and rugged like a work horse anymore, they wanted to be large and in charge and "smooth". Toss that around your head a couple times and you'll find the boat cars of the 80's with no relative performance just BIG and luxurious which lead to SUV's and the smooth, well you can guess that one look at any of the cars on your street.  I believe someone called them "jelly beans" here earlier and they are the new symbol of success. However, I've never been one not to show respect when respect is due. SO in their defense, jelly beans are damn good they didn't know hungry automakers would start trying to copy them! They even tried to throw them off their trail with nasty flavors such as pop corn, but to no avail, automakers with their horrible taste ate them right up.   Oh the horror.

[68charger383]

Nope...me either, I love 2nd gens, but if they run longer, then no 3rd gens.
They both have their own things I like about 'em, The second gen with the scalloped hood and doors, long sleek quarters just scream Muscle car. When it comes to interior, the 3rd gen wins hands down. I just love sitting behind the wheel of  a 3rd gen crusin.
Jason

I would have to agree with the interior argument  

On another note, who here thinks that a 74 cuda/challenger is better looking than a 70? WHY did they do those styling changes? I just don't get it....  

They saw the popularity and artistic styling of the 68 Chargers and tried to regain it with the 72-74 Cudas'  

I think Chevy changed their line more frequent than Dodge. Camaro, ran two years with tail light and turn signal changes 67-68, redesign for 69, redesign for 70. In the 70s they seem similar as far as shape of the body, but they had some major changes throughout the decade.

[Charger440RDN]

No, I do not. I might be a little biased though.

P.S.-Check out my avatar and sig 

Hey I like the 3rd gen too, but not as much as the 2nd gen  There is a 3rd gen on craigslist near me that I'm tempted to go look at tomorrow, only $3,200

Don't do it. Then you would be "settling", nothing ever settles in that situation.  You would want a 2nd gen every day in the back of your heart but wouldn't ever get it because "you already have a project/nice 3rd gen".  Now don't take that as me knocking 3rd gens I love them and I have one that I'm working on but most 3rd gen guys truly love their third gens over a second gen which is how it is supposed to be. Go after the car you want forget the rest, focus and dedication will land you your dream car. 

Yeah I thought about that and I am only focusing on finding a 2nd gen charger. One thing I have learned in the past is you should never take on a project if your heart is not 100% in it.

[451-74Charger]

GM are just as bad,
I have a 93 Transam in Purple grey / pearl Metalic (it didnt even last a whole year before being dicontinued.)
The body style lasted 5 years before being revamped.
Trans lasted 1 year (not litterally)

[aussiemuscle]

WHY did they do those styling changes? I just don't get it.... 

Change for the sake of change?

the third gen firebird went 82-92 with only minor style changes. 

[Nacho-RT74]

the deal on had last longer 2nd gens is they would it be outdated and maybe removed of production quick with the competitors on aerodinamics and comfort. In fact the "aerodinamics" was very debatable on the years they came out.

Is true our tastes about the Charger is really the aggresive look, but competitors and Mopar itself went far away with the E body

[Nacho-RT74]

Nope...me either, I love 2nd gens, but if they run longer, then no 3rd gens.
They both have their own things I like about 'em, The second gen with the scalloped hood and doors, long sleek quarters just scream Muscle car. When it comes to interior, the 3rd gen wins hands down. I just love sitting behind the wheel of  a 3rd gen crusin.

Jason

totally agree. In fact maybe the Charger was destinated to dissapear if they had last longer the 2nd gen. After drive a 70 and my 74... sorry but I have to say on a 3rd gen you REALLY feels like the car is part of you. Charger did need to keep going to newer times, and they did succesfully on the corrected aspects of the 2nd gens

and a 2nd gens is still my fav one, but 3rd gens got several advantages over them.

From the driver, all controls are handly on a 3rd gen... shifter, function switchs, Radio, A/C. You barelly has to move to get access to these. 2nd gens shifter is too far away from driver, same as Radio and A/C. Map Light even worse.

Aerodinamics of course is out of Discussion.

Would I designed the 3rd gen a litle bit closer to a 2nd gen outside ? yes definitelly. I think there are TOO MUCH BIG STEPS on outside look between 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd... bigger of course between 1st and 3rd... 4th gens... better don't talk about them.

[sixty8 chrgr]

Nope...me either, I love 2nd gens, but if they run longer, then no 3rd gens.
They both have their own things I like about 'em, The second gen with the scalloped hood and doors, long sleek quarters just scream Muscle car. When it comes to interior, the 3rd gen wins hands down. I just love sitting behind the wheel of  a 3rd gen crusin.
Jason

I would have to agree with the interior argument 

On another note, who here thinks that a 74 cuda/challenger is better looking than a 70? WHY did they do those styling changes? I just don't get it.... 

I am fortunate enough to own both a 68' 383 Charger and a 71' 440 Challenger. The 71 was not my original choice as I looked for a 70 like everyone else. I had an opportunity to purchase a stalled 71 project car and I'm glad I did. I wasn't crazy about the 71's grill but I liked it a lot better than the 72-74 "sad face" grill. Long story short, I'm glad I've got the one I've got as it has grown on me. Production numbers for the 71 are half of what the 70 numbers were. I can see where the 72-74 owners would probably feel the same way.

[Charger440RDN]

The 1970 Charger had a somewhat modern, updated interior as far as the seats. the seats are similar to the buckets in the 3rd gen if I'm not mistaken. To me the black dash in the 2nd gen looks more like a muscle car dash should. I think the dash in the 3rd gen had more of a luxury car look than muscle car.

[68 RT]

They made more because they sold more. Also chevelle line includes 4 doors, wagons and el camino. So these are included in those numbers.

[b5blue]

Keep in mind that the Charger is/was Dodge's Flagship car and as such it was expected to stay cutting edge, even in 77 the Charger was competing with Monty Carlo and Thunderbird for the "Personal Luxury" market that was all the rage. 

[Charger440RDN]

Keep in mind that the Charger is/was Dodge's Flagship car and as such it was expected to stay cutting edge, even in 77 the Charger was competing with Monty Carlo and Thunderbird for the "Personal Luxury" market that was all the rage.  

That term "PERSONAL LUXURY COUPE" just makes me disgusted it represents the end of the muscle car era, when muscle was dying off. Who needs luxury anyway? Remember all the superbee needed was a bench seat, pistol grip shifter and a 440 six pack, no radio, no carpet, no A/C, roll down windows   America got soft in the 1970's going for luxury.

I once heard somebody say personal luxury is for old people, lard asses and pussies.

[ZSmithersCharges]

Keep in mind that the Charger is/was Dodge's Flagship car and as such it was expected to stay cutting edge, even in 77 the Charger was competing with Monty Carlo and Thunderbird for the "Personal Luxury" market that was all the rage. 

That term "PERSONAL LUXURY COUPE" just makes me disgusted it represents the end of the muscle car era, when muscle was dying off. Who needs luxury anyway? Remember all the superbee needed was a bench seat, pistol grip shifter and a 440 six pack, no radio, no carpet, no A/C, roll down windows  America got soft in the 1970's going for luxury.

I once heard somebody say personal luxury is for old people, lard asses and pussies.

Can I gen an A'men?! 

[b5blue]

Right the era of bookshelf bumpers smog motors that ran cleaner but used 2X the gas exhaust choking catalytic converters snorting cocaine disco queen boogie down (shake shake shake) god awful silky printed big collar shirts with double knit red slack 2 inch thick sole shoe big gold chain wearing self obsessed ex hippie heading to yuppytown personal luxury driving consumer that industry catered to and I ignored.  Those were the dark years for me.