Dodge Chargers in Panama, etc...

[Rustys74ChargerSE]

I have gone to Panama several times in the last 20 years. I have seen several Chargers there; a couple of 1968/69-vintage ones and some five-odd "third-generation" 1971-74-vintage cars. Only four of all of those cars had small-block V8s. The rest were equipped the way Latin America tends to order them; slant sixes and three-on-the-trees. What a weird thing to see...but there were a few of those "strippos" sold here in the States as well. I have owned five Chargers. The first was a 1969 R/T with a 440 and 4-speed, bought for $500 from a fellow sailor who was deploying overseas. As we do, I let that one go, and the next Charger was a 1970 Charger "500" with a 383 and a four-speed. The third car was a 1972 Charger SE, typical 318 and console-shifted TorqueFlite. Fourth and fifth cars were 1974 Charger SEs, the fourth being a 440 and console-shifted TorqueFlite which was stolen within days of my buying it from the original owner for an incredible, delightful $135.00! The fifth is the 360-powered '74 car I currently have and drive, which I've owned for 20 years. All of these cars were "drivers" when I bought them. I miss the '69 and '70 cars, though, most of all. Talk about one of the more recognizable automobile body designs ever created. If I knew then what I know now...how many of us have said that before?! -"Rusty" Moore in Arizona