Dodge’s Forgotten Challenger Had 105 HP And A Mitsubishi Badge Underneath
Dodge as soon as bought a rebadged Mitsubishi as a Challenger, and one of many best-kept examples simply hit the public sale block.
23 hours in the past
- The second-generation Challenger was a rebadged Mitsubishi Galant coupe.
- A 2.6-liter 4 made 105 hp, a far cry from the unique V8 muscle automotive.
- This 1980 instance exhibits solely 37,309 miles and has simply two house owners.
Not each automotive sporting a well-known nameplate deserves it, and Dodge spent the late Nineteen Seventies proving the purpose. If you are a fan of American muscle vehicles, you are most likely very accustomed to the first-generation Dodge Challenger and the third-gen mannequin from the late 2000s, which Dodge constructed for fifteen years till 2023.
One model of the Challenger you will not be accustomed to is the second-generation mannequin, and that is as a result of it wasn’t a muscle automotive in any respect. In reality, it wasn’t even a Dodge in any respect.
Read: The Last Challengers Were Supposed To Age Into Money, Not Lose $14K With Delivery Mileage
When Dodge determined to revive the Challenger nameplate in 1978, 4 years after killing off the unique, it walked away from the muscle automotive formulation completely. What clients bought as a substitute was a less expensive, much less highly effective, and much much less attention-grabbing coupe primarily based on the Mitsubishi Galantbought because the Sapporo in some abroad markets.
A Mitsubishi In Dodge Clothing
Initially generally known as the Dodge Colt Challenger, the coupe was just about equivalent to the mitsubishi mannequin bought elsewhere, save for the brand new badges. Whereas the unique Challenger used six- and eight-cylinder engines, this mannequin was primarily bought with a 2.6-liter four-cylinder engine, though a smaller 77hp 1.6-liter mannequin was additionally briefly provided.
While most of those second-gen Challengers constructed between 1978 and 1983 have disappeared into obscurity, Raleigh Classic Car Auctions has one obtainable in Zebulon, North Carolina. This Challenger is a 1980 mannequin and has been pushed simply 37,309 miles (60,043 km) since new. Additionally, it is also believed to have had simply two house owners since new, and could be one of many best-kept examples within the United States.
At Least It Looks Nice…
Raleigh Classic Car Auctions
The exterior includes a two-tone black-and-silver paint job with yellow and crimson pin stripes operating down the edges. It nonetheless sits on its unique 14-inch wheels and appears to have been nicely maintained over the many years.
Just like the skin, the inside design of the two-door mannequin is a dramatic departure from other Challenger iterations. It options grey upholstery all through, contrasted with crimson, white, and black plaid on the seats and door panels.
While the design of this mannequin has aged fairly gracefully, it is not precisely an exhilarating automotive to drive. Indeed, the two.6-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder had a mere 105 hp when new, and a few of these horses have inevitably been misplaced over the many years.
The second-gen Challenger could have deserted muscle-car glory for Japanese reliability, however its oddball appeal has aged higher than anticipated. Take a have a look at the itemizing over here if the badge alone is sufficient to promote you on it.