Istorie
Dodge’s big news for 1968 was the second generation Charger with its new Hardtop Coupe bodystyle (it replaced the previous Fastback, a crisp redesign mostly remembered for the classic chase scene in “Bullitt”. The car shown in the Tiriac Collection has a 7.2-liter V8 engine producing 516 HP. It was not available on the original car.
Full description
Dodge’s big news for 1968 was the second generation Charger with its new Hardtop Coupe bodystyle (it replaced the previous Fastback, a crisp redesign mostly remembered for the classic chase scene in “Bullitt” and from the popular television comedy “The Dukes of Hazzard”. Unlike the related Plymouth Road Runner, only one body style was offered.
The ’68 Dodge Charger’s shape was one of the most prestigious renditions of the popular “coke bottle” wasp-waisted design, and featured a slim full-width grille with hidden headlights. Two round taillights on each side were recessed in a black panel. The whole effect was menacing, especially in dark colors like black, and it was exactly the image that muscle car fans wanted to project. The chassis was again shared with the Coronet, with torsion bars up front and leaf springs in the rear.
The Charger R/T (Road/Track), which had a base price of $3,480 ($466 more than the basic Charger) , was the high-performance version and included all the standard features found on the base Charger. They had a standard 7210cc (440 cubic inch) Magnum V8 engine rated at 375 horsepower, with the more powerful 6,980cc (426 cubic inch) V8 Hemi 425hp engine being made optional.
Even if the R/T version was a success - it was chosen by almost 18,000 buyers out of the total 96.100 Chargers sold in 1968 - only 467 buyers opted for the R/T optional Hemi engine. The car shown in the Tiriac Collection has a 7.2-liter V8 engine producing 516 HP. It was not available on the original car.
The engines were mated to a Torque Flite three-speed automatic transmission. The R/T had special badging, dual exhaust with chrome tips, heavy-duty brakes, R/T handling package, contrasting racing "bumblebee" stripes on the back (the car could be order at no cost wothout them), and F70-14 Red Streak or white sidewall tires.
The 1968 film Bullitt helped popularize the Charger R/T for its notable car chase sequence alongside the titular character's 1968 Ford Mustang GT through the streets of San Francisco, which has been regarded as one of the most influential car chase scenes in movie history. In the film, a black Dodge Charger R/T is chasing Steve McQueen's Ford Mustang GT, jumping on the San Francisco slopes.
This car has covered 296 mile (approx. 480 km).
