The Mighty Dodge Charger 1972: Proper Muscle
The 70's were a bit sad. Following ultra-strict laws gas emissions, Chrysler had to deflate its engines to meet those new rules.
Chrysler also began announcing its powerful engines in net power (i.e: engine output with all accessories), rather than raw power.
The Dodge Charger also lost the "Super Bee" package and the R/T package. Fully loaded, the car became an increasingly luxurious and less efficient, but the charger name was still closely linked to the 1969 competition model in the minds of insurance companies.
Dodge wanted to offer a sporty look without the (expensive) high-performance engine. So Dodge has added a new option package to the Charger: the "Rally Pack". This option could be ordered on the base model of the Charger, as well as the coupe or the "Hardtop" model that included everything needed to make it look like a muscle car. Brougham was an option available on the Charger SE. You could also order a sunroof.
But if those options were not enough, you could also order the "A07" package or the "topper" pack and the "X-topper" (which was a combination of the A07 and the topper). These days, restored cars with such packages and with a 426 Hemi crate engine dropped in them (made by Mopar) are selling like hot cakes.
This led to significant decreases in the assessment of engine power. The Hemi disappeared, the 440 "six pack" became the most powerful engine. From 385 to 330 net horsepower. Quadruple the 440 body of 370 to 280 gross horsepower horses. The 383 could no longer meet the new emission standards, so it was dropped. A new V8 400, took his place, it developed 255 horsepower.
Driver Richard Petty told that all charges of competition is that from 1971 to 1974 which was his favorite, saying that it is the latter which had the best ride and better handling, even better than the legendary GT500 with its Ford 428 Engine.
Chrysler also began announcing its powerful engines in net power (i.e: engine output with all accessories), rather than raw power.
The Dodge Charger also lost the "Super Bee" package and the R/T package. Fully loaded, the car became an increasingly luxurious and less efficient, but the charger name was still closely linked to the 1969 competition model in the minds of insurance companies.
Dodge wanted to offer a sporty look without the (expensive) high-performance engine. So Dodge has added a new option package to the Charger: the "Rally Pack". This option could be ordered on the base model of the Charger, as well as the coupe or the "Hardtop" model that included everything needed to make it look like a muscle car. Brougham was an option available on the Charger SE. You could also order a sunroof.
But if those options were not enough, you could also order the "A07" package or the "topper" pack and the "X-topper" (which was a combination of the A07 and the topper). These days, restored cars with such packages and with a 426 Hemi crate engine dropped in them (made by Mopar) are selling like hot cakes.
This led to significant decreases in the assessment of engine power. The Hemi disappeared, the 440 "six pack" became the most powerful engine. From 385 to 330 net horsepower. Quadruple the 440 body of 370 to 280 gross horsepower horses. The 383 could no longer meet the new emission standards, so it was dropped. A new V8 400, took his place, it developed 255 horsepower.
Driver Richard Petty told that all charges of competition is that from 1971 to 1974 which was his favorite, saying that it is the latter which had the best ride and better handling, even better than the legendary GT500 with its Ford 428 Engine.
