Evolution of the Dodge Charger

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As you all know I am a huge muscle car guy that appreciates the time and love it took to create some of the most iconic automobiles in American history. Ever since I was a child I was drawn to muscle cars like the Mustang, the Camaro, and of course the Dodge Charger. The Dodge Charger is one of the most iconic and raw muscle cars that is still very popular to this day. Since the very creation of the Charger in 1966 Dodge knew it had a winner and knew it would be a model that would stick around and appeal to generations down the line. Since I love the car so much I wanted to take this opportunity to give you all a brief history on the Dodge Charger.

Generation 1:

1966 Dodge Charger

1966 Dodge Charger

As I said, the Charger was brought into production in 1966 with their first generation model. The first generation model featured a two-door body with bucket seats on the interior. The car comfortably seat four people with high quality upholstery and vintage designs. The engine was a whopping 318 cu in, 5.2 L V8 with a 3-speed floor shifter. This was the base model but there were others produced at this time that featured larger and more powerful engines.

Generation 2:

The Dodge Charger underwent a slight change in its design for its second generation model. The new model cause an increase in sales for Dodge due to its interior and exterior design changes, including a new grill, round tail lights, and almost invisible headlights. Generation 2 was a definite improvement and one of my personal favorite models.

Generation 3:

In 1971 Dodge rolled out the third generation Charger that was available in 6 different packages with even more changes than generation 2. The grill was split, there was a semi fastback rear window, and featured a ducktail spoiler that added to the aerodynamics of the car. Again Dodge saw an increase in sales from the new model and the third generation Chargers lasted in production from 1971-1974.

Generation 4:

1975 Dodge Charger

1975 Dodge Charger

The fourth generation of Chargers were mass produced by Dodge during 1975 and went until 1978. Another re-styling of the iconic muscle car was made in an attempt to dip into the luxury car market and appeal to a new audience. Dodge also saw the money in the luxury market and produced another new model to help out known as the Magnum.

Generation 5:

One of the longest lasting production periods for the Charger allowed for some of the most interesting and diverse versions of the original Chargers. In 1982 the Charger resurfaced as a hatchback coupe with front-wheel-drive and had a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. In 1983 the Shelby Charger was offered and then a turbo version was made available in 1984 which produced 148 horsepower and 160 pound-feet with a torque of 3200 rpm. Towards the end of the generation the electronics were given an overhaul however the power output remained the same.

Now:

Since 2006 the Dodge Charger was rolled out to the public as a sedan. The car currently is offered as a four-door or a two-door coupe style automobile and has undergone major cosmetic changes. There are currently multiple versions of the Charger available including ones with hemis, the R/T version, and the Charger SRT8 to name a few. The Dodge Charger has become a staple car for many people that have grown up with them throughout the years and continue to drive them. I personally have loved the evolution of the car and really enjoyed experiencing the different generations one after another.

Thank you for reading and be sure to check back again soon for more updates and interesting car information.

2016 Dodge Charger

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The new Dodge Charger is here so let’s take a look at specs and reviews.

Miles Per Gallon: 19 city, 31 highway
These numbers don’t come as much shock as they are the same as the 2015 Charger

MSRP: $27,995
Again, the same numbers as the 2015 Charger.

The horsepower, curb weight, engine, and car volume are all the same as the 2015 Charger which begs the questions, what’s different about the 2016 Charger?

The SXT model now has 300 horsepower, up from 292 horsepower in the 2015 model. The grille in the front of the car has also changed to feature a gloss black grille and fascia insert. The rims are now 20 inch five spoke aluminum wheels.

Here is a video of a test drive as well as some photos of the car below:

2016 dodge charger

Bad Cars

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Cars have now been around for some time. We’ve seen some pretty cool cars, from Hummers to Cadillacs, there are plenty of cool cars out there. How about those cars that we’ve forgotten about? There are sometimes “duds,” a car that just didn’t stick around. It may have been no one bought it or it always broke down. Let’s take a look at some of the worst cars.

1982 Cadillac Cimarron

This car was built to compete with BMW. This car almost ruined Cadillac.

1958 Edsel Corsair

Ford tried way too hard with this car and ultimately flopped.

2003 Saturn Ion

Considered one of the worst cars of the 21st century, this car was difficult to drive.

Google Car

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Years ago, futurists predicted the year 2000 would be one of wonder and science. Cars with domed roofs zipping through the sky while we stand on automated sidewalks and take our meals entirely in pill form. Though that future may not have come true in its entirety, Google’s most recent development could be the next wave of the future. Having ripped a page out of Golden Age Sci-Fi and put it on the road, Google presents the self-driving car.

Showing off its most recent prototype last Saturday at the Community School of Music and Arts in Mountain View, California, Google proved that it owns the cutting edge. While prototypes of this vehicle were unveiled in May, Google has been road testing their latest creation since June. Keeping it sheltered from the public eye, Google kept their baby behind glass, only available for a chosen few to see.

Peter Bouchard - google carChris Urmson, the director of Google’s self-driving car program, announced the car’s many features. Along with your typical air-conditioning and power windows, you can elect to remove your accelerator pedal, brake pedal, and steering wheel. While the car does come with a fail-safe stop button, the final model will look entirely different. Only being a prototype, this early peek at what Google plans to offer has titillated many. Unveiling their vehicle as part of the Paint the Town project, Google sought local artists to submit artwork to be showcased on the vehicles. Introducing a concept as foreign and futuristic as a self driving car will take all the positive P.R. Google can muster.

With a history of successful innovations under their belt, it should come as no surprise that Google is the one to introduce such a major leap in the technology. While it may be several years before the highways are bustling with self-piloting cars, it’s no doubt that the future is upon us.

For more on this interesting topic, check it out on WashingtonPost.com here.

Cars of the Film Mad Max

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Rusted, armored, and thundering down the road, the cars of Mad Max: Fury Road stole the show in this apocalyptic blockbuster. Director George Miller’s love for practical effects shows in every death machine that roared across the desert, meticulously built in a garage, and destroyed in the dunes. Some fan favorites have car fanatics clamoring to carve up their classics for that Mad Max feel, and below is a taste of the fuel-injected mayhem that left burning rubber on our hearts.

peter bouchard - mad maxMax’s classic makes a return in this most recent installment, but it has seen better days. This XB Falcon Coupe, aptly named The Interceptor, is a rusted relic. With its trademark supercharger sticking through the hood like the snout of a dragon, its low grumbling sound is something to hear echoing off the pavement. Though it doesn’t last long in the film, The Interceptor was an amazing throwback to the classic series, and a fan favorite of the film.

What is made of two Cadillac Coup De Villes, twin V8 engines, and a couple of Monster truck tires? If you guessed the villains principal vehicle, you guessed right. Dubbed The Gigahorse, this beast is a marvel of modern engineering. Its massive frame was custom built to support the weight of not only its chimera-like body, but also multiple flamethrowers and harpoon guns. This memorable monster could be road warriors closest companion, or make for a fun Sunday drive across the wasteland.

The beast at center stage during Fury Road, taking almost as much punishment as it could dish out, is known only as The War Rig. This fusion of hot rod and semi sports six-wheel drive, end-to-end V8 engines, and enough firepower to take a small city. With thick armor plates, and shells of smaller cars welded to the frame as bunkers, The War Rig stands defiant against the apocalypse.

Listed above are just snippets of what Fury Road has to offer. Dozens more cars tear up the street in this classic action film, each with a unique twist that’s never been seen before. George miller’s vision of a world where humanity struggles over gasoline has spawned some truly amazing gas guzzlers.

Origin of the American Muscle Car

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Peter Bouchard - PontiacCars for the most part of been one of the world’s greatest inventions to date. It allows us to transport multiple people far faster than we ever would have been able to on foot. With the invention of cars came the innovation. In 1949, we were introduced to the American muscle car. It was at this time that people wanted faster cars and the muscle car delivered on that.

The first muscle car was brought to us by Oldsmobile, the Rocket 88. The car had a lightweight Oldsmobile body with a high compression overhead valve V8. The body is similar to the body of the Oldsmobile 76 which originally had a six cylinder engine. It was this combo that ultimately created the category of a muscle car.

A muscle car has a light body with heavy engine. At the height of the Rocket 88, it took NASCAR by storm in 1950. This ultimately had people thinking speed, speed, speed. This type of car was a long time coming, starting back in the 1920s. With prohibition taking place, moonshiners and bootleggers wanted a vehicle that could speed away from police vehicles. Moonshiners began modifying their cars and eventually racing to make money. It was these cars that gave inspiration for the Rocket 88.

Racing eventually slowed down and actually came to a stop when the Automobile Manufacturers Association banned factory sponsored racing in 1957. Eventually, Pontiac released the Gran Turismo Omologato (GTO). Initially priced at $3,200, the Pontiac GTO was for the young. Due to its inexpensive price, many young people were purchasing this car that was approved for racing. In its first year of production, Pontiac sold well over their projections. Pontiac ended up selling over six times as many as originally predicted proving to other automobile manufacturers that they should begin making muscle cars, and thats exactly what Ford did.

For more on this interesting topic, check it out at gentlemansgazette.com.

Buying a Used Car

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Peter Bouchard Used CarsBuying a used car can be very stressful. Why? Because you don’t know what it’s been through and maybe you’re not a car expert and can look at telling signs that would leave you to believe a car has been through something in the past. Of course there is the Lemon Law but how can you avoid that situation is better than going through the stress of exercising the Lemon Law. Sure they have carfax.com, but how far are you willing to trust it? Lets take a look at some issues that could help you determine if the car is a lemon, dud, or if it’s being over valued.

Always Test Drive

This is a no brainer. Give the car a run and drive it. Roll the window down so you can get a good listen to how it runs as well as if the brakes or axles underneath make any funky noises.

Tires

Tires can be expensive. Make sure you take a close look and see how bald, old, and when the last time they were replaced. The last thing you want to do is pay top dollar for a car and then invest another $500 in new tires and installation.

Check for Weathering

If you live in an area where hurricanes are frequent, this is big. Where there are hurricanes, there follows flooding. Check the trunk to see if there is any odd smell of mildew. It will be a telling sign if the car sat in water during a flood.

Always Check Under the Hood

The last thing you want to find is a engine with gum, tape, and cardboard holding it together. Make sure it all looks clean and proper.

If you’ve done all of the following, it’s always a good idea to take the car to a mechanic and have them take a deeper look at the car as well. A car is a huge investment, and you want to make sure you get it right the first time.

Gas Pulling Plug on Electric

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The decreasing price of gas is making consumers second-guess themselves about the positives of trading in their guzzlers for electric vehicles. Or at least some sources report so; other media remain hopeful, viewing the crests and troughs in sales as a more natural fluctuation than one strongly correlated with gas prices.

peter bouchard - electric carWhile only a few years ago the activists of environment-friendly driving controlled the podium, and drivers everywhere leaned toward making the switch, a new obstacle is presenting itself for companies trying to entice potential clients with the alternative to regularly fueled cars. What’s more upsetting to companies that relied on the takeoff is the fading excitement over the green benefits that come with driving hybrids and electric vehicles. What originally seemed like a growing conscious effort to reduce wastefulness seems only to have been a preliminary and transitory appeal. Drivers simply care more about the money they save than they do about their contributions to resourcefulness. Electric cars come with higher prices that some conclude only looked attractive in the wake of rising gas prices and further speculation of the same, and as gas prices fall, less efficient cars make a return.

A few figures make it clear that the industry is not suffering devastating losses—suggesting little to no influence of gas prices on electric car sales. New models including Tesla and BMW cars are still bringing new faces to driving electric. Nissan, however, which saw record-high sales through 2014 and boasted the most bought plug-in that year faced a decrease of 20% in sales from January 2015. This was the most significant change for the year. Yet, Nissan is not the only company facing unforeseen complications. Many companies including Cadillac, Chevy, and Toyota have already lowered prices and may continue to do so with hopes of arousing interest in upcoming models.

Edmunds.com, which more realistically considers the flux of fuel prices offers a piece of advice useful for customers and companies alike facing questions of pricing: “the longer you intend to keep a vehicle, the less you should rely on the present price of fuel.”