Were you Dodge Charger material back in the day?

This question was a theme which the Dodge boys used to entice prospective buyers in their commercials and on the cover of sales brochures.

The 1968-1970 “B-body” Chargers were the second generation of a car which started out as a concept, show car in 1965. Always a stylish and sporty car from its inception, the Charger nameplate has garnered legions of fans, many of which have gravitated to specific generations of this car known for high style and high performance.

That said, there were a few “librarian-style” Chargers (sorry Lee, nothing personal) that made it to market in the third year of this second generation machine. Dodge advertising proclaimed, “For 1970 Dodge introduces a new model charger at a new lower price.” To accomplish this goal, certain features had to be cast aside, most notably the V-8 engine and bucket seats and any form of transmission other than a three-speed manual with column-mounted shifter. Charger was offered in three trim levels for 1970 which consisted of the base Charger; Charger 500 and Charger R/T.

Stripping the sensuous Charger down to bare bones resulted in a advertised base price of just $3,001. That seems like a strange pricing strategy, counter to what we have grown accustomed to nearly since advertising began. Surely they could have gotten it down to $2,999.99. Certainly there must have been something else they could have eliminated to save the consumer another two cents! The trunk liner? The dome light lens? The padding on the back seat?

Thankfully, most new Dodge Charger buyers were stepped up to features which befit a car of Charger’s station in the automotive world.

Whether your preferences are for the first, second, third or later Dodge Charger, you have to admit that the 1970 R/T shown in the illustration is one classy looking chassis. From the triple X wide grill to the reverse inset hood scoops to its pinched midline (ala Coke bottle shape) and semi-fastback roof line, the Charger was one fine looking ride.

I saw perhaps the most beautiful Dodge Charger I have ever seen at the recent Monster Mopar Weekend, held at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Illinois. The owner and builder were on hand and I spoke to them at length about just what went into this very special 1969 model, that ran well into the six figures to create. For more details on this custom Charger, read the expanded web version of this story on the internet as stltoday.com/rides.

Take the chill off your weekend by warming up to the cool cars on display at Chuck-A-Burger this Friday, October 23rd at 9025 St . Charles Rock Road in St. John. They’re serving up the usual fare in fifties style like only Chuck-A-Burger can do.

Follow that up with the 5th Annual New Baden, Illinois Chili and Soup Cook Off Car Cruise. No judging, no fees, no prizes, no pressure, no specific registration time... no @#%*. Just come on by between noon and dusk to taste some great food and see some great wheels. $8 gets you all the samples you can eat. Food, beer, wine, soda and a bonfire. For more info call: 618-779-7457.

And please tell ‘em The Fin Man sent you!