19_Chevelle_69
06-21-2006, 03:58 AM
For years Dodge had to stand by and watch as the Pontiac GTO started the muscle car era in Detroit and ran away with the sales. The rest of GMs divisions were quick to jump on the muscle car bandwagon. Buick followed with the Gran Sport and even Oldsmobile brought out the 442. Yet Dodge, despite putting out cars that could meet or beat these cars, didn't have a performance image muscle car of their own. Despite a wide array of performance engines, their Coronet's styling and image was conservative. Dodge needed something that would show that they were capable of competing in the muscle car race.
For several years Dodge had been showing the Charger I and II show cars at auto shows. Public and press response was so positive that Dodge decided to put it into production. So in January of 1966, viewers of the Rose Bowl were introduced to the new leader of the "Dodge Rebellion", the 1966 Dodge Charger. The Charger's introduction coincided with the introduction of the new street version of the 426 Hemi. Finally, Dodge would have the performance image to go along with this performance engine.
For several years Dodge had been showing the Charger I and II show cars at auto shows. Public and press response was so positive that Dodge decided to put it into production. So in January of 1966, viewers of the Rose Bowl were introduced to the new leader of the "Dodge Rebellion", the 1966 Dodge Charger. The Charger's introduction coincided with the introduction of the new street version of the 426 Hemi. Finally, Dodge would have the performance image to go along with this performance engine.