The Dodge Charger Story in 4 Cars: A Guide for Anyone Who Loves a Charger Fan

Welcome to Muscle Car Fan. Maybe you love someone who loves Chargers, or you just want to know why the name still turns heads. The Dodge Charger story fits into four cars, four eras, and […]

Welcome to Muscle Car Fan. Maybe you love someone who loves Chargers, or you just want to know why the name still turns heads. The Dodge Charger story fits into four cars, four eras, and a few surprises along the way. You do not need to know a single spec. Let us start in 1966.

#4: 1966 Dodge Charger

The first Charger arrived in the middle of the 1966 model year. It was built from the Coronet, with a sweeping fastback roofline, and Dodge pitched it as an upscale rival to the Rambler Marlin. It was aimed at buyers who wanted comfort and style, not a stripped drag car.

#3: 1968 Dodge Charger R/T

For 1968 the Charger was redesigned, and this is the car most people picture. Designer Richard Sias gave it coke bottle curves and a tough, simple stance. The R/T version brought the big V8 power, and the Charger became the face of Mopar muscle.

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#2: 1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee

The third generation arrived for 1971. Chrysler had to rework the B platform for tougher emissions and safety rules, and the Charger got a split grille, a semi fastback rear window, and a new look with curves all around. There were different packages, from sporty to plush.

#1: 2006 Dodge Charger

Then the Charger disappeared. After a twenty year absence, Dodge brought the name back for the 2006 model year, and it was a shock. This Charger was a four door sedan on the Chrysler LX platform, and it was rear wheel drive again.

That is the Dodge Charger story in four cars. If you know a Charger fan, now you have four conversations to start and a few gift ideas. A model car, a book, or a ticket to a car show all work great. Tell me in the comments which Charger is yours, and follow Muscle Car Fan for more.

Image credits: Dodge Charger 1971 left view.jpg by Pierre André Leclercq (CC BY 4.0) · Dodge Charger (B-body; 1971-1974) Hirschaid 22-20220709-RM-120103.jpg by Ermell (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Dodge Charger Eté2016.jpg by PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Dodge Charger Hirschaid-20220709-RM-113717.jpg by Ermell (CC BY-SA 4.0) · 1966 Dodge Charger, front right, 09-27-2025.jpg by MercurySable99 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · 1968 Dodge Charger R-T (34357653153).jpg by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA (CC BY 2.0) · 1968 Dodge Charger R-T (35002199122).jpg by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA (CC BY 2.0) · 1968 Dodge Charger R-T (30933870284).jpg by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA (CC BY 2.0) · 1968 Dodge Charger (16262704077).jpg by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia (CC BY 2.0) · 1968 Dodge Charger (16464357128).jpg by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia (CC BY 2.0) · 1971 Dodge Charger, Bangladesh. (40991306062).jpg by Shadman Samee from Dhaka, Bangladesh (CC BY-SA 2.0) · 1971 Dodge Charger, Bangladesh. (40949552322).jpg by Shadman Samee from Dhaka, Bangladesh (CC BY-SA 2.0) · 2022 Downtown West Allis Classic Car Show 008 (1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee).jpg by Michael Barera (CC BY-SA 4.0) · 1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee (24422038689).jpg by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia (CC BY 2.0) · 1971 Dodge Charger Super Bee (24162765573).jpg by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia (CC BY 2.0) · Dodge Charger (LX) UIUC Police car.jpg by Daniel Schwen (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Dallas Police Dodge Charger (LX).jpg by Jason Lawrence (CC BY 2.0) · 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona (6171436966).jpg by Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA (CC BY 2.0) · Dodge Charger 2006.jpg by Karrmann (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Dodge Charger LX 3.5L — Rear.jpg by Bull-Doser (Public domain). Facts from Wikipedia and manufacturer history.