dodge charger

Dodge vehicles have a long and rich history, being at the forefront of the American car industry since day one. With over a century of back history, volumes could be and have been written on the company. So, as a way to condense the most salient points, here is a list of 56 facts about Dodge vehicles as an overview of one of the last makers of muscle cars.

 

  1. Founding by the Dodge Brothers: Dodge was founded in 1900 by John and Horace Dodge, initially as a supplier of parts to the Detroit automakers, including Ford.
  2. Early Success with Ford: Before making their own cars, Dodge was one of the largest suppliers to Henry Ford, providing engines and other components for the Model T.
  3. The first Dodge vehicle cost $785: The original 1914 Dodge Model 30 sold for just $785, which was competitive with Ford’s Model T.
  4. First Car in 1914: The first car produced by Dodge was the “Dodge Model 30,” which offered innovations like all-steel body construction—a rarity in its time.
  5. Rapid Growth: By 1916, Dodge was already the second-largest automobile manufacturer in the U.S., just behind Ford.
  6. Military Roots: Dodge vehicles were used extensively in WWI, producing ambulances and other military vehicles. This helped the brand build a reputation for toughness.
  7. Dodge Brothers’ Death: Both Dodge brothers died unexpectedly in 1920, within months of each other, from influenza and complications from pneumonia.
  8. Acquisition by Chrysler: In 1928, Dodge was sold to Chrysler Corporation for $170 million, one of the largest deals in the auto industry at the time.
  9. First Mass-Produced Pickup: Dodge introduced the first mass-produced light-duty pickup truck in 1929, called the Dodge Brothers “Merchants Express.”
  10. Pre-War Innovations: Dodge introduced innovations like hydraulic brakes and “floating power” engine mounts in the 1930s, which were advanced for their time.
  11. First Mass-Produced Car with All-Steel Body: The Dodge Brothers were pioneers in producing the first mass-produced car with an all-steel body, making their vehicles stronger and safer.
  12. Dodge’s Logo Evolution: The Dodge logo has evolved many times, from a simple star inside a circle to the ram’s head, and more recently, to the “Dodge” name with racing stripes.
  13. First to Offer Neon Colors: In the early 1970s, Dodge was one of the first carmakers to offer vibrant, neon paint colors like Plum Crazy and Sublime on their muscle cars, which became fan favorites.
  14. Fate of the Dodge Neon: Despite being a small, budget-friendly car, the Dodge Neon developed a cult following, especially among tuners in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
  15. Viper’s Record: In 2017, the Dodge Viper held the production car Nürburgring lap record. The Dodge Viper, introduced in 1992, was initially developed as a concept car inspired by the Shelby Cobra. Its performance and aggressive design made it a hit.
  16. First Dodge Minivan: The Dodge Caravan in emerged in 1984, being one of the first mass-produced minivans.
  17. Hellcat Power: The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat has 707 horsepower, one of the most powerful production muscle cars.
  18. Modern Electric Vehicles: Dodge unveiled the 2024 Charger Daytona SRT, an electric muscle car, with muscle car exhaust tones produced via the Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust.
  19. The Demon’s Drag Race Domination: The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the first production car to be banned by the NHRA for being too fast, covering the quarter-mile in under 10 seconds.
  20. First Floating Power Engine Mounts: Dodge was the first automaker to introduce floating power engine mounts, reducing overall vehicle vibrations.
  21. Dodge Dart Popularity: The Dodge Dart, produced from the 1960s to the 1970s, was a bestseller for the company as an everyday driver.
  22. First U.S. Turbo Diesel Pickup: 1989, Dodge introduced the first U.S. turbo diesel pickup, the Ram 350.
  23. Movie Appearances: Dodge cars, especially the Charger and Challenger, have been featured in numerous films – Death Proof, Bullitt, Vanishing Point, Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry, Fast & Furious, The Dukes of Hazzard, The Blues Brothers, and Blade .
  24. Ram Became Its Own Brand: Although Dodge trucks were known for decades under the Ram name, in 2010, Ram became its own separate brand under the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group.
  25. Dodge’s Daytona Record: In 1970, the Dodge Daytona became the first car in NASCAR history to break the 200 mph barrier, driven by Buddy Baker.
  26. Super Bee History: The Dodge Super Bee was introduced in 1968 as a performance muscle car and was produced for only a few years, making it a collectible classic today.
  27. Dodge and the Plymouth: Dodge and Plymouth were often sibling brands under Chrysler, offering similar vehicles with different styling and pricing.
  28. Power Wagon Legacy: Dodge’s Power Wagon, introduced in 1945, was one of the first heavy-duty trucks designed for both military and civilian use.
  29. Celebrity Dodge Drivers: Celebrities like Vin Diesel and Jay Leno have a fondness for Dodge, with Diesel being a fan of the Challenger.
  30. Challenger’s Hidden Taillight: The Challenger has a unique feature where its reverse lights are hidden in the taillights, adding to the sleek design.
  31. Dodge’s Role in Chrysler’s Bailout: In the 1970s, Dodge’s financial difficulties played a role in Chrysler receiving a bailout from the U.S. government.
  32. First Dodge SUV: Dodge introduced its first SUV, the Dodge RamCharger in 1974 and went on till 1993.
  33. Dodge Omnis Impact: The Dodge Omni, introduced in 1978, was one of the first compact front-wheel-drive cars in the U.S.
  34. Dodge Neon Success: The Dodge Neon, launched in the 1990s, became a hit with its affordability and fun driving characteristics.
  35. Vanishing Point: Dodge Challengers gained pop culture fame in the 1971 cult classic film Vanishing Point, where a white 1970 Challenger was the central car.
  36. Famed Hemi Engine: The Dodge Hemi engine, introduced in 1951, became a symbol of power and performance and is still revered by muscle car enthusiasts today.
  37. Bighorn Semi-Truck: In the 1970s, Dodge briefly manufactured a heavy-duty semi-truck called the Dodge Bighorn, aimed at competing with established semi-truck makers.
  38. Turbocharged Omnis: In the 1980s, Dodge offered a turbocharged version of the Dodge Omni GLH (Goes Like Hell), designed by Carroll Shelby.
  39. Partnership with Mitsubishi: In the late 1970s and 1980s, Dodge partnered with Mitsubishi to create cars like the Dodge Colt and Dodge Stealth to diversify its lineup with smaller and sportier models.
  40. The First Minivan: Dodge, along with Chrysler, were pioneers in the minivan segment with the introduction of the Dodge Caravan in 1984. Dodge offered turbocharged versions of its Caravan and Voyager minivans in the late 1980s, making them some of the fastest minivans of the era.
  41. The Dodge Durango’s Police Service: The Dodge Durango has been used by several police forces across the U.S. for its versatility and power in law enforcement duties.
  42. Banning of the Daytona and Superbird: NASCAR banned the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Superbird from races due to their unfair aerodynamic advantages, which made them nearly unbeatable.
  43. Return of the Dart: Dodge revived the Dart nameplate in 2013, but unlike its classic compact, the new Dart was a modern, global sedan based on an Alfa Romeo platform.
  44. Dodge’s Wild Concepts: Over the years, Dodge has unveiled wild concept cars like the Tomahawk, a V10-powered motorcycle, which blurred the lines between a car and a bike.
  45. Electric Dodge: Dodge experimented with electric vehicles as early as 1992 with the Dodge EPIC (Electric Power Interurban Commuter), a limited-run electric van prototype.
  46. Rebel Machine: In 1970, Dodge’s AMC counterpart, the Rebel Machine, offered a performance-focused version of its compact car, which was a direct competitor to the Dodge Dart GTS.
  47. SRT Division: Dodge’s high-performance division, SRT (Street and Racing Technology), was responsible for some of the brand’s most potent vehicles, including the Viper, Hellcat, and Demon.
  48. Endurance in Motorsports: Dodge has a long history of involvement in motorsports, from early stock car racing to drag racing, winning championships in multiple series over the decades, including NHRA and NASCAR.
  49. The Dodge Magnum: The Dodge Magnum was a unique performance-oriented station wagon that was offered from 2005 to 2008, featuring V8 engines and rear-wheel drive.
  50. Dodge Rampage: Dodge once offered a compact car-based pickup truck called the Dodge Rampage in the early 1980s, a precursor to today’s compact trucks.
  51. Dodge Demon’s 9-Second Quarter Mile: The 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is the first production car capable of completing the quarter mile in under 10 seconds, certified by the NHRA
  52. Dodge Challenger Concept Car: The 2006 Dodge Challenger concept was so well-received that Dodge fast-tracked its production for the 2008 model year.
  53. Dodge’s 100th Anniversary: Dodge celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2014, marking a century of innovation in automotive engineering.
  54. The Copperhead Concept: Dodge once showcased the Copperhead, a concept sports car in 1997, which never went into production but captured public imagination.
  55. Dodge’s V8 Dominance: Dodge’s V8 engines, particularly the 6.2L supercharged Hellcat engine, remain one of the most celebrated powertrains in automotive history.
  56. Partnership with NASCAR: Dodge has a strong connection to NASCAR, producing cars that have seen success on the racetrack for decades.

 

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