The late 1970s
and early 1980s were a difficult time for muscle car enthusiasts
in the United States. The emissions regulations were always getting
more strict, and when combined with the new federal regulations
on engine testing, showed in the form of a gradual drop in horsepower
in models such as the Corvette, the Camaro, and the Mustang. These
strict regulations were what caused the decline in muscle car sales
in the mid 1970s, thus causing the end of production for many legendary
performance cars. The Corvette retained a V8 engine, but with a
steep decline in advertised horsepower. The Camaro and Mustang,
on the other hand, while still offering relatively low performance
V8s, also offered very low performance 4 cylinder engines. This
was also around the time where many popular Japanese automakers
were making their formal introduction into the US market. One of
those companies was Mitsubishi, and while they would not have their
official entry into the US market until 1982, a 1971 purchase of
a large part of the Mitsubishi Corporation helped pave the way for
a Mitsubishi built car in the US, in the form of the 1978 Plymouth
Sapporo and Dodge Challenger.
When Honda Motor Company entered the US market,
there were alot of people who were very pro-American, or moreso
anti-Japan, and this attitude caused lower than expected sales when
the Japanese models were released. However, the partnership created
between Dodge and Mitsubishi allowed Mitsubishi to to enter the
market under an "American" name, with the added recognition of the
popular "Challenger" name plate. This rebirth of a great pony car
name got the attention of enthusiasts, and Mopar enthusiasts looked
forward to the launch of the new Challenger, but this new model
was no longer a high performance pony car, but more of a compact
luxury model. Also, while having a storied American name, it had
a distinctly Japanese look and feel. The Challenger(and Plymouth
Sapporo) were only released under that name here in the US and in
Puerto Rico, but the car was offered pretty much world wide. In
Europe and South America this car was marketed as the Mitsubishi
Galant Sapporo; in Australia it was badged as the Chrysler Scorpion
and that was later changed to the Mitsubishi Scorpion; and in Japan,
the model was badged as the Mitsubishi Galant Lambda.
While the new Challenger focused more on economy
and luxury than performance than on performance, the engines offered
in the Challenger were peppy considering they were only 4 cylinder
engines. The two engines offered were a 1.6L, and a 2.6L. The 1.6L
was a Mitsubishi 4G32, and this was the economy engine, and was
far less preferred by someone. This was an 8-valve SOHC design with
a five main bearing iron block, topped with an aluminum cross flow
head, and single barrel carburetor. The "performance engine" was
an unusually large 4 cylinder, and had a technological advance which
allowed this engine to have such high displacement. This new 2.6L
engine was the Mitsubishi 4G54, and it was a longitudinally mounted
engine for use in rear wheel drive and all wheel drive vehicles.
Much like the fabled Challengers of the muscle car era, the 2.6L
had an aluminum hemispherical head with chain driven single overhead
camshaft atop a five main bearing iron block, all topped off with
a Hitachi 2 barrel carburetor with vacuum operated progressive secondary.
The unique addition of this engine, allowing it to have such a large
displacement, was the "Silent Shaft" feature, which assisted in
counter-balancing the motion of the engine to make the engine much
more smooth at all rpm ranges. Also, the US market models featured
a small, third valve in the cylinder heads called the "Jet Valve",
which helped to allow for leaner fuel-to-air mixtures for lower
emissions. When this 3-valve system was being designed, the cost
of a redesigned head would have greatly outweighed the advantages,
so instead, slight alterations were made to the existing head. Inside
the cam cover, a threaded hole (similar to the spark plug hole)
was inserted, and a cartridge containing the valve spring and seat
were screwed into this hole, and the valve springs used were very
soft so they would not cause any increased wear on the camshaft.
The other slight alteration to the engine was the positioning of
the rocker arms on the intake valves, which were widened on the
valve end to allow room for the extra valve. This engine received
great reviews for both the low level of emissions without a great
power loss, as well the smoothness obtained by the addition of the
balance shafts. Unfortunately, the engine also has some megative
reviews, the most common being the warping and/or cracking of the
cylinder heads due to heat, and repairing this problem was very
expensive since the parts had to be shipped from Japan, and rebuilt
heads were hard to come by during this time. Another problem with
the Challengers, like many carbureted cars of this era, drivability
often suffered with the stock carburetor, so an upgrade kit which
included, among other things, larger carb jets which richened the
air-to-fuel mixture. Another problem with the Hitachi 2 barrel carburetor
with vacuum operated progressive secondary was the failure of the
vacuum diaphragms, and like the cylinder head issues, this problem
was expensive to fix. Many peoples who encountered this problem
bought a Weber conversion kit, which cured the issue, as well as
served as a performance upgrade.
While
some overseas models received such items as a
turbocharged gasoline or diesel engine and rear
independent suspension, the Challenger offered
only the aforementioned 1.6L and 2.6L naturally
aspirated engines, and a solid rear axle. However,
the close ratio manual transmission was standard,
with a three speed automatic optional, as well
as the aluminum alloy wheels and read disc brakes,
but these two options only came together, and
could not be ordered separately. In order to emphasize
the 'luxury' aspect of the new Challenger, the
plush velour seats could be replaced with leather;
and air conditioning, a cassette player, cruise
control, power door locks, power windows, and
a moon roof could be chosen at an additional cost.
Whether the optional cassette player was chosen
or not, a Mitsubishi made high quality stereo
system was standard, with a built in invisible
antenna, which was built into the trunk lid. Also,
the car was packed full of "courtesy lights",
and in the fuse box, the operator would find a
built in fuse test light. In later years a convertible
top was offered in addition to the hardtop, giving
the Challenger another attractive option.
While
this Mitsubishi built Dodge Challenger was hardly
a reflection of the early 1970s pony car bearing
the same name, this compact model provided a fun
to drive car, and with the then-skyrocketing fuel
prices, it kept money in the owners pocket, unlike
the "thirsty" eight cylinder models. Even though
there were problems with the cylinder head, and
carburetion system, many owners of the 1978-1982
Dodge Challengers were very happy with the car,
and a great many drove them, regularly, over 100,000
miles. In 1983, Dodge announced that there would
not be a new Challenger the following year, as
Mitsubishi had made its official entry into the
US market in 1982. Also in 1983, the US market
saw the birth of what would grow to be a very
popular group of vehicles built by Diamond Star
Motors, the newly named Mitsubishi/Dodge joint
effort. General referred to as "DSMs", these affordable
performance cars, such as the Eagle Talon, Mitsubishi
Eclipse, and the Plymouth Laser offered the road
handling capabilities of an All Wheel Drive system,
as well as the 4G63 turbocharged engine. These
cars have almost become ageless, as with the growth
of the "import" performance market, the AWD turbocharged
DSMs have become very popular. While the Challenger
was the first US-offered Mitsubishi/Dodge joint
effort, the first performance oriented model offered
from these two brand names was the Mitsubishi
Starion/Dodge Conquest. Other joint efforts between
these two include the first generation Sebring
Coupe, as well as the second Generation Sebring
and Stratus Coupe. While it is uncommon to see
a 1978-1983 Dodge Challenger on the streets today,
the same, lightweight car has made for a popular
car in which to transplant a high powered V8,
so it is not uncommon to see one of these compact
Challengers screaming down the drag strip. So,
while the Challenger was certainly no muscle car,
it made its impact on the automotive world, by
both reinventing the Challenger name, and introducing
the Mitsubishi/Dodge joint effort, which would
eventually spawn the very popular Mitsubishi Eclipse.
The Standard base model Challengers came with
10 X 2.5 inch drum brakes in the front and rear.
•
Optional front vented disc brakes were still
available, but this option now featured one piece rotors, which
measured 10.75 inches with single piston, floating, pin type
callipers, and these new rotors would not fit older models.
When equipped with the front discs, 10 X 2.5 inch rear drums
were standard.
Engines
Engine
Options:
• 318 cubic inch, 2 barrel carb, making 150
bhp 360 cubic inch, 4 barrel carb, making 245 bhp
Transmission Options:
•
All models were equipped with standard A-230
3 speed manual, with the option of the the A-833 4 speed manual
or A-727 automatic transmission
Differential Options:
•
All models came standard with a 8.75 inch housing
with 3.23 :1 and 3.55:1 ratios, were the only ratios offered,
and an option of "SureGrip" limited slip was available.
Option Packages:
• Light Group (A01), included Ashtray lamp, trunk lamp, glove
box lamp, map/courtesy lamp, ignition switch lamp w/time delay,
time delay instrument panel floodlight, fender mounted turn signals
except the R/T or 340 models, headlight-on reminder buzzer.
• Basic Group (A04), included AM radio (upgrades could be ordered
at differential price), power steering, left remote mirror, upgrades
could be ordered at differential price, variable speed wipers and
electric washers.
• Performance Axle Package (A36), available on cars with 4bbl
or multiple carburettors. Included 3.55:1 axle gears with Sure Grip
in a 8.75 inch axle, heavy duty cooling and heavy duty suspension.
• Floor Console (C16), two different center consoles were used
on manual and automatic cars although they were very similar, and
the automatic shift handle was changed to the "T" shaped shifter
over the 1970 round shifter.
• Rear Window Defroster (H31), 2dr hardtop models only. Included
an electric heater and blower motor mounted under the rear shelf
panel and blew up onto the rear window through a duct and vent.
• Air Conditioning (H51), Belt driven R12 freon system, not
available on 340 six pack, 440 six pack, or Hemi models.
• Body Sill Mouldings (M25), wide sill mouldings.
Taillights:
• Four lenses, paired at opposite sides, with the backup indicators
mounted within the center of the inside taillights lenses.
Hoods offered:
• Standard flat hood with low rising center molded peak.
• Power Bulge Hood. Contained a raised center section which
ran almost the width of the hood towards the rear, containing 2
air vents, with the engine designation on each outer side of the
bulge, and a chrome Dodge logo along the front of the bulge, now
with the option of the large R/T log on the front.
Bumpers:
• The 1974 bumper was the same as the 1973 model. These bumpers
were beefier looking, and stuck out away from the body more. Also,
rubber pads were placed on the "bumperettes". This new bumper setup
was commonly called a "5 mile per hour bumper", and this bumper
was designed to yield no damage in a 5 mph impact.
Gas Caps: • Body color, flush mounted filler
cap.
Exterior Mirrors:
• Standard manually controlled chrome mirror. • Optional chrome or body colored
remote controlled "racing mirror".
• Passenger side chrome or body colored manually controlled
"racing mirror".
Exterior Striping Offered: • Rallye cars had "broken" effect
stripes leading out of the non-functional fender vents, running
down the doors.
• Base models coud be ordered with an accent stripe that ran
the length of the body along the upper body contour. This stripe
was available in White, Black, Light Bright Blue, Medium Gold, Light
Green, and Parchment.
Roofline
Options:
• Vinyl roof was offered on all hardtops Challengers.
The offered vinyl roof colors were black, white, gold, or green.
• A power sunroof (option code M51) was available in conjunction
with the vinyl roof, and worked both by a switch or by hand.
"Cooling Ducts":
• The non-functional front fender vent scoops were still present.
Exterior
Colors Offered
•
Light Blue (B1)
• Lucerne Blue (B5)
• Bright Red (E5)
• Burnished Red (E7)
• Frosty Green (G2)
• Deep Sherwood (G8)
•
Black (X9)
• Golden Fawn (Y4)
• Yellow Blaze (Y5)
• Golden Haze (Y6)
• Dark Gold (Y9)
Wheel
Options:
Tire
Options:
•
Standard steel wheels came one of two ways, painted
to match the body color until March of 1971 at
which point they were all painted black, with
a small "dog dish hubcap" which only covered the
lug area; or they came painted black with a full
rim cover. The full rim cover came in three styles,
a simulated wire wheel (W15), deep dish (W13),
or deluxe (W11). On Challengers equipped with
a slant six or 318, the stock rim size was 14x5
inch.
• The Chrome Road wheel (option code W23)
was one optional wheel, and came in 14x5.5 inch.
This was also known as the Magnum 500 wheel. • The slotted Rallye
Wheel (option code W21), which has become one
of the most popular "Stock wheels for restroration
projects, and they came as 14 X 5.5. They came
with a plated center cap, larger than before,
and no beauty ring.
•
318ci models came standard with 7.35x14 Firestone
tires, and if disc brakes were chosen the Challenger
came with F78x14 Goodyears. F70x14 Goodyears were
an option, but only with heavy duty suspension.
• 360 models came standard with F78x14 Goodyears,
and if disc brakes were chosen the Challenger
came with F78x14 Goodyears. F70x14 Goodyears were
an option, but only with heavy duty suspension.
• 360 Rallye models came only with F70x14
Goodyears.
Unlike the 1970 Challenger, the nameplate was
now a stick on piece as opposed to being embossed on the dash.
•
The dash held one center mounted speaker with
the AM-mono radio, and if the stereo radio was chosen, it had
the center mounted speaker, as well as one mounted in each end
of the dashboard.
•
The dashpad was color coded to match the interior
trim color.
•
Trim colors offered were Black, White, Blue and
Dark Green.
•
Manual transmission cars had a reverse warning
light fitted on the dash between the ashtray and glove box.
Gauge Cluster:
•
The standard cluster had a large 120mph speedometer
wth four smaller gauges to the right, with those gauges being
fuel, engine temp, alternator and, the clock.
•
An optional 'Rallye' instrument cluster contained
four large equal sized pods. From left to right, they were a
150 mph speedometer, 8,000 rpm tachometer, clock and one pod
containing four gauges, being oil pressure, alternator, engine
temperature and fuel.
Steering
Wheel:
Door
Panels:
Seats:
•
The standard steering wheel was the same on all
models, and there was no optional wheel offered.
The standard wheel was a brushed silver two spoke
wheel, with a black grip and center horn button.
•
The standard door panel was one piece molded plastic,
in the interior trim color.
• The option door panel came with the power
window option, and included a strip of matching
carpet along the bottom and a reflector on the lower
end of the door.
•
Standard seating consisted of a front and rear bench
seat.
• High back bucket seats in the front were
optional on all models, and standard in the R/Ts.
• The seats all came standard in vinyl, leather
or cloth inserts could no longer be ordered.
This page details
nearly all of the specifications and various options offered for
the 1974 Dodge Challenger, if you see something that we have excluded,
feel free to let us know!
The 1970 Challenger
offered two models
•
Two door
hardtop
•
Rallye
two door hardtop
Body Dimensions:
Length:
191.5 inches
Width:
76.5 inches
Height:
51 inches
Weight (Dry Weight, Varies
by model and engine chosen):
2008 Internet Brands.com - The Dodge Challenger Enthusiast site.
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