themitsuman

Hi everybody. Just found this group and was wondering if there was anybody else out there that still might own one of these?

Just to clarify - I hated Chrysler for badging these things "Challenger" too. I always thought that they should have called it a "Scorpion" like Mitsubishi did with the cars that went to Australia - or anything else but a Challenger. I am 100% with the rest of you guys on this.

Unfortunately, it is what it is.

I know that a lot of people think that these cars were/are pretty much butt-ugly. I never really thought that they were super-hideous, just kind of "different" and, sort of, cool-for-their-day. They had nice interiors, (yeah, okay... the plaid is pretty strange), and were pretty quick with the "big" 2600 motor.

I own a 1980 Challenger along with a 1979 Fire Arrow. Both are 2.6, 5-speed cars. The Challenger's got about 73,000 miles on it and the Arrow's got just under 61,000. They're both in very good condition.

Challenger is stock. Arrow is souped up with twin 44mm Mikunis, cam, header and Flowmaster exhaust. Both run well and are really fun to drive, but the Arrow has the balls.

Look forward to B.S.-ing with anybody that wants to about these "things."

ALWAYS looking for spare parts!

RLSH700

I welcome you to the site, themitsuman. I must admit, I'm not sure if I've ever seen one in person before and if so I don't remember it. There is nothing wrong with liking things that are unpopular in the car world, people once thought the Charger Daytona was one of the ugliest cars ever made and dealerships struggled to sell them. Now people are willing to pay insane amounts to get their hands on one. You never know what the future holds.

So how has your experience with the 2.6L I4 been?

Are you interested in the upcoming 2008 Challenger?

Is there anything else you own besides the 1980 Challenger and 1979 Fire Arrow?

themitsuman

Thanks for the welcome. I always liked the '69 Daytona, too! LOL

Despite the motor being known for having a weak head design, my experiences with the G54B 2.6 "big block" have been positive. It is a very gutsy, smooth running engine. The same goes for the Mitsubishi, 4G52, 2000 engine.

I only had one 1600, and while it was very reliable - and very economical - it lacked power, so I opted for the larger 2000 in the Arrow that I had at the time. The 2000 didn't have near the power that the 2600 had/has, but it wasn't bad and it was extremely reliable. (and, as a kid, I beat the living daylights out of it!)

The Challenger and the Arrow are the only two old cars that I currently own. They get the garage and the newer cars, that my wife and I drive everyday, sleep outside in the weather. Go figure.

The 2008 Challenger is stunning. Glad to see Chrysler getting their act together -- I thought that they completely blew it with the "new" Charger... two too many slams - and come on... after they knew for at least two years in advance of Ford's release of the retro Mustang?! A clear miss in my book. The Chargers are slowly starting to grow on me, but I do really like the look of the Challenger. (How could anybody look at that car and not love it?!) I just hope that they don't put the same chincy interior in it like they put in the Magnum, the 300 and/or the Charger... FEH.

RLSH700

Your very welcome themitsuman. I also thought the '69 Daytona's were neat.

I'm glad to hear you've had good luck with your 2.6L. Unfortuneatly most of the people I have known that had the 2.6L did have those problems at low mileage. Glad to hear this isn't the case on your Challenger.

I can image that the 1600 would have a serious lack in power. It does seem crazy how the older cars so often get the garage; meanwhile, the new ones get weathered on. It seems illogical but that is how it happens. So what are your newer cars?

I liked the Charger as soon as it came out, I just wish they would have called it the Coronet instead or something different anyways. I also wish they would have used the original concept styling as well, but I am partial to the LH styling.

I believe the new Challenger will get the concept interior or at least similar to the concept interior. I don't think you have to worry about that.

I look forward to discussing about the Challenger in the other sections. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

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ejection93

I have one 1983 and looking for rear shocks do you know anyone that has any?

Moparman

You can get them from a parts store you just need to use the length chart mine is lowered 3 " so I have shorter shocks but if you pull one + take it in they should be able to do something.

hazel_moody

Sounds Great - hard to keep clean black on black,no a/c very hot in the summer to power steering but handles very good,could have done to chevys but did one dodge,not sorry about it.cant wait to take it out again ,gets Evey bodies head turning.