Some of the most impressive carmakers hail from the United States. Chevrolet, Ford, and Stellantis are some of the excellent brands that have graced American roads over the years. Though some have gone out of business, others have managed to stay afloat and thrive.
Dodge has been around for over eight decades and has produced some of the most iconic and reliable sports cars. Cars like the ’69 Dodge Charger R/T have shaped the domestic automotive sector. It even showcases iconic interiors, including custom seat belts and covers.
Today, Dodge continues to produce high-performance cars that are sure to turn heads. Here are the top five facts about Dodge and its vehicles:
1. The Founders
John Francis Dodge and Horace Elgin Dodge, the men behind the Dodge Brothers Company, were much more than just the faces of the company’s car commercials. They were brilliant and talented individuals who played a pivotal role in the company’s success.
Dodge’s brothers first started building bicycles, and then they moved on to car parts for the Olds Motor Vehicle Company and Ford Motors. This eventually led to them creating some of the most iconic Dodge muscle cars.
2. Peak Popularity
After Dodge changed ownership, the carmaker found itself in an exciting position. It was now between high-end Chrysler cars and low-end Plymouths, sharing the space with other brands such as DeSoto. However, in the mid-1960s, Chrysler realized that Dodge had great potential.
The ’69 Dodge Charger Daytona may not look as good as it did when it first came out. It is fair to admit that the car looks somewhat goofy. This car is essential to Chrysler and Dodge’s history. The car won the Talladega 500 in its debut year and was the first car in NASCAR’s history to reach 200 mph. It is currently valued at over $250,000.
3. Off-Road Kings
In recent years, Ford has released the F-150 Raptor, a powerful and agile truck that has become a favorite among truck enthusiasts. Realizing it was missing a huge market segment, Dodge released its version of the Raptor, which has become a formidable competitor.
The 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 TRX is a powerful truck that can handle any terrain. The Power Wagon, less expensive and less potent than the TRX, pays homage to its predecessors. The TRX’s 6.2L Hemi V8 engine produces 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Power Wagon is much less powerful, but it is still a cool truck.
4. The Roaring 80s
Dodge has always had at least one vehicle in its lineup that would make even the most well-off gearheads drool. Whether it was the Dodge Super Bee 440 or the latest Challenger SRT Super Stock, the company always had something special.
What many people forget about the Dodge Viper is that it was engineered in the late 80s. The very first Viper concept car came out in 1989, equipped with a cast-iron V10 engine that could produce 300 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque.
5. Rubber Burning Machines
Dodge has ensured that it will have a monopoly on the super-muscle car market in 2020. Even though Ford and Chevy have created their versions of the Mustang and Camaro, Dodge’s Challenger is the most powerful. The Challenger may not be finished yet, but what has been created is already pretty scary.
Dodge muscle cars are iconic for their performance and style. However, the company could not produce anything similar between the mid-70s and early 2000s. Around the early 2010s, Dodge finally came up with some decent muscle cars. Nowadays, Dodge dominates the muscle car scene with vehicles like the Challenger SRT Super Stock.
Conclusion
Dodge has made history in the realm of the American automobile industry. They have proven that they can produce unique cars and trucks. Besides that, their muscle cars are even some of the best in the business.
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