Originally Posted by tsiconquest88
nope i want the 79-83 type challengers, 2.6 liter g54b engine. Probably looks disgrasfeul to people on this site but to me its more enjoyable then the typical older cars. Very rare car but seein if anyone here might have or know of one, thanks
As I was not familiar with these, (either I wasn't drawn to them , or old timer's is setting in); I went for a look and found the following ,(from Edmunds) at
Dodge Challenger History. Sorry I doubted you
There's a picture there too, but I couldn't get it too load.
The Japanese Dodge Challenger (1978-1983)
Dodge revived the Challenger name for the
1978 model year, using it on a four-cylinder coupe produced by Mitsubishi that it imported (it was known as the Mitsubishi Galant Lambda GSR in Japan). Was it a good substitute for the old Challenger? Not really. But it was a solid competitor in its segment. A nearly identical version of the coupe was sold through Plymouth dealers as the Sapporo.
The rear-drive Challenger was a direct competitor to cars like the Honda Prelude, Toyota Celica and Nissan 200SX and comparable in size, with a 99.6-inch wheelbase and a 180.0-inch overall length. The unibody structure mounted a MacPherson strut suspension up front and a solid axle on coil springs in the back. The standard engine was a 2.0-liter, SOHC four making 77 hp. The optional engine was a relatively huge 2.6-liter, SOHC four making 105 hp with vibration tamed by Mitsubishi's then innovative twin counterrotating balance shafts. A five-speed manual transmission was standard with a three-speed automatic optional.
The Challenger was heavy on electronic gimmickry, according to
Car and Driver's test. "The minute you get in and turn the key," the magazine wrote, "you're lulled into a relaxed state where small car hardships don't prevail. Instead of an irritating swarm of buzzers, you're greeted by the tinkle of chimes. A console switch whirrs the windows up. Another toggle buzzes the outside mirror into position. The overhead clock silently ticks off the time of day. Cool air and stereo FM pour forth at the touch of a button. As you settle into the Dodge Challenger, you've got more environment conditioners, electronic readouts and servo motors at your disposal than R2-D2. Twisting the ignition key does little to interrupt this electronic peace. More indicators flash on the control panel, but the four-cylinder engine is subdued. It is huge for an inline four at 2,555cc and much longer in stroke than bore. In another age, this combination would automatically bring on the classic hardships for shake, rattle and roughness."
Carried over for
1979, the 2.6-liter engine became the standard power plant for the
1980 model year. A restyling for
1981 brought with it a new, more formal roofline that was enough to carry the car through
1982 and
1983. Then the car disappeared. Few are left on the road today.
