The Dodge Charger is a model of automobile marketed by Dodge in various forms over seven generations since 1966.
The first Charger was a show car in 1964. A 1965 Charger II concept car resembled the 1966 production version.
The Charger has been built on three different platforms in various sizes. In the United States, the Charger nameplate has been used on intermediate sized pony cars, muscle cars, and personal luxury coupes, as well as on subcompact hatchbacks; and the current Charger is a full-size four-door sedan.
The 1966 Charger was an effort by Dodge to produce an upscale, upsized pony car. American Motors had already built a very similar vehicle in 1965, the (Rambler) Marlin, which was positioned as a personal car, an emerging market niche.
Mercury was successful in its execution in introducing the upscale Cougar, which was both larger and more refined than the Ford Mustang that pioneered the pony car concept in 1964.
The Charger was positioned as a more expensive and luxurious coupe aiming at the market segment represented by the Oldsmobile Toronado and Ford Thunderbird market segment instead of the other muscle cars.
The Charger was introduced during the 1966 model year. Derived from the Chrysler B-body intermediate-sized Dodge Coronet, it shared major components like the chassis and much of the two-door Coronet's front body, but it received a fastback rear, similar to AMC's Marlin, and it featured a four bucket seat interior. The front fascia introduced hidden headlights behind a full-width grille.
The base engine was a 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 with a three-speed manual and an optional automatic transmission. Larger and more powerful engines were also available such as the 426 cubic inch Hemi V8. Sales were low.
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