Dodge Charger III

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Dodge Charger III
Dodge Charger MkIII by Matchbox
Overview
ManufacturerDodge
Model years1968
DesignerJim Ebejer[1]
Body and chassis
ClassConcept car
Dimensions
Wheelbase381 mm (15 in)
Length4,674 mm (184 in)
Width1,854 mm (73 in)
Height1,067 mm (42 in)

The Dodge Charger III (or Charger 3) is a 1968 Dodge concept car.[2]

Standing 42 in (110 cm) tall and measuring 73 in (190 cm) wide and 184 in (470 cm) long overall,[3] the Charger III resembles a 1972 Sting Ray or a Hot Wheels car, with a pronounced Kammback.[4] It used 15 in (38 cm) wheels and 8 in × 15 in (20 cm × 38 cm) front and 8.2 in × 15 in (21 cm × 38 cm) rear Super Stock racing tires.[5]

The car seated two, in bucket seats,[6] under a flip-up canopy with fixed windows,[7] supported by struts when open.[8] The steering wheel and instrument cluster swung aside to allow entry, while the seats elevated and lowered (by 8 in (20 cm)[9]) to ease access.[10] The wheel and instrument cluster was from a 1968 Dodge Charger.[11] Air was admitted to the cockpit through vents at the windshield base.[12]

The engine bay would accept any Dodge V8, including the 426.[13]

The exhaust exited through rectangular outlets under the rear lights, at the center of the car.[14] The windshield was very steeply raked, and the hood had inlet vents.[15] The deck had a small access door at the extreme rear.[16] Headlights are hidden.[17]

The car never entered production.

The body design was used in Funny Car by Al "Flying Dutchman" Vanderwoude in 1970.[18]

Dodge Charger III in miniature[edit]

A model of the Dodge Charger III was produced by Lesney Products as No 52 in the Matchbox 1-75 series from 1970 until its deletion in 1975.[19]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Yazejian, Diran. "The '68 Charger: Nothing Copied, Copied By None - The Making of a True Icon". Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  2. ^ Mycarquest.com (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  3. ^ Dodge publicity pamphlet reproduced at Mycarquest.com (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  4. ^ Mycarquest.com photos (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  5. ^ Dodge publicity pamphlet reproduced at Mycarquest.com (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  6. ^ Mycarquest.com photos (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  7. ^ Dodge publicity pamphlet reproduced at Mycarquest.com (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  8. ^ Mycarquest.com photos (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  9. ^ Car Styling (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  10. ^ Dodge publicity pamphlet reproduced at Mycarquest.com (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  11. ^ Car Styling (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  12. ^ Dodge publicity pamphlet reproduced at Mycarquest.com (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  13. ^ Car Styling (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  14. ^ Mycarquest.com photos (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  15. ^ Mycarquest.com photos (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  16. ^ Mycarquest.com photos (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  17. ^ Mycarquest.com photos (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  18. ^ '70s Funny Cars (retrieved 27 July 2018)
  19. ^ Matchbox Superfast MB52-c Dodge Charger Mk III, www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk Retrieved 8 July 2019