1964 Dodge Hemi Charger Concept Car Hits the Auction Block, Again

You are looking at the first Dodge ever to use the Charger nameplate, the 1964 Dodge Hemi Charger Concept Car. Developed in late 1963 on Polara underpinnings, it was used by Chrysler to showcase its newest engine at the time, the now iconic 426-cubic inch (7.0-liter) Hemi V8.

Owned by several collectors over its 47-year existence, this rare piece of automotive heritage is going to be auctioned off at this year’s Automobiles of Arizona event held at Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, on January 20. RM Auctions hasn’t released an official estimate yet, but last time it changed hands in 2007, it fetched US $1.1 million.

Currently found on the late John M. O’Quinn’s estate, the 1964 concept car has been completely restored by multiple award-winner Fran Roxas and it has one of the original 15 race Hemi engines, rated at 600+ horsepower.

According to the spec sheet, the first Charger also comes with a 3-speed automatic transmission, independent torsion bar front and rear semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension, 4.56:1 “Sure Grip” rear axle and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

Looking at the photos it’s clear that the car is in pristine condition – it has been kept in climate-controlled storage – and I, for one, would definitely prefer to buy this gem over a modern vehicle costing the same amount of money.

By Csaba Daradics

Source / Photos: RM Auctions

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SEMA Preshow: 2011 RedLine Dodge Charger Loves Carbon Fiber

Not to be outdone by Ford and General Motors, the Chrysler Group is readying a parade of specially tuned vehicles for this year's edition of the SEMA Show, which takes place in Las Vegas from November 2 to 5. One of the firm's star attractions will be the RedLine Dodge Charger based on the redesigned 2011 model year version of the saloon.

"We let the designers of the production car and their friends at Mopar rip," said Ralph Gilles, CEO of Dodge Car Brand and Senior Vice President of Product Design. "I wanted them to show us what they would do with this vehicle if it were their own dream car."

Hiding under the RedLine Charger's unique aluminum hood is a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 enhanced with a variety of Mopar parts including new headers, an exhaust system and a cold-air intake. Dodge said these upgrades provide horsepower and torque gains, but did not release any numbers.

The Charger concept also gets a retuned suspension that brings the car one inch [25 mm] closer to the ground, a Mopar strut tower brace, and 22-inch alloy wheels wrapped around in chunky tires size 265/35/22 at the front, and 295/30/22 at the rear.

On the outside, the designers dipped the Charger into carbon fiber as the material is found on most parts of the new bodykit, the rooftop, hood, exterior mirrors and the new side scoops that are said to recall the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T.

We don't have any images of the cabin, but Dodge said the sported-up sedan gets a red-and-black interior with Mopar Katzkin performance seats trimmed in Radar Red Nappa leather with bright red stitching, all-aluminum driver and console bezels and a unique SRT steering wheel featuring prototype paddle shift controls.

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Detroit Show: Dodge Circuit EV -aka- All Electric Lotus Europa

Cash-strapped Chrysler LLC didn't have a lot of money to spend on concept cars at this year's Detroit Show so Dodge was left with the re-introduction of the Lotus Elise based, all-electric Circuit EV sports coupe. As many of may remember, Chrysler had presented the Dodge EV along with two other all-electric prototypes last September. Aside from a few subtle cosmetic changes that concern the front-grille and bumper, the new alloy wheels and the quirky orange paint job, there aren't any substantial differences between the Circuit EV and the EV.

The Circuit EV is propelled by a completely electric ENVI drivetrain, that utilizes just three powertrain components that include a 200 kW (268HP) electric motor to drive the wheels, an advanced lithium-ion battery system to power the electric-drive motor, and a controller that manages energy flow.

Dodge claims that the zero-emissions Circuit EV sprints from zero to 60mph (96 km/h) in less than 5 seconds while it hits the quarter-mile in 13 seconds and achieves a top-speed of more than 120mph (196 km/h).

The Dodge Circuit EV has a driving range of around 150 to 200 miles between charges. The batteries can be charged simply by plugging into a standard 110-volt household outlet. The recharge time can be cut in half by using a typical 220-volt household appliance power outlet.

Dodge EV: All-Electric 268HP Coupe Study Based on the Lotus Europa

At its World Headquarters in Auburn Hills today, Chrysler LLC revealed three all-electric prototype vehicles, the Dodge EV, Jeep EV and Chrysler EV, promising to have one of them available in the North American markets as soon as 2011 followed shortly after by Europe. Speaking at the presentation, Chrysler LLC’s CEO Bob Nardelli said: “The introduction of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge electric vehicles provide a glimpse of the very near future, and demonstrates that we are serious and well along in the development of bringing EVs to market.” -Continued

We’ll start off our presentation of Chrysler’s all-electric-drive prototypes with the Tesla-like Dodge EV which is evidently based on the Lotus Europa. First of all we never liked the British coupe’s kit-car appearance and there’s no reason why that should change just because Chrysler threw in a set of Dodge logos and twin black racing stripes.

Styling aside, the two-passenger, rear-wheel-drive Dodge EV gets an electric-drive system that consists of the three main components: an electric motor, the lithium-ion battery stack and an integrated power controller.

The electric motor generates an output of 200 kW or 268 HP along with a massive 650 Nm (480 lb.-ft.) of torque, accelerating the Dodge EV from standstill to 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than five seconds, with quarter-mile times of 13 seconds. According to Chrysler, the Dodge EV has a top speed of over than 120 mph or 196 km/h.

The lithium-ion batteries, which can be charged from any standard 110-volt household outlet in eight hours (4 hours by using a typical 220-volt household appliance power outlet), offer the Dodge EV an adequate driving range of 150 to 200 miles (240 – 320 km).

Dodge Hornet to Enter Production in 2011

Remember the Dodge Hornet Concept car that was unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show? Despite the Chrysler Group’s so-and-so financial position, in a report published on the Financial Times Deutschland, Thomas Hausch, the company's vice president for international purchasing, stated that Chrysler is working intensely on the Hornet study and that we should hear an official announcement in the near future. According to FTD, the frugal subcompact mini will most likely be launched in 2011 in Europe, the United States and other markets.

SEMA 2007: Dodge Avenger Tuner - Stormtrooper 4.0 V6

Dodge will showcase the Avenger Tuner – Stormtrooper concept at this year’s SEMA show and to be frank, we like it’s aggressive but relatively mature styling a lot. According to Dodge, the exterior bodywork is inspired from the Stormtrooper costumes from the Star Wars movies. Painted in a custom pearl white color (we love white), the Stormtrooper gets a full bodykit complemented by 20-inch alloy rims in Michelin 245/35R20 Pilot Sport PS2 tires.

The all-wheel-drive concept is powered by Chrysler’s 4.0-liter V-6 engine matched to a six-speed automatic gearbox with AutoStick steering wheel paddle shifters.Inside the Dodge Avenger concept features an alcantara suede-lined interior, four black and white Dodge SRT8 bucket seats with red stitching and a high-end infotainment system. -Pics and details after the jump

Press Release: Dodge Avenger Tuner - Stormtrooper

The Dodge Avenger Tuner – Stormtrooper is a sophisticated sedan designed to appeal to an adult tuner with an appreciation for technical superiority, exhilarating performance and unbridled luxury and style. The technical, yet organic nature of the Stormtrooper costumes from Star Wars inspired its execution. The Avenger Stormtrooper represents the holistic fusion of technology, racing, comfort and performance.

Smooth power is unleashed by the digitally-tuned 4.0-liter V-6 engine – that packs the punch of a velvet hammer. It features an all-wheel-drive powertrain and six-speed automatic gearbox with AutoStick steering wheel paddle shifters and KW custom coil-over suspension that is tuned for ride-height and damping. Its custom exhaust is from Borla. The large 20 x 9 custom Alcoa Forged rims come with die-sub custom graphics and Michelin 245/35R20 Pilot Sport PS2 tires. It also features a StopTech six-piston front and four- piston rear big-brake package, Xenon HID projector head lamps, Umnitza Predator halo lighting and Challenger fuel filler cap.

Exterior custom modifications on the Avenger Stormtrooper include:

• black-out high-beam parabola package
• tinted head lamp and taillamp package
• tinted PPG blue-magic glass
• billet exhaust tips
• front and rear fascias
• sill aero kit
• integrated rear spoiler
• rear door sail panels
• cold-air intake

Painted a custom pearl white, the Avenger Stormtrooper’s story continues on the inside.

The Alcantara suede-lined interior features four black and white Dodge SRT8 bucket seats with red stitching and stripes to carry the driver and three lucky passengers for the thrill ride of their lives in style. The instrument panel, doors, headliner and pillars are swathed in this performance material. The custom Dodge "rim-shell" steering wheel and shifter paddles are constructed of black leather, white suede and red accent stitching and centering stripe. The centerstack/console features triple gauge pod and glossy pearl white finish.

Revolutionary technology abounds for the sophisticated tuner. There are two Azentek mobile PCs installed with 1.8GHz Intel Core Duo processors and two gigs of ram – one unit is in the front dash and one is in the rear seat center console. With the touch of a finger, the driver is “master of the vehicle network domain.” ETAS’ INCA software digital interface to the engine controller could allow the driver to have the capability to control its tuning and read vitals. The owner could even order parts or download engine calibrations through Mopar Performance Parts and could communicate with engineers and other Dodge owners in Web logs and chat rooms. The driver could adjust fuel maps (as opposed to static flashing) and even download Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) from a Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealership as he or she drives by.

Entertainment – Internet, gaming, music and video – is also controlled. Sync Bluetooth® links to any devices: phone, iPhone and Zune. Heart-pounding sound is provided by KICKER® Audio. It also features a Mopar Performance gauge pack with red accent LED lighting.