RT
Charger
The
Valiant 6 Pack really started with the 'R-Series' in the 60's, it was a
95 mph (152 km/h), 145 bhp six cylinder that was way ahead of the likes
of the EK Holden that could only manage 80 mph. The price was $2490 which
wasn't too much more than the $2260 for the EK.
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They
used a shortened VG ute as a test-bed for getting the wheelbase and handling
sorted before they decided on the style. |
October
1971 saw the birth of the Charger, the base model came with a 215ci hemi
six cylinder with drum brakes and just the basics of instruments. The price
was $2796 which compared to $3000 plus for a Kingswood or Fairmont was
impressive.
The
good selling 770 came standard with a 265ci hemi 3-speed auto, front discs,
steel sports wheels, full instruments and a high level of luxury. It could
cover the standing quarter mile in 16.8 seconds having only to change gear
once, this was marginally slower than the 318ci V8 madel which took 16.5
seconds to cover this distance. The Charger was hindered by no power assisted
brakes or a four-speed gearbox.
The
front sway-bar helped the stability of the Charger which when pushed hard
into a corner created mild understeer. In the wet or on dirt this would
change from mild understeer to oversteer and if the rear hit a bump it
would quickly turn into wild oversteer.
The
motoring world was changing and in 1971 a safety law was passed that all
vehicles must be supplied with a heater, (funny eh!), some things these
days we take for granted.
One
of the small problems, (pardon the pun) encountered with the Chargers was
it's low seat and shorter people had to use a cushion to see properly.
If
you are planning to buy a Charger then make sure you have the front-end
checked as these wore quickly and in some cases even cracked the chassis.
The
E38 cost $3975 which compared favourably against the Falcon GT at $4790.
The
1971 R/T E38 was a ballsy and tough six with triple twin throat webers
giving it enough grunt to send it down the quarter mile strip in 14.8 seconds
having to change gear just once.
No
4-speed here or power assisted discs to help the handling package.
The
1972 E49 was the greatest Charger and was built for one race in mind, the
Bathurst Enduro.
It
came with a 4-speed gearbox finally and could race over the quarter mile
in a claimed 14.1 seconds which until recently was a record for a six cylinder,
it could blow away the power-house Falcon GT phase III (351 V8).
Imagine
reaching 100 mph faster than a Porshe and in fact you could count the cars
on one hand that could out accelerate this Sixpack and one of them was
the Ferrari, a slight differance in price.
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