Caught in the Classifieds: A Dodge Charger Television star
This Dodge Charger may make you a television star...
My favourite period of car design from an aesthetic point of view runs from around 1966 to 1973 when the first oil crisis hit. In an age before budget airlines and speed cameras, British and Italian manufacturers cranked out gorgeous long-bonnet Grand Tourers for the rich to charge across Europe.
For the American manufacturers it was the era of the muscle car. Extravagant performance (in a straight line, at least) was matched by flamboyant styling at a price far more affordable than their European GT counterparts.
One of the most iconic muscle cars is the second-generation Dodge Charger built between 1968 and 1970. Its classic coke body styling has been a star on both the big and small screen, most famously as the villain's car in Steve McQueen's Bullitt, and later as the General Lee in both the television and film versions of the Dukes of Hazzard.
I have to say I've not exactly been on the lookout for a Charger and they're not common on this side of the pond, but an interesting tweet (hat-tip to Barrie Crampton) led me to this eBay advert for a black 1970 example, which is set to be another star of the small screen.
The car is being sold for the Discovery TV show Wheeler Dealers. If you're not familiar with the show, Mike Brewer acquires a classic car at a knockdown price, and then ace mechanic Ed China restores the car back to its former glory so that Mike can sell the car on for a profit.
Leaving aside the TV connection for a moment, in my opinion the 1970 model is the best looking of the series with slightly revised front end styling. It features the 383 (6.3 liter) Magnum V8, which is one of the smaller of the V8 engine options offered in the Charger and not the ultra-desirable and valuable 426 Hemi unit. That said, I suspect this may make the car a better drive in the real world.
If you fancy a slice of Americana and the possibility of being on the television the classified advert on eBay can be found here. The car is listed for £24,995.