Dodge
American Muscle: From Dependable Workhorses to Tire-Shredding Superchargers
Introduction
Dodge’s story is a journey from reliable tools to unapologetic horsepower. Founded by the Dodge brothers as a parts supplier and then an automaker, the brand initially built a reputation for tough, dependable cars and trucks. However, it was in the 1960s that Dodge found its true calling: performance. With the launch of the Charger, Challenger, and Coronet, Dodge embraced a rebellious, high-performance image, unleashing some of the most powerful and iconic muscle cars ever created—a legacy it fiercely upholds today with its supercharged Hellcat and Demon engines.
| Detail | Information |
| Founded | 1900 (as parts supplier), 1914 (as automaker) |
| Parent Company | Stellantis |
| HeadQuarters | Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA |
| First Car | Dodge Model 30 (1914) |
| Key Innovation | All-steel body construction (1914) |
| Key Slogan | Never Lift |
Iconic Dodge Engines
- 426 Hemi V8 (1964-1971): The “Elephant Motor.” The most legendary muscle car engine of all time, known for its hemispherical combustion chambers and dominant racing power.
- 440 Magnum / Six-Pack V8 (1966-1978): Dodge’s massive big-block V8. The “Six-Barrel” version with three two-barrel carburetors was a tire-shredding powerhouse.
- 5.7L / 6.4L Hemi V8 (2003-Present): The modern Hemi. Brought back the famous name with multi-displacement technology, powering the modern Charger, Challenger, and Ram trucks.
- Hellcat Supercharged 6.2L V8 (2015-Present): The modern supercharger king. Pushed factory horsepower to insane levels (707+ HP), redefining the muscle car for the 21st century.
- Demon / Demon 170 Supercharged 6.2L V8 (2018, 2023): The drag strip king. The production car record-holder for acceleration, capable of running on gasoline or E85 and designed solely for quarter-mile domination.
Legendary Dodge Models
- Dodge Charger (1966-Present): The iconic full-size muscle car. From the classic fastback of the 60s to the modern four-door sedan and soon-to-come electric muscle car, it’s a constant performance staple.
- Dodge Challenger (1970-Present): The dedicated pony car. The modern iteration (2008-2023) became the longest-running, most powerful, and most successful car in the modern muscle car era.
- Dodge Coronet / Super Bee (1960s-1970s): The mid-size muscle. A platform for massive engines and no-frills performance, with the Super Bee being a stripped-down, high-value muscle car.
- Dodge Dart (1960-1976): The compact performer. The 1967-1969 GTS models with a 340 or 383 V8 were “giant killers” and highly tunable.
- Dodge Viper (1992-2017): The American supercar. A raw, aluminum V10-powered, rear-wheel-drive sports car with no traction control, embodying pure, dangerous performance.
- Dodge Ram (1981-2009): The truck that became its own brand. Defined the “big rig” look for American pickups before spinning off into the Ram brand.
- Dodge Caravan (1984-2020): The inventor of the minivan. It created and dominated a new family vehicle segment for decades.
From Daytona to Demon
Dodge’s performance legacy has two legendary bookends. In 1969, to win in NASCAR, they created the aerodynamic Charger Daytona and its sister, the Plymouth Superbird—the outrageous ‘Winged Warriors’ with pointed noses and tall wings that were so dominant they were banned. In the modern era, Dodge doubled down on this ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday’ philosophy by creating the supercharged Hellcat and Demon engines, making them the undisputed kings of horsepower and ensuring the muscle car era ended with a supercharged, tire-shredding bang.