The crappy years? There were some cool Mopar cars from 1975-1991 (pre-viper), so list 'em!

[Northcoast300h]

I love Mopars of the late 70's and 80's. OK, HP was down but at least Mopar was trying during that dark time. List whatever you want and correct me if needed, but I'm only interested in cars that had engine or suspension upgrades. Not really interested in the many cars of that era that just looked fast with fake scoops stickers, etc, but I know it could be difficult to distinguish. Anyhow, here's the few I know of.

1978 Super Coupe - race suspension, 360 4bbl cop engine.

 

[Northcoast300h]

1978-79 Lil' Red Express, Warlock and Midnight Express - 360 4bbl engine. Faster than Corvette making it the fastest USA production vehicle of those years.

 

[Northcoast300h]

Dodge only made 5 of the M4S Turbo Interceptors in 1981, known as the Dodge Wraith from the movie.
The engine was made by Cosworth, not Mopar. A mid-engine 4 banger putting out 440hp 0-60 in 4 seconds. Mostly made as prototypes to show off, since they didn't pass emissions or safety regualtions.

 

[Northcoast300h]

1977-1980 Mopar Street Kit Cars - Sold thru Mopar dealerships, you could get a sort of race car. These came with a race suspension and 360 4bbl engine.

 

[Northcoast300h]

1986 Dodge GLHS - OK, it was a butt ugly car (which is why all the ads were made at night or in the dark), but it was fast for the time with the 175hp 4 banger engine. 0-60 in 6.7 sec and qtr 14.7 was better than some musclecars. 18/26 MPG

 

[Northcoast300h]

1985-1987 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z - Movie Black Moon Rising really made fantasy of this car. Chasing down muscle cars, fake v8 sound, flying thru the air, etc...Anyhow, it was still fast for its time and it looked pretty good. 0-60 in 8.2 sec, qtr 16.4.

 

[1978 NYB]

Nothing crappy about this....

Probably can beat most C-Bodies on this forum in a 1/4 mile.

 

[1978 NYB]

 

[Snotty]

Two interesting cars I saw at a car show in 2017. The AMC patrol wagon was not accepted by the CHP, but this prototype still exists.

 

[1978 NYB]

 

[Northcoast300h]

I love the unmodified originals. 1981-1983 Imperial is one of my favorite designs but with an aweful history. First computer fuel injection on a production vehicle, which got a bad rap. Most people didn't know it was a closed system meaning car would run bad or not even start if air filter cover was not screwed on properly. A $5 air filter gasket usually dried up and leaked air into system, so they ended up replacing the whole fuel injection system with a carburetor. First digital dash in production vehicle but it was faulty too.

Frank Sinatra's personal Imperial edition crapped out him on a busy LA freeway when only a few months old. This was before cell phones so he had to walk to a payphone watching people point at him and probably laugh. He was so pissed that the Frank Sinatra edition (which came with real Pentastar crystals and were mostly stolen) was made for only 1 year.

 

[marko]

frank sinatra imps were made in 81 & 82.
there were 168 in 81 ( 21 canadian market & 147 american market)
348 for 82 43 cdn and 305 us

 

[Northcoast300h]

Marko, whoops my fault. Thanks for the correction

 

[King Hooter]

I may be a little bit partial but the early 80's Imperial. They had a great body design (mine gets mistaken for Lincoln) and super plush leather and shag interiors.

 

[Northcoast300h]

I'll probably buy a 1983 Imperial someday since it was one of the best designs of the 1980's.....and move the license plate to the bumper. Lots of work to make it look OEM, but that the only thing on the car that just looks goofy to me. It looks like an afterthougth. Like the designers got done and then someone pointed out "Hey, where does the rear license plate go". Oh well we'll just carve a hole in the trunk?

 

[abloch]

I had one of these and it was a hoot to drive. 5 speed Turbo go cart!

1989 Shelby CSX

 

[Justin Plant]

I had one of these and it was a hoot to drive. 5 speed Turbo go cart!View attachment 544258
1989 Shelby CSX

My brother had a Duster this body style, damn thing had a 3.0 and 5 spd. It was a bullet. Naturally, with EVERY other car he's owned, he managed to total it. Shame.

 

[SGT FURY]

You beat me to it.
I worked for dodge in 87.
I had one of these as a customer ride car to give people rides after dropping of there cars in service.
I remember it being VERY fast. Turbo 5 speed
Limited production. I had a black one with blue stripes

I had one of these and it was a hoot to drive. 5 speed Turbo go cart!View attachment 544258
1989 Shelby CSX

 

[marko]

I'll probably buy a 1983 Imperial someday since it was one of the best designs of the 1980's.....a

if you do get 1 make sure you feel good behind the wheel.
the driver isnt centered in front of the steering wheel, the wheel is offset to the right.
it always bugged me.
and the other thing is that the front edge of the imp's seat bottoms are closer to your butt than your knees - i found the cordoba / mirada seats ( buckets and split bench) were way more comfortable and supportive.
a long trip left me feeling uncomfortable which is surprising because the seats feel comfortable at 1st.
but thats my experience ( ive owned 4), you might have a different take
fwiw im 5 11 and 230lbs

 

[amazinblue82]

Found. Pics of my first cars!

Dodge Mirada and Chrysler Cordoba, made 1980-1983.

This was a "J' body .. sharing a lot of mechanicals with the F (Aspen/Volare), M (Diplomat/Gran Fury/Fifth Avenue) as well as the '81-'83 Imperials.

In love with J's ever since. Own 10 of 'em right this minute -- including this one, my first Mirada.