Epic Trolling: We’d Put This 1978 Dodge Challenger On The Street In Seconds!


Epic Trolling: We’d Put This 1978 Dodge Challenger On The Street In Seconds!

Chad actually rolls his eyes far enough into the back of his head that he can inspect his brain whenever I start talking about any Chrysler product made after 1974. They’re the wrong years, they suck, whatever. You know who hates that era more than he does? Actual Mopar people. There are some begrudging acceptances, like big-block Cordobas and the hot Aspens and Volarés, but for the most part after 1974 Ma Mopar was dead to them and they don’t give a rat’s ass what you have to say about it. There are entire body lines that most have forgotten…and I’ve owned two of them! Real Chrysler cars, built by the company, too. But if you want to really agitate the purist crowd at a Mopar show, you can’t do any better than a second-generation Dodge Challenger.

No, the late-model version isn’t the second-gen, it’s the third-gen. The second-generation Challenger is one of those captive import deals that Chrysler had struck with Mitsubishi. A rebadged Mitsubishi Galant Lambda coupe, the Challenger packed a Hemi…displacing 2.6 liters out of four cylinders. Hey, it was 1978…if we have to explain why that was a hot setup, you need to go hit some books about that time period. Let’s just say that most Mopar faithful would love to forget these cars like Lohnes would love to rid the world of Thunderbirds.

Funny thing though…in drag racing, the Challenger did wonders. This was back when NHRA was filled with small cars that rocked. And what I’m seeing here is great. I’d love nothing more than to put the grille and headlights back in, get it street-legal, and to drive it to something like the Mopar Nats, where I’d insist on parking next to the E-bodies. You want amusement for an afternoon? Record the facial expressions as people walk on by.

“Dodge 360 LA engine: Just Freshened, Flat top KB pistons, Manley Rods, J Heads 2.02/1.60, approx. 9:1 compression, Mopar Solid cam, Adjustable rockers, Edelbrock RPM Intake, Holley 850 DP, electric water pump drive, new oil pump, new distributor, new alternator, electric cooling fan, headers w/ mufflers.

Dodge TF727 Trans w/ transbrake, 4200 stall converter, B&M Ratchet Shifter, electric solenoid shift, adjustable long throw transbrake switch.

Ford 9″ Rearend, spool, 3:90 gears. 4 bar rear suspension with coil springs, drag shocks, Anti-Roll bar.

Car has roll bar, 5 point harness, fuel cell and battery in trunk, Edelbrock electric fuel pump, all steel, stock windows still functional, MT 24/4.5-15 front drag tires, MT 28X11.50-15 ET Street rear tires.

Runs mid to low 12’s in the 1/4 mile on pump gas, launching at 3700 and shifting at 5700. Legal for Pro ET class, Clubs, etc.”

Craigslist Link: 1978 Dodge Challenger


  • Share This
  • Pinterest
  • 0

7 thoughts on “Epic Trolling: We’d Put This 1978 Dodge Challenger On The Street In Seconds!

  1. jerry z

    Always liked these cars and yes it’s not an American car. It’s RWD and has a V8 in it, good enough for me!

  2. RK - no relation

    I remember these and for some reason I remember that it was the first car non-American luxury car that I saw with power windows. Any of you young folks remember crank up windows?

    1. Jeremiah McKenna

      I was buying my daughter a cell phone yesterday and the guy helping us didnt know phones used to cost 9nly $20 at Walmart, and that they were plugged into the house. He also said he has never seen a car with crank windows or a cassette player.

  3. Jeremiah McKenna

    When I was 16(late 80’s) I had a ’78 Cordoba. Fast little sleeper, I’d pass all sorts of camaros and mustang’s. But a buddy of mine had one of these. When he could get it to start and run properly, it was a fun little car.

  4. Matt Cramer

    I’ve wanted to build one with a Mitsu 4G63 boosted to the moon. I also wonder how much suspension parts they share with the Starion.

  5. aussie351

    We had them in Australia too,as the Mitsubishi Scorpion.
    A classy, two-door Sigma I guess

Comments are closed.