Chrysler’s weaponizing of the otherwise craptastic L-body platform with the help of the famous Texan chicken farmer is the stuff of legends: after relegating rear-drive to the overstuffed Fifth Avenue and it’s cop-special siblings and realizing that the K-platform was actually selling amazingly well, Chrysler got cocky and someone on the inside wanted to step into the performance game again, but instead of the traditional route, Chrysler went for the basic hot-hatch setup: a boosted front-driver that was lightweight. The Omni hatchback was as visually attractive as walking in on Cousin Eddie on the can, but the Charger (the renamed Omni 024) had a better shape for what the engineers had in mind. We know that Shelby wound up creating the GLH and GLHS package for Omnis and Chargers (and, if you believe the rumors, a couple of Rampage utes as well) but this particular 1982 Charger is a little more intriguing.
The name Paul Rossi is associated with drag racing….frankly, that’s all I know, so I’m sure I’ll be schooled in the comments…but it is also associated with this car. According to the story, Paul Rossi Racing and Shelby were using prototype Omni 024/Chargers as test beds for the GLH program and were racing them for engineering and development reasons. The cars did exist, but what was under hood was probably kept under strict secret.
Which makes this Charger notable…instead of the turbocharger on the 2.2L four cylinder adding pressure to the engine, this one is packing a Magnacharger-equipped engine hooked to a specially-modified transaxle and spool-equipped drive system. The interior is dead stock Charger, the body is fairly stock but there are notable differences, like the nosecone (suspected to be a Rampage nose with a Shelby air dam) and the five-lug “pizza” wheels, which were a couple of years from the market.
So is it the real deal? Who knows. But the car is for sale on eBay right now, and the seller claims that all of the documentation is there. We aren’t concerned with the rarity or the prestige, we just want to see what a supercharged 2.2 can do when rocking at full anger. Anybody got any more info about this little beast?
eBay Link: 1982 Dodge Charger
Does the asking price seem low for what the seller claims it is? Or are those cars so awful that even Carol’s name can not add value in our age of skyrocketing car prices. I read in an interview that he really liked these little turbo cars, and, at the time, was excited about Ford’s new turbo V6…
Considering the car doesn’t run (I see missing carburetor system) either the owner is being realistic or has low expectations. Not sure myself…you’d think a prototype with factory racing connections and a Shelby tie-in might pull a little more weight. On the other side of the coin, you have a 1982 Charger, so who knows…
Paul Rossi was a bigtime mopar Super Stock racer in the 70s and 80s.Heres some more info. http://ji5766.wix.com/paul-rossi-racing
Found an 83 (?) Shelby Charger in Brown Pontiac’s (Toledo ) back lot in maybe 86 or 87. It was pretty rough, but w/ like 20000k on it. I pulled up the rear carpet & found seat belt & roll cage holes. Next day, I made a low ball offer & the salesman accepted, saying it was to late in the day & the paperwork & title would be ready in the AM. Next day they said there were paperwork issues & it may take a few more days. I had crewed on a 1 of 3 Shelby Chargers in the 83 Longest Day & had been crewing on an 84/85 SSA Dodge Daytona Turbo Z that we went to the runoffs with.,The driver was Bill Salo a Chrysler engineer. I called Bill about the situation & he had heard that 1 of the Shelby’s went to the crusher (they all were supposed to) & the other 2 may have been “taken home” to use on the street & the titles prob, were not valid. A few days later Brown said they couldn’t sell the car, and Chrysler may be coming to pick it up. All 3 cars mentioned were originaly pulled off the line & sent to Champion engineering to be “prepared”, for racing. Jerry Liss (Bowling Green, OH) bought the Turbo Z & set a track record a Blackhawk, was impounded, found illeagle, was disqualified, and retired from racing. I used the car to finish Drivers School. Some one we all know then put my Practice Race “Victory” in the Toledo Blade. Z was drivven for several years by Charlie Schnep & sold for street use. — Bob Rutter —