Back in the ‘80s Chrysler didn’t just pop out K-car derivatives, they minted a buttload of L-body Omni/Horizons too. Even with all of those, they never built one like today’s Charger, but will its price make it one of a kind?
You know, some people have never forgiven Honda for dropping the CRX, and in its replacement dropping the significantly more lugubrious de Sol on the market. Having had a questionable motor dropped under its hood meant that yesterday’s continued the trend, dropping in a 63% Crack Pipe loss.
Today’s Nice Price or Crack Pipe Honda is named for the Sun. This one’s supposed to be pretty hot…
All cars have their fans, and that goes for the del Sol too, as a number of people appreciate the fact that the roof comes off and the back window goes down. The engine swap in that particular one may not have been the best choice, but at least it was an easy peasy lemon squeezy insertion, bolting pretty much straight into place and driving the same wheels as when the car left the factory.
But, what if you wanted to swap not just motor but driving ends, how tough a job do you think that might be? Well, don’t bother stressing out over it because today’s (née Omni 024) has already had the switcheroo done for you. You're welcome.
The L-body platform was originally developed by Simca as a very European FWD 5-door hatch form, looking very similar to VW's Golf. Starting with those underpinnings Chrysler developed a three-door variant that was far-more American in look and purpose. But of course there’s nothing more American than a honkin’ big V8 churning the back tires, and amazingly that’s exactly what today’s Charger provides.
Under its ruby red hood lies not one of the plethora of transverse fours you might expect but a 4bbl-topped 360 that’s claimed rebuilt and is shoved back under the firewall so far you could probably set its points from the back seat.
In light of keeping the mill a secret to everyone but the NSA the intake is by way of a long snood the constriction of which probably makes even moderately high revs a wheezing affair.
Behind the big LA sits a Torqueflite A500, which was nominally a truck tranny, and is notable for being Mopar’s first light duty 4-speed OD automatic. Here it sends power back to a 8.75 rear axle that’s located by ladder bars and sprung with coils.
Amazingly, aside from some under-dash shenanigans, the interior looks pretty stock. It’s also in remarkably good shape for an ‘80s L-body, the upholstery appearing clean and un-marred. How everything works goes unexplained, but considering that the seller is also the original owner - since 1987 - it’s likely that he’s had things like Speedo and temp gauges worked out along with switching the car’s driving wheels.
The ad notes that the car has 43,000 miles on it, but of course does not go to the level of granularity to break that out into FWD and RWD. Remarkably, considering what has gone on under its skirt, this Charger’s outward appearance is totally stock, which must lead to some interesting stoplight encounters.
Should someone want to encounter owning this balls-deep cool Charger, they will need to come up with $4,800 cash in hand. I’m guessing that residents of states like California need not even bother as it’s unlikely to successfully pass that state’s stringent smog test procedure, and might just send the tester to therapy over the visual inspection.
For the rest of you however, what’s your take on $4,800 for this 360-powered Charger? Is that a deal for this moar-powah Mopar? Or, is this a Charger with a price that screams retreat?
You decide!
, or go if the ad disappears.
H/T to PARKRNDL WILL HAVE A CVT WITH MAYO ON WHITE TOAST for the hookup!
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