It’s increasingly rare that there’s still anything approaching “good deal” status in the hobby car industry, especially as vehicles from the 1980s continue to rise in value. However, the Shelby Mopar products from the 1980s are still hanging out there as legitimate factory performance cars that have not taken off in value. When you consider that on an industry-wide basis how hot limited-production cars with factory-warrantied upgrades are, it’s surprising that examples like this 1984 Dodge Shelby Charger aren’t worth more.
I dig this car for a few reasons. First, the Shelby Charger was surprisingly well-equipped for the early 1980s, with upgrades to the interior, suspension, steering, and obviously, the cosmetics. Though the later cars were improved substantially under the hood, even these earlier examples got some mild upgrades, ensuring every significant box was checked. I also like this example for its maroon paint job, which stands out in a field of Shelby Chargers often found with blue paint and silver stripes. The seller notes that his car sports low mileage, with just under 42,000 miles on the clock.
The interior is in excellent condition and shows off those Shelby-specific seats. As much as I like this example, I’d probably look for a Shelby-Dodge vehicle from later in the decade when it seems they were throwing a wide range of upgrades into the kit, including Momo steering wheels and genuine Recaro seats. Still, you can see that Shelby was likely dipping a toe in the water with these early models, but that didn’t stop him from including shorter springs, a quicker steering rack, upgraded brakes, and aluminum wheels, along with the unique front air dam and rear spoiler.
As mentioned, the later Shelby Chargers benefited from factory turbocharging that not only led to increased horsepower but also opened the door to numerous other upgrades via the aftermarket. Big power was possible with a few simple modifications, which made cars like the Charger, Omni GLHS, and others wildly popular in the high-performance hot hatch market of the 1980s. You could easily swap in a turbocharged powerplant if you wanted in this Charger, but since it benefits from a recent headgasket replacement, I’d leave it alone. Find it here on craigslist for $5,000. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for the find.
I agree with Jeff. If this runs as good as it looks its a fantastic deal. I’d personally leave it stock if theres nothing wrong with the powertrain. With such low miles you’d get plenty more life out of that 2.2. I really liked these when they were new and like the color too I also like the blue but this is a nice change. Someone really took care of this Dodge for a long time I just hope it stays that way.
Bought a new Dodge Daytona Turbo Z in ’86. Black on black leather and a full digital dashboard. The turbo and the 5 speed box really moved the car. Turned out to be a good touring and autocross machine with lots of room under the hatch for groceries. 0 problems with it.
These early Shelby Daytonas were little more than a gussied up Dodge O24. Not every Shelby meant “performance” and this one won’t be confused with a Shelby Cobra or Mustang.
Not my cup of tea, so Shell be dodging this one! 😉
Looking at the clutch pedal, I say it turned over
I’m with Terrry, while I liked the FWD Chryslers, being the negative type, seeing where Shelbys supercars and the laws forbidding such things went, this, I feel, was nothing more than “I’ll scratch your back, you scratch mine”, meaning, with his cars falling out of favor, something had to be done to help his swanky lifestyle, or another heart, and Iacocca needed something to jazz up the 024, and a deal was made. It was obvious, Shelby could slap his name on a toaster, and it would sell. With only about 7900 Chargers sold per year, even less Omnis, it just wasn’t what people associated Shelby with, and viewed as a flop. The Shelby Rampage, even less.
While I agree, when I saw the beautiful Blue with Silver, I had to have it. I had just bought a new Eclipse at the time
I’m guessing it’s 140,000. The numbers aren’t straight, and the pedal for the clutches completely worn down.
If this is as good as it looks in the pictures, someone is going to get quite a bargain. Some don’t seem to get thepoint of these cars. These, like the GLH were never MEANT to have the straightaway speed of a Shelby Mustang. The point of these (and the GLH, etc.) was sufficient speed combined with great handling. On a winding road, these would be far more fun to drive than a Shelby Mustang. I wish fast little cars like this were still made!
My Mustang Cobra would argue that statement.
I had an ’85 that looked just like this, only with the turbo bubble and vent on the hood. It was a great car, looked good, was very fast for its time, and handled fantastic. Amazing fuel economy too. This one is in very rare condition as almost all of these that I see are pretty thrashed. This one’s just a little underpowered without the turbo, but the price is right.
I know Mustang guys always thought these cars were trying. I loved it when shifting into Second and heading past them they would need to turn off or not look at you at the next set of lights especially if they had a friend in the car. We smoked a lot of Mustangs and only had to turn upo the boost a pound or two.
I still have mine it runs 202hp at the wheels and is low 5 second car here in the mountains of Alberta, Mustangs in 85 or earlier had to have a lot of aftermarket to catch this car. As far as handling never met a mustang we could not out pace at the SCCA on a windy track. It also keeps pulling all the way to top speed which just made it more fun if you had a long straight away. Was very reliable and still is. I just need a bigger turbo and more intercooler for today’s rice rocket type of performance, but it is still a sleeper because it looks like a granny car with wider wheels. Any Mustang guy that thinks his stock Mustang from 85 or earlier was quicker, was not being (raced )by a GLH Turbo.
How true! The autocross class our car ran in was full of Mustangs. Never got beat by one of them. Haven’t tried our Turbo Mini Cooper S yet but I do know it will get to 138 mph really fast.
85 Shelby Charger with the turbo and 150hp, I’d agree.
This an 84 na with just under 110hp. Don’t get me wrong, I liked these, just the 85-87 more.
In the early 90s, I loved smoking stangs in my AWD turbo TSI Eagle Talon. These were the pre-cursor to them.
I say joes story is a mountain story and the low 5 second story is real deep ! I would have to see a time slip.
New Head Gasket with only 42,000 miles??
That was just called “routine maintenance” in Mopar Speak
I remember being mad at Dodge for putting the charger name plate on these things. I was a teenager when they hit the road but I grew up around the 60s and 70s charger. The oil embargo was over gas prices were still about double what they were but they still pushed this stuff on the American people. I’m glad we have the Challenger back as a two door performance car.
I always thought these were sharp! I was in the Air Force in Plattsburgh, NY in the early 80’s and a co-airman bought an 81 Dodge Detamaso. Not sharp enough to own one however. In those days I opted for quality and drove a Celica Supra.
Not a turbo, but someone is going to have more than 5K’s worth of fun in this.
I’m a sucker for these cars.
You can put horns and a ring in the nose of a hog and call it a bull but at the end of the day it’s still a pig.