Mention the name Shelby, and the thoughts of many enthusiasts will turn to high-performance variants of Ford’s First Generation Mustang. However, the legendary engineer also targeted the Fifth Generation Dodge Charger, adding enhancements to improve the driving experience. This 1983 example presents well as a survivor, and the price is undeniably affordable. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Lothar… of the Hill People for spotting it listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Wautoma, Wisconsin. Handing the seller $7,500 would allow you to drive it home, though they appear to be open to offers.
Dodge released its Fifth Generation Charger range in 1981 and produced vehicles until 1987. Based on Chrysler’s L-Platform, the three-door hatchback body was practical and attractive by the standards of the day. The company released the Shelby Charger in 1983, with a focus on improved handling for a more enjoyable and engaging driving experience. This first-year example is a genuine survivor presenting nicely in Radiant Silver with Santa Fe Blue stripes. It isn’t perfect, with a close inspection revealing minor chips and marks. However, the paint isn’t patchy, holding a very respectable shine. The seller emphasizes the car’s rust-free status, which is good news for potential buyers. The tinted glass is clear, but the unique Shelby wheels may benefit from a high-quality polish. The seller’s decision to order the car with a glass sunroof adds to its appeal.
The seller states that this Charger isn’t the turbocharged version of the Shelby. That makes perfect sense, since Dodge didn’t introduce that variant until 1985. This car’s 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine produces a factory-quoted 107hp and 127 ft/lbs of torque, which feeds to the road via the front wheels and a five-speed manual transmission. That year’s Sales Brochure provides interesting information, quoting a ¼-mile ET of 15.87 seconds. The package also included suspension enhancements, a different exhaust for a more purposeful sound, and a faster power steering ratio. Potential buyers will welcome the news that this Charger runs and drives perfectly. As a bonus, the deal includes the original Window Sticker, Owner’s Manual, and the first registration.
Classics from the 1980s are renowned for interior trim and plastic deterioration, but it appears this Charger has avoided that fate. The images aren’t great, but the combination of Silver and Blue cloth and vinyl mimics the exterior paint shades. The seatcovers look surprisingly good, with only minor wear and fading on the driver’s seat base. The remaining upholstered surfaces won’t embarrass the new owner, and what can be seen of the dash looks clean. The images make it impossible to determine what options the buyer selected. However, the legible part of the Window Sticker states that the first owner ordered the car with air conditioning, a power liftback release, cruise control, and an AM/FM radio.
Some enthusiasts have to swallow hard when looking at cars like this 1983 Dodge Shelby Charger. The two words denoting its model designation are inextricably linked with some of the most desirable high-performance production cars in automotive history. They feel that seeing them attached to a four-cylinder hatchback is somehow wrong. However, the world was a very different place in 1983, as manufacturers struggled to combat emission regulations that sapped engine power. This Charger won’t be significantly faster in a straight line than a lower-spec variant, but it should be entertaining on twisting bitumen. The price looks quite affordable, but is that factor enough for you to consider pursuing it further?
A friend of mine had one of these back in the day and we were forever working on it. As soon as we fixed one thing, something new would take a shit. 16 sec 1/4 mile? Was that going downhill, with a tailwind?
They don’t mention that it’s a glh Shelby powered it up
Beautiful car! But she doesn’t have A/C on her. That’s a dang shame too considering I’m stuck in the humid hell of Kentucky. 🥵
I always liked these, especially the front end design. If you look at the competition in 1983, this wasn’t half bad at all. If Google is correct, a 1983 Z28 with the L69 190 hp 305 and a stick ( couldnt get an automatic with that engine) did a Quarter-Mile: ~15.5 seconds at around 90–93 mph. With these, 15.87 is nipping at its heals. I’ve driven a few NA 2.2 5 speed Omni variants, and I always thought they performed better than the numbers would suggest. This one looks great overall.
It’s sold. Not too surprising….good price for a nice little buggy!
Calling this a Charger is a joke to me, almost as bad as the 4 door ones now.
At the time of its release, I felt the same way – mostly because of the FWD drivetrain, but I’ve warmed up to FWD since then. Don’t get me wrong, I still prefer RWD for pushing the limits of a car, but for the other 99% of the driving I do, I couldn’t care which-wheel-drive I’m in.
I got curious after reading your post, about performance versus, say, a ’72 Charger. The turbo ’83 is faster than the base V8 Charger, but slower than the big block, to 60mph.
And in Chrysler’s defense, they only really had the K-car platform to work with at the time, for basically all of their production. Every model name seemed like it was some blasphemous K variant.
I actually prefer the first and second generation chargers with the big blocks, more about the style of them instead of the cookie cutter style that this one has.
Not K Car, Simca? A French design I believe. This was Omni/Horizon based, they were a Simca platform. The Laser/Daytona were K Car based, though.
“Simca” (Chrysler Europe) yes… but only to a point. The European and American versions of the L-platform were jointly developed… but, although heralded as Chrysler’s first “world car,” in the end virtually no parts were shared.
The K platform was derived from this slightly earlier L platform, which in turn was (somewhat more loosely) derived from the European Chrysler-Simca-Talbot Horizon.
Times change.
I understand your thoughts on the 4dr Charger. Especially because I had 2 of the 3rd generation ones. The ones that looked bigger than the second generation ones. I never had a problem with the 4dr Chargers except the name rubbed me wrong. I always thought Coronet would have been a better name for them. I took me about 12 years to get used to the 4dr ones being called a Charger. 3 years ago I bought a fairly low miles (88k) retired Interceptor unit. I can attest to the fact that they are really good cars. Eventually I got used to the name Charger on the. But having been there myself, I understand your thoughts on it. These K car based Chargers were decent cars, I used to sell them. If it make you feel better, the early Chargers people and the 4dr Charger people don’t consider these a Charger either.They are kind of the ‘orphan’ of the family as far as Chargers go
People already have problems with car names. Noboby was going to buy a Coronet in the 21st Century.
They’re not “K car” based…
As an owner of an 87 Dodge Shelby GLHS this is nice but only because its a barn find.
I once test drove a new Charger 2.2. A non turbo, similar to this, one time at a dealership. For a daily driver type car, I really couldn’t complain too much. I had to admit to my Mopar buddy who insisted that I drive it from a new car dealership, it was nicer then the Escort I then drove to work. Comfortable, plenty of get up and go.. The shift linkage was not as nice, too rubbery. The hatchback was better, more space to. Obviously was never going to give me the thrill of my 351s, but for a regular use car, not bad at all. Have not seen one of these, or an Escort for years. Not even at a show. Too bad as they are also part of our shared automotive history.
Drove a 90′ fwd Laser Turbo 5sp. Fast car. I was surprised 😮
Shelby would do anything for money. His partnership with Chrysler is evidence. Luckily, he returned to sanity, later in his life.
Shelby wasn’t in it just for the money. He was very good friends with Lee and their relationship went back decades. With the limited resources Chrysler had at the time Shelby came out with some incredible little cars, like the Omni GLHS and Charger GLHS among others.
Fun and affordable in the day. Not going to land with everyone but they’re going to drive something else anyway.
Had two of the L-platform cars go thru the family house in the late ’70s / early 80s… one was my Dad’s commuter, and the other my younger brother’s… and I remember test driving one of the Shelby variants just for fun. They were reasonable driving cars… interesting, reliable, and even fun at times… but too crude and shoddily assembled for my money. For me it was VW Sciroccos and GTIs…
Remember these well back in the 80’s. I’m not surprised it sold already. It looks incredibly clean for the year. Having had a ’69 Charger R/T I thought it was blasphemy to put the Charger name on these when it first came out, but I’ve really warmed to them over the decades. You have to remember the period we were in then. Chrysler was just pulling itself out of a abyss and had very limited resources. I really like the looks of them now and you literally never see them anymore. The buyer got a nice car.
My wife and I bought a 1984 Plymouth Turismo, new, with this set up. It was a fun car to derive, was decent performance wise, considering the era. We traded it in for a Horizon in 86, only because we needed a four door (kids came along). Had the 2.2 with 5 speed. Had some fun with that little car as well. Whoever got this one should be able to have a blast driving it, also knowing they won’t see another one very often, if at all!
My buddy Dean bought a Plymouth TC3 new back in the day. I believe that was Plymouths version of this car? I drove a 1976 Honda Civic, which was a lot more common front wheel drive car. Dean liked to tell a story that he got pulled over for squealing his tires and the officer wrote on his ticket that he saw Dean spinning his rear tires. Dean took it to traffic court and got it dismissed. He loved to tell that story. He’s gone now and I miss him.