It’s always mildly tragic to see a rare or otherwise special car wasting away. In this case, it’s a one-of-1,000 Dodge Shelby Charger GLHS, which was the hottest version of the Shelby-blessed Charger you could buy. The seller’s car has been off the road for many years, done in by a spun turbo bearing. The car has clearly been sitting for quite some time based on the level of dust and general garage crap that has piled up around it. The seller has lowered the price in the last few days from $10,000 to $6,500, which may still be a touch too high given the issues disclosed and the general cosmetic condition. Find it here on Facebook Marketplace and located in Carbondale, Pennsylvania.
The turbocharged Mopar lineup of the 1980s was an impressive array of relatively affordable front-drivers that were surprisingly competent and very quick out of the box. The GLH trim was potent enough, but both the Charger and the Omni were available in GLHS spec which upped the ante considerably. An intercooler helped push power even higher, and cars like this Charger retained all of the other upgrades that were part of the Shelby process, including wheels and suspension. The seller notes this Charger was originally from New York, where it apparently has a history with two brothers who drag-raced it more than once.
The Shelby-specific seats remain in place, but it’s otherwise difficult to assess how much of this GLHS has been modified or otherwise tweaked for life at the track. These were surprisingly formidable performers, which is why it’s of little surprise to learn that a previous owner decided to take this one racing. The GLH cars were known for being easily tuned for more power, and surprising a fair number of V8-equipped muscle cars of the same era. The GLHSs also came with a plaque on the dash, unique decals and striping, and special wheels, all of which appear to be present and accounted for here.
The dust and dirt on the body tell you a little about how long this GLHS has been sitting. The seller doesn’t mention whether he had plans for the downed Charger or if he just held onto it in case he needed spares for another car. The repair will hopefully be straightforward, as this GLHS otherwise looks entirely deserving of leaving this dusty garage and returning to the road. Mileage is listed as being just 46,000, but it’s not revealed as to whether that number is considered accurate. Though these haven’t escalated to the point that they’re being restored, good ones are worth saving – the question is, does this one qualify?
These were a POS then and I’m sure they haven’t got any better over the years. I owned a 84 with a FACTORY SUPER DEALER INSTALLED Super Charger. I owned it for two years and it spent at least 9 months in the shop. After this I will never buy another MOPAR as long as I live
Wow a Super Dealer?? That’s quite the tale. Are Super Dealers as rare as I think they are???
He hates Mopars from way back ; I cant imagine he would ever buy one, let alone a front drive one.
Supercharger on an 84 non turbo 2.2? That is crazy. Even the turbo 1 motor of that generation could barely handle 250hp without eating bearings and destroying the block. What kind of supercharger did get use? I never saw one. Has to be intriguing, even though it was a not-so-good idea. The non turbo head was garbage. The cam set up wasn’t up to that job either, not to mention tuning small displacement motors with superchargers back then….. well, that had to be interesting.
Now the turbo 2 motor used in this car, it was decent for the time. Much stronger block, better webbing. I had a couple. They weren’t powerhouses, but the turbos we’re spirited. Put a hybrid on one…. Killed the rings and d S pin bearings but didn’t destroy the block. They needed non stop loving and maintenance or could be prone to failure. All these Chrysler products were finicky to say the least. Anyhow, would love to read more on that super dealer supercharger. Which dealer? Maybe I can find more information online?
Off the Showroom and into the garage….. http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/showthread.php?64092-Wanting-to-buy-direct-connection-supercharger-kit-for-2-2L
That’s actually very cool! Thanks for the link! Sent me down a rabbit hole. Now I want to find an old 83 CS Charger without a turbo and build one, just to see if it can be modified enough to be reliable. Found a link with more info and pics:
https://www.superchargerforums.com/threads/smallest-supercharger-ever.2910/
Thanks again! Learn something new everyday!!
Regardless of one person’s experience with an overclocked and probably incorrectly built motor in a car 3 years previous, these (GLHS’s) which were built from the get go for boost with lower compression ratios and upgraded internals, lived up to their moniker (Goes Like Holy “S@#&”). Remember, this car was from an era when EFI was new and turbos weren’t an every day thing. It’s too bad there isn’t more info about this car’s condition.
The “GLH” moniker stood for “Goes Like Hell”, a name Shelby coined himself. When the GLH-S variant appeared in 1986, the acronym’s added “S” indicated that this Omni would go like hell “S’more… not S@#& lol
Officially, perhaps. There are more than a few accounts that the unofficial name was R rated. Especially after you felt the torque steer and smoked the tires in 2nd once the turbo kicked in. The GLH name came to the Charger late in the party. Prior to the GLHS, they were just Shelby Charger or Shelby Charger Turbo. The GLH/GLHS were originally Omni 4 dr. There was also a very limited edition Supercharged Don Garlits model. Don’t know how many of those were built. Wasn’t connected to Shelby.
I don’t know much about these cars looks like something fun to cram a small V8 into.
Being FWD that’d be an interesting job
Couldn’t even be bothered to remove the soda can from the hood before taking a pic? Sellers like this do not earn my confidence, sorry. Especially when asking beyond top dollar, then no effort given.
I bought one of these new, torque steer is real and you better be prepared.
I had a GLH turbo which had wicked torque steer (produced major giggles in snow). This would require a tender right foot.
Junk
I had an ’84 and I loved it. Inexpensive. spirited. Fun to drive. Yeah, it had issues, but nothing I couldn’t handle. I just missed Shelby’s personal GLHS at auction a couple yrs back. I’d be a buyer here at $4500. Complete engine rebuild not cheap on these.
Actually rebuilding the 2.2 is really cheap; especially compared to other engines.
Actually, these cars are REDICULOUSLY cheap to rebuild, the issue comes from people not supportive of the cars or an aftermarket base. Funny, but some of these comments are explicitly posted by non-turbo Dodge fans, and they scream of Members Only jackets and cheap sunglasses. I own 2 GLHS’s, and 3 GLH’s and let’s just say in their day, they’ve surprised more than one Grand National owner. Sounds like most of you guys were of the Fox Body or IROC persuasion……. mullet much???
Sounds like you’re “Bogarting” the GLH’s. I had a Shelby Charger (ordered new) and bought a used GLH turbo after a friend leant me his for an autocross. My nephew had 2 GLH’s. Only problems I ever had were either self inflicted or rust related.
I always thought it was cool that Chrysler hired Shelby to create this little monster. They did Go Like Hell S’more, but as anyone who owned one knows, they didn’t do much else very well. I was a Mopar loyalist and owned an ’82 Plymouth Turismo 2.2 as my first new car. Owing to some questionable engineering, typical shoddy mid-80’s Chrysler build quality, and low content to keep them cheap (a 4 speed manual, really?) these cars just were not a great product. Certainly not the best platform for Shelby to build a quick cheap car on. I still think they are cool. But I’d never own one again.
I embarrassed Mustangs with my GLHS in the mid-80s. And, yes, the torque steer was a challenge.