First-Ever Dodge Charger Up For Grabs

Unique piece of muscle car heritage to go under the hammer

We are fond of a spot of V8 Detroit iron here at PH, so when a flick through the latest RM Auctions catalogue revealed this rather intriguing Dodge Charger Concept, we felt it only fair that we should share it with you.

This stunning, Hot Wheels-esque concept was created in 1964 as a showcase for Chrysler Corporation's soon-to-be-legendary 426 cubic-inch Hemi V8. It was also the first use of the iconic Charger name badge.

Unfortunately, this first Charger wasn't as hard-charging as it ought to have been; unexpectedly high demand for the 426ci race engine meant that the motor earmarked for the concept ended up in a race car.

In the end, the Charger Concept had to 'make do' with the 305hp V8 from the Dodge Polara rather than the full-house 365hp. It would take another four decades before the car finally got the powerplant it always ought to have had.

In 1999, concept and show car collector Joe Bortz got his hands on the car, and the Charger concept was finally treated to the 426 Hemi race motor that nature had intended.

What nature didn't intend was that that engine should deliver 600hp, but that's what it has ended up with. And while we like the sound of that, coupling it to a three-speed auto and tyres as thin as a shopping trolley's does sound like a recipe for terror.

If you fancy it, the Charger Concept's up for grabs at the Arizona RM Auction on 21 January. And the estimate? A cool $750k - $1m...