So, in a nutshell, Chrysler Group's West Coast Pacifica Studio, where the Challenger concept was penned,
got it right.
"During the development of the concept car," commented Michael Castiglione, principal exterior designer, "we brought an actual 1970 Challenger into the studio. For me, that car symbolizes the most passionate era of automotive design."
I have to agree with Castiglione, as the 1970 Challenger has long been one of my favourite muscle car designs, next to the 'Cuda of the same vintage - heck the '70 'Cuda convertible (or '71 depending on who you believe) in Don Johnson's
Nash Bridges series is the only reason that I ever watch the show.
But is the new car too retro? That's a question that the Dodge product planners would like auto writers and show goers to answer for them before they give the go-ahead for production. Some will no doubt quip that Dodge should be looking to its future, not its past in charting new directions. But in reality, Ford couldn't sell 165,000 front-wheel drive Probes per year, or even half that many, but it could sell more retro-styled Mustangs if only it could keep up to production. In other words, in the muscle car segment at least, legendary nameplates styled similarly to their forebears sell big time.
"We wanted to stay pure," added Castiglione, "with simple, minimal line work, but with everything just right."
 |
| The '70 'Cuda convertible in Don Johnson's Nash Bridges series is the only reason that I ever watch the show. |
"During the development of the concept car," commented Michael Castiglione, principal exterior designer, "we brought an actual 1970 Challenger into the studio. For me, that car symbolizes the most passionate era of automotive design."
I have to agree with Castiglione, as the 1970 Challenger has long been one of my favourite muscle car designs, next to the 'Cuda of the same vintage - heck the '70 'Cuda convertible (or '71 depending on who you believe) in Don Johnson's
 |
| "During the development of the concept car," commented Michael Castiglione, principal exterior designer, "we brought an actual 1970 Challenger into the studio. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
But is the new car too retro? That's a question that the Dodge product planners would like auto writers and show goers to answer for them before they give the go-ahead for production. Some will no doubt quip that Dodge should be looking to its future, not its past in charting new directions. But in reality, Ford couldn't sell 165,000 front-wheel drive Probes per year, or even half that many, but it could sell more retro-styled Mustangs if only it could keep up to production. In other words, in the muscle car segment at least, legendary nameplates styled similarly to their forebears sell big time.
"We wanted to stay pure," added Castiglione, "with simple, minimal line work, but with everything just right."