Chronology
Introduced April 1973, replacing the VH Charger
Replaced in September 1975 by the VK Charger
In production for approximately 29 months
Model Line Up
Manual Charger Coupe 215 Hemi 6: (VJ1-M-29)
Automatic Charger Coupe 215 Hemi 6: (VJ2-M-29)
Manual Charger Coupe 245 Hemi 6: (VJ3-M-29)
Automatic Charger Coupe 245 Hemi 6: (VJ4-M-29)
Manual Charger Coupe 265 Hemi 6: (VJ7-M-29)
Automatic Charger Coupe 265 Hemi 6: (VJ8-M-29)
Manual Charger XL Coupe 245 Hemi 6: (VJ3-D-29)
Automatic Charger XL Coupe 245 Hemi 6: (VJ4-D-29)
Automatic Charger XL Coupe 318 V8: (VJ6-D-29)
Manual Charger XL Coupe 265 Hemi 6: (VJ7-D-29)
Automatic Charger XL Coupe 265 Hemi 6: (VJ8-D-29)
Automatic Charger 770 Coupe 318 V8: (VJ6-H-29)
Manual Charger 770 Coupe 265 Hemi 6: (VJ7-H-29)
Automatic Charger 770 Coupe 265 Hemi 6: (VJ8-H-29)
Prices
Charger: $2 970
Charger XL: $3 425
Charger 770: $3 995
Number Produced
10 509
Engines
Hemi 215
Type: Conventional, water cooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Number of Cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, upright, Hemispherical head
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
Capacity: 215 cubic inches (3.5 litres)
Bore and Stroke: 3.52 x 3.68 inches (89.408 x 93.472 mm)
Power: 140 bhp (104 kW) at 4400rpm
Torque: 200 lbs/ft (271 Nm) at 1800rpm
Compression Ratio: 8.0:1
Firing Order: 1-5-3-6-2-4
Fuel System: Carter downdraft type carburettor
Hemi 245
Type: Conventional, water cooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Number of Cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, upright, Hemispherical head
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
Capacity: 245 cubic inches (4.0 litres)
Bore and Stroke: 3.76 x 3.68 inches (95.504 x 93.472 mm)
Power: 165 bhp (123 kW) at 4400 rpm
Torque: 235 lbs/ft (319 Nm) at 1800 rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Firing Order: 1-5-3-6-2-4
Fuel System: Carter downdraft type carburettor
Hemi 265
Type: Conventional, water cooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Number of Cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, upright, Hemispherical head
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
Capacity: 265 cubic inches (4.3 litres)
Bore and Stroke: 3.91 x 3.68 inches (99.314 x 93.472 mm)
Power: 203 bhp (151 kW) at 4800 rpm
Torque: 262 lbs/ft (355 Nm) at 3000 rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Firing Order: 1-5-3-6-2-4
Fuel System: Carter 2 barrel downdraft type carburettor
Hemi 265 E48
Type: Conventional, water cooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Number of Cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, upright, Hemispherical head
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
Capacity: 265 cubic inches (4.3 litres)
Bore and Stroke: 3.91 x 3.68 inches (99.314 x 93.472 mm)
Power: 270 bhp (201 kW) at 5000 rpm
Torque: 318 lbs/ft (431 Nm) at 3700 rpm
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Firing Order: 1-5-3-6-2-4
Fuel System: 3 x 2 barrel side-draft type carburettor
Hemi 265 E49
Type: Conventional, water cooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Number of Cylinders: Six
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, upright, Hemispherical head
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
Capacity: 265 cubic inches (4.3 litres)
Bore and Stroke: 3.91 x 3.68 inches (99.314 x 93.472 mm)
Power: 302 bhp (225 kW) at 5600 rpm
Torque: 325 lbs/ft (441 Nm) at 4100 rpm
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Firing Order: 1-5-3-6-2-4
Fuel System: 3 x 2 barrel 45 DCOE Weber side-draft type carburettor
318
Type: Conventional, water cooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Number of Cylinders: Eight
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, OHV, 90° Vee
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
Capacity: 318 cubic inches (5.2 litres)
Bore and Stroke: 3.91 x 3.31 inches (99.314 x 84.074 mm)
Power: 230 bhp (172 kW) at 4400 rpm
Torque: 340 lbs/ft (461 Nm) at 2400 rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Fuel System: Carter two barrel downdraft type carburettor
360
Type: Conventional, water cooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Number of Cylinders: Eight
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, OHV, 90° Vee, “wedge” head
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
Capacity: 360 cubic inches (5.9 litres)
Bore and Stroke: 4.00 x 3.58 inches (101.6 x 90.932 mm)
Power: 255 bhp (190 kW) at 4400 rpm
Torque: 360 lbs/ft (488 Nm) at 2400 rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Fuel System: Holley two barrel downdraft type carburettor
340 E55
Type: Conventional, water cooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type
Number of Cylinders: Eight
Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, OHV, 90° Vee, “wedge” head
Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
Capacity: 340 cubic inches (5.6 litres)
Bore and Stroke: 4.04 x 3.31 inches (102.616 x 84.074 mm)
Power: 275 bhp (205 kW) at 5000rpm
Torque: 340 lbs/ft (461 Nm) at 3200rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Fuel System: Single 4-barrel downdraft type carburettor
Transmissions
Manual
3 Speed Manual
1st: 2.95:1
2nd: 1.69:1
3rd: 1.00:1
Reverse: 3.67:1
4 Speed Manual (1973)
1st: 2.82:1
2nd: 1.84:1
3rd: 1.32:1
4th: 1.00:1
Reverse: 2.56:1
4 Speed Manual (1974 onward)
1st: 3.32:1
2nd: 2.00:1
3rd: 1.43:1
4th: 1.00:1
Reverse: 3.00:1
Automatic
6 Cylinder 3 speed automatic
1st: 2.45:1
2nd: 1.45:1
3rd: 1.00:1
Reverse: 2.20:1
V8 3 speed automatic
1st: 2.39:1
2nd: 1.45:1
3rd: 1.00:1
Reverse: 2.09:1
Rear Axle Ratios
Hemi 215: 3.23:1 optional 3.70:1
Hemi 245, 265 and 318 V8: 2.92:1
340 V8: 2.92:1 (4 pinion assembly)
360 V8: 2.77:1 (4 pinion assembly)
E48 and E49: Suregrip 3.27:1 (model 88 heavy duty differential)
Optional suregrip for 6 cylinder cars 3.23:1
Optional suregrip for 215 Hemi: 3.70:1
Chassis/ Construction
Unitary construction (Monocoque)
Clutch
9.5” diaphrahm spring with pressure plate
Note: Six Pack E48 and E49 fitted with 9″ twin-plate
Suspension
Front
Independent with torsion bars, upper and lower control arms and anti roll bar, telescopic shock absorbers
Anti roll bar .88″ for Charger 770
Torsion bars .85″ x 35.8″
Torsion bars .87″ x 35.8″ S14 option, utility and V8’s fitted with air-conditioning
Rear
Live axle by asymmetrical semi elliptic leaf springs
Telescopic shock absorbers
4 leaves 55″ x 2 1/2″
Rear set up
Live rear axle, hypoid, semi floating type, two pinion differential with integral carrier.
Steering
Recirculating ball but type with optional power steering
Brakes
Tandem/divided master cylinder
Front
All models (except Hemi 215): 11 inch ventilated disc with single piston, sliding head calliper
Hemi 215: 9 inch x 2 1/2 drum with optional disc brakes
Rear: 9 inch x 2″ (228.6 mm) drums
Booster: Girling FD50 standard on Charger 770. Optional on all other models fitted with disc brakes. Booster becomes standard equipment during VJ production run
Electrical
12 volt with alternator
Ignition System
Coil and distributor
Exhaust System
Single tail-pipe, straight through resonance type muffler
Wheels
Pressed steel, double sided safety rims
14×6.50J
Tyres
185SR x 14 Radial Ply
W35’s: E70HR x 14 Radial Ply
Exterior Dimensions (Charger)
Total length: 173.5 inches (4570mm)
Width: 74.2 inches (1880mm)
Height: 54.1 inches (1370mm)
Wheelbase: 105 inches (2670mm)
Front Track: 59.3 inches (1507mm)
Rear Track: 59.7 inches (1516mm)
Kerb Weight: 3150kg
Turning circle: 36 feet (10.9m)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.5 Gallons (80L)
Luggage Capacity: Maximum width: 1160mm
Maximum length: 1120mm
Maximum Depth: 510mm
Interior Dimensions (Charger)
Front headroom: 33.9 Inches (860mm)
Rear head room: 31.9 Inches (810mm)
Front shoulder room: 59.1 inches (1500mm)
Rear shoulder room: 55.9 inches (1420mm)
Front hip room: 52 inches (1321mm)
Rear hip room: 53.5 inches (1359mm)
Front legroom: 46.9 inches (1190mm)
Rear leg room: 20.9 inches (530mm)
Rear knee room: 5.7 inches (145mm)
Performance
XL Charger 4 speed manual 265 2 barrel
Top speed in gears:
1st: 46mph (74km/h)
2nd: 68mph (109km/h)
3rd: 90mph (145km/h)
4th: 176mph (210km/h)
0-60mph (0-97km/h): 9.6 seconds
Standing quarter mile: 17.5 seconds
Source: Modern Motor, July 1973