Car Lust--Shelby Charger GLH-S
I was all prepared to write a suitably mournful and shamed intro to this Car Lust. After all, I'm writing to honor the Shelby Charger GLH-S and, by association, its less acclaimed Dodge Omni 024, Plymouth Horizon TC3, Dodge Rampage, and Dodge Charger brethren. These are all based on the late 1970s Chrysler subcompact Omni/Horizon series, which were average bare-bones economy cars for the time--which is to say, awful by any objective standard. The early L-body Chryslers, especially, were simply Omni/Horizons with swoopy bodywork--matching unexciting mechanicals with looks that, according to mainstream motorheads, were not particularly pleasing.
But you know what? I'm not ashamed of this guilty pleasure. Anybody who has read this blog for more than a week or so knows that I like bad cars, and the Charger isn't even in the top 10 of most embarrassing car lusts I've revealed in this space. I've already shown off the closely related Omni GLH-S and (inappropriately-named) Dodge Rampage (RAMPAGE!), so none of this should come as a particular surprise.
Yes, to today's eyes, the L-body Dodge Charger looks like a horribly offensive affront to a proud name. Even I can admit that it's a gawky, plasticky, awkward coupe that shares none of the elegant menace of the 1968 Charger--or even the brutal looks of the modern four-door version. At the time, though, in a slowly recovering performance environment dominated by small, light sports coupes, the 024/Turismo/Charger made a lot of sense.
Economical, semi-practical with its attractive fastback hatchback profile, and somewhat sporty, the L-body cars were mildly entertaining performance economy cars; something like a poor man's first-gen Volkswagen Scirocco.
This might count as yet another black mark on my car guy record, but I love the way these cars look. I see a little Scirocco in their lines, with the open, honest "face," a nice profile, some nicely creased edges, and of course that gorgeous hatchback. The Shelby Chargers, with their sensuous metallic blue/purple-and-silver color schemes and special wheels really get my palms damp.
The original L-bodies made do with a Volkswagen 1.7-liter four, then the ubiquitous Chrysler 2.2. The Shelby Charger added turbocharging, culminating in 175 horsepower in the final Shelby Charger Turbos and the limited-production GLH-S. The final 175-horsepower Charger Turbo and GLH-S were quick, with 0-60 times in the 7-second range, finally giving the svelte Charger body the testosterone it needed. As in the Omni GLH-S, the car got a sticker that expanded the stock speedometer from 85 mph to 135 mph.
The Shelby Charger wasn't a great sports car; despite upgraded shocks, it still shared the basic chassis with the penalty box Omni/Horizon economy cars. It's hard to make a world-class sports car out of those parts. Still, it was a good-looking, interesting, fairly quick sports coupe of the time; one that isn't often seen these days. If I ever win the lottery and decide to blow it on 1980s sports coupes (one of my most fervent dreams), an immaculate Shelby Charger will have proud placement in that collection.
There are two commercials below; one lauding the original 024, the second showing off the Shelby-enhanced Dodge lineup. I enjoy the actors trying to enthusiastically say, "024!" in the first ad, before the commercial eagerly shows off the unfortunately named 024 Miser. The second ad is funny mostly because it plays into Carroll Shelby's cult of personality; he stares, grim-faced, as Shelby Dodges drive pointlessly in a criss-cross pattern in the desert below him. It's always nice to see another moonscape in a car ad--but evidently this moonscape is the "Chrysler Shelby Performance Center"--odd that it doesn't seem to have a paved surface.
The brochure and ad are courtesy of Flickr user tallglassofmilk; the head-on shot is from Flickr user general.curtis. I also came across a completely hilarious set of images from user cowboy chris' bbq, featuring two (fully-clothed) models draped alluringly on and in a Shelby Charger. I'm not going to post those photos here, because Car Lust isn't about girlie photos, but the shots of the women trying to look sultry in the Charger's hatchback cargo area are pretty funny. I guess a Chevy Citation wasn't available for the shoot.
--Chris H.
David on July 05, 2009 at 01:51 PM
I am the second owner of an 85 Shelby Charger that I bought in 92. I still have it and it runs fine. I don't drive it because I'm collecting parts to make it into a super 60 and more for my son that is going into the military. These cars are great, if you had a problem with them, you didn't take care of it. Yes I had minor problems but over all it is great. Mine sat for 6 years outside while I was in Germany, I had to replace the fuel tank and pump but it started up fine. The cool thing is that they are rare and you can blow the Honda's with tin can pipes away. I bet if I could get all the after market parts like you can for the imports, I would kill them fools. Well I going to do it anyways, I will fine the parts.
Derek on July 05, 2009 at 07:54 PM
I had a '85 no frills Charger. Not sure what the comments are about the cornering because I took Mustangs, Camaro's, you name it, every time. With no Shelby, GHLS or turbo. They may have took me on the straight aways, but I always new I could dive into those corners and watch their brake lights slip into my rearview. It was a typical Chrysler 80's car though and after the 3rd "electronic" carburetor, I had to sell it to move. The head would get so hot it would warp the base on the carb. I truly miss that car. Plus, the backseat could fold down and make a pretty good makeout pit.
Mike h on October 14, 2009 at 12:34 PM
I owned two of these cars, one a bare bones garnet colored 2.2 charger, and an early non-turbo shelby that i paid 200.00 bucks for. Unfortunately, the bare one conked out at 156,000 and the i never got a chance to drive the shelby, due to money and time constraints at the time. But should i find a shelby charger, in decent running condition, i will glady buy it. I know of a company that makes plenty of parts for their motors, trannies, and suspensions. Enough to seriously blow the doors off all the import rockets, and domestic ones take make them go back to the drawing board! When i find my specimen, and build it right, watch out!
Jerry Bierman on December 03, 2009 at 06:55 AM
I have a 1983 Dodge Charger 2.2 with about 168,000 original miles. I get an average of 32 mpg, however, I have gotten as good as 39 mpg. I am looking for the shifter linkage for the manual trans-axel. Can anybody give me an idea?
Jerry B.
Mark on January 21, 2010 at 01:05 PM
I bought a near-new '82 Shelby Charger back in the day. It was quick compared to the '75 Saab auto that I traded for it, but with the 2.2 107hp non-turbo engine, it was a complete dog by today's standards. It handled sharply, but the Goodyear Eagles it came from the factory with only lasted 11,000 miles and cost $395 to replace - each!! It was pretty good looking though - my girlfriend at the time's first words to me were "Nice Car!"
Mark Powell on March 06, 2010 at 01:33 PM
I have a running low mileage 1983 Dodge Shelby Charger.
I bought it from the original owner.
I have lots of extra parts.
Who wants to buy this car?
Mark
937-855-4192
Asp Man on March 10, 2010 at 08:09 AM
I had two '86 Shelbys, owned about 5 years apart. Make no doubt about it, they are not 21st century, but for the time they were fantastic. First one I had was in 1987, blue/silver and few options, a farmer in a pick-up ran a stop sign and put an end to that one. The second was a red/silver with the sun/sound/shade package (sunroof, Infinity cassette system, rear window louvers(which were alluminum, and though I never had them on the car they were NOT PLASTIC as someone posted earlier)) in 1992, the car was still quicker than most cars, at least to 60, if not in the quarter. Quickest I had that one was 14.30s at 99mph, stock computer. And there is no way a CRX could hang with that car, straight or corner.
Matthew on July 25, 2010 at 12:04 PM
Lol my dad bought a plymouth turismo HO off the showroom floor back in 85. Had the 14 inch aluminum rims, chin and side skirts, and 4 headlights much like the base charger. Man that thing (a carbueted, N/A, 96 hp car) would SCREAM down the roads, in any direction.
I now have a 86 Dodge Daytona turbo z that I am converting from the old style turbo to the GLHS TII style. But daytonas are a heavier car, albeit their handling outweighs the Charger. If I had the money a charger would be in the driveway too.
Patrick Carroll on August 27, 2010 at 07:32 PM
I bought an O24 as a clueless newbie new arrival in American, back in 1985.
It had no major faults, just a ton of minor ones. Every month I owned it something would act up. Like the time the horn just decided it was going to honk, regardless of actual human input.
In that instance, I took a lot more wire out of the steering wheel/column than looked necessary for operating the horn. The horn did stop honking, but nothing else seemed affected.
Then, one day, attempting to shift from first to second, the clutch broke. Fixed with chewing gum and duct tape, it kept me going until I could get rid of it and buy a 1987 Maxima, a car that served me without complaint for 20 years, and eventually got traded for a new coat of paint on my house (and I think I got the worst of that bargain.)
The Challenger looks nice, but I've had my Dodge/Chrysler experience, and never again. Never. Again.
I mean, until I am mandated by the regime to buy a Government Motors car.
Mark on October 03, 2010 at 05:24 AM
I had a 1986 Shelby Charger Charger in 1990,bought it so I could go to school and didnt want to worry about my baby 1968 Charger R/T 440 sitting at the college parking lot all day ! 170,000 original trouble free miles.
I still have the 68,wish I kept the 86 as well..The Charger never broke,blew away Honda CRX's ,Any import of the day even Camaro's and 5.0 Mustangs !..Drove the car over 100,000 miles,bought it it read 65,000 ,remember they had a 5 digit odometer so every 99,999 it went back to 0.Nothing broke off,never rattled or anything,it looked and ran as new when I sold it.
Mark on October 03, 2010 at 05:34 AM
Patrick Carroll,
The first generation Omni's had a V.W engine..
Also,how can you compare an old Dodge to a new one ? They share not one part in them.I had very good luck with my old Dodge's several 60's/70's cars(all bought used of coarse)..Now several late 90's to my newest 2009 Challenger R/T,30,000 on now..Had a 2006 Charger never any issues 77,000 trouble free,just oil,gas,tires..My 2004 Dodge Ram Hemi never an issue at 80,000 miles.mMy older 2000 Dodge had 200,000 on it all original..
Funny my wife on the other hand had a 2003 Nissan Maxima (bought it before we met)that car was a rolling electrical clunker..I remember in 2006 we went to get a new engine under warranty put in and Nissan at the time was ordered to stop selling the Altima because of engine failure's from brand new !! We then got the Maxima fixed,traded it in for a Dodge Charger 77,000 0 issue car,now she drives a 2009 Challenger R/T again 0 issues... got
Dale on December 18, 2010 at 07:46 PM
81 024 miser 1.7l vw was my first car. High gear ratio would do 85 kmh in second. Rebuilt the engine, balanced/ported, 100hp easy, awesome exhaust sound. Point and shoot steering, unbelievable cornering, unbelievable fun, and this was the cheap stripper model. Lasted for 16 years before it rusted to death. Most fun car ever. Miss it.
Currently have a 85 turizmo and 85 Shelby Charger. Plan to bolt on all the parts from my o24 onto the turismo as its body is in excellent condition. Can hardly wait to get it on the road...
tony on December 05, 2011 at 09:45 PM
Man you people have no idea what the potential is for a 2400lb. chargers and omnis. Buy one in good shape for a couple grand and save up about $2000 and let me have it for a weekend. With two grand in two days i've modified these cars to run high twelves in the 1/4 and go 0-60 in around 4 seconds and still average 33mpg. show me any other production car ever made with a 4 banger you could do that to.
Johnny Johnson on December 16, 2011 at 03:48 PM
I owned a silver & burgundy 1985 Shelby Charger.
I drove the heck out of it and the only thing that ever went
wrong with it was the timing belt wore out. The way the head was set up
the valves were not damaged at all. My Ferrari (I'm a collector)
would be toast if this happened! The little car
would run all the way up to about 70 mph in a street
drag race with a stock 5.0 Mustang GT and only
lose by about a half a length! That was because it's hole
shot sucked with the FWD. I sold the little rascal
one day and have regretted it ever since.
These great little cars are going to fade into history
and be forgotten I'm afraid. Take it from a guy who
owns two Hemi cars, a Ferrari, a Pantera and several
other badass collector vehicles, these little cars
were a blast to drive and are very rare. If you own one,
don't be a dumbass and sell it - keep it!
Dale on December 30, 2011 at 06:17 PM
I now have enough bucks to rebuild my turismo into an Omni 024 [see Dec 18 2010 above]. Going to be starting this spring.
I ordered carbonfiber bumper extensions [bumper to wheelwell] from this company... http://www.kradcarbon.com/auto/scbump.html
They look mostly ok, but will need final prep to paint. They should never crack. 111.00-ish I think, shipped to Canada.
Looking forward to getting started in 2012.