Dodge Challenger

The Dodge Challenger is the name of three different generations of automobiles (two of those being pony cars) produced by Dodge. However, the first use of the Challenger name by Dodge was in 1959 for marketing a "value version" of the full-sized Coronet two-door sedan. From model years 1970 to 1974, the first generation Dodge Challenger pony car was built using the Chrysler E platform in hardtop and convertible body styles sharing major components with the Plymouth Barracuda.

The second generation, from 1978 to 1983, was an imported from Japan badge engineered Mitsubishi Galant Lambda, a coupe version of an economical compact car.

The third and current generation is a pony car that was introduced in early 2008 as a rival to the evolved fifth generation Ford Mustang and the fifth generation Chevrolet Camaro.

Silver Challenger
The first car that carried the Challenger name was introduced as the limited edition Dodge Silver Challenger Club Sedan, an addition to the 1959 full-sized Dodge Coronet (fourth generation) model line produced in Detroit, Michigan.[1]The Silver Challenger came only in silver paint and exclusively on Chrysler's 217.4 in (5,520 mm) long two-door body style riding on a 122.0 in (3,100 mm) wheelbase. It was available with either the 230 cu in (3.8 L) "Getaway" L-head straight-six engine for $2,297, or powered by the 326 cu in (5.3 L) "Red Ram" V8 for $2,408.[2] This car was marketed for the spring selling season to the "new-car buyers who've been waiting to get the most for the least."[3] A column-shifted three-speed manual transmission was standard and an automatic was optional.

The 1959 Silver Challenger was marketed with extra features at no extra cost. These included premium white wall tires, full wheel covers, electric windshield wipers, as well as an upgraded interior with silver metallic vinyl and black "Manchu" fabric upholstery, dual arm rests and sun visors, as well as deep pile wall-to-wall carpeting.[3][4]

When the Challenger name lapsed, Studebaker introduced its own Challenger model in 1964, which was an entry level version of the Studebaker Lark series.