25th Apr 2012, 03:50

The V8 R/T was conceived by Chrysler Australia. The first option was the 360, but the 340 was considered the more advanced motor at the time, and developed more power. The 340 was suggested thus by Chrysler in the US. A V8 sports model was on the cards from the outset of the Charger development. As the performance was considered adequate, the 340 came strangled with a 180CFM carby and a poor exhaust manifold design when released. The potential was there, and Chrysler Australia again rushed a Charger into production, and then made plans for the upgrades to follow on the next model with a manual gearbox. Alas this never occurred.

Better breathing and a manual box shows cuts of well over a second on the 400m time in otherwise stock cars.