4th Aug 2004, 01:09
I bought my 6pack from a family of GT owners (one black duck had the R/T). They stated that they would never sell their Fords, but the Charger ate their cars and was undeniably faster for a "Wog Box"!
As for me... I appreciate all muscle cars of the era and think both cars are amazingly equal! A true enthusiast can appreciate all the brands, but will undoubtely have a preference...I'll stick to my Charger thanks.
Now lets talk about Australian content boys! Ford imported engines... Holden imported engines...Chrysler imported carbies, but the rest of the car was Aussie designed and built! I'm an Aussie and I drive THE Aussie Musclecar.
And so did the Kiwi's :)
4th Aug 2004, 19:49
It would be nice to see the expression on the Phase 3 lovers heads after they've been for a spin in an E49.
They will push you back in the seat harder and go around corners quicker and stop sooner, full stop. Anyone who denies this hasn't had the pleasure of having ever been in one.
It was easy for the Ford people to slot in Mustang bits to make a race car. The Charger on the other hand was developed completely in Australia and won many races in Australia and New Zealand, without any factory backing. They were ALL privateers. Only the "big one" at Bathurst eluded them.
The Ford on the other hand had massive factory backing and used American muscle to make it stop and go. Hardly an "Australian" icon compared to the Charger.
Resto'd E49's will do high 13's with modern rubber, and in modified naturally aspirated form, many have done low 11's. Lets not forget this is a six cylinder we are talking about.
The next step would've been the E55 340 six pack which had admittedly been developed in the States, but in the relatively light Charger would've been very difficult to catch. These 340's were competitive with the big blocks never mind the 351, and would've had a superior top speed with its high rpm characteristics.
Today one has to spend over 60/70 grand to purchase a vehicle just as quick, and that is over 30 years later.
That's the way it is Ford lovers.
14th Aug 2005, 01:16
Whoever said that the falcon started to pass the charger on the 0 - 100mph test is an idiot... Think about it, if its 0 -60 time was 6.4 and its 0 -100 time was 14.4 that would mean it takes 8 seconds to gain 40mph.
This is not true... the time quoted is 0 - 100 - 0 mph test used to test both the acceleration AND braking.
How does that factor into the equation??? Well if the falcon started to pass the charger at the end of the strip that means the charger has much better braking capabilities than the falcon, a statement supported by many reviews and by simple logic... the charger was lighter and had much less cast iron hanging over the front wheels. Only thing is the charger had non-boosted brakes, but it is clear from the accleration figures that it had better braking than the falcon.
14th Jan 2006, 12:16
Fastest GTHO 242km/h 0 - 60mph 6.2 1/4 14.5 or 14.6.
Quickest E49 211km/h 0 - 60mph 6.1sec 1/4 = 14.4.
Modern tyres would make both cars quicker, but not faster.
It really is too close to call.
Of note if the Falcons tested had been fitted with the optional 4.11 diff it would have been slower (topspeed) and quicker (acceleration) by a significant margin.
The 4.11 is not suitable in the Falcon as a road car.
Both cars in standard spec with modern tyres are running mid to high 13's.
I'd buy a Charger if I had the money as in street drags they are far easier to get off the line quickly and use 30% less fuel.
Are you aware of the price of an E49? Hope you are rich as they seem to sell for between $50000.00 and $100000.00 but occasionally you see them in the $30K bracket needing lots of work.
23rd Feb 2006, 22:40
Considering all the Chargers were 6's not 8's that raced in Bathurst, no one ever stops to think of what would happen if the " supercare scare " never happened. Chrysler Australia would have had Chargers with Hemi V8 R/T engines and lets face it, knowing what a Hemi 6 can do, there would have been no competition and Valiant would still be a major manufacturer today.
Nevertheless, the Charger will never be forgotten.
2nd Mar 2006, 22:50
Agreed.
The E55 Charger came with the 340 V8, auto only, restrictive exhaust and was a cruiser. It matched the manual XA GT Falcon in performance though. Some have been converted to manual and I have read of a manual with extractors (but all else was stock) doing mid 13s down the quarter.
It was planned for release with a 4spd, but the Supercar scare changed all that.
That would have been a car to own.
22nd Mar 2006, 00:03
I'm not the one to say which of those 2 cars are better or faster, but I think the Chevelle doesn't have the history behind it. I mean for a straight six to be performing at the level of V8's is just unheard of, based on the E49 R/T Charger which puts out 302 bhp and standing quarter mile 14.4 and a top speed of 132 mph its got serious power. I'm not a Chevelle person so I will leave those specs to some Chev freak.
Long live the mighty Valiant, Chargers Rule!!!
28th Apr 2006, 00:24
Hi guys.
I currently have a weekend car, which is a Lotus Elise 111R MY05, which cost me over $116,000. I love this car totally on the road and on the track. But I am considering selling this vehicle to buy an R/T charger.
You are most likely thinking that these are two totally different cars and what is my justification for the switch. Well my father who owned an R/T charger back in the 70’s just passed away 3 weeks ago. That car was his pride and joy. And I just feel something inside saying you need to get one of these.
I have always loved the Valiant chargers. I remember being a little boy and not being able to see over the front dash while sitting in the front seat. All I knew was that we were going really fast, the raw of the engine and the speed of street signs and light poles flying passed as I looked our of the side windows.
I was wondering whether there is a car club in Victoria related to this vehicle. If so a contact number or name would be great. A web site would even do the job.
Also I have had a brief look on the Internet for any R/T chargers for sale and am starting to be concerned that these are as rare as Hen’s teeth.
What would be my chances on getting one of these? Do they ever come up for sale??
4th Mar 2004, 02:31
This has been very good reading. I have a vh charger with a 440.not sure on horse power yet.