The second-generation Challenger was a rebadged Mitsubishi Galant coupe. A 2.6-liter four made 105 hp, a far cry from the original V8 muscle car. This 1980 example shows only 37,309 miles and has had just two owners. Not every car wearing a famous nameplate deserves it, and Dodge spent the late 1970s proving the point. If you’re a fan of American muscle cars, you’re probably very familiar with the first-generation Dodge Challenger and the third-gen model from the late 2000s, which Dodge built for fifteen years until 2023. One version of the Challenger you may not be familiar with is the second-generation model, and that’s because it wasn’t a muscle car at all. In fact, it wasn’t even a Dodge at all. Read: The Last Challengers Were Supposed To Age Into Money, Not Lose $14K With Delivery Mileage When Dodge decided to revive the Challenger nameplate in 1978, four years after killing off the original, it walked away from the muscle car formula entirely. What customers got instead was a cheaper, less powerful, and far less interesting coupe based on the Mitsubishi Galant, sold as the Sapporo in some overseas markets. A Mitsubishi In Dodge Clothing Initially known as the Dodge Colt Challenger, the coupe was virtually identical to the Mitsubishi model sold elsewhere, save for the new badges. Whereas the original Challenger used six- and eight-cylinder engines, this model was primarily sold with a 2.6-liter four-cylinder engine, although a smaller 77hp 1.6-liter model was also briefly offered. While most of these second-gen Challengers built between 1978 and 1983 have disappeared into obscurity, Raleigh Classic Car Auctions has one available in Zebulon, North Carolina. This Challenger is a 1980 model and has been driven just 37,309 miles (60,043 km) since new. Additionally, it’s also believed to have had just two owners since new, and might be one of the best-kept examples in the United States. At Least It Looks Nice… Raleigh Classic Car Auctions The exterior features a two-tone black-and-silver paint job with yellow and red pin stripes running down the sides. It still sits on its original 14-inch wheels and looks to have been well maintained over the decades. Just like the outside, the interior design of the two-door model is a dramatic departure from other Challenger iterations. It features grey upholstery throughout, contrasted with red, white, and black plaid on the seats and door panels. While the design of this model has aged quite gracefully, it’s not exactly a thrilling car to drive. Indeed, the 2.6-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder had a measly 105 hp when new, and some of those horses have inevitably been lost over the decades. The second-gen Challenger may have abandoned muscle-car glory for Japanese reliability, but its oddball charm has aged better than expected. Take a look at the listing over here if the badge alone is enough to sell you on it. Raleigh Classic Car Auctions
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