1964 Dodge Hemi Charger Concept Car: The First Charger: Wolf Heiau

1964 Dodge Hemi Charger Concept Car.

For 1964 the first ever Charger was a concept to showcase the newly revamped 426 Hemi.

Based on the Dodge Polara, it was transformed into a futuristic two-seater with a special low-cut wraparound windshield and a rollbar/headrest combination. Under 48 inches tall, its low height and wide stance gave it an aggressive appearance. The bumper became a rolled pan with four, small rubber bars. The grill was replaced with a hand-built unit. The high-beam headlights were removed. A functional cold-air hood scoop was added. The rear bumper was converted to rubber bars. The stock taillights were spread further apart.

The gauges are stock Polara except for the addition of an 8,000-rpm tachometer. The dark charcoal leather buckets were separated by a padded divider that housed various controls. The three-spoke steering wheel was a walnut wood trim.

Intended to show the all-new V-8 Hemi, none were available. The Hemi for the concept car was reallocated to one of Chrysler's racing teams after they blew their Hemi. Out of desperation the Polara's 305 horsepower 383 cubic inch V-8 was reinstalled. The car intended to showcase the new 426 Hemi housed a 383 instead.

The car was stored for over 30 years. It was bought in 1999 and eventually restored with number thirteen of the original fifteen racing Hemi engines.
The Hemi sports original 1964 NASCAR-spec Hemi heads, vintage Holley four-barrel carburetor on a magnesium intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, spark plug tubes, valve covers, and valvetrain components. New Manley rods and Ross pistons yielding a 9.6:1 compression ratio along with a Callies forged crank were installed. Common issues in the early Hemi blocks were delt with to deliver a reliable power platform.

After nearly 40 years the 1964 Dodge Charger Concept finally had a 426 Hemi capable of over 600 horsepower mated to a TorqueFlite and Sure-Grip 4.56:1 rear axle. Just as the designers envisioned all those years ago.

Music Credit: Wolf Heiau

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