I'm over this post by now

"Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available" (whoistheleader2) 02/24/2020 at 15:35 • Filed to: NPOCP, Dodge Charger Shelby

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I never really liked it but I’m just over it now.

This is probably too good to be true, and therefore will be gone by tomorrow morning if it is real. I am documenting this through the medium of Oppositelock before it disappears.

The seller is a little long winded in his description so here is the basics.

1983 model

16,000 miles showing

dash plaque with 005/100 Shelby Dodge Automobile Club 1984 engraved on it

very clean interior

very clean exterior with rare silver and blue color

And the price? $7,890!

So I am not very knowledgeable about this uniquely 80s machine, sot let me paste some of the selling dealer’s enthusiastic description. He also appears to not be well acquainted with the machine, but is at least enthusiastic.

Neat Genuine Shelby Charger! This one is looking & running super nice in and out and is a limited production factory high-output 2.2L 5-Spd cruiser! This factory limited production car is 1 of 3,069 silver with blue stripe cars and has a # 5 out of 100 Shelby-Dodge Automobile Club badge on dash. Not sure what that represents none the less its on dash! This little fella has lots of documentation with 2 full size framed info from Shelby press photo kit to several articals & badging & shop manual! This car was a collaboration between Dodge and Carroll Shelby, as respected a name in the aftermarket industry as has ever existed, gave rise to this 1983 Dodge Charger Shelby. It’s a veritable early ‘80s automotive piece of history that’s looking sharp and running strong!

The Shelby Charger’s drivetrain modifications included an enhanced 2.2-liter, H.O 4 cylinder OHC engine with chrome valve cover with a revised camshaft and 9.6:1 compression ratio. Upgrade 5-speed transaxle blended with closer gear ratios for an overall top gear ratio of 2.78. These changes turned out 107 hp at 5600 rpm, 13 hp more than the standard 2.2. Torque peak was 127 lb-ft at 3600. The Shelby Charger went from 0-60 in 9.0 seconds and had a 16.8 second ET at 82 mph; top speed was 117 mph!

Whoa, you have a stroke or did the shift key get stuck?

And was this really that slow? 107 horsepower from a naturally aspirated 2.2?

UPDATE: Turns out this was still pretty respectable for 1983, roughly equivalent in performance to the early Pontiac Fiero.

The silver metallic paint draped over its memory-invoking exterior adds a touch of modernity to the mix and, due to a freshening up over the years, it’s looking nice and sharp. The array of painted blue accents amps up its vintage ‘80s vibe and it, too, is looking particularly vibrant - the edges where gray gives way to blue are very sharp and the Dodge lettering on the hood really pops. While its scarcity provides this Dodge with built in collectability, it’s actually more than a mere conversation piece meant to languish in the garage - it’s very much in road-ready condition. Well over thirty years after this seldom seen automotive collaboration first hit the streets, its body alignment is still holding firm - it’s got an undeniably straight look to it and its doors, hood and rear hatch all open and close well.

This gushing is difficult to read and doesn’t say much at all. Also, this is optimistic to say the least.

Oh, there is the twist. The odometer rolled over. Still, it is a testament to the careful care this car received that it could pass as a 16,000 mile car.

The reassuringly solid condition of the drivetrain reinforces the notion that this vintage Dodge is very much ready for the road as soon as you bring it home. Miles listed in ad at 16xxx are what are showing on its 5 diget odometer. We feel miles have turned past 99,999 once based on vin history, records and condtion. It will be sold miles exempt in excess of mech limits! It has new clutch, timing belt & head gasket done at 112k! Its transverse-mounted HO 2.2 liter 4 cylinder engine starts right up, runs very smooth and sits in an engine bay that’s obviously received plenty of attention over the years to maintain its well-detailed appearance. The compact powerplant teams with a 5 speed manual transmission with a surprisingly easy action to it. Power brakes, including discs up front, power steering makes it a breeze to navigate on its 15 stock rims outfitted with BF Goodrich G-Force tires. This 1983 Dodge Charger Shelby is a well-up-dat

So this is the best interior pic we get?

Whataya think? Does the extra 100k spell a crack pipe for this ludicrous compact rocketship snail?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 14:04

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Calling Rootwyrm!

Notchback88 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 14:09

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107 hp at 5600 rpm

CP. Even my Fiero GT had more power than that when new  (128-138 depending on what source you believe.)

For Sweden > Notchback88 02/24/2020 at 14:14

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But that Fiero isn’t MOPAR

Notchback88 > For Sweden 02/24/2020 at 14:17

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This “Charger” is up there with the Mustang II when it comes to falls from grace.

Now, a Dodge Omni GLS or a Daytona Shelby/IROC? Yes please. 

boredalways > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 14:27

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NP. Pretty sure a buyer could walk in with $6500 cash and it would be theirs.

But it's missing something important: a period correct vinyl bra

Nom De Plume > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 14:29

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Bet it goes for no less than $60K on BAT... oh.

Well it looks well preserved so I’m sure it will go to a nice home.

Chariotoflove > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 14:37

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Lack of interior pics are because the guy who was sent out to the lot to snap some didn’t have the keys or couldn’t be bothered to get them. Could be the same person who was told to write up something that sounds good  for the ad.

haveacarortwoorthree2 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 14:44

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Nostalgic buyer at $2500. Even the Shelby name isn’t worth more than that on this car. 

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Notchback88 02/24/2020 at 14:56

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That’s for the n/a 2.2

The turbo’d 2.2 was 147hp and later 174hp in the GLH-S. 

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 14:58

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My brother had this exact car when it was new as an ‘86 . 18 year old me back then thought 147hp was a flat-out blast.

ttyymmnn > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 15:10

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This is some fine craftsmanship . What are the odds this thing has been been painted? More than once?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 02/24/2020 at 15:30

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Wait the Shelby didn’t produce the most power? I never realized this was an NA small displacement engine, since I couldn’t be bothered to read the seller’s confusing description. T his is definitely a CP.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Notchback88 02/24/2020 at 15:31

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Holy crap, this is probably the slowest Shelby ever built! I didn’t actually process that this is 107 horsepower, not the 150 I expected.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Notchback88 02/24/2020 at 15:32

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I originally got this confused with the Omni. I kind of assumed this was actually fast but now that I look at, was this slow even by 80s standards? 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ttyymmnn 02/24/2020 at 15:40

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That’s just 1980's USDM crafts manship.

ttyymmnn > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 02/24/2020 at 15:42

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Oh, I know. I had car ads hanging on my wall back then that I had cut out of magazines, mostly SI. This Charger was one of them. 

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 15:42

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Both turbo 2.2s were Shelby motors and were available in the Omni GLH/GLH-S and Shelby Charger. The n/a motor was in the base Charger and Omni.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 02/24/2020 at 15:44

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I swear I did not reply to you for all those random comments, but thank you.

Chariotoflove > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 15:44

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Looking for the update.  Is there any new info, or did you just refine your opinion?

SiennaMan > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 15:51

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I’d never be able to drop $6k on it, but as a guy whose first car was a lowly base model Omni, this would be a nice nostalgia c ar to have as the start of a collection (assuming the interior is as clean as the exterior)

jimz > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 16:00

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I remember these cars.   They didn’t get the turbo engine until 1985.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Chariotoflove 02/24/2020 at 16:00

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To be honest, I noticed that it was 107 horsepower NA, not the 140 something turbo engine in the Omni. So yeah, my opinion changed with the new information provided in the comments. Probably shouldn’t have put it back at the top but eh. . . 

jimz > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 16:01

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TBF everything sucked this bad back then.  9 second 0-60 wasn’t anything to sneeze at. the ‘82 Mustang V8 took 8.1 seconds. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > SiennaMan 02/24/2020 at 16:02

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B ut 107 horsepower in 2020 might spoil the fun the first time you drive on an interstate. Lots of those types of cars are much more fun as memories than taking up space in your garage.

Long_Voyager94 > Notchback88 02/24/2020 at 16:03

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Yet the Fiero GT was only 1  sec quicker in the quarter.

HP isn’t everything, weight/torque/gearing mean far more.

Long_Voyager94 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 16:04

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16 .8 sec in the quarter, still pretty spritely for an 80s econobox.

Chariotoflove > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 16:10

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Ah.  No, that’s okay.  It’s just that when someone posts “update”, I look for new information.  No worries though.

Notchback88 > Long_Voyager94 02/24/2020 at 16:14

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Yeah, I wonder how it does in the sla lo m. Course, it’s not really fair to compare an 83 vs the 88 Fiero GT - the suspension was much worse in the 85-87GTs.

Also GM sucks at engine choice.

I think overall, though, this Shelby is too costly for what it is. If it was a Turbo I’d definitely change my tune. 

Remember the Merit from GTA SA? > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 16:18

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Aren’t these FWD? At least the mustang is rear wheel drive... (still a mustang II though... )

SiennaMan > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 16:25

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I still remember needing to turn off the AC on an uphill on ramp in that Omni , so I’m not entirely pie eyed about what it’d be like to live with.. ;-)

ranwhenparked > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 16:35

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It weighs less than 2500lbs, it isn’t “fast” , but 107hp is perfectly sufficient for routine driving

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 16:39

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I don’t know where Cherokee auto group finds these things, they always have some survivors on their lot and not standard collectible models. Their prices are a bit high but find another. 

Nom De Plume > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 16:44

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Not a cp, nothing actually wrong with it mechanically or otherwise.  It’s just really far from being an enthusiast car.

thatsmr > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 16:52

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Love this. Learned to work a clutch on the regular 2.2 my dad had in 85. Silver with big split black stripe and louvers. I revved it enough to bend a valve or two, and since this was when they were pushing the warranty 6/60? It cost motor oil only to fix it! Blast from the past and at least three grand overpriced

Long_Voyager94 > Notchback88 02/24/2020 at 16:52

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The 86 GT lists at .86 on the skidpad for roadholding, this 83 Shelby pulled .84, so realistically handling wasn’t far off either.

Honestly I think it’s right on the money price wise, $7-15k seems to be the range on these lately.

thatsmr > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 17:03

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This car was pretty quick (peppy?) At the time, and probably pretty workable today. At least cars were light back then. My CRX Si was nice and quick and I miss it to this day

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 02/24/2020 at 17:15

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Yeah maybe they are incessant Craigslist surfers like me. But they usually have some pretty interesting rides around.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Notchback88 02/24/2020 at 17:16

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The NA is really the deal killer here, since there aren't many people who would entertain this who wouldn't know the turbo was better. 

TToney71 > SiennaMan 02/24/2020 at 17:54

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Man I am with yeah, I owned several mid eighty’s dodges. 84 omin, 84 Dayton Turbo Z, 84 Charger inverted color skim, 87 LeBaron Turbo. Loved them all.

I was on State route 35 and got pulled over in the Omin, police officer asked me to turn off the car, I explained if I did I would have to push start it cause battery was dead. He laughed and wrote me a ticket. Ticket cost more that the car was worth...

CorsairFAS > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 18:04

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Having been a player with a 2.2 l turbo engines in the Shelby’s and the D aytonas back in the day. The turbo 2.2 didn’t hit the charger till 1985 with 140+ horsepower. I had a 86 Daytona Shelby with 2.2 turbo with the computer kit and never got much more than about 15.2 in the quarter with about 20 lb of boost. all that mind finding a car this vintage in decent shape she’s becoming next to impossible. I’m not going to say that that $7,500 is a great price. but if you buy a cheap one and it needs a ton of work you’ll have that much more invested in do it real quick. There is a market for these cars I see people moving T urbo Z Daytonas in the 5 to 10k range for really nice examples. The sad reality is that these cars didn’t last the way 55 Chevrolets and 65 mustangs have. The ones that are out there are usually rag doubt or barn finds. If this car completely checked out it had no major issues with it, I’d probably be willing to spend negotiate to buy it. Sadly I don’t have a garage where I live now so I don’t have that problem. (My wife and I are 401k are probably  thanking God right now)

Monkey B > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 19:02

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I had the 2.2 in my Rampage mated to a manual 4 speed ...you could have fun in the 2.2 NA’s.

Never knew they made NA versions. I f I had the cash sitting and a garage I’d grab that Charger and probably put a small turbo on it...2.2's are pretty stout.

notsomethingstructural > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 19:13

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What’s, like, a baby pony car? A foal? This is a foal. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > notsomethingstructural 02/24/2020 at 19:23

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Ha! A foal without much get up and go, but one that can still hold its own in the corners.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > SiennaMan 02/24/2020 at 19:31

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Was your Omni an automatic or one with the 1.6L or 1.7L?

The 2.2L with the manual would have been decently peppy and still okay by today’s standards.

The automatic though had TALL gearing. I drove a 2.2L/auto Omni. When flooring it, it would shift into 2nd at 80km/h. And it would hold 2nd until 120km/h. But that tall gearing did cause it to have decent fuel economy.

By comparison, the 1992 Ford Escort with less power my mom had (1.9L/automatic) felt more peppy due to much lower gearing... shifted into 2nd at 50km/h, 3rd @ 100km/h, 4th/overdrive @ 140km/h.

SiennaMan > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 02/24/2020 at 19:50

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 It was an automatic and my best recollection was that it was either 2.0 or 2.2L.  It's hard for me say with much confidence how the acceleration was, since aged 16-19, the perception of acceleration had more to do with hormones than horsepower.  That said,  the long term replacement stead was a '91 Caravan (ie short model) also with the four cylinder that generally felt like it had less power.  The only saving grace, they were very lightweight compared to modern cars..

SiennaMan > ranwhenparked 02/24/2020 at 19:53

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 Exactly.   The other part of the joy for me would be seeing the cheap mopar interior bits again, the steering wheel sans airbag, etc..

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ranwhenparked 02/24/2020 at 20:12

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It’s just that neither routine driving nor “adequate” is supposed to be the point of a Shelby

Milwaukee Midget > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 22:37

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Find a nicer example for less elsewhere.

I owned a 2.2 Turismo (Plymouth version, sans hi-compression and tighter chassis), and 2 Rampages (the Ranchero/El Camino ute version of the Charger ). The normally aspirated 2.2 was a lot more sporting than the numbers would lead one to believe, and they handled better than Consumer Reports claimed.

It’s a Shelby Charger - version 1.0 - and it’s a pretty darned good looking one, at that.

VWBuG68 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/24/2020 at 23:43

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I drive my 70 HP beetle on interstate with no problem keeping up this should do fine. 

Jim Spanfeller > Remember the Merit from GTA SA? 02/24/2020 at 23:47

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Yes, but Mopar sold conversion kits that would turn it into a rear wheel drive car. They were pretty interesting.

Ratrodrover > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/25/2020 at 00:33

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This car’s value exists only as a reminder of the cynical and pathetic attempts by Detroit i n the 80s to slap some tape spelling out the word “ Shelby” on the side of anything with wheels and hustle it on an ill informed public. 

jimz > Jim Spanfeller 02/25/2020 at 03:45

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IIRC those kits were for K-car based vehicles, these are L-bodies.

BenLikesCars > Notchback88 02/25/2020 at 04:20

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In 1983, I think the GTI was making 90 hp. This little Charger had some zip.

jimz > Nom De Plume 02/25/2020 at 05:55

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Yabbut they’re pretty lightweight by modern standards, and thanks to the billions of K-cars made it would be dirt cheap to turbo this thing. Just use a MLS head gasket and it’ll be good to go.

ShortPlex > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/25/2020 at 07:49

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The only value in this is the Shelby name. This car like many in the 80s, suffered from all show no go syndrome. And the show is not that impressive. If your starting a Shelby collection, this would be a good piece. Carroll was a legend, but this car is  not.

Jim Spanfeller > jimz 02/25/2020 at 08:06

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Ah. I must have been thinking of Shelby Daytonas.

MN_Warthog > jimz 02/25/2020 at 09:34

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I was thinking the same thing. It also has quite a bit more hp than my old ‘84 Mustang 2.3L. I think that was rated at 88hp. Definitely double digit 0-60 time.

jimz > MN_Warthog 02/25/2020 at 09:41

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I’ll trot out my favorite example- the Camaro/Firebird with the 2.5 Iron Duke 4-cylinder- IIRC the ones with automatics had a 0-60 time of about 20 seconds. 

Nom De Plume > jimz 02/25/2020 at 13:14

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If you weren’t already going to be into this for collector money, very much true. Concours level Dodge Shelby Charger reimagining is a ways down my potential list of bad ideas.

Texas Pop Pop > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/25/2020 at 14:11

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It’s a SHEMI! Worth every penny...in my pocket... lint excluded!

conan312 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/26/2020 at 05:42

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Definitely one of the least collectible cars that Shelby collaborated on but if it is in the condition stated well worth the money being asked. Especially when you take into account that it is an extremely early production number . Somebody knew what they were looking at and snatched that up real quick because even though it might not be super desirable it still has Carol’s name attached to it!

Krashdragon > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/26/2020 at 09:22

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Had a red and silver one. Much prettier. Even for the time, not that fast. Ok, I was used to bigger stuff like my Dodge van with a 318 2 bbl! Was very nice car tho. Dont know about the dash placque, but the rear window shade was a factory add on. Totall y nec essary in Hawaii where I lived. One of the 1st cars with low profile ... and very expensive ... tires. Had Shelby logo embroider ed into the front seats.

Bob > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/26/2020 at 12:25

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I actually was at the SAAC meeting where Carroll Shelby brought up “this Dodge bullshit” that had been bandied about by the Shelby club since it had been announced.

Shelby said he’d done the slight upgrading as a favor for his friend, Lee Ia cocca, who was the father of the Mustang.

The little Dodges aren’t much to see or drive, they are marginally faster than a bone stocker of that unlamented era.

This one is, imho, overpriced.  But there's a butt for every seat!

Brian, The Life of > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 02/26/2020 at 15:56

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This wood be rad to own

PS9 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 05/15/2020 at 08:38

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The Dark Side of the gearhead is a pathway to many abilities some would consider to be ...unnatural.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > PS9 05/15/2020 at 08:44

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Unnaturally slow in this case, so yeah I'll pass on any occult preternatural powers.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 05/15/2020 at 11:41

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This has nothing to do with the OP, and doesn’t really go anywhere, but anytime some one mention s the H ot Omni , I am reminded that my h igh school latin teacher drove an Omni GLH-S. She also owned a MkII Mini Cooper in BRG with checker-flag roof, but that was a  weekend car, the GLH-S was her daily.