Charger, Turismo, O24, and TC3: Omni / Horizon Coupes
Chrysler launched two new hatchback coupes named Dodge O24 (later to become the Charger) and Plymouth TC3 (to become the Turismo) in 1979. These sporty cars, based on the well-known, internationally engineered Omni and Horizon, offered a new 2.2-liter overhead-cam engine, developing 84 horsepower, or the base (imported) 1.7-liter developing 70 bhp. The Plymouth TC3 2+2 offered Rallye and Sport Appearance packages with a rear spoiler. The base engine was the 1.6 "Peugeot" powerplant, actually designed for the Omni/Horizon - it became a Peugeot engine when Chrysler sold their European operations (which had designed it) to Peugeot. (history).
1982. The Dodge O24 was re-dubbed the Omni Charger, and the Plymouth TC3 became the Turismo. The Dodge Charger 2.2, using the muscle car’s name but none of its parts, wasn't difficult to spot. With hood scoop, special tape graphics, and two-toning body colors, the car, powered by an 84-bhp 2.2-liter engine, showed a return to performance. It could hold its own against the day’s remnants of muscle cars, and against some of the lesser V8-powered muscle, as well. It was arguably every bit as much a Charger as the B-body Charger SE, which shared most of the 1968-71 Charger’s parts but little of its spirit.
1983. What a substantial year! (See Bryan's car section). A $975 million profit greatly helped Chrysler Corporation. The new Shelby Charger was brought out, mid-year, with a considerably more powerful (107 hp) 2.2 engine; it also had closer gear ratios, quicker steering, a stiffer suspension, and better production. Despite the implications of the name, Chrysler wrote, “The car features graphics inspired by famous race car driver and designer Carroll Shelby,” which suggests that Shelby had little to do with the car’s modifications. “The Shelby look includes air dam, ground effect skirts, quarter window plug, rear spoiler, logo, and skunk stripe.” It was avaialble in combinations of blue and silver, with interiors of silver and darker blue; the Shelby logo was embroidered on the headrests.
| 1986 Turismo engines | Compression |
Horsepower | Torque | Manual MPG | Auto MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 liter (97.1 CID) 2-barrel (Peugeot) | 8.8 | 64@4800 | 87@2800 | 31/39 | |
| 2.2 liter, 2-barrel carburetor | 9.0 | 96@5200 | 119@3200 | 26/36 | 24/30 |
| 2.2 liter, turbocharged (Shelby Charger) | 8.1 | 146@5200 | 170@3600 | ||
| 2.2 liter, high output (“2.2” models) | 9.6 | 110@5600 | 129@3600 | 22/30 |
In 1984, both Turismo and Charger arrived with numerous changes, including new quad headlights. The Shelby Charger offered 110 bhp, with wide stripes on the hood, ceiling, and back of the car. According to the Standard Catalog of Chrysler, the Shelby package also included a revised camshaft, chrome valve cover, stiffer suspension, 50-series Eagle GT tires on 15 inch wheels, and low-restriction exhaust for higher performance both in a straight line and around turns. The cost was about $2,000 more than a base Charger, but the Catalog quotes the NHRA as getting a 0-50 speed of 5.5 seconds, with a sub-16 second quarter mile - quite good for the time. (Engine upgrades were largely from Chrysler, rather than Shelby’s works.)
In 1985, a turbocharged version of the Dodge Charger Shelby developed a strong 146 bhp using multiple-point fuel injection, while the "standard" Shelby engine moves into the "standard" Charger as an option. The new Plymouth Turismo/Duster package is offered with rear spoiler, rallye wheels, and special striping. The Shelby Charger includes a Garrett AiResearch T3 turbocharger, Chrysler/Bosch multiple-point fuel injection (which was never used on other domestic 2.2 engines), a close-ratio five-speed, 2.57:1 overall top gear ratio, better brakes, stiffer suspension, and pedals designed for heel/toe shifting. As always, Shelbys also had a graphics package, extending into the interior.
1986 brought few changes for both the Charger and Turismo, except for the required center-stop lights in the rear. A 2.2 liter, 96 horsepower engine was available on base models first the first time. As in years past, a premium set of gauges was fitted, with full instrumentation. (To quote from another page:)
For 1986, there were three Turismos: base, Duster, and 2.2, and all of them were three-door hatchback versions of the Omni. The Duster added special bucket seats, wheels, and trim; and Turismo 2.2 added an air dam, side sill spoilers, sport suspension, close-ratio five-speed manual, performance exhaust, decals, and high-performance version of the 2.2 liter engine. Only the 2.2 came with fourteen inch wheels; the others came with 13 inch wheels (though 14 inch wheels with P195/60R14 tires were optional on non-2.2 models). The main change for 1986 appears to have been anti-rattle pads added between the jack and spare, and between the lug wrnech and floor of the spare tire.
All Turismos got a standard Rallye instrument cluster with a large tachometer and speedometer, and smaller gas, temperature, voltage, and oil pressure gauges, as well as odometer and trip odometer. The glove box was designed to hold cassettes and maps. Unlike most imported cars, the Turismo (and Horizon) used a conventional American-style steering column, with the hazard flashers on top of the column rather than on the dash.
The under-nose air dam of the Turismo provided a 3.5% drag reduction, while increasing the radiator airflow; the standard rear spoiler cut drag by 9%.
Overall top gear ratios on the automatic were 3.02 or 2.78; on the manuals, 2.69 (4-speed), 2.20 (five-speed), or 2.78 (Turismo 2.2 only).
1987 was the last year for these cars. Perhaps the most rare was the Shelby Charger Turbo; only 2,011 were built. The Duster package continued, joining up with the America program that also involved the Horizon; this provided a standard option package with steep discounts.
The last 1,000 Chargers built were purchased by Shelby and converted into the Shelby Charger GLHS, similar to the 1986 Dodge Omni GLHS both internally and in the graphics schemes. With a 0-60 time of under 7 seconds, it was a surprisingly good runner, especially given the era. It was also well appointed, with sunroofs, cassette decks, air conditioning, and other options standard. The price was just under $13,000. (Information source for this paragraph: Bill Yohman, ShelbyRegistry.com). See our GLHS page.
Additions
Michael Ridler wrote:
I currently own a 87 Charger with 180,000 and a 82 Rampage with 220,000. I find them both quite reliable and very good on gas, I've used them both as delivery vehicles. Plus parts are easy to find because things are relatively unchanged over the years. As far as performance goes definately get the 5 speed, auto is very sluggish. With a turbo it will go like hell (GLH).
archone wrote:
Realistically, we've gotten from 15.5 to 16.3 secs in the quarter mile between five turbo Shelby chargers. The turbos are quite fun, but with nearly ten years between the latest example, unless you find one that was serviced often, expect to eventually change the turbo. Trouble spots in the Shelby Charger are the shift linkages (cheap to fix, but bothersome. The bushings wear out around the seven year mark and the linkage slips out), the passenger side motor mount which makes a grinding sound when you make left turns, and the strut tower bushings.... All relatively minor things to watch for. We've also seen a few of the external fuel pumps go bad.
| 1986 Specifications | Turismo Charger |
Horizon Omni |
Chrysler front-drive performance 1983-1993 See some 2.2/2.5 EFI modifications |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 96.5 | 99.1 | ||
| Length | 174.8 | 163.2 | ||
| Width | 66.1 | 66.8 | ||
| Height | 50.7 | 53.0 | ||
| Track (max) | 56.1 | 56.1 | ||
| Turning diameter |
36.4, left 38.2, right |
37.2, left 39.1, right |
||
| Headroom, F/R | 37.2 / 34.4 | 38.1 / 36.9 | ||
| Legroom, F/R | 42.5 / 28.7 | 42.1 / 33.3 | ||
| Hiproom, F/R | 52.6/46.4 | |||
| Cargo, cubic feet |
10.7 cu.ft. | 10.5 cu. ft. | ||
| Cargo, rear seat down, c.f. |
32.4-34.3 cf | 36.6 cu.ft. |