The 2nd gen Chargers with the ‘69 being the best looking of the three models:
Let’s total up the points for the American-ness of the 2nd gens with an emphasis on the ‘69:
1) Type of car where the contenders are: the Model T putting cars in regular Americans’ hands, the WW2 Jeep leading to civilian Jeeps, the pickup truck, the monster truck, and the muscle car. Winner due to the sheer coolness of the car: the muscle car. (America didn’t develop sports cars, so they’re disqualified at this stage of the listing.)
2) Does it get more American than the big block V8 with that sweet baritone burble when cruising and roar when you floor it? Of course not. The Big 3 all had terrific big blocks and Chrysler with the 383, 440 and the 426 Hemi are right there holding their heads high.
3) Sheer design excellence: if there’s one car that makes people stop dead in their tracks when they see it, the 2nd gen Charger is that car due to the killer styling that holds up to this day. The ‘68 sold seven times the number of the ‘67. Even when the styling compromises the function of the car (unnecessary hideaway headlights, the sail panels making backing the car up like staring down a bowling alley) we’re all for a great looking car regardless.
The design is so good, you can go to a Dodge dealership today and place your order for a turnkey carbon fiber ‘70 Charger. It’ll only cost you a half million dollars.
4) That goddamned Confederate flag on the roof of the General Lee, which went from the most famous car in the world to the most infamous for the clueless racist aspects of that symbol used too freely—after all, it’s 100% American.
5) Car racing history: the ‘69 Charger Daytona (and ‘70 Superbird) were so good at winning due to Chrysler bending the NASCAR rules as much as they did, that the Wing Cars were banned.
6) It’s from 1969—when creatures of a planet did something that may have never happened before in the history of the Universe (I hope that’s not true)—put a mark on another celestial body—Man lands on the Moon. America did that ultra-incredible accomplishment—not China, not the Soviet Union—us.
7) And the biggie—use in popular culture: due to its distinctive and jaw-droppingly gorgeous looks, non-Americans may not know the model’s name, but they definitely know the 2nd gen Chargers from American popular culture spread to the farthest reaches of the globe: Bullitt (all-time best movie car chase), Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry, The Dukes of Hazzard TV show, TV movies, and feature movie, Supernatural TV show, The Venture Bros., Drive Angry, Death Proof, F&F1, F&F4, F&F5, F&F6, F&F7 with three 2nd gens, F&F8, F&F9 with three 2nd gens, F&F10, and undoubtedly F&F11. Choice of superheroes: Blade, Ghost Rider and now the Batmobile.
I can tell this was cathartic for you. I’m happy I could have provided you with such a release.
