Dodge Kicks Off Nationwide Tour for Charger’s 60th Anniversary
Nationwide summer events trace six decades of an American muscle car icon, from Carlisle to the NHRA's return to Michigan…
This summer, Dodge is honoring six decades of the Dodge Charger legacy with a nationwide series of events, bringing the spirit of one of the most storied nameplates in automotive history directly to enthusiasts across the country, company officials announced in a press release.
From the original Dodge Charger debut on New Year’s Day 1966 to the current eighth-generation, heritage-inspired Charger lineup led by the gas engine SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger Scat Pack and Charger R/T, Charger has stayed true to its muscle-car performance roots, noted the release.
“From its debut in 1966, Dodge Charger has stood as a symbol of bold design, unapologetic performance and unmistakable American attitude,” said Matt McAlear, Dodge CEO. “As we mark 60 years, we’re bringing that legacy to life nationwide and connecting generations of enthusiasts. Today’s Charger continues as a modern muscle car led by the 550-horsepower Scat Pack with its gasoline-burning, twin-turbo, SIXPACK engine, proving performance remains at its core.”
The Charger 60th anniversary summer road trip started July 10 at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, followed by a stop at the Route 66 Centennial Parade on July 12. The show has one more West Coast stop before it moves on to Metro Detroit for two of the biggest car-culture enthusiast events in the nation and wraps up watching 12,000-horsepower professional drag racers at the first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) National event stop in Michigan in 66 years.
The Charger 60th Anniversary Summer Road Trip Schedule
Carlisle Chrysler Nationals (July 10-12): Drawing nearly 3,000 vehicles from the Stellantis family and tens of thousands of enthusiasts, Dodge hosted a deep-dive walk-around on the new SIXPACK-powered Charger and also showcased the new Purple Haze color on the Charger, making its public debut at the Carlisle event. The Pennsylvania show also hosted a special area honoring 60 years of the Charger on its show field.
Route 66 Centennial Parade (July 12): Current and classic Dodge Charger models led the Petersen Automotive Museum’s escorted parade to the Santa Monica Pier to celebrate 100 years of Route 66 and a living timeline of the American automobile. The parade featured a fleet of vehicles representing key moments in automotive history, including additional Stellantis historical rides.
All-American Cruise-In (July 26): Iconic versions from all eight generations of the Charger will be part of the Petersen Automotive Museum’s All-American Cruise-In, a celebration of American automotive culture marking 250 years of America that includes a stop at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles and a “fireside” chat with a Dodge representative.
MotorTrend Presents Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge (Aug. 8): Back for its 11th year, the Roadkill Nights Dodge horsepower festival in Metro Detroit will feature the debut of the most powerful SIXPACK Charger yet, a Dodge Charger 60th celebration as part of the event’s car show, and competitors drag racing on iconic Woodward Avenue in current-era 550-horsepower SIXPACK-powered Dodge Charger Scat Packs.
Woodward Cruise (Aug. 15): Dodge will be back at the big cruise on Woodward Avenue in Metro Detroit, including with SIXPACK-powered Charger R/T and Scat Pack muscle cars on display, celebrating the nameplate’s 60th.
Dodge NHRA Great Lakes Nationals Presented by Mopar (Sept. 18-20): Wrapping up the summer, Dodge and Mopar will serve as title and presenting sponsors of the first NHRA event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan, highlighted by a pre-race cruise, including Charger vehicles, departing from Auburn Hills.
Charger’s 8 Generations: A 6-Decade Timeline
Since the “low-slung, fast-back sporty car” entered the world in 1966, the Charger has evolved over six decades, innovating advancements in performance, engineering and technology while never losing sight of its muscle-car heritage, the company said. The generations include:
- Birth of an icon: Gen I (1966-67)
- Muscle redefined: Gen II (1968-70)
- Twilight of muscle: Gen III (1971-74)
- Shift toward luxury: Gen IV (1975-78)
- New era of reinvention: Gen V (1981-87)
- Modern muscle reborn: Gen VI (2006-10)
- Hellbent performance: Gen VII (2011-23)
- SIXPACK-powered, multi-energy rebirth: Gen VIII: (2024-current)
