`69 Dodge/Hurst Charger Merada 440- Who Knew???

[69NovaYenko]

When I stumble across these odd factoids I like to share:

Similar to the Hurst/Pontiac Grand Prix-based Hurst SSJ program the Dodge Charger Merada was supposed to start from the Charger R / T 440 "Magnum engine and heavy duty package, both manual and automatic transmission could be elected. The exterior of the Charger Merada was painted a rather eye-catching shiny gray metallic shade called "Pewter Grey" with “Sunset Orange” stripes running longitudinally down the body sides and a pair of twin strips down the hood. 

The hood featured a vacuum-operated pop-up ram air scoop. This was the predecessor to the lay-flat/pop-up “Air Grabber” scoop found on Chargers two years later, funneling cool, dense air into the 440 Magnum plant. A revised front fascia featured a larger air inlet with a mess grille, eliminating the down bar bumperettes. A pair of bullet-style sport mirrors were added as well.

Inside, the Merada Charger featured a revised center console with a color matching treatment and T-handled 4-speed Hurst shifter. If the project had to come to fruition, those “Hurst Golden Chargers” optioned with automatics would be equipped with the venerable Hurst Dual-Gate auto shifter. Designed to compete with the aforementioned “businessman’s muscle car” H/O, the Golden Charger was designed to be an upscale version of the already plush R/T SE, something which Dodge felt was a bit unnecessary.

Moreover, Hurst wasn’t able to provide comparative data proving that the Charger Merada was any quicker than a standard Scat Pack R/T Charger equally equipped, despite rolling on lightweight Cragar S/S wheels wrapped in Goodyear Polyglas Wide Tread GT rubber. Ultimately, the Hurst Charger Merada was given the down turned thumb by Chrysler, making this machine yet another “what could’ve been” chapter in muscle car history.

 

Edited December 24, 2015 by 69NovaYenko

[Greg Myers]

Looks easy enough to build. But who would believe it ? 

[unclescott58]

In my eyes, the above is not a pretty car. The changes just don't work. The '69 Charger as penned by Dodge stylists back in the day, still work. It's still a beautiful car. Sometimes it's hard to better something in its original form.

[gtx6970]

In the Mopar community. the car is pretty well known of. If memory serves me right , there was a 1968 or 69 Dart done very similarly

 

 

[Snake45]

In my eyes, the above is not a pretty car. The changes just don't work. The '69 Charger as penned by Dodge stylists back in the day, still work. It's still a beautiful car. Sometimes it's hard to better something in its original form.

It does look a bit like something George Barris might have done on commission for a movie, if given a $300 budget to work with.

[Chitown]

Paint scheme kinda reminds me of a Dick Landy car.

[Ace-Garageguy]

It does look a bit like something George Barris might have done on commission for a movie, if given a $300 budget to work with.

Man, that's harsh...but I gotta agree too. Pretty funny, Snake. 

[426-Hemi]

-This was "real"????? I've not ever seen nor heard of it....... the Charger was a WELL KNOWN car, especially in the Mopar world. I (looking at the pics) see it seems the rear truck was shortened, yes/no? AND the added hood scoop is a more Plymouth scoop then Dodge, the twin side scoops are a nice touch tho!

Then, the lower cowl in the front under the grille is a bit "different".....

Paint however is typical '70's graphics.....

Interesting to say the least!