So...i don't know if any of you are into "desert car kings" (the new show on discovery) but i was watching it last night and they were rebuilding a sweet 68 charger. About 1/2 way through the show they got one of the 2011 charger r/t's from a dealership just to compare the styling between the old and new, THE FUNNY PART IS... after the 68 was done, they decided they'd take the two cars to the track and let em run a 1/4 mile. The 68 did something like 18 seconds, HOWEVER, the 2011 r/t did a 1/4 mile in 14.3. aren't they rated to do about 3.7 easy? would a driver make this much difference, or was dodge being a little hopeful when setting their numbers?

 

I was watching that last night too and the Guy said he wasn't a professional driver and he would Just floor it and see how it goes. So I think that was part of the problem.. also the older one, which was a beautiful green, I think could have ran high 15s easily.

Its a great show tho I love it

 

Yea that was crazy to watch they only did 1 pass each but what ever i would think that dodge would have said something and i liked how the dad said anything under 20 sec in the 1/4 was a fast car maybe is just me but any thing under 13 sec is a fast car in the 1/4

 

I watched that episode last night. He ran like 19 something in the 1/4. I couldnt get past the terrible body work on that charger tho. Its like they just ignored everything from the wheel wells down. When they pan over it you can see pits and waves and rust scabbies on the bottom of the car, especially the back corner of the 1/4 panels.

 

X 2 on that man rough body !! but it is like a $30,000 car if it is all #'s matching original survivor in good condition so for a Frankenstein 68 $15,750 was a little high but they do have a platform to start with to make a better car

 

I saw it as well. I am not surprised the new charger ran in the 14's. Inexperienced driver and who knows what the track temps were. It all makes a difference on the cars. Also that thing is heavy. The 19 for the 68 charger was pathetic, especially for a 383.

 

I saw it to....as a frame of refrence the gto is supposed to be a low 13 second car...when they first came out a bunch of people jumped from fwd grand prixs for the first time into rwd cars...they were running high 13's/14's and even 15's....disgraceful at first...but once people got seat time the numbers came in much quicker...driver experience is a huge factor...

Joe

 

I didn't see the show. But that's about what I would expect from someone who confessed he's not a professional driver. I'm pretty sure Chrysler would have a professional driver doing many runs. Don't know this for sure, but I wouldn't put it past Chrysler to do a custom tune on the engine, high octane gas, and lighten the car up during testing also. Like minimal gas in the tank, remove spare tire and jack, remove back seat and passenger seat, etc... You get the idea.

I think it would be hard for most inexperienced people to achieve the factory's numbers with a bone stock car right off the lot. Un-modified.