The mid-size B-body 1978–1979 Dodge Magnum coupe in the United States and Canada was an addition to Chrysler's line up that allowed Richard Petty to continue racing with a Mopar. Only 3,704 1979 Dodge Magnum coupes included a T-Top.ġ978 Dodge Magnum XE, rear view NASCAR During the end of the 1979 model year, the mid-size B-body Dodge Magnum (along with its mid-size B-body based Chrysler Cordoba counterpart) was discontinued, as was with just the Magnum name itself, in favor of what would become a smaller, all newly designed, M-body platform based Mirada coupe (which also would be shared along with what would become its M-body platform based Chrysler Cordoba coupe counterpart as well) all during the next four model years (1980–1983). Technology was advanced for the time with an onboard spark control computer from inception, electronic ignition, and a lockup torque converter. A performance model, the 'GT' had been available with the 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8 during the previous model year (1978) and the 'E58' police interceptor (360 V8-195 HP) engine was available during the 1979 model year along with HD suspension, special axle, special 'GT' badging and a 'turned metal' dash applique. The base engine was the 318 cu in (5.2 L) V8 with Lean-Burn, while two and four-barrel carbureted 360 cu in (5.9 L) and 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8s were optional weight was nearly 3,900 lb (1,800 kg).ĭuring the start of the 1979 model year, the 400 V8 engine was dropped from the options list as Chrysler stopped producing big-block V8 engines in production cars during the end of 1978 model year. The Magnum was well-featured with power steering, brakes and seats the suspension included Chrysler's standard adjustable, longitudinal torsion bars, lower trailing links, and front and rear anti-sway bars.

Styling features included four rectangular headlights behind retractable clear covers, with narrow opera windows, and an optional T-bar or power sunroof. The appearance was somewhat of a rounded off Charger, and was in response to getting a car that would be eligible for NASCAR that would be more aerodynamic, something that the 1975–1978 Charger was not. It was sold in two forms, the 'XE' and the 'GT' and was the last vehicle to use the long running Chrysler B platform.

The Magnum was introduced for 1978 to supplement the Dodge Charger. Motor vehicle Dodge Magnum (US & Canada, 1978–1979) From 1983 to 1988 Dodge marketed a sporty two-door K-car as the 'Magnum', with an available turbocharger engine from 1984 on.

In Mexico, the Dodge Magnum was a sporty rear-wheel drive two-door car based on Chrysler's M-body (American Dodge Diplomat/ Plymouth Gran Fury). In Brazil, the Magnum was a top-of-the-line version of the local Dodge Dart, produced from 1979 to 1981. From the 2005 to the 2008 model years, the nameplate was revived for a Charger-based station wagon on the rear-wheel drive Chrysler LX platform, produced in Canada and sold on the American and Canadian market. The name was first applied to a large Chrysler B platform-based 2-door coupe marketed from 1978 to 1979 sold in the United States and Canada. Safe to say it has a bit more in it.The Dodge Magnum is a nameplate used by several Dodge vehicles, at different times and on various markets. at 94 mph) that the announcer thought the engine blew. In fact, in the one time the Magnum has been down a dragstrip, it created such a smoke show on its way down track (a 15.4 e.t. Now it would tear the tire loose at will. Before, he could stand on the brakes and floor the throttle and not break the tire loose. It was 1981 by then, and the newfound power and increased handling was so noticeable that David started driving the Magnum again and racked up another 3,100 miles. The lean-burn system was also removed, and those cool custom painted Western wheels were added. To uncork the choked-down 400, he also swapped the exhaust manifolds for ones from a '69 440 car and custom-built a 2.5-inch dual exhaust with hand-formed chrome tips. He had just resolved to fix a few other factory shortcomings, such as installing larger-diameter torsion bars and front sway bar. He still loved it, and he wasn't totally hands-off during that time.

Max nichols dodge magnum