Editing Dodge (section)

=== 1973–1980 ===
[[File:1975 Dodge Charger SE (28393702995) (cropped).jpg|thumb|1975 [[Dodge Charger]]]]
[[File:1977Diplomat.jpg|thumb|1977 [[Dodge Diplomat]] sedan]]

The [[1973 oil crisis]] caused significant changes at Dodge, as well as Chrysler as a whole. Except for the Colt and Slant Six models of the Dart, Dodge's lineup was viewed as uneconomical. Although this problem affected American automakers, Chrysler did not have the resources to respond to the changes in the marketplace. While General Motors and Ford began downsizing their largest cars, Chrysler (and Dodge) were slow to make change.

Chrysler was able to use some of its other resources. Borrowing the recently introduced [[Chrysler Horizon]] from their [[Chrysler Europe|European division]], Dodge was able to get its new [[Dodge Omni|Omni]] subcompact on the market fairly quickly. At the same time, they increased the number of models imported from Japanese partner [[Mitsubishi Motors|Mitsubishi]] starting in 1971: first was a smaller Colt (based on Mitsubishi's [[Mitsubishi Galant|Galant]] line), then a revival of the Challenger ([[Mitsubishi Galant Lambda|Dodge Challenger]]) in 1976 as a compact two-door hardtop with a four-cylinder engine.

The 1975 model year had the Dodge Charger and Chrysler Cordoba share the same new body based on the [[Chrysler B platform|B platform]]. The Chrysler Cordoba had replaced the Plymouth Satellite Sebring. The Charger SE (Special Edition) was the only model offered. It came with a wide variety engines from the {{convert|318|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} "LA" series small block V8 to three versions of {{convert|400|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} big block V8. The standard engine was the {{convert|360|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} 2-bbl small block, along with the code E58 4-bbl and dual exhaust high-performance version (225&nbsp;hp) available as an option.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.car.info/en-se/dodge/charger/charger-se-1975-16796485 |title=Dodge Charger SE 1975 |website=car.info |access-date=May 30, 2019}}</ref> Sales in 1975 amounted to 30,812.

1976 was the Dart's final year in the North American market. The [[rear-view mirror]] was mounted on the windshield rather than from the roof. Front disc brakes became standard equipment on January 1, 1976 in accord with more stringent U.S. federal brake performance requirements, and a new foot-operated parking brake replaced the under-dash T-handle used since the Dart's 1963 introduction as a compact car. The grille's parking lamps were cast in [[amber (color)|amber]], whereas the previous years had clear lenses with amber-colored bulbs. The Dart Sport 360 was dropped as a separate model in 1976, but the {{convert|360|CID|L|abbr=on}} four-barrel, dual exhaust (without catalytic converters) V8 was a $376 option (except in California) for the $3,370 Dart Sport V8 models with automatic transmission.<ref>{{cite book|last=Statham |first=Steve |title=Dodge Dart and Plymouth Duster |publisher=MotorBooks/MBI Publishing |year=2000 |page=124 |isbn=9780760307601}}</ref> ''Car & Driver'' magazine tested the Dart Sport 360 in the April 1976 issue, pitting it against the Chevrolet Corvette and Pontiac Trans Am, and found its top speed of {{convert|121.6|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} to be second to the Corvette's {{convert|124.5|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mueller |first=Mike |title=Corvette, 1968–1982 |publisher=MotorBooks/MBI Publishing |year=2000 |page=105 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=BrPjl25HbucC&q=1976+360+Dart+Sport&pg=PA105 |isbn=9780760304181 |access-date=December 24, 2022 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

Dodge's replacement for the Dart was the Aspen, introduced in mid-1975 as a 1976 model. This new design featured lighter weight resulting in slightly improved fuel economy; it also had more interior and trunk room than the Dart. Front suspension was a new design; it featured transverse-mounted torsion bars which not only improved ride, but cornering as well. Its boxy styling gave the impression of a larger car. However, sales had to be shared with the virtually identical Plymouth Volare. Both cars were available in coupe, sedan, and station wagon body styles, and in both base and deluxe trim. Despite its virtues, customers soon found out about the Aspen's rush to market when they saw their cars experience severe body rust within a couple of years on the road; engine and drive train problems plagued the Aspen/Volare twins, and although the problems were largely worked out within a few years, the final Aspens were the 1980 models. This car was available with either a 225 cubic-inch Slant Six or a small block V8 displacing 318 or 360 cubic inches.

[[File:Dodge-Dart-sedan-2.jpg|thumb|1976 [[Dodge Dart]] 4-door sedan]]

1976 was the final model year for the Dodge Coronet, at least so far as the name Coronet went, also its body style choices were relegated to just only two four-door models, the four-door wagon and the four-door sedan. The former Dodge Coronet 2-door model, which appeared for just the previous model year was replaced by the [[Dodge Charger]] Sport 2-door model, which, itself, appeared for only one model year. During the next model year (1977), the mid-size Dodge Coronet would be renamed [[Dodge Monaco|Monaco]], which would be given stacked rectangular headlights and other minor cosmetic changes, that would provide a prompt sales boost. The Coronet and Charger were effectively replaced by the [[Dodge Diplomat|Diplomat]] for 1977, which was a fancier Aspen.

Also, during that same model year, the full-size Dodge Monaco would be renamed Dodge Royal Monaco, which would appear for just one model year only and after that, both Dodge and Plymouth (which would include Dodge Royal Monaco's entire Plymouth Gran Fury counterpart line up as well) would discontinue all production of any more full-size models. It lost sales every year until replaced by the [[Dodge St. Regis|St. Regis]] for 1979 following a one-year absence from the big car market. In a reversal of what happened in 1965, the St. Regis was an upsized Coronet. During the following model year (1978), the mid-size Dodge Monaco (which would include its entire Plymouth Fury counterpart lineup as well) would make its final appearance (for all during the remainder of the 1970s).

While the Aspen got accolades for styling and handling, the build quality was problematic, sullying the car's reputation at a time when sales were desperately needed. It was noted for having problems with its carburetors which resulted in frequent stalling.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}} The Aspen also had difficulties in starting, even after leaving the engine off for several minutes.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}} This resulted in several recalls.

The [[Dodge Magnum]] was introduced for 1978 to supplement the [[Dodge Charger (B-body)|Dodge Charger]]. 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 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. Styling features included four rectangular headlights behind retractable clear covers, with narrow [[opera window]]s, and an optional T-bar or power sunroof. 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. The base engine was the {{convert|318|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} V8 with [[Lean-burn#Chrysler Electronic Lean-Burn|Lean-Burn]], while two and four-barrel carbureted {{convert|360|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} and {{convert|400|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} V8s were optional; weight was nearly {{convert|3900|lb|abbr=on}}.
[[File:1980 Dodge Diplomat (27490007975).jpg|thumb|1980 [[Dodge Diplomat]] coupe]]

The Omni and Horizon were introduced at a critical time since the company was on the brink of bankruptcy and sought government support to survive. In 1978, Chrysler beat Ford and General Motors to the market with a domestically produced front-wheel drive car to challenge the [[Volkswagen Golf Mk1|VW Rabbit]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.autos.ca/motoring-memories/motoring-memories-dodge-omniplymouth-horizon-1978-1990/|first=Bill |last=Vance |title=Motoring Memories: Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon, 1978-1990 |publisher=Autos Canada |date=28 April 2006 |access-date=12 January 2013 }}</ref> However, the L-bodies miscarried at first, since 1978 was a year of strong sales for larger cars and demand for compacts and subcompacts noticeably shrank. These initial poor sales of the cars contributed to Chrysler's financial woes at the time, but when the company requested federal assistance, the Omni was an important piece of evidence that they were attempting to compete with imports and build small, fuel-efficient cars and might be worth saving. For the three years leading up to the introduction of [[Chrysler K platform|Chrysler's K-cars]], the Omni/Horizon was Chrysler's best-selling model line.<ref name=RT82>{{cite magazine |ref=81bg |magazine=Road & Track's Road Test Annual & Buyer's Guide 1981 |issue=January–February 1981 |title=1981 Buyer's Guide |editor-first=Tony |editor-last=Hogg |page=93 }}</ref>

Everything came to a head in 1979 when Chrysler's new chairman, [[Lee Iacocca]], requested and received federal loan guarantees from the [[United States Congress]] to save the company from having to file for bankruptcy. With a Federal Loan in hand, Chrysler quickly set to work on new models that would leave the past behind, while reorganizing to pay the government loan which stood at 29%.

The Dodge Mirada was a [[mid-size]]d, [[rear-wheel drive]] [[coupe]] manufactured and marketed by Dodge from the 1980 through 1983 model years, sharing the [[Chrysler J platform]] along with its [[badge engineering|badge engineered]] variants, the second generation [[Chrysler Cordoba]] and the [[Imperial (automobile)|Imperial]]. Production of the Mirada reached just under 53,000 units, staying relatively unchanged over four years of production, except for paint colors and engines. The Mirada was marketed as a sporty [[personal luxury car]] with limited advertising and marketing during a period when Chrysler was in deep financial difficulty.