Indie Auto has received a comment from JW about our story, “1968-70 Dodge Charger: Who should get credit?” What follows is their full comment:
“As the proud owner of several 1969 Dodge Chargers, I call BS on the so-called flaws of this body style. Too big? Too wide? Don’t be ridiculous, the sculptural curves, length of body panels are master pieces of industrial art. It’s continued popularity AND desirability attests to this timeless design. It has always had ethereal beauty and it will still be sought after a hundred years from now. When I take one of my Chargers to a car show, people are stunned in to silence, then exclaim how beautiful it is. I’ve had spectators just stare at it, unusable to take their eyes off of it. It is a design that is beautiful from almost every angle.
This body style epitomizes the aerospace design popularity of the time and were far ahead of their time. In a field of classic cars other designs look heavy and chunky compared to the sleek elegant lines of the Second Generation Charger, especially the 1969.”
I am glad that JW has had the opportunity to own several 1969 Dodge Chargers. That would be my favorite year.
My article described the second-generation Charger as “iconic,” but I also argued that the car was too big. JW is entitled to disagree. However, I would note that styling is subjective . . . and this is a journal of opinion (go here for further discussion).
No, JW, it’s not “BS” or “ridiculous” to think that a leaner Charger would have looked better — it’s a legitimate difference of opinion. Whatever happened to agreeing to disagree?
One of the biggest challenges some readers appear to have is assuming that their opinion on a subjective topic is actually a fact — and getting indignant when someone else doesn’t agree with them. Over-amped language invariably follows.
That’s not conducive to a civil and thoughtful discussion, so I don’t approve those comments. I have to squeeze producing Indie Auto into my busy schedule, so I don’t have time to hassle with rhetorical food fights in the comment threads.
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Steve,
You are very correct. It’s your opinion, not a fact. JW’s opinion on the 2nd gen Charger is his opinion, & not a fact. I fell in love with the original Charger and prefer it over the gen 2 cars. But that does not mean the gen 1 cars are better styled, even if I think they were.
When I owned my red w/black interior gen 1 440 Charger and entered it into car shows, it was very common to hear gen 2 owners put down my car for it’s looks. As far as I can figure, it’s always been this way, ever since the gen 2 cars were unveiled.
As I love to say: Everyone is entitled to their opinion, no matter how wrong they may be!
I love the 1st generation Charger, styling-wise and particularly the bucket seat interior. I also love the 2nd generation styling, with the ‘69 being my most favorite of all. Yes, none are absolutely perfect in every aspect but that doesn’t diminish their desirability, especially if there’s some emotional attachment involved. I personally like the overall size statement and exaggerated length of the tails of the G2 and think the stripe graphics that were created to mitigate it became a wonderful, iconic feature.