When did Dodge first use the Challenger name on a US market car?

[greg g]

Every one knows Dodge is down to the Charger and Challenger as "cars" and most likely we are all familiar with the original versions.  But apparently there was an earlier Challenger.  Has anybody seen one of these??

 

http://hooniverse.com/2014/04/25/hooniverse-obscure-muscle-car-garage-the-1959-dodge-silver-challenger/

[Plymouthy Adams]

so many names have been used over the ages...many are still in use but in overseas markets based on some earlier joint adventures...many have been used by different and unassociated makers......body names along with model descriptors, phaeton, cabriolet, brougham and others no longer carry the distinction they once enjoyed at conception....it is an era long gone.....kinda like TRUST, it is now just a word found in a banking name.

[BobT-47P15]

Is that car picture a Canadian model?

[greg g]

No US only 3000 or so made.

[greg g]

Fellow showed up at our Monday night cruise in a two tone Gray dark over light, one of these, 52 Dodge Coronet, Diplomat. That name usually associated with Central and South American exports usually branded as Desotos, or or the Dodge clone of the stretched Chrysler K platform of the late 80's early 90's.

 

 

Maybe just pasted on the two

door hard top version. Very nice car, fancy interior, clunk o magic, lots of options.

[B-Watson]

In 1950 Nash had Statesman and Ambassador models and was going to introduce a new compact later in the year.  Nash tried to register the Diplomat name for the new compact but Chrysler had already registered it for the Coronet hardtop.   And that's how the compact Nash became the Rambler.

 

The Silver Challenger appeared for April, 1959 and was just a trim package.  Studebaker would use the Challenger name for their stripper series in 1964, and Dodge again in 1970 and 1978.

 

 

 

 

[Frank Elder]

Welcome back Bob!

[Frank Elder]

I grew up thinking this was the only LeBaron........

until seeing these on the internet....lol