1953 Dodge Pickup Classic on 2040-cars

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Dodge celebrates centennial with Charger and Challenger 100th Anniversary Editions

In 1914, the Dodge brothers went from being a parts supplier to a full-scale automaker, and to celebrate the centennial of this milestone, Dodge will offer special editions of the 2014 Charger and Challenger early next year. Both cars will be sold in limited numbers (although no specific number was given), and these cars will stand out thanks to unique touches like 20-inch wheels, 100th anniversary edition logos and the exclusive High Octane Red Pearl Coat paint job (shown above).
The 100th Anniversary Edition package, which runs $2,200 on the 2014 Charger and $2,500 on the 2014 Challenger, comes with red or black leather seats with a cloud print (for a denim-like look) and metal badges on the seatbacks that read "Dodge Est. 1914," while similar logos are also found on the wheel center caps and front fenders. The instrument gauges are unique to each car, with the Charger getting black gauges and the Challenger getting white gauges, and to enunciate the 100-year anniversary, both cars have red numerals on the speedometer for the 100-mile-per-hour mark.
Finishing off the 100th Anniversary Edition cars, which will be offered on V6 and R/T models, Dodge adds a flat-bottom steering wheel and embroidered floor mats as a part of the package. Scroll down for the full press release for these commemorative models.

Chrysler recalls 1.2 million Ram pickup trucks

Chrysler has announced that it will issue three separate recalls that will cover as many as 1.2 million Ram pickup trucks for "steering-system tie rods that may have been misaligned during assembly or steering-system service." The vast majority of these trucks were sold in the United States, though some trucks in Mexico, Canada or overseas will be called in, as well.
The largest of the three recalls covers an estimated 842,400 model-year 2003-2008 Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks. Two smaller campaigns will bring 294,000 model-year 2008-2012 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, chassis cabs and 2008 Ram 1500 4x4 Mega Cabs; plus 43,500 model-year 2008-2012 Ram 4500 and 5500 4x4 chassis cabs into the dealer to be checked and repaired if necessary.
This is a very large recall, and Chrysler says it is "casting the net wider than necessary to identify those vehicles that require repair." The automaker estimates that "as many as 726,000 may not need repair."

Dodge whips covers off 2013 Blacktop series

Dodge introduced us to its Blacktop model lineup a year ago with the 2012 Charger and followed up with more recently with the 2013 Challenger and 2013 Avenger. Now the automaker will be applying this ominous-looking treatment to the Durango, Grand Caravan and Journey models for 2013 as well. These models will be unveiled next week at the Detroit Auto Show, but Dodge has released most of the details for these new products including pricing and availability.
If the Grand Caravan R/T (aka, the Man Van) wasn't aggressive enough for you or its $30,000 starting price was a little too pricey, then the 2013 Grand Caravan Blacktop could be the ticket. Starting with the SXT trim level (which stickers at $19,995), the Blacktop package costs only $595, and adds unique features such as blacked-out headlights, grille and fog lights bezels and an all-black interior. The van rides on black-accented, 17-inch aluminum wheels. The Grand Caravan Blacktop is only available in monochromatic paint schemes limited to Billet Silver, Brilliant Black, Maximum Steel, Redline Red and Stone White
Likewise, the 2013 Journey Blacktop is offered only on the SXT model (starting at $18,995) with all of the crossover's normal options such as four- and six-cylinder engines, five- or seven-passenger seating and front- or all-wheel drive. The Blacktop package adds $995 to the Journey SXT's price and features many of the same black accents as the Grand Caravan like the headlights, grille, door mirrors and lower fascia. Exterior colors are limited to Bright Silver, Bright Red, Brilliant Black, Brilliant Red Tri-Coat, White, Pearl White Tri-Coat and Storm Grey, and the package's 19-inch wheels come in Gloss Black. Inside, the Journey Blacktop comes standard with black cloth seats and Chrysler's 8.4-inch Uconnect touch screen, but black leather is also available as an option.