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Dodge designer on yellow plastic splitter guards: 'I wish they would take them off'

About a year ago, Dodge began placing yellow strips of plastic on the leading edge of Charger and Challenger front splitters to prevent damage during transport from plant to dealer. Dodge embossed "To Be Removed By Dealer" into the plastic, but those instructions weren't always followed. By summer of 2018, so many owners had left the tabs on, or reinstalled a discarded set, or bought a set on eBay for $100 or more, that factions broke out. Some thought the protectors looked cool, some thought they looked foolish, some thought it didn't matter either way. Now Dodge and SRT lead designer Mark Trostle has stepped in with his thoughts, those being, "I wish they would take them off."  Trostle made the remarks at the end of a video by Canadian auto scribe Brian Makse that otherwise dove into the design and technology on the 2010 Charger Widebody. Part of the designer's remarks related to aesthetic aspects — designers are paid to be precious about every line they draw, after all. "When we did the sketch for the Charger and Challenger," he said, "it never had yellow strips on it," and, "To me, as a designer, it ruins the lines of the car." He had a functional reason as well, though: "You're just ruining the paint!" The paint issue convinced Tyler Grant, the Internet sales manager at a Dodge dealer, to make a Facebook post in April this year requesting owners remove the splitter guards. Grant wrote that because the guards aren't specifically molded to fit perfectly, dirt and moisture get between the plastic and the splitter and mar the clear coat or paint, illustrated by a scuffed example that had been driven just 18 miles with the protectors on. He ended with, "Please, on behalf of your splitter AND its paint, take off the splitter guards." Despite forum chatter, splitter-shaming Facebook photos, and Facebook groups like "Hey Pal, You Forgot to Take Your Splitter Guards Off," it appears too late for the protector color to curb (get it?) the trend. Owners have already dealt with the dirt issue by putting protective tape on the air dam, others have painted the spilitter guards to match the car, and the owner of a vintage Dodge pickup ran yellow tape across the width of his front bumper in an attempt to join the party.  In the Makse video, Trostle said that the automaker would soon be rolling out a "new fashionable purple color" for the protectors. "We'll see if that one takes off," he said. "I hope it doesn't."

Chrysler recalls 88,888 Darts, Durangos, and Grand Cherokees for two separate issues

Chrysler announced a pair of recalls for the Dodge Dart, Durango, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. They're unrelated, as the Dart recall concerns windshield washer pumps, and the Durango and Grand Cherokee recall is for fuel rails. But, as Automotive News discovered, the number of cars involved in both totals up to 88,888 cars, which is rather bizarre. Breaking down the coincidental number, we first have 34,633 2016 Dodge Durangos and Jeep Grand Cherokees recalled because fasteners on the intake manifold can come into contact with the fuel rail on some vehicles. This could lead to a fuel leak, and a subsequent fire hazard. Chrysler believes only 30 vehicles will have this defect, but it's inspecting any that could have had the issue. The other part of the 88,888 cars recalled in total consists of 54,255 2016 Dodge Darts. The windshield washer pumps on affected cars could short-circuit the wiper system, disabling the wipers. Chrysler will notify owners of all vehicles, and will replace any faulty parts at no cost to the owner. Owners can also contact Chrysler's customer care center at 1-800-853-1403. Related Video: News Source: FCA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration via Automotive News Recalls Weird Car News Dodge Jeep SUV Sedan

Awesomely '80s time-capsule Dodge Daytona Turbo on Bring a Trailer

From the humble K-car, Chrysler in the 1980s was able to spin out all manner of variants, including some fairly credible (for the time) performance machines. One of the most ambitious was the Dodge Daytona Turbo, and a rarely seen example in near-new condition is selling today on Bring a Trailer. [UPDATE: The car was bid to $9,300 but failed to meet reserve. It is now for sale on the dealer's website with an asking price of $19,900.] The Daytona Turbo featured a 2.2-liter four to which was bolted a Garrett To3 turbocharger, bringing output to 143 horses and 160 pound-feet. Naturally, it's paired with a five-speed stick. And dig that black-and-white checkerboard cloth interior, with four bucket seats. The story is that the car was purchased new in Kansas, and that after driving it for two years, the original owner put his prized Daytona up on jack stands and stored it in a climate-controlled garage. This Dodge now has just over 5,000 miles on the clock. If all of the above sounds enticing, you'll be powerless to resist after watching the launch commercial for the Daytona. BaT commenter "Himselvis" posted a link to the 2-minute cinematic masterpiece, which is equal parts "Blade Runner" and Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Some heavy-duty talent was brought to bear on the project, as he recounts: "The director, Bill Butler, was the cinematographer on 'Jaws,' 'Deliverance,' 'Grease,' and 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.' Production designer Jim Spencer had worked on 'Gremlins,' 'Poltergeist,' and 'Stripes.' Director of photography David Watkin shot 'Out of Africa,' the BeatlesÂ’ 'HELP!' and 'Chariots of Fire.' The voiceover was provided by Billy Dee Williams." And the actor was from "Hot Dog the Movie." But the real star is the car, of course. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.