Why Is the Gas Cap on Driver's Side?

Discussion in 'Challenger Exterior Modifications Forum' started by SRT-Tom, Jun 12, 2025.

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  1. Jun 12, 2025 at 7:49 AM #1
    SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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    When Dodge built the 2008 Challenger, the designers made every effort to make it look like the 1970 model. This attention to detail also included a 1970-style racing gas cap with the original "Fuel" font. But do you know why they put the gas cap on the opposite side (i.e., on the driver's side)?

    The answer is simple. The Challenger is basically a two-door Charger, shortened by four inches. And, the 2006-2023 Chargers have their gas caps on the driver's side. The designers did this to copy the location of the cap from the 1968-1970 Chargers.


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    Last edited: Jun 12, 2025
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  2. Jun 12, 2025 at 11:07 AM #2
    baccaruda

    baccaruda Full Access Member

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    If that was the case, why didn't the designers do the same thing for the Dodge challenger?

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  3. Jun 12, 2025 at 11:19 AM #3
    SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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    Dodge used the 2006 Charger platform to build the 2008 Challenger. It has the gas cap on the driver side, unlike the 1970 Challenger. They weren't going to redesign the fuel inlet just to conform to the 1970 design.
     
  4. Jun 12, 2025 at 11:30 AM #4
    baccaruda

    baccaruda Full Access Member

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    "I'll be darned" what a great idea.
     
  5. Jun 12, 2025 at 11:43 AM #5
    Cloverdale

    Cloverdale Full Access Member

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    I thought I'd heard it was cause 'Moparisto' suggested it would be best there.
     
  6. Jun 13, 2025 at 10:05 AM #6
    SRT-Tom

    SRT-Tom Well-Known Member Staff Member Super Moderator Article Writer

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    Just for reference, here are the locations of gas caps for all manufacturers, for 2024, in the U.S. Note that the traditional U.S. corporations (i.e., Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet, etc.) have mostly left fuel doors.

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  7. Jun 13, 2025 at 10:51 AM #7
    baccaruda

    baccaruda Full Access Member

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    I am very glad to know that . the location of the the gas door is very important to all of us.
     
  8. Jun 16, 2025 at 10:24 AM #8
    James Cavender

    James Cavender Member

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  9. Jun 16, 2025 at 10:29 AM #9
    James Cavender

    James Cavender Member

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    I originally read that the gas cap was on the passenger side in 1970 because if you ran out of gas on a highway, that you would be SAFER accessing the gas cap from the protected side of the car on the shoulder of the road. Frankly, I like it better now on the driver side, less steps to the pump.
     
  10. Jun 16, 2025 at 6:35 PM #10
    Green with Envy

    Green with Envy Full Access Member

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    To me the most convenient place for the gas filler neck was like my 1971 Road Runner under the license plate in the rear bumper! The reason I say this is because you don't have to be concerned about what side of the pump you have to pull up to! Sometimes when the gas station is crowded you have to wait to get an opening to pull up beside the pump on your driver side! My Road Runner can pull in any spot since the filler neck Is square in the center of the rear! Of course I'm sure this was discontinued because the government safety boys didn't like it incase of rear end collision!
     
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2025
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