If you needed a decent car to get by, the Dodge Shadow was the answer to your prayers. But how did this thrifty ‘90s auto trigger the development of the Shelby CSX?
Shadow was cute, functional, and perfect for your first car.
With horsepower output at the lower end of the market, this front-drive subcompact was the car for those who didn’t really know much about cars. So how did a modest car for the conscious
If you were looking for an affordable car in the early ‘90s, the Dodge Shadow was probably on your mind. It had a hidden hatchback and the extra cargo space was a big selling point. Available with two or four-door options, for under $2,000, this small car provided incredible value for the frugal shopper.
To create this rare ride, Chrysler incorporated a shorter version of the Dodge Lancer’s body and Dodge Daytona’s suspension. According to
, “It had initially been planned as a direct substitute for the previous Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon.” But due to the crowded economy, the automaker sought to make the Dodge Shadow stand out.
The Shadow was bulkier than its competition, and its P platform was essentially a downsized version of the standard K platform. The vehicle came with various four-cylinder engine options. You could choose models with either 2.2 or 2.5-liters with some being turbocharged.
Dodge shifted its marketing to highlight the car’s torque over horsepower. “A Mitsubishi-built 3.0-liter V6 engine was included later [and] all engines were functional with a five-speed transmission,” HotCars reports. The publication also notes that the 1987-1988 model had a power output of 146 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, while the 1990 model boasted 175 hp and 205 lb-ft of torque.
Offered with a turbocharged engine and broad rims, the three-door Shadow ES was the sporty version available to consumers.
In 1991, the Dodge Shadow Convertible arrived. The car was more aerodynamic with new grilles and taillights. It was easier to maneuver with the manual transmission, and the car itself was a little safer with a new driver’s airbag.
The 1989 Plymouth Sundance RS was also aimed at young buyers and was introduced around the same time as the Dodge Shadow. The auto had power features on the windows, driver's seat, adjustable mirrors, and door locks.
The overhead console had lights to help you read your Thomas Guide in the dark and the steering wheel tilted to your liking. The Sundance also added four-wheel disc brakes, remote trunk release, and a cassette player. Very old school.
The 1987-1988 three-door model was also part of the mix. However, the Shadow had some safety issues. The motorized passenger seat belt satisfied the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard’s 208’s regulation for sedentary restraints but wasn’t good enough for Canada. The passenger seat belts of the Shadows and Sundances in Canada remained manual.
Luckily, Chrysler Corporation earned an impressive crash test mark considering the size of the vehicle. And according to HotCars, “Between April 1988 and 1991, Chrysler delivered the Dodge Shadow as the Chrysler ES in various European markets.” Based on the Dodge Shadow ES, the Chrysler ES was pretty much the same car, minus the “Shadow” decal.
The Dodge Shadow was eventually adjusted into what we know as the Shelby CSX (Carroll Shelby Experimental).
It had a turbo 2.2-liter engine, 174 hp output, and was as lightweight as it was powerful. The shock absorbers and springs were swapped out, and disc brakes were sourced from the Daytona Shelby Z. The Shelby CSX could even compete with muscle cars from its era.
The branding of the Shelby CSX veered off into its own universe. A single-slot design featuring CSX insignia replaced the Shadow’s standard grille. In fact, all Dodge badges were removed. You could only get the car one way—black over silver with a blue stripe.
The interior pretty much stayed the same, except for the four-spoke sports wheel. Though the quality of these little roadsters didn’t compare to Japanese vehicles of their kind, they were a worthy affordable option that could get you where you needed to go.
4.7
