[Lee Stewart]

The late 60s represented the fiercest period of competition between the Big Three (and to a lesser extent, AMC) for the attentions of speed-thirsty American buyers. By the time 1968 rolled around, Dodge was in the catbird seat with its line-up of fierce street machines, including the Dodge Coronet R/T, the Dodge Charger R/T, and the Dodge Dart GTS, each of which could be ordered with an (underrated) 375 horsepower, 440 cubic inch V8 under the hood. A 340 cubic inch Dart Swinger was also available, and of course 426 Hemi power was also in the cards for all three models.

What was missing, however was a way to unify each of these uniquely-named models under a single, world-beating banner – an issue that would only get worse with the introduction of the Dodge Super Bee mid-year. The problem was put to the talented team at the Ross Roy Ad Agency, which came up with the idea of the ‘Scat Pack’ designation that would encompass each of these cars. It was a play on words – the Rat Pack had been Sinatra’s gang of Hollywood pals that became legendary for their partying and the pictures they made together – and as such Dodge also created an actual Scat Pack Club that both owners and Mopar fans could join for the very affordable price of three dollars. For the money, members received a monthly newsletter, a quarterly magazine, a wallet card declaring their loyalty, a bumper sticker and jacket patch, and a racing guide.

The Scat Pack logo was a variation on the drag-racing Super Bee found on, well, the Dodge Super Bee, and collectively the group of cars was referred to as ‘the hive.’ The marketing team went on the warpath, blanketing dealerships, magazines, and television with references to ‘Scat City’ and the full line-up of Scat Pack cars. By 1970 the family had ground to include the Charger Daytona and the Dodge Challenger, and when the final year of the Scat Pack came to pass the Dodge Demon 340 was also included. So successful was the entire initiative that Plymouth got into the act with its ‘Rapid Transit System’ which would run from 1970 to 1972, and included the ‘Cuda, the GTX, the Superbird, the Duster 340, and the Roadrunner.

https://www.slashgear.com/a-brief-hi...hine-13467357/