The name was first applied to a large Chrysler B platform-based 2-door coupe marketed from 1978 to 1979 sold in the United States[1] and Canada.

From the 2005 to the 2008 model years, the nameplate was revived for a Charger-based station wagon on the rear-wheel drive Chrysler LX platform, produced in Canada and sold on the American and Canadian market.

Styling features included four rectangular headlights behind retractable clear covers, with narrow opera windows, and an optional T-bar or power sunroof.

Technology was advanced for the time with an onboard spark control computer from inception, electronic ignition, and a lockup torque converter.

The mid-size B-body 1978–1979 Dodge Magnum coupe in the United States and Canada was an addition to Chrysler's line up that allowed Richard Petty to continue racing with a Mopar.

By the latter half of the 1978 season, Petty and Neil Bonnett (the two top Mopar teams) gave up on the car's inconsistent performance and switched to Chevrolets and Oldsmobiles, leaving independent drivers Buddy Arrington (who bought a few of Petty's Magnums, along with some parts), Frank Warren, and Country singer Marty Robbins to soldier on without any substantial factory support (Chrysler did provide sheet metal and some engine parts to teams driving Magnums).

They were built with minor changes from the original model, starting in 1969, and were all largely based on the 1968 Dart GT (and GTS).

For its last three years of production, a two-door upper trim level version of the Dart was sold as the Magnum, featuring the 318 cu in V8 engine used in all Dodge coupé and sedan models in Brazil.

Chrysler de México used a small platform and the Magnum name, equipping it with 360 CID (5.9 L) V8 engine (rated at 300 hp (224 kW), with a Carter ThermoQuad four barrel (four-choke) carburetor), Mopar oil cooler, a 3-speed A727 automatic transmission (A833 4-speed manual optional), heavy-duty suspension, power brakes, stabilizer bars in the front and rear and a Dana 44 differential with positive pass and posi-traction.

The Mexican front-wheel drive Magnum was officially called "Dodge Magnum 400" between 1983 and 1984, as it was a sporty Mexican variation of the American Dodge 400 of the early eighties (without the vinyl roof of the US version and with high output 2.2 L engine (available turbocharger from 1984 on), heavy-duty suspension, sporty wheels, tires, dash, steering wheel, console, shifter and seats).

The Magnum name was revived in 2004 for the 2005 model year, as a station wagon based on the Chrysler LX platform.

The Magnum was built at the Brampton Assembly Plant, near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, from 2004 to the end of model year 2008.

Mercedes executives also confirmed that several individual components of the car are derived from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) and S-Class of the era.

Shared and or derived components from Mercedes-Benz included: the rear suspension cradle and 5-link independent rear suspension design derived from E-Class, a double-wishbone front suspension design with short-and-long arm front suspension geometry derived from the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220), the 5-Speed NAG1 W5A580 transmission (SRT8, AWD SXT, and the RT), rear differential, driveshaft, ESP & ABS systems, steering system, the CAN Bus electrical architecture, cabin electronics including several other electronic modules, switchgear such as the cruise control and turn signal combination stalk, seat controls, seat frames, and the wiring harness.

20-inch wheels, firmer suspension, bigger Brembo brakes, new lower-body treatment, and a revised front and rear-fascia completes the transformation.

Motor Trend Test Results:[8] 2007 and 2008 also saw the addition of the R/T "Red Badge" 29R Road and Track package, which featured all of the SRT-8 options except the 6.1 Hemi engine and Brembo brakes.

New colors such as TorRed and Steel Blue Metallic, originally introduced in 2007, were carried over to the face lifted 2008 SRT-8 Magnums as well as other trim levels.

[5] A popular modification has been to change the front fascia of the Magnum to that of the 2005-2010 Chrysler 300; the commonality of parts and design of the LX cars means such a swap requires little to no custom fabrication.