Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Etc., Chrysler, LLC.
Dodge Challenger preproduction body shells caught on camera
click above image to view more pics of these Dodge Challenger body shells
These pics showing multiple preproduction Dodge Challenger body shells are what you might call radioactive. They were originally posted in a thread on the Newhemitech.com forums on Saturday night at 9:25PM EST. We learned about them shortly afterward when a link was posted in a thread on the GMInsideNews.com forums. We've been in contact with Chrysler about them, who obviously view the pictures as a very serious breach in security. They were clearly taken illegaly on private property, which at first gave us serious pause. Since then, however, they've begun to show up on more and more websites. We have no one to which we can attribute the photos, and considering their radioactivity, likely never will.
From our perspective, however, these pics are actually a good thing for Chrysler. We haven't heard much about the Challenger in a while, and these images are sure to spark up interest again in the automaker's forthcoming pony car. We should be straight with you and mention that the production Challenger is still a ways off and these shells do not necessarily reveal any reliable information about what the production car will be like. The only appreciable difference that we can identify between the concept and these shells, in fact, is the addition of a fixed B-pillar. Still, it's great to see hard evidence that the Challenger project is moving forward, bringing all of us closer to the day when we can roll down to the nearest Chrysler dealer and pick one up for ourselves.
[Source: Newhemitech.com via GMInsideNews]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ken 2:07AM (4/30/2007)
Its good press, nuff said.
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Big jim 2:37AM (4/30/2007)
i, must buy this car
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Steve B. 3:27AM (4/30/2007)
The real kicker will be when they realize that the pictures were actually taken in 1970.
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Talis 3:34AM (4/30/2007)
sweet.
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Jit 4:33AM (4/30/2007)
What car is on the production line in the backround? Looks like a 300C. Anyway this car looks great just hope the interior is as good as the outside
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Kowalski 5:52AM (4/30/2007)
Excellent to see production of this beauty is moving ahead. I do hope the final version doesn't have the fixed B-pillar, but if it keeps the car squeak/rattle free, I'll live with it. On the other hand, if it's just a cost-cutting measure, I'm not happy. By most accounts, these cars will not be even close to cheap, so I want the best car the money can buy.
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.03 6:18AM (4/30/2007)
From the looks of the picture, the "fixed" B pillar is not at the same height as the surrounding body, which leads me to believe it is there only to affix the quarter window to. You won't see this pillar from the exterior of the car
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PiCASSO 7:21AM (4/30/2007)
TTO: Tool Try Out BIW (Body in White). Pictures are taken at Brampton Assembly Plant (BAP) at the body shop, along with the full-body CMM room. The pics could be made by Chrysler themselves, or someone during 3rd shift, which to my understanding, isn't up and running as we speak. Either way, I look forward to seeing Chrysler building this vehicle to compete with Ford's Mustang (which has spawned way too many variants). In the mean time, I'm more looking forward to GM's production Camaro.
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Petey 7:54AM (4/30/2007)
A 2 door muscle car the size and weight of the 300c.. it should sell well for a couple of months. Gas is already past $3 a gallon in some states. Yea, its got a Hemi.. lol
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Scott 8:10AM (4/30/2007)
So....the tag on the lockout lock laying on the table in the last photo looks like it says "Steve V???????". I'm sure they can figure out the rest of the letters without too much trouble, as there probably aren't a whole lot of people with lockout locks on 3rd shift.
So....Stevie V, Hope you liked your job.
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car-truck 9:36AM (4/30/2007)
I'd like to believe that Steve V is a innocent by stander, but anyone who is stupid enough to A) use a flash and B) take a picture right in front of a mirror (second picture in the gallery) is stupid enough to photograph his own ID.
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Rick Lyon 10:17AM (4/30/2007)
Sorry to interrupt the droolfest, but Dodge can't design anything innovative so they have to rehash all name plates. Pathetic. They could of at least improved that front end lip.
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Patrick 1:38PM (4/30/2007)
LMAO AT #6 If You Want The Best Car The Money Can Buy. . . . You Dont Buy A Dodge
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Victor Tramp 2:38PM (4/30/2007)
i hope there's a hybrid version. =)
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mike 3:30PM (4/30/2007)
Why the Auto Industry NEEDs Government Regulation...
Global Warming, we've heard of it.
Iraq war, we've heard of it.
India and China buying up oil companies? We've heard that too.
Step It Up? Get Out'a Here.
How many fuel efficient cars will these pigs cancel out? ExxonMobile will be proud.
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Steve B. 6:51PM (4/30/2007)
A Hybrid? This is a company that has used blue-collar-friendly advertising to make 1950's technology (hemispherical combustion chambers in a pushrod iron anchor with only 2 valves per cylinder) into a pop-culture phenomenon.
HEMI engines aren't powerful because they use outdated technology. They're powerful because they're honkin huge.
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TheRealist 9:22PM (4/30/2007)
Say what you want about the HEMI, it is to this day the greatest production engine you can get your slimy hands on for under 40-50 thousand. It also was in Wards 10 Best Engines. The Multiple Displacement System is also a stroke of genius, even if they didn't create the concept. 350 HP and 390 TQ in a 4000 pound car is amazing. There is no replacement for displacement.
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Johnson 9:24PM (4/30/2007)
^ I meant to say 25mpg with 390 tq and 350 hp in a 4000 pound car is amazing.
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kylos 12:48AM (5/01/2007)
Pictures were taken 11 days ago, April 19.
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MikeW 10:56AM (5/02/2007)
Maybe Chrysler will use variable valve timing on the hemi, via coaxial camshafts.
Isn't the Viper getting variable exhaust valve timing.
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