Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Auction Action, Dodge
First three production Dodge Challengers to be auctioned off
click above image for more high-res pics of the Dodge Challenger
The production Dodge Challenger won't arrive until next year, but Dodge is already planning on how it's going to get the most out of those first three examples, which are all scheduled to be top of the line SRT-8 models with HEMI Orange paint, hood stripes and the 6.1L V8 engine. Car No. 1 that leaves the Brampton, Ontario assembly plant will go to the winning bidder of an auction to be held at the famous Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, AZ, which runs from January 12-20 of next year. We'll be there to watch the gavel fall, and when it does, all proceeds from the sale are going straight to notMYkid, an organization that promotes understanding of youth behavioral issues. The right to own Car No. 2 will be decided by an auction that starts earlier on Sept. 26th, 2007, though this one will be a private auction just for Dodge dealers. All proceeds from the sale of the second car will go to the United Way of Southeastern Michigan. Car No. 3, meanwhile, will be auctioned off on eBay, though Dodge reports it will have more details on that auction later.
[Source: Chrysler LLC]
Gallery: Dodge Challenger Concept
PRESS RELEASE:
Dodge to Auction First 2008 Challengers
Proceeds to benefit charitable organizations
- Dodge Challenger No. 1 to benefit notMYkid
- Dodge Challenger No. 2 to benefit United Way of Southeastern Michigan
- A Third Dodge Challenger will be auctioned off on eBay.com in early 2008
- All three vehicles will be 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8(R) models, featuring HEMI(R) Orange paint, hood stripes and a 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine
- All 2008 Dodge Challenger models to include numbered dash plaque
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Bidders get ready. Chrysler announced today that the first two all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger vehicles off the Brampton (Ontario) Assembly Plant production line will be auctioned, with proceeds benefiting local charities.
The all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger - the ultimate modern American muscle coupe - will make its worldwide debut at the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 6, 2008.
"Dodge is thrilled to build on the excitement of the countdown to the return of the Challenger by giving consumers the chance to get one of the first all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger vehicles produced," said Mike Accavitti, Director - Dodge Brand and SRT Marketing. "The Dodge Challenger is an icon and the revival of this storied nameplate has enthusiasts chomping at the bit to get one. Consumers now have the opportunity to not only own the car of their dreams, but to help those in less fortunate circumstances as well."
The vehicles chosen to be auctioned for charity will all be Street and Racing Technology (SRT(R)) models. Each will feature a HEMI(R) Orange exterior, hood stripes, a 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine, and a five-speed automatic transmission with Autostick(R).
Proceeds from Dodge Challenger No. 1 will benefit notMYkid, an organization dedicated to facilitating improved understanding about youth behavioral health issues including suicide, drug abuse, eating disorders and depression. Dodge Challenger No. 1 will be auctioned at the 37th annual Barret-Jackson Collector Car Auction Event in Scottsdale, Ariz., Jan. 12-20, 2008.
Proceeds from Dodge Challenger No. 2 will benefit the United Way of Southeastern Michigan, through a private auction for Dodge dealers. The auction begins Sept. 26.
Information about the third Challenger to be auctioned via eBay.com will be announced at a later date.
The all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger is the ultimate modern American muscle coupe. The new icon stays true to both its historical and modern concept roots. It is a modern vehicle that follows the authentic Dodge muscle car formula - a two-door, HEMI V-8-powered rear-wheel-drive coupe. The 2008 Dodge
Challenger is the true evolution of an iconic muscle coupe and the perfect compliment to the four-door Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum and Chrysler 300.
Dodge Brand
With a U.S. market share of seven percent, Dodge is the Chrysler Group's best-selling brand and the fifth largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. In 2006, Dodge sold more than 1.3 million vehicles in the global market. Dodge continues to lead the minivan market with a 22 percent market share in the U. S. In the highly competitive truck market, Dodge has a 16 percent market share. Dodge is also entering key European volume segments with Nitro and Caliber.
The introduction of the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 marks a milestone in the Dodge brand's history with its boldest lineup of passenger cars including the all-new 2008 Avenger and Caliber, as well as the refreshed Dodge Charger and Magnum. This onslaught of product gives the brand a completely new and refreshed passenger car lineup. In 2008, Dodge will introduce the all-new modern muscle car, the Dodge Challenger, to further complement its lineup of Dodge trucks including the new 2008 Dodge Dakota, Dodge Nitro, Dodge Durango and the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan with 35 new or improved features.
notMYkid
notMYkid was founded in 2000, and is designed to educate parents about youth and adolescent substance abuse, eating disorders, suicide, ADHD, depression, and more. Information is available on eh website www.notMYkid.org to educate parents about the warning signs and symptoms and to empower them to implement effective prevention and intervention strategies. In 2006, notMYkid reached 80,000 parents and students nationwide. The organization offers several programs for parent education as well as peer-to-peer youth programs.
United Way of Southeastern Michigan
United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve the lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community through its annual Torch Drive and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year by increasing economic self-sufficiency, protecting children and youth at risk, strengthening families, empowering neighborhoods and communities, and promoting health and wellness.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
El Calor 11:10AM (9/17/2007)
I can't wait to see one on the street!
http://ChallengerTalk.com
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Jon 11:19AM (9/17/2007)
No self-respecting muscle car enthusiast wants a slushbox attached to his Hemi
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Icon149 11:35AM (9/17/2007)
No kidding... who came up with this plan... automatics??? No wonder the american auto industry is in the shitter... When they finally build beautiful cars, they equip them with automatics... and an Autostik??? cause that somehow makes it less boring and lame... what happened to the 3rd pedal?
WillTheThrill 4:54AM (9/21/2007)
I think Dodge forgot how to make manuals. It would have been so right for the Magnum and Charger SRT8's
Mike 11:19AM (9/17/2007)
Sweet lookin' ride.
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Gregory Anderson 11:19AM (9/17/2007)
I hope we start to see more advertisement on this car. It seems that Chrysler is going to repeat it's mistake of the 70's which was poor marketing of a great car and thus the Mustang out sold them 100 to 1.
Future owner.
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Mr. Oak 11:31AM (9/17/2007)
Before any of you yokels start your rant about how terrible these cars are, and that nobody cares, I say git out of here, run along go play a game jacks or whatever it is that tickles your fancy.
Now, There is nothing like taking a ride throught the Smokies and feeling the thunder of good old American Muscle. It is my one favorite things when driving. To come up on the AlphaDogs of cardom. Sometimes, you get lucky, and get to chew the fat about these icons at a gas pump along the way.
Don't think these cars are significant? 70% of the production run will become either a family heirloom or collector car.
How many plan on willing that Camcord to your grandkids? I'm willing to bet that if you did they'd probably pee on your grave.
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Tim 11:59AM (9/17/2007)
I think the grandkids will wonder with gas over ten dollars a gallon why all those years ago his grandpa needed a muscle car to shop at Walmart or go out to Applebee's. I think they rather would have a savings bond.
polar 12:14PM (9/17/2007)
Great 70%; way to artificially drive UP the price.
These cars should be driven, not cooped up in some garage under a car cover.
Shipey 1:14PM (9/17/2007)
Gas, gas, blah, blah!
When will you get it through your skull that not everything needs to be about mileage.
I will be driving this type of car till I die, whether gas is $12 a gallon or not. Why? Because it's fun. It's cool. Period. If they stop making gas after everyone goes fuel cell/electric, I'll homebrew.
No matter how expensive gas gets, the 425hp kick in the rear is simply worth the price of admission.
You'll say "Why not at turbo 6, 4, whatever...", which only serves to show you've never driven a vehicle like this. While fully capable of the same accelleration, they just don't have the same feel. No torque, no noise, no violence. It all comes on up top, and it's just not the same. And that's just not for me.
OH, but I do say BOOOOO to no manual.
BOOOOOO!
Mr. Oak 2:50PM (9/17/2007)
@ Shipey: There are somethings you can never explain to some people.
Bootlegging may take on a whole new meaning. We'd all have a still out back so that we could drive cars like this on Sundays.
These clowns think that these cars are useless because they don't get 60 mpg. These cars are usually cleaned and covered until the weekend. Though capable of it, I would never relegate this car to commuter duty.
polar 11:32AM (9/17/2007)
Still automatic?!?!?!
ARGHHHH!
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Aaron 11:40AM (9/17/2007)
official specs have note been announced yet, so a manual may well be offered.
If you whiners don't like it go buy something else and let the next guy in line buy it instead.
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Joe 12:13PM (9/17/2007)
Challenger = drag car. Automatic = great for bracket racing. Sure, it would be nice to at least have the option for a 5 or 6-speed, but realize that for people that drag these things, an auto is going to give them very consistent numbers.
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Zo 1:17PM (9/17/2007)
Fewer than 9% of the cars sold today are manual. The New York Times had a good article named "DRIVING; The DNA Of a Fading Motor Skill"
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9400E5DD173AF932A25753C1A9649C8B63
I will assume from the article that fewer and fewer people especially in the current generation know how to drive stick.
In fact, the only car company that has seen increased sales of manual has been Mini.
Manual is becoming a lost skill just like changing your own oil. Once hybrids become mainstream I see manuals going the way of the dinosaurs.
Auctioning off an automatic makes appealing to broader audience.
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naggs 1:35PM (9/17/2007)
yeah, so 99% of camrys and mercedes are automatics
a car that claims to be sporty or fun or fast needs to at least offer 3 pedals. some people take pride in their rev matching, powershifting and driving in general and will drive a manual until their knee blows out. if a car maker wants to appeal to us, it is going to have to sell manuals.
if the car does not come with a manual, it will be relegated to blvd cruiser status and any track worthiness that might have been inherent in the car will be wasted by people who like the look of the car but dont want all that hassle of changing gears themselves.
Level 1:40PM (9/17/2007)
I like a stick just as much as the next guy but, you have to realize that these new automatics in sports cars aren't slush boxes being able to change speeds faster then a stick ever could, so if innovation is about moving forward with technology why go in reverse and get a stick instead? which will = less performance....
Personaly I feel its nothing more then a pissing match between grown men scared to embrace the "new" and stick to their old ways of thought....Sure automatics were once slush boxes in the past but they aren't anymore....
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Scott 3:03PM (9/17/2007)
Yeah, maybe in a drag race an automatic is good, but when going through a curve the last thing you want is a gear change messing up the car's balance. This problem is easily avoided with a manual.
Eric 3:35PM (9/17/2007)
An automatic will never be able to replace a manual.
While automatics have improved over the years the automatics in production cars aren't superior to manuals. Now if you go with a clutch/hydrolic based paddle shift system like a Ferrari then that's a different story.
wally 2:11PM (9/17/2007)
Hey Dodge!! How about #3 going to Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp?
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