Reader Spy: Production Dodge Challenger naked in the rain
by Alex Nunez on Jan 11th 2008 at 2:58PM 
Autoblog reader Ray O'Connor happened upon an undisguised Dodge Challenger on his way to work in the Detroit area and managed to snap a photo of it from behind the wheel. At first, we wondered whether the HEMI orange car pictured was simply the concept car out and about, because it has been known to traverse public roads before. Neither the ducktail spoiler on the trunklid nor the taillamp design shown on this car are features of the concept, however, so we're guessing one of the preproduction cars was stretching its legs a bit. Or maybe Chrysler's taking a page from GM and, like the Camaro, has decided to just get rid of the camo altogether. In any case, the car will finally be revealed to the world next month in Chicago, and we'll be there, as always, to cover it.
Thanks, Ray!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Mike 3:09PM (1/11/2008)
dang, wish there were shots of the front and interior!
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geo.stewart 5:56PM (1/11/2008)
why do I always think of Queen's "Fat-bottomed girls" whenever I see this car?
Mike 6:49PM (1/11/2008)
Oh, and for the record, the one pictured is a '09 R/T, not an SRT8....
Dev 7:16AM (1/12/2008)
Why do the Camaro and Challenger look so alike?
TriShield 3:12PM (1/11/2008)
Isn't Chrysler auctioning the first three at Barrett-Jackson next week? If so we should all see it then, unless they roll out covered in camo of course, lol.
I'll be there in person, camera in hand either way.
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MemphisNET 3:49PM (1/11/2008)
I was wondering how that was going to work as well. Since the ''official'' showing is in Feb? Maybe the concept will be on display.
I like its new bum :D
Pyecraft 5:23PM (1/11/2008)
Yes, the Challenger is being auctioned at Barrett Jackson in Arizona on 1/19.
It should be a good time! This pic of the Challenger on the road is awesome.
Check Red Letter Dodge for the latest news on the Challenger - http://www.redletterdodge.com/
SRT ORR 11:01AM (1/12/2008)
They will be rolling the concept over the block but bidding will be for the first production Challenger.. similar to what they did with the first GT500
Lenny 3:27PM (1/11/2008)
Wow, that rear end and crappy rear spoiler looks NOTHING like the original smooth concept! WTH I hope this isn't going to be another Compass, great concept, hideous production vehicle!
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PandaBeat 3:27PM (1/11/2008)
HAHA! what a coincidence!
zzzZZZzzz
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Mike 3:29PM (1/11/2008)
Wow that is one ugly ass vehicle.
Fail.
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tanooki2003 3:35PM (1/11/2008)
What? No LED or neon tailights?
Now that i see the rear of this I can honestly see this car being mistaken for a really old car that has been restored with a glorified paint job and modded at some local tuner shop.
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FireStorm 3:38PM (1/11/2008)
yeah that's one thing that irks me about the challenger.. its a good looking car, it just looks TOO retro
same with the mustang IMO though not to as much a degree
the Camaro looks futuristic and retro at the same time.. perfect balance imo
info 3:40PM (1/11/2008)
Looks like a throw back to the 70s. Is that all they can come up with?
Shipey 3:40PM (1/11/2008)
I have a feeling that's exactly what they were going for.
Frylock350 4:07PM (1/11/2008)
That near perfect resemblance to the 70s is probably Dodge's goal with the car. Its certainly the key reason people (such as myself) want to buy it.
Richard 4:10PM (1/11/2008)
30 odd years ago, I used to walk by a dodge dealer on the way home from school. I thought that the Challenger in lime green with the SuperBee sixpak stickers was about the coolest car ever...until the Charger Daytona.
But now that I look at the upcoming rendition all I can think is that it is so...30-years ago!
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chad 4:23PM (1/11/2008)
To each their own I guess. I like the Mustang, and I like the Challenger, I dislike the Camaro and the Charger. It's because I actually want a 60s / 70s looking car with modern performance. So the only problem I have is do I keep my 07' Mustang GT or do I trade it in for the Challenger? Considering the horsepower/weight ratio I think I may keep the Mustang.
71cuda 4:29PM (1/11/2008)
Richard, you must have that backwards. The green Challenger (70 or 71) was the coolest thing SINCE the Charger Daytona (69 only.)
Seoultrain 5:00PM (1/11/2008)
agree with tanooki. To me, the whole point of the concept was the huge neon (or whatever type) brakelight across the back. The four distinct cheapo lights kills the car for me.