Click on the image above for more of the first concept Challenger
We were hoping Dodge would give us our first look at the production version Dodge Challenger at Barrett-Jackson (we've seen plenty of it already with the reader-submitted photos!), but to no avail. The concept car was brought to represent what potential buyers would actually be bidding on - the first production Dodge Challenger SRT8. The car will come with all available options including the 6.1-liter Hemi V8, 5-speed automatic transmission, navigation, and sunroof. A plaque on the dash will identify it as car #1.
Not quite as high as the first GT500 KR or Corvette ZR1, the gavel dropped at a mere $400,000 (before auction fees) for the first Challenger. The winning bidder also gets two VIP passes to the Dodge Challenger 500 NASCAR race later this year. All proceeds from the sale will benefit notMYkid, an organization dedicated to understanding youth behavioral issues.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
MemphisNET @ Jan 20th 2008 1:46AM
I wonder if the low-ish price was because you weren't able to know what you were buying (not that it should matter with such a high-profile pony car revival.)
Still good money all to a good charity.
vexner @ Jan 21st 2008 1:33AM
I think you guys are overlooking something.
I'm not exactually sure about the price of the Mustang, but the 'vette lists for near 100K and the Challenger lists a little over 40K.
So, relatively speaking, both brought about 10X their respective list price.
...and that's what most would assume them to do.
MemphisNET @ Jan 21st 2008 1:52AM
You're paying for bragging rights. In the case of the 'vette, its the only one in Lemans blue. The mustang will be the only KR with a glass roof. The Challenger will have no other additional features except it will be Vin #1.
Scott Eaton @ Jan 20th 2008 2:07AM
Automatic?
MemphisNET @ Jan 20th 2008 2:14AM
All 2008 Challengers have EVERY option, including auto. 2009 you will be able to select Manual (without MDS) and Auto w/MDS.
All the best muscle cars were automatic, I think most people forget that (or are too young to know better).
Nick @ Jan 20th 2008 2:30AM
"All the best muscle cars were automatic, I think most people forget that (or are too young to know better)"
Correction: All the best muscle cars were manual, but the majority of lazy Americans opted for the failmatic option instead (when available), inadvertently making manual transmission muscle cars very sought after and more valuable in today's collector market.
That's better.
MemphisNET @ Jan 20th 2008 10:46AM
Uh, no I was right the first time. Have you ever driven an american manual-trans car from the 70's? Fun and not fun at the same time. I'd prefer one (manual), but I also like playing paintball/airsoft despite the fact that sometimes it downright hurts. These aren't tin-can Austins and Fiats.
It's not a lazy American syndrome - it's a, these cars tipped the scales and were designed to go fast in a straight line - and no manual of the day could shift faster than those auto's.
Ben @ Jan 20th 2008 2:51AM
Craig Jackson bought this himself...
He raised the bid on this car 4 times, and on the last one, people said, "sure, take it." I know on eBay, that kind of is illegal.
Иван @ Jan 20th 2008 3:12AM
Many people could change their decision if the representation was made by a production car. For example the back of the car in production is far more ugly, as we saw earlier on spy photos.
Nick @ Jan 20th 2008 3:17AM
I actually prefer the changes made to the production car. The removal of the horribly overused "cross-hair" grille, and the alteration of the taillights, make it look much nicer in my eyes. Picturing the same car that was shown in the spy photos as a cleaned up and well presented car, rather than a dirty mule out on the highway covered in crap, and I'm certain the production model will be the better of the two.
IvanEvdokimov @ Jan 20th 2008 4:05AM
All of this is about one's taste, but I think that changes made were inspired by production technology considerations, not by design (as for me, mule's tail light was great :)
Campisi @ Jan 20th 2008 3:23AM
Nick,
MemphisNET is right. You need to remember that the people that bought these muscle cars overwhelmingly raced each other in a straight line. Automatics were more popular because they could be made to shift much faster than you, every time.
LX builder @ Jan 20th 2008 10:51AM
For all of us that were actually alive when the first muscle cars were built, the production Challenger is much better looking. Dropping the way over used cross-hair from the grill, and the changes to the rear make this look like a modern version of the 1970 model. [the best of the breed] I doubt that anyone that loved the concept will be disappointed.
Paul P. @ Jan 20th 2008 3:30AM
I'm actually glad it didn't sell for as much as the ZR-1 or GT500KR. Maybe that means it won't carry the $10,000+ markup those cars probably will. I might actually be able to buy one within the first year or two at a reasonable price. Not like when I went to look at trading in my '03 Cobra for a GT500 and most dealers wouldn't budge at $15,000 over sticker.
J M C 3 @ Jan 20th 2008 5:46AM
Cars like these(Hemi Challeger,ZR1 Vette) will be indeed rare due to the new CAFE standards.It's a bygone era kiddies.These babies are collectables because they won't be R&D'd or built in the very near future.
catgirlshyla @ Jan 20th 2008 5:47AM
Dodge should've sold the actual Mule they brought. Would've garner them alot more monies in the process.
RG @ Jan 20th 2008 9:40AM
So they are already selling cars and we still have yet to see an actual production interior?
T-Dot @ Jan 20th 2008 10:25AM
My take on the "low" price of $400K? The car already has 9000+ preorders, unlike the ZR-1 or GT500. Anyone who has already wanted one of the first ones most likely has already placed an order for one. Given it's supposed to be a high volume car come 2009 I'm surprised it got to even $300k.
Craig Jackson likes his mopars and anyone bidding here really only wanted it because of the vin number.
MajorGeek @ Jan 20th 2008 10:32AM
73 Challenger was my first car. You are all correct, having vin numbers 1-3 is cool, but the reality is that in the next year or two, a lot of kinks will probably be worked out, plus the 9,000+ new models sold. I had intended to buy one originally, until they announced mass production. I am holding out for a rumored convertible in 09, or maybe a more tricked out model. Would love to see them bring back the Challenger T\A for example in a limited run.
MemphisNET @ Jan 20th 2008 10:49AM
I'm glad Craig bought it. At least an Mopar enthusiast has it - and he'll probably drive it too.
And give it 30-40 years and his kids will be selling it at B-J. Can you imagine the selling points?
1) Vin 001
2) 30,000 original miles
3) Every option available
4) 1 and only owner - my father!