Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Plants/Manufacturing, Dodge
Dodge Challengers headed to the crusher
Click above for more shots of new Challengers awaiting the crusher
Tons of used-up vehicles are sent to the great junkyard in the sky every day courtesy of huge hydraulic crushers. We collectively shed a tear whenever a desirable old classic meets its maker before some enterprising soul is able to save it from this unfortunate fate. All of the Mopar fans waiting patiently in line for a new Dodge Challenger may want to look away for a moment, though, as we have pictures of quite a few new Challengers headed for a horrible flattening. These vehicles are either preproduction models, test mules or cars with some sort of major defect that could not be rectified. So, to the boneyard they go.
Despite the fact that this happens every single day to less interesting cars, seeing photographic evidence of a desirable model such as the new Challenger being pancaked makes us wonder if there isn't something else that these vehicles could be used for. We'd gladly take a shell or two off their hands... perhaps make a desk out of the front clip, a couch out of the back seat... you get the idea.
Gallery: Crushed Challengers
[Source: CanadianStreetCar.com via Car Domain]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Todd 4:11PM (5/30/2008)
Hey those stands the unibodies are mounted on are really nice. Does anyone know where to buy those?
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/05/3_28_05_08_5_13_55.jpg
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Alex 4:27PM (5/30/2008)
Those look like frame racks, probably custom built for the Challenger's LY platform. You can get them from companies that supply the autobody industry, but you better have a couple grand kicking around.
DesiAuto 4:16PM (5/30/2008)
What a waste,
I am sure there are creative ways to use these cars.
They could've used them to advertise, i.e. hang 3 or 4 of them from top of the building (there HQ building auburn hills).
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Alex 4:22PM (5/30/2008)
Same reason Mazda destroyed over 4,700 of their cars from that Cougar Ace ship wreck. They can't afford the bad press and lawsuits they'll get slammed with should a single one of those cars make it on the street, in whole or part.
I can't say i like it, but it is a sad fact.
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dinnercoat 4:22PM (5/30/2008)
I thought it was pretty standards (or maybe the law?) to have concept, test, and other vehicles of the like crushed?
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Dude 4:25PM (5/30/2008)
"Despite the fact that this happens every single day to less interesting cars..."
This is one of those cars. Ugly and forgettable.
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Will 4:26PM (5/30/2008)
The reason these cars are always destroyed beyond repair is that they are not built to the final production standards, meaning parts taken from them may not be up to par.
The manufacturers don't want substandard parts being pulled from these cars and illicitly sold as "OEM" when they may be suspect, because it tarnishes their brand and opens them up to liability. Sometimes the prepros end up being modified and turned into SEMA cars and the like, but even those eventually have to be crushed too. It really is a shame, but I can see why it has to happen.
Parts obsolesence is a similar concept- after a certain period of time sitting in a warehouse, auto parts are deemed obsolete and must be scrapped to maintain quality standards.
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M 4:39PM (5/30/2008)
Big deal. So what? Chrysler can make MORE guys. Don't get all teary-eyed over a few Challengers being smashed. If you want a new Challenger, just go to your local Dodge dealer and a salesman will be happy to take your check and place your order.
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SayWhat? 5:21PM (5/30/2008)
*Bam!* You tell 'em, M! That's all that needs to be said.
Derek 8:34PM (5/30/2008)
You are completely correct. This is the difference between crushing a new car and crushing something no longer in production.
Chris 4:43PM (5/30/2008)
By looking at the car photos you would think they were taking fully assembled vehicles and smashing them. Looks to as if only the shells are getting crushed, with out motor, wheels or interiors.
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Derek 8:36PM (5/30/2008)
I am sure that every vehicle they used for development of the ride, handling, braking, NVH, etc will also be crushed. Those will all be fully equipped models.
Disgruntled Goat 5:04PM (5/30/2008)
Thank a lawyer.
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pmiddle5 5:15PM (5/30/2008)
They must have had revolutionary electric battery technology
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toronado455 5:34PM (5/30/2008)
Well, with the price of scrap steel skyrocketing, these are probably worth just as much crushed!
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harpo 6:06PM (5/30/2008)
so thats were camarys come from hmmm!!
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caddy dave 9:58PM (5/30/2008)
Cheap shot, but sooo funny. Rumor has it that Toyota placed one of those crushers at the end of the Tundra assembly line as the final stage of assembly. Moving forward. (if powered by GM)
Pookie 7:31PM (5/30/2008)
You'd think they'd auction them with Barrett-Jackson. Easy money for a company that needs every cent it can get right now...
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catgirlshyla 8:50PM (5/30/2008)
Yeah, given they also have the buyer sign some forms stating they won't drive it on the street, restrict it to display service, or absolve Dodge of any and all legal liability should the proverbial "**it hits the fan."
Seeing that Lawyers have litigated everything to heck and back, why not litigate mules and other related cars to heck and back? I'm sure any crazy-stupid money guy would agree to such over-litigated terms in order to obtain such a rarity.
catgirlshyla 9:00PM (5/30/2008)
I should also add, why not turn these into race cars? Strip the crap out and sell the shells as racing platforms?
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