SEMA Preview: Hurst/HEMI Challenger packed with 500+hp for Vegas trip
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Hurst is no stranger to offering up special edition Mopars. The 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst packed a 440ci "TNT" V8 with 375 horsepower, as well as a fiberglass hood and trunk, Satin Tan leather interior, and a Spinnaker-White paint scheme with gold trim. Ok, that was nearly 40 years ago, but Hurst is still going strong and planning to renew its Mopar connection with a limited edition Dodge Challenger that will make its debut at SEMA this year. The Hurst Challenger will be available in four trim levels and include features like a supercharger system good for 500 horsepower, 5-spoke Hurst alloy wheels, and a "Pistol-Grip" Hurst shifter. Pricing will start at a $10,000 premium over the stock Challenger and could go as high as $20,000 for the top level model. Follow the jump for the press release from Hurst.
Gallery: 2009 Hurst Dodge Challenger SRT8
[Source: Hurst via Edmunds.com]
PRESS RELEASE:
Chatsworth, California - HURST is one of the most recognized and revered names in the history of performance automobiles. The HURST brand has long been synonymous with speed, performance and quality, with an impressive track-record of pioneering performance products for all forms of motorsports and hot-rodding. HURST was one of the first to partner with the OEMs and bring enthusiasts limited edition performance vehicles like the legendary HURST/Olds 442.
HURST is at it again! The newest creation to be rolled out to continue the tradition is the 2009 HURST/HEMI® Challenger. Starting with the HEMI® powered Dodge Challenger SRT8, HURST takes it to the next level as a 500+ HP supercharged limited edition built and tuned by the best in the business.
Nate Shelton, Chairman of HURST, is committed to delivering the value that HURST is known for; "The new HURST/HEMI® Challenger is more than just another muscle car. It epitomizes the performance industries tradition of taking the best Detroit has to offer and adding 21st century performance parts to make your ride faster and cooler than the other guys. HURST has a long history of doing just that with guys like Don Garlits, Warren Johnson, Dick Landy and even celebrity racers Steve McQueen and Jim Garner. The new HURST/HEMI® Challenger is the first of many HURST Performance Vehicles to come. We are ready to make some more history."
HURST has partnered with some of the best companies in the industry to create a collectible limited edition muscle car with the looks, attitude and credentials to back it up. The HURST/HEMI® Challenger will be available in four Stages of performance trim through participating Dodge dealerships. The details are iconic and impressive; the huge polished five-spoke HURST alloy wheels and the "Pistol-Grip" HURST shifter are inspired by the originals that helped make HURST the legendary brand that it is today.
HURST Performance Vehicles Program Director Ron Flint adds "The legacy of the HURST brand gives us a huge advantage and it sets the bar very high for our team. Our goal is simple; create serious driveway-envy in your neighborhood."
The HURST/HEMI® Challenger makes its debut at the trade-only SEMA Show in Las Vegas this November. Vehicle production is slated for early 2009.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
knifetramp 8:08PM (8/27/2008)
Color me impressed. I just bought a new Z06, but freely admit that I wish I had the $$ for one of these as well.
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Nick 11:00PM (8/27/2008)
i wonder if im the only one on autoblog honest about my car.
A 92' Cavalier.
knifetramp 5:45AM (8/28/2008)
No, you are not. I have a new Z06 in my garage. The General offered them at GMS pricing, that's all the incentive I needed.
Kumail891 8:09PM (8/27/2008)
why can't any tuning company make any good rims? these just look stock (maybe they are, i don't know/care) while other tuners make their rims look like they came out of the sewer.
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Kumail891 8:10PM (8/27/2008)
oh, and for the car, ill take the one in black.
Benfolio 10:57PM (8/27/2008)
Only rim I liked on the new Challenger were they retro faux steelies on the original OLOA 'Vanishing Point' car.
Chris 9:32PM (9/19/2008)
they are not stock by any means. They are a direct duplicate of the ORIGINAL wheels HURST used to make back in the late 60's. Many people do not know that Hurst did in fact make wheels.. these will now be 22's all around!
Paul P. 8:12PM (8/27/2008)
I want one in black.
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mr.ed 8:28PM (8/27/2008)
It's a little too late to shrink it to a realistic size, so now it's time for the usual special edition cosmetic and powertrain tweaks, so common elsewhere, and a tradition at Chrysler. A long time ago, they used to bring out Spring colors to boost sales. Two years later, the fab colors would peel off over the rusted, blistered panels. We had a '57 Dodge that needed rocker panels every Spring. Inner fenders were too expensive, and because you couldn't see them in the showroom, who could see them anyway? Result? Valiant/Dart/Barracuda front fender holes and collapsed suspensions, Volare/Aspen fender replacements after weeks in winter. It happened to me in six weeks. They bought me three sets of fenders, and never put in liners introduced the second year, though they retrofit. They also paid for two sets of valve stem seals, but that's another story. Never again.
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$0.03 5:55AM (8/28/2008)
you're actually comparing 1950's and 1960's cars to 2009's? What are you, a mor...?
SPRUNKWN1 8:55PM (8/27/2008)
Hurst also had a thing with Olds that produced some nice cars.
This Challenger looks great.
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OldsNut69 9:15PM (8/27/2008)
Yes they did, two of the nicest Muscle Cars, 1968,and 1969 Hurst Olds'. It's a shame really...yet another reason why Olds went under. I think GM likes putting to death some of the greats.
Beautiful Challengers though, I'd take the white one.
superapex 8:43PM (8/27/2008)
let me get this right.... your '57 dodge had some problems so you won't be buying the challenger built in 2008?
Using that logic, when one of your family members gets cancer don't get them treated, because back in 1950 they didn't know how to properly use nuclear therapy either.
Let me guess... you don't root for the home team either.
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Dakotart 8:55PM (8/27/2008)
I forgot the same production methods fropm 1957 are still in use today..........
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Marilynn 11:04PM (8/27/2008)
Excuse me while I drool. I like the one in black better. May be I can try to get one for my birthday (if only) haha.
http://www.TheNaturalSapphireCompany.com
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adrenalnjunky 9:36PM (8/27/2008)
I'd take the white one as well. Unlike some of the 4200 variations of Mustang coming from about 300 different tuners, this actually looks and feels like the old Hurst Olds packages from the late 60's. This one, in limited enough numbers might actually end up appreciating in value one of these days.
I'd take the white one, cause I bet everyone and his brother wants the black. 25 yrs down the road, I bet the white one is worth more to a collector (Again assuming they ever build any collector value)
That, and I just like white cars.
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phoenix 10:16PM (8/27/2008)
What a damn nice lookin' car. I would so love to have one. Saw a great-looking R/T model today in stone white, looked straight outta' Vanishing Point.
If only this life-long Mopar fan had ANY confidence that there will even BE a Chrysler left in a few years...
Oh well.
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Gregory Anderson 10:36PM (8/27/2008)
So now we have a Hurst, G5, HCX, Hennessey and SMS Challenger. This smells of the Ford Mustang. What's next a lung cancer version, hell Ford has a breast cancer version. If this keeps up it will end up just like the Mustang. No longer a head turner but just another one of mant versions of many Challengers.
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MajorGeek 12:58AM (8/28/2008)
One difference. These versions are not all Chrysler backed. So, last I checked, you can buy an RT, SE, SRT\8 or Track Pack at Dodge dealer. Most Mustang dealerships have similar choices plus Shelby, Rousch, etc. If it's not on a dealer lot, its just a modification you can buy, nothing more.
chris 9:32PM (9/19/2008)
You are right..BUT, if you look at the other names ONLY the Hurst car really makes any sense in terms of the Heritage of the relationship etc. Out of these "tuner" companies only HURST can really claim they are THE CHOICE for a specialty challenger worth any sort of appreciation value!