Holy Hemi, Challenger update rocks

ChicagoTribune.com ^ | 5/18/08 | Jim Mateja

[Clint N. Suhks]

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

snip...

If we had a dollar for every thumbs up during a weeklong test drive, we'd have the down payment for one of the 6,400 2008 Challenger SRT8s to be built. Sadly, however, all are spoken for. The car is sold out, unless you bid on one of a couple dozen some dealers are offering on eBay for up to $25,000 over sticker.

After a 35-year absence, Challenger has returned, an update of the muscle car that debuted in the fall of 1969 for a five-year run before high insurance rates and demands for greater fuel economy halted production. The 2008 Challenger tested looks strikingly similar to the original. Dual hood scoops, double wide hood stripes, bulging chrome gas cap, Hemi chrome hood badging, 20-inch radials stuffed into the wheel-well openings and only orange, black or silver body panels. Just the right touches.

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Wheelbase: 116 inches

Length: 197.7 inches

Engine: 6.1-liter, 425-h.p. Hemi V-8

Transmission: 5-speed automatic

M.P.G: 13 city/18 highway

Price as tested: $39,210

The sticker

$37,320 Base

$950 Power sunroof

$890 Navigation system plus MyGig multimedia system

$50 Performance tires

Add $2,100 for gas-guzzler tax and $675 for freight.

Pluses

A smile from an automaker that can use one.

Great design that captures the original look while still looking original.

Oh so quick while handling oh so well.

Minuses

Rear-seat room.

Guzzler tax.

Sold out.

The rear-wheel-drive coupe is built off the same platform as the Chrysler 300 sedan--after the wheelbase was snipped about 4 inches. The SRT8 is powered by a 6.1-liter, 425-horsepower Hemi V-8 with 5-speed automatic snip...

The exhaust obediently growls as the coupe propels you rocket style from zero-to-60 in about 5 seconds

[ETL]

That's almost as nice this 1970 modified version:

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/0512phr_1970_dodge_challenger/photo_04.html

[Lx]

My brother had a 440 1970 Challenger when I was little. It did 12s. Then he dropped a rod through the side of the block. Never the same after he put a tame 383 in it.

[Lx]

As someone who just sold his 69 Vette roadster, not all cars are appreciating madly, for some reason, C3 Vettes are the best deals unless you’re looking for a 427, then you pay. Small blocks are a dime a dozen. Bought it in 2001 for 14k sold it for 22k, not bad but I got it cheap so thats why the price difference.

[kellynla]

Now, if we only had 35 cent gas like we had in 1970 to go along with that 1970 look-a-like Challenger...

[Lx]

One thing I like about old Mopars, turn a bolt and change the front ride height since it uses torsion bars up front.

That thing looks kind of like one of Foose’s cookie cutter cars except it’s not silver on top...

[Clint N. Suhks]

Unlike the new Mustang it's missing some essential original Comaro lines INHO.

I had to really look for the similarities.

[Farmer Dean]

Sold my 69 Z-28 a few years ago,wish I still had it.

[vietvet67]

Rumor has it that this car will in 2010 come from the factory with over 600 horsepower.

Adjusts drool cup.

[Clint N. Suhks]

Rumor has it that this car will in 2010 come from the factory with over 600 horsepower.

Holy Ship!

Can that be street legal?

[Drew68]

Unlike the new Mustang it's missing some essential original Camaro lines IMHO.

Yeah, I think they need to take it back to the drawing board and tweak it a bit. It's missing something. I wasn't awed by the design as I was with the new Mustang and Challenger.

[philled]

I think this thing looks great! I kick myself frequently for selling my old Barracuda- now I’m finding that I can’t afford a new one or an old one!

[Clint N. Suhks]

Has too many square lines than the original.

I think the designer got a little foofoo/modren with the replication. Like Ford did with the new T-Bird only different. Definitely not like the Mustang or Challenger.

[Clint N. Suhks]

I have to look at it like this.

If I kept my 73’ Cougar XR7 there's no way I could have afforded the repairs to keep it this long. Probably the same with your Cuda. I think I have a better chance of affording a replica now than I would have of maintaining the old one.

[vietvet67]

“Can that be street legal?”

Sure. The 09 Corvette ZR1 is over 600HP.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article_id=6349

[cleveland gop]

FAST+CARS+RULE!

[Clint N. Suhks]

Looks like a Datsun 280 Z

;O

[editor-surveyor]

"Can that be street legal?"

Sure. - Several factory muscle cars of the late 60s produced over 600 HP. The Ford 427 medium riser delivered about 650, the Dodge/Plymouth 426 sixpack put out about 610, and with a good blueprint and port match job got around 700, and the Corvette 427 rat block was good for around 590. They didn't advertise those numbers to the public because the insurance companies would surcharge the cars so much that they couldn't have sold them.

[LS]

This doesn’t surprise me. With Vettes, it’s always been about the primo engines.