G. Chambers Williams III: Challenger set for production

Web Posted: 07/09/2006 12:00 AM CDT

San Antonio Express-News

The all-new Dodge Challenger "is a go!"


That's the word from Chrysler Group President and Chief Executive Tom LaSorda, who recently announced plans to bring the Challenger concept to production as a 2008 model.

Making the announcement via Web cam from Daytona International Speedway, LaSorda gave longtime Challenger fans the news they had been hoping for since the concept vehicle was unveiled in January at the 2006 Detroit auto show.

Some Chrysler officials said at the time of the Detroit showing that bringing the Challenger to production was already a given. But the company waited until just before the recent Daytona Pepsi 400 NASCAR race to make the official announcement.

"We haven't seen this kind of spontaneous, passionate response to a car since we unveiled the Dodge Viper concept in 1989," LaSorda said during the announcement.

With distinctly retro styling, the Dodge Challenger concept car was unveiled on the floor of the 2006 Detroit auto show in January.

Tom LaSorda, Chrysler Group president and CEO, waves a green flag to signal that the Dodge Challenger will return to production after a nearly 35-year hiatus. The Challenger will roll out as a 2008 model. NASCAR legend Richard Petty (left) and Kasey Kahne, driver of the Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Nextel Cup competition, joined LaSorda for the announcement.


"But it's easy to see what people like about the Dodge Challenger. It's bold, powerful and capable. It's a modern take on one of the most iconic muscle cars, and sets a new standard for pure 'pony car' performance."

The new Challenger has the same "long hood, short deck, wide stance and two-door coupe body style that distinguished the iconic Challengers of the 1970s," Chrysler said in a news release accompanying the Daytona announcement.

But that's something of an understatement. Those of us who watched the unveiling in Detroit were immediately struck by the similarities to the original Challenger — so much similar that the new model almost looks like a restored version of the old one.

"We drew on the rich heritage of the Dodge Challenger, but with contemporary forms and technologies," Chrysler Group Chief Operating Officer Eric Ridenour said during the Daytona event. "It's not just a re-creation; it's a reinterpretation."

Known as Dodge's pony car, the Challenger came to market in fall 1969 as a 1970 model, using the same architecture as the Plymouth Barracuda.

But the Challenger was roomier, thanks to a two-inch-longer wheelbase. It was discontinued after the 1974 model year, but thousands of them live on in the garages and driveways of Mopar collectors.

Chrysler notes that the Challenger was originally offered in coupe and convertible models; there was never a four-door sedan version.

"And, befitting the brand's performance heritage, the Dodge Challenger also went racing in its first year, competing most notably in the Sports Car Club of America Trans-Am series and National Hot Rod Association's Pro Stock class," Chrysler said.

The car has such a following that "meticulously restored and rare examples" sell for six-figure prices today, Chrysler said.

Here is some history, related in the Chrysler news release:

In the first year, the Challenger was offered in a limited-edition model to meet requirements for SCCA Trans-Am racing.

In 1971, a Challenger was the pace car for the Indianapolis 500.

New front-end styling debuted for 1972, featuring featured a larger "egg-crate" grille.

In April 1974, production ceased. Over that five-year run, Chrysler sold about 188,600 Challengers were sold.

The Challenger concept shown in Detroit was one of two pony-car revivals displayed at this year's show. The other was Chevrolet's Camaro concept, which also brought rave