Dodge Challenger Forums - Muscle Beach Party in a Warmer World

Leave to the NYT, to proselytize about the morally corrupt who would single handedly boil the oceans with green house gases (like the ones we exhale w/ every breath) in their automotive sections. Why don't they just buy a beret, enjoy a double decaf robusto mocha-chiato frothy beverage and leave the car articles to our ilk (the "uneducated, beer swillin' neanderthals") who understand, appreciate and enjoy cars....pure dreck, but here you are....

[quote]Muscle Beach Party in a Warmer World

By Jerry Garrett

Tags: auction, Barrett Jackson, Challenger, corvette, muscle cars, shelby, zr1

Auto enthusiasts over the age of, say, 40 probably remember the muscle car era. They probably remember it fondly, too. It was an era where coupes were king. Chrome was ubiquitous. Colors were loud. And horsepower was still politically correct.

Those who wish for a return to those nostalgic days are on the verge of seeing their wishes come true. A sneak preview of sorts will be offered Jan. 19 at the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. That’s when General Motors, Ford and Chrysler will each auction off the first examples of their hottest new performance cars for charity.

Each car will be sold at no reserve. But don’t expect to pick up a bargain; the bidding should go well into six figures.

Specifically, the vehicles are the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 (badge no. 1), the “First Retail Order Produced” 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, and a special one-of-a-kind 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR. The Challenger’s winning bid will benefit Not My Kid, Inc. The Shelby’s proceeds will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The proceeds from the Corvette sale will go to United Way.

“The rebirth of the Challenger and GT500KR, as well as the spectacular new ZR1 mark the beginning of a glorious new muscle car era,” noted the president of Barrett-Jackson, Steve Davis. He also described the auction as “the ultimate welcome party.”

What, no Camaro? More on that later.

The blue Corvette ZR1 is being sold just one week after the model introduction Saturday (Jan. 12) on the eve of the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Its signature feature is a 620 horsepower supercharged V-8, which easily makes it the most powerful Chevy ever.
Corvette ZR1The 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. (Photograph by Mike Cassese/Reuters)

Ford Motor Company and Shelby Automobiles partnered to bring back the Ford Shelby GT500KR, a legendary muscle car designation from the late 1960s for the most powerful factory-built Mustang ever produced. The new “King of the Road” pony car, a limited edition production run of 1,000 in 2008, offers 540 horsepower (which handily tops the original’s output). The ebony GT500KR being auctioned features a glass roof that will soon be offered on the regular ‘09 Mustang; special racing stripes will carry over the length of the vehicle and will even be etched into the glass roof. Octogenarian Carroll Shelby himself is scheduled to be on stage to hand the car keys to its new owner.
Ford Shelby GT500KRFord Shelby GT500KR.

The new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8, empowered by a 6.1-liter Hemi V-8, will make its worldwide debut at the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 6. The first vehicle may not come off the production line until sometime in May, so the winning bidder at the Barrett-Jackson auction will go home somewhat empty-handed. (The vehicle will be delivered to the winner’s Dodge dealer of choice in the U.S.) As a consolation prize, Dodge is also giving the winning bidder two V.I.P. passes to the Dodge Challenger 500 race at Darlington Raceway, plus travel expenses to get there, and a meet-and-greet with Nascar driver Kyle Petty.
Dodge Challenger SRT8A concept version of the new Dodge Challenger. The production version will make its debut in February. (Photograph by Carlos Osorio/Associated Press)