Topic: Sure Would Like To Do A Road Test On This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bill440cars]

        YEP, it's a Challenger concept car, could be called an "SRT10!" They have shoehorned a Viper 600hp V-10 into that Puppy!


        Sure would like to get some "behind the steering wheel" time with that one!

         http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2010/04/viper-powered-dodge-challenger-srt10-spotted-in-public.html

         
           


       Now, WHY didn't the photo come out?

[bill440cars]

    Ah, here it is! Better late than never, eh?

 

[traveler]

It's too bad the new Challenger is such a big and heavy car.  In comparison to a Mustang and Camaro, it is simply HUGE.

And if you want the top end model you have to pay 40K+, which is ridiculous for a mopar, IMHO.

~Joe

[bucky katt]

and i undertsand dealers are getting from 10-20k over sticker for the things, depending on the model and equipment.

[Old75_ratafe]

or you could spend 3k on a nice supercharger kit and tune and make that HP anyway and not pay what I would expect would be another 10~15k for what it took them to get the viper engine in.... But then again with the viper dead they gotta do something with the engines right?

[6pkrunner]

and i undertsand dealers are getting from 10-20k over sticker for the things, depending on the model and equipment.

The demand wasn't quite what they thought it would be. Those dealers that are moving them are at MSRP or below. Those wanting the "holdback premium" have lots filled with them.

It's too bad the new Challenger is such a big and heavy car.  In comparison to a Mustang and Camaro, it is simply HUGE.
And if you want the top end model you have to pay 40K+, which is ridiculous for a mopar, IMHO.

~Joe

Agreed she is a beefy monstrosity - but its based on the 300 platform which is huge. I went to price out an SRT8 and was quoted $54K.

[bill440cars]

and i undertsand dealers are getting from 10-20k over sticker for the things, depending on the model and equipment.

The demand wasn't quite what they thought it would be. Those dealers that are moving them are at MSRP or below. Those wanting the "holdback premium" have lots filled with them.

It's too bad the new Challenger is such a big and heavy car.  In comparison to a Mustang and Camaro, it is simply HUGE.
And if you want the top end model you have to pay 40K+, which is ridiculous for a mopar, IMHO.

~Joe

Agreed she is a beefy monstrosity - but its based on the 300 platform which is huge. I went to price out an SRT8 and was quoted $54K.

         Didn't realize that it was the based on the "300 platform". That WOULD be Heavy! I don't know the difference between what I've seen and what You had pride Mike, but they have 2 Challenger SRT8.s here at a local dealer and they are listed at $40 & $45K. Still alot of money and may not have the options You wanted.

         Guess a person could just go looking for a restored Old Challenger, be spending about the same price range.  

[6pkrunner]

here at a local dealer and they are listed at $40 & $45K. Still alot of money and may not have the options You wanted.

 

Bill, these were loaded versions sitting on the lot. At that time (they were just starting to come in) I was quoted some bizarre time to order one in. It was a "take it or leave it" type of mentality. The local dealers all thought that the Challengers were the second coming and they'd sell all they could make. It was common for "holdbacks" to range from $5,000 to whatever they thought they could get. They sat on lots.
As an update a friend of mine recently ordered a Plum Crazy 5.7 R/T and by just dropping the sunroof, navigation and stereo - the price dropped by $7K. I certainly wouldn't want any of that stuff on one I would order - but like I said at the time they were just rolling in and it was "take what we go 'cuz they'll be gone in hours mentality". Oh and I didn't ask what that particular dealer's "holdback" fee was. So at least another $5K - probably more.


Here's a few comparison pictures of then and now.

[bill440cars]

   Yeah, I see what you are saying about all of those "EXTRAS" that someone like YOU or ME wouldn't Need OR Want! Have to say that I thought they WOULD go like "hot cakes". Shows how you can get caught up in something. Now I D appreciate the comparrision photos. Still in all, IF I could afford a way to get one LIKE I would want it, I'd go for it. The Prices on "Actual Vintage ones" are outrageous. Of course, the same goes for the OTHERS as well. I've been looking back at the GTXs as well. I had been skeptical about what I payed for MY GTX, but have been told by several, that it wasn't that far off, considering what a proper RESTORED (and/ one with some performance added) would go for and I haven't seen one near the condition of mine that was the same price range since. Those PRICES! Brenda bought her '69 road runner new, back in 1969, for about $34-3,600 and now, you can't even buy a JUNK one for that! I've seen them up around $30K and higher, depending on the power train. Hemi runners are about $100K and higher!
       

[traveler]

There is a SRT8 model in red at the dealer here that hs been "clearanced" at 42K? I believe.....still just sitting there!

This car missed the boat by about 5 years.

Bill....was Brenda's car a Hemi?

~Joe

[6pkrunner]

Bill, I'd still love to have one for sure. That's the old Mopar die hard in me. This new thing isn't designed to go head to head with the Mustang or Camaro, its a tribute car that has great road manners. It is way too big and bulky to be sports oriented, but then in 1970 the Challenger was actually designed to go against the Cougar and T-bird - sport luxury. The street fighter was the 'cuda with its inch shorter wheelbase and accompanying weight loss.
And it is way overpriced. Here Daimler again missed the mark like with the Charger. They really thought the fever pitch that people have for the '70s versions would spill over to the new one - and most importantly they'd be willing to shell out large coins for that fever.
 For way less coin I can get a nicely appointed (but not loaded with baggage) Camaro SS. But then a lot are waiting on the new 376HP Mustang. That will be the new benchmark. But the redesign of it loses the edge that they hit bang on in the last version.

In 1969 the hemi option was an extra $713 over the standard beepers 383. Made it a bit pricey for the gas pump jockeys to afford it. But with the hemi, as delivered to the showroom, a few hundred into that 383 would have it nipping on the hemi's heels. A good super tune to the hemi however would put it out of reach of most street vehicles - save for the mid year 440+6 Bees and runners and a 427 'vette or such.

[bill440cars]

There is a SRT8 model in red at the dealer here that hs been "clearanced" at 42K? I believe.....still just sitting there!

This car missed the boat by about 5 years.

Bill....was Brenda's car a Hemi?

~Joe

           Yeah, I wish they'd have done it sooner and given a basic car w/ performance and handling options. I ALSO like to lift the hood and SEE the engine! The 5.7 Hemi might be a pretty good runner, but there is a huge piece of plastic that covers what isn't covered by other plastic.

       No, Brenda's car was like the GTX, I now have, except, her car had the standard 335hp 383/ automatic (the same 727 Torqueflite that goes behind the HEMI) and 8 3/4 rear end. I don't know for sure, but I suspect that it had 3.23 gears as well.   

[6pkrunner]

I don't know for sure, but I suspect that it had 3.23 gears as well.   

The standard ratio for the 8 3/4 rear was 3.23. 3.55 and 3.91 were ordered ratios. The dealers would spec out an array of cars with different options to showcase what was out there. The stronger cammed 1968 4 gear 340 with a 3.91 was a true giant killer.

[bill440cars]

I don't know for sure, but I suspect that it had 3.23 gears as well.   

The standard ratio for the 8 3/4 rear was 3.23. 3.55 and 3.91 were ordered ratios. The dealers would spec out an array of cars with different options to showcase what was out there. The stronger cammed 1968 4 gear 340 with a 3.91 was a true giant killer.

           I can bet that it WAS a Giant Killer Mike.    Myself, until I got this GTX, the strongest thing I'd ever had, was the '66 Charger with the 325hp 383, 4sp and Sure Grip.no idea what the gear ratio was in THAT one, but it sure would Haul pretty good! I never got beat by a 68 or 69 road runner or Charger and I'd ran against several. Gotta believe that Charger was pretty heavy as well. It handled great too, used to take it out on hwy 1 while I was stationed at Hamilton AFB in California, and used to "Go Play in the curves!"  

[6pkrunner]

I believe the 1966 Charger with a 383 was in the 3500-3700 pound range depending on options. Hemi added nearly another 350-400 pounds to that.The 340 Dart was a 2700-2900 pounder. Given the ridiculous undrerrated 275 horses the factory claimed for the 340, they sure knew how to stampede. Them little things were real terrors. Never mind 383s - 440s didn't like them much either. It took a 1969.5 6 bbl/pack to shut them up. And there the beefier B body had the extra help of the 4.10 Dana for launching.

Plus all those early 340 A body guys were nuts. When Cannonball Run came out - that guy on the Kawasaki 350 triple reminded me of all the 340 A body guys I knew. Well the locals anyway. They were always twitchy, wound tight, full bore - all the time.

[bill440cars]

I believe the 1966 Charger with a 383 was in the 3500-3700 pound range depending on options. Hemi added nearly another 350-400 pounds to that.The 340 Dart was a 2700-2900 pounder. Given the ridiculous undrerrated 275 horses the factory claimed for the 340, they sure knew how to stampede. Them little things were real terrors. Never mind 383s - 440s didn't like them much either. It took a 1969.5 6 bbl/pack to shut them up. And there the beefier B body had the extra help of the 4.10 Dana for launching.

Plus all those early 340 A body guys were nuts. When Cannonball Run came out - that guy on the Kawasaki 350 triple reminded me of all the 340 A body guys I knew. Well the locals anyway. They were always twitchy, wound tight, full bore - all the time.

  Yeah, I sure enjoyed those cannonball run movies.
     
    My '66 Charger had power steering, No A/C, nonpower drum brakes along with the 383/4sp/Sure Grip. So, it should have been fairly light as compared to a loaded one.   

   I used to know of a '6? Valiant that was a 2dr sedan and had the 225 Slant six with the optional 4barrel carb, a set of headers and I don't even KNOW what else it had, I just know that it was a good runner itself. I think they called that engine, the Super Six or Super 225? AND whatever became of those early Formula S Barracudas with the 273 V-8 and that exhaust system with that distinctive sound (had a square tipped resonator on the end of the tailpipe)? 

[bucky katt]

i was just offered the chance to get my 64 galaxie 500xl back in trade for my k4 750 and 2 of my guitars................it's an awful temptation, 427, 4 speed and 2 780 cfm holleys. i put a hydraulic roller cam in place of the flat tappet solid lifter one that was originally in the thing, 3.31:1 rear ratio i bet it would go 150 mph if i had enough space to do it. 5mpg if i kept my foot out of it. it needs all new floor and trunk pans, rusted all to hell under the vinyl roof too. probably  needs about 10k of work to make it really usable again. i wish one of ya'll lived close by to kick me in the ass for even thinking about it 

[bill440cars]

i was just offered the chance to get my 64 galaxie 500xl back in trade for my k4 750 and 2 of my guitars................it's an awful temptation, 427, 4 speed and 2 780 cfm holleys. i put a hydraulic roller cam in place of the flat tappet solid lifter one that was originally in the thing, 3.31:1 rear ratio i bet it would go 150 mph if i had enough space to do it. 5mpg if i kept my foot out of it. it needs all new floor and trunk pans, rusted all to hell under the vinyl roof too. probably  needs about 10k of work to make it really usable again. i wish one of ya'll lived close by to kick me in the ass for even thinking about it 

  Ya wouldn't want ME living close to ya Jeff. Even though I'm Mopar First, I DID like the '62 and '64 500 XLs. Had a friend once, who had a '63 Convertible with the factory 406 3duece setup with a 4sp and I think positrac AND it was a pretty good runner. I am known to get a bit Stupid, when it comes to cars and bikes.

[bucky katt]

i went out , kicked the bike over and sat on it with it running for a few minutes. long enough to know that as much fun as well over 500ft pounds of torque and nearly 500bhp are i dont want any part of that project. before i got hurt i couldhave tackled it but i'm not physically able to do it anymore, thats alot of damn sheet metal to replace. that motor/trans would be fun in something like an early falcon though wouldnt it?

[traveler]

It's a good Drivetrain for a 63-64 Fairlane 500 2-door (Thunderbolt style).

~Joe

[bill440cars]

It's a good Drivetrain for a 63-64 Fairlane 500 2-door (Thunderbolt style).

~Joe

  Now THAT'S what I was thinking as well!   I got the chance to drive one of those '67 Fairlane GTs (390/4sp, for those who don't know) and THAT was NO SLOW buggy AND I ACTUALLY considered buying it! It was a red convertible!

[bucky katt]

he came by the house with the car a little while ago. for those of you that have been into muscle cars for many years are likely familiar with the mufflers i put on the Galaxie. theyre called turbo tubes these days. basically imagine pouring thousands of big ball bearings down an aluminum downspout and amplify it x 1000 times and you get an idea of what they sound like. they were optional equipment on the 69 z28. we were sitting in my wifes office and i could hear the car coming from the light at trenholm rd half a mile away, it's that loud and distinctive, with a cam that has 312 degrees duration@.050" lift and 3" diameter exhaust. i said, here comes carl with the Galaxie and she laughed and told me i was with that car the way a mother knows her childs voice  we went for a quick, smoky spin around the block but i just cant pull the trigger on it. this car needs pretty much all of the sheet metal replaced, floors and trunk pan, electrics are pretty rough too, but he's really maintained the driveline nicely and it'll still do a massive smokey burnout from a dead stop using 2nd gear and dumping the clutch at 5,000 rpm's i'd almost forgotten how much fun a heavyweight high hp car can be. and i hated to do it but i told him no deal. it was cool he let me beat the snot out of it one last time though and i might have shed a tear or 3 when he drove it up the street. it still has the factory black paint, the red paint on the wheels and the original interior in red vinyl. best looking car ford built during the 60's in my opinion and if i were to get it back i would build it like they did the lightweight Galaxies for nascar with the glass fenders, inner fenders, hood and aluminum bumper.

[bill440cars]

   Jeff, that set me back, when I read that. I can well imagine your feeling about that car. Brenda's road runner went to Springdale Arkansas, when we sold it and the guy was gonna send us pictures, when he did the restore on it and we never heard a thing. Don't know if the car IS still up there or what the guys name is OR if he still has it. Kinda sad, when I think about it. IF we hadn't of needed the money at the time, She would have let me keep it( I say that SHE would have let ME keep it, because this one was HER car and the First one she had, bought it new in 1969 and had it when we married), in hopes of eventually getting it up and going again. But We REALLY needed the money. Karla's Doctor bills and Dug bills were eating us alive! Even with GOOD insurance, the bills because of trying to control er seizures, were tremendously high!

[bucky katt]

if i'd taken the trade the car would have sat for several years at least, likely until it rotted away.

[bill440cars]

if i'd taken the trade the car would have sat for several years at least, likely until it rotted away.

  I hear ya Jeff, that was one of the things Brenda told me when she suggested we sell her road runner ( it had been sitting for about 5yrs at that time) AND the fact that we needed the money. She knew I wanted to keep it and fix it up, but we just didn't have the money and likely never would because of Karla's medical bills.