By 2024, the production lines will stop making one of the best muscle cars of the modern era, the Dodge Challenger. And when that happens, people will want to remember where the HEMI madness all started, with this 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 First Edition.
The Challenger Concept was shown at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. In December 2007, Chrysler started taking deposits for the first 3rd-gen models, which made their debut in February 2008. In total, they offered 6,400 units of the SRT8 First Edition, and they all obviously sold well.
Full-scale production commenced for the 2009 line-up a few months later, and they added lower-trim levels such as the SE and SXT, offered with a 3.5-liter V6 making 250 hp. Meanwhile, the R/T brought the smaller 5.7-liter V8 with 372 hp. But now, you’ve got a chance to buy one of the originals.
An SRT8 First Edition just came out for sale on Bring A Trailer out of Indiana. It’s basically a mint-condition time capsule with only 45 miles on the clock. Unit #1,530 of 6,400 is in immaculate condition, and although there’s not much differentiating it from a normal SRT8 made until 2012, fans of the model are bound to see this as irresistible.
Under the hood is an early version of a famous HEMI, the 6.1-liter V8 producing 425 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. It’s hooked up to a 5-speed automatic, which all of them had until the next year.
The Hemi Orange Pearl paint, hood stripes, front and rear spoilers, dual exhausts, 20-inch Alcoa aluminum wheels and red Brembo brake calipers are all part of the iconic look of an early SRT8. The interior features Slate Gray leather with orange accents, a few SRT logos, and a sunroof.
2008 Challenger SRT8, the birth of a legend
Currently, bidding is up to $15,000. In 2008, the SRT8 would have stickered for around $40,000 including the guzzler tax. They also made 101 first editions for Mexico and 550 for Canada, which were called Challenger 500. This orange is by far the most common color with over 4,000 made, but it’s also the coolest (black and silver were available).
As you probably all know, the Challenger rides on the LX platform, which was shared with the Charger sedan, the Chrysler 300, and the Magnum. However, the wheelbase was shorter, since this was a coupe.
The modern Challenger muscle car was heavily inspired from the 1970-1978 model, which was viewed as one of the best-looking muscle cars ever. Specifically, designers had a 1970 Challenger R/T in the studio and they also brought one on stage during one of the motor show debuts in order to highlight the similarities.
The 2nd Challenger is basically the one that brought shame to the family. Made from 1978 until 1983, it was a re-badged version of the Mitsubishi Galant coupe, produced in Japan and powered by small four-cylinder engines. Yes, it was also front-wheel drive.
