Hot new Dodges go under the hammer

CHRYSLER may not be bringing the hot new Dodge Challenger to Australia, but local muscle car fans will have the opportunity to buy one of the first cars built, even before the car goes on sale in the US.

The first two Challengers off the Brampton, Ontario production line in Canada will go under the hammer through a series of charity auctions, while a third car will be auctioned on eBay.

Car number one will be among more than 1000 collector cars being auctioned at the 37th annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 12-20This is a few weeks ahead of the Challenger’s official worldwide debut, which is scheduled for the Chicago Auto Show on February 6.

Australian enthusiasts or investors wanting to take part in this auction can register as absentee bidders at the auction website (www.barrett-jackson.com).

Dodge Challenger number two will go under the hammer even sooner, but this private September 26 auction is only for Dodge dealers.

The third will be auctioned on ebay.com in early 2008, so anyone can take part. Details have yet to be announced on when it will be listed and when it will close.

Proceeds from the first two auctions will benefit two charities – notMYkid, an organisation dealing with youth health issues such as suicide, drug use and eating disorders, and United Way of Southeastern Michigan, a community-based support group.

All three Dodge Challengers are the premium high-performance SRT8 models, painted classis orange with black bonnet stripes and powered by a 6.1-litre Hemi V8. Each carries a numbered dash plaque.

“Dodge is thrilled to build on the excitement of the countdown to the return of the Challenger by giving consumers the chance to get one of the first all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger vehicles produced,” said Dodge executive Mike Accavitti.

“The Dodge Challenger is an icon and the revival of this storied nameplate has enthusiasts chomping at the bit to get one.

“Consumers now have the opportunity to not only own the car of their dreams, but to help those in less fortunate circumstances as well.”

Chrysler Australia had hoped to bring the new Challenger to Australia as its halo car, creating awareness in much the same way as the bold 300C has done for Chrysler, but those plans were shelved when it became apparent that the Challenger will only be produced in small numbers and only for the United States.

Chrysler’s international product senior manager Kevin Tourneur told GoAuto last month that there was no plan to offer the Challenger to Australia.

“The Challenger right now is only left-hand drive and is not being planned for any international market,” he said.

“It is going to be built in a very limited volume.”

Looks like local car fans wanting a Challenger will have to register for the Arizona auction or try their luck with eBay. Wonder if they take PayPal?

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