While the SRT brand has technically existed for a few years now, the launch of the 2013 SRT Viper officially ushers in the era of an actual SRT-branded vehicle and with it comes the first SRT-branded commercial. We have previously seen Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep brand commercials on TV and online showing the likes of the Dodge Charger SRT8, the Chrysler 300C SRT8 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT – the new “Body and Soul” advertising campaign is the first devoted strictly to the Street and Racing Technology brand vehicle lineup.
The SRT Brand is, without a doubt, the most unique automotive brand in America so it is fitting that the first SRT-specific commercial is also unique. The Body and Soul advertising debut is technically one commercial but the Chrysler Group has made four renditions of it with 30, 60 and 90 second television commercials joined by an extended online version that runs for 2 minutes and 17 seconds. These four clips follow very similar story lines but as each video is longer than the one before it – extra footage showing the SRT brand vehicles in action has been added. Of course, each video also includes varying amounts of dramatic yet humorous voiceover to add that special wow factor (in case the vehicles included weren’t enough) while telling the story of why we all love our machines so much.
Along with the high performance variants of the Charger, Grand Cherokee, 300C and the new Viper, the Body and Soul commercials feature historic Mopar muscle cars like the 1973 Challenger, the 1968 Plymouth Road Runner, the 1968 Charger and what looks to be a 1960s Dodge station wagon that I am unable to identify. The Body and Soul commercials also show a 2013 SRT Viper disturbing nature simply by revving its engine before a short glimpse of said Viper roaring along a peaceful countryside road.
Below, we have included each of the four Body and Soul commercial spots in order of shortest to longest for your viewing pleasure!
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
