2008-2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8: Return of the Mopar Legend (Specs Included)

The Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Mustang are two of a handful of American
performance cars that have secured their place in automotive history
books. They both contributed to building the young performance market
in 50’s and 60’s America, and then passed the test of time. The Pontiac
Firebird, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Thunderbird, and Dodge Charger can
also be counted amongst the most powerful cars of their day, though
presently the Firebird is no longer produced and the Charger is offered
as a performance sedan. Ford Muscle returned to classic styling with
the release of the S197 2005 Mustang, a mega success. Around the same
time, rumors of another vintage muscle car returning began to grow;
this time for the Dodge Challenger.

The original 1970-1974 Dodge Challenger was only built for 4 years
until it returned as a Mitsubishi-built compact car, but made its
lasting impact on the performance world and is still among the most
desired Mopar muscle cars. The popularity of the original Dodge
Challenger, along with Dodge enthusiasts’ pleads for a muscle car coupe
to battle the Mustang, led Dodge to design a concept along the same
line of retro styling. The 2006 Dodge Challenger Concept was released
to the world at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in
Detroit, Michigan where it stole the show.  Over the next six months,
the market was abuzz as internet forums and blogs raved over the new
Challenger.

Early on, there was no clear proof that the Dodge Challenger would ever
be produced; gradually increasing fuel prices provided classic Mopar
fans further consternation. Then in late June 2006, an exciting
announcement featuring NASCAR legend Richard Petty proclaimed that the
Challenger was “A-Go”. With that it was official, but Dodge would be
very vague about what would change from concept to production and what
options might be offered.

After two years of waiting, conversing, and bickering about “what could
be”, and spotting test mules around the Detroit Metro area and at car
shows around the US, the public got a whiff of the new Dodge Challenger
production model when it debuted at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show on
February 6, 2008. A spread of three cars drew nearly everyone’s
attention at the show, with the Orange Challenger sitting atop the
display and a Silver Challenger and Black Challenger sitting on the
sides, all SRT8 models. Two long years of rumor and speculation ended
with the specifications release for the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8.

Do you guys remember the build up leading up to the Challenger’s return? Do you feel Dodge did the classic justice? Did it turn out the way you wanted it to? Do you feel Dodge should have attempted to buck the trend and try something new rather than retro?

Patrick Rall

"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.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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