The Dodge Shakedown Challenger concept that Mopar is displaying at this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show is part ’70s, part modern day, part Viper, and completely badass.
Designers took a 1971 Dodge Challenger body, shaved off its door handles, deleted its drip rails, moved the fuel door to the trunk, and coated it in “Bitchin’ Black” paint. The front end features a modern Challenger grille fitted with concept headlamps from the 2017 Dodge Challenger. Those are accented up above by a 1971 Shaker hood scoop. One side of the scoop is bordered by custom glossy black and red stripes that run the length of the car forward and backward. That Shaker feeds air into the 392-cubic-inch Hemi under the hood. So does a Mopar concept cold-air intake.
The big V8 channels its 485 horsepower through the Tremec T6060 six-speed from a Viper and concept 19″ x 9.5″ front/20″ x 9.5″ rear wheels. A custom Mopar dual exhaust system with black powder-coated Mopar tips lets out the 392’s sound.
According to FCA, “The custom front and rear suspension is lowered, dropping the Shakedown Challenger closer to the road — or to the track — creating a capable performer versatile enough to tackle the street or Pro Touring/Drift-type motorsports competition. Braking power is supplied by Brembo-red SRT® Hellcat six-piston front brakes and four-piston rear brakes.”
Inside, the Shakedown Challenger is equipped with the front seats and steering wheel from a Viper, a Hellcat shift knob, Mopar gauges, and glossy carbon fiber trim in various places. One thing it doesn’t have is rear seats. Those have been replaced by netting and a console shelf for helmets and other bits of go-fast gear. A custom roll bar and fuel cell are ready for track duties. We’re ready to start daydreaming about cruising around in this wicked one-off.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
