When the 2009 Dodge Challenger first came out, it seemed that only those that grew up with the old Challenger gave it a second glance. That's how it seemed when I drove our long term test car the first couple of times, anyway. This theory was given extra credence by the chorus of "mehs" and "I don't get its" that issued from some of the younger staffers in the office.
But this weekend was markedly different. At Ruby's a little boy pulled his daddy by the arm to "go see" the car. Dad seemed proud, perhaps, that his son saw something interesting there and wanted him to tell him about it, so he did. It was parked between a new Mustang and a New Beetle, but neither of them earned the slightest glance from this pair.
A young dude outside another restaurant walked all around our black R/T and peered inside it during his smoking exile. A teen girl walking through the Home Depot parking lot with her mom broke ranks and did the same thing, except without the cigarette. She was actually giddy and I heard her mutter the word "cool" under her breath.
Then there was the guy who manages Ranch Enchilada, the local Mexican food joint I frequent. He took off his apron and headed outside for a closer look as we walked out to the car.
It's almost as if they'd never seen a Challenger. They certainly have, I'd wager, so I'll put forth another theory. People recognize goodness when they see it, and now that the Camaro has made it's much ballyhooed appearance, the Challenger stands alone as the best-looking most authentic modern interpretation of the original of any retro-themed car out there. It has staying power, it has presence. It looks cool. People of all ages get it.
Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing @ 19,383 miles
Photo by: Scott Jacobs
jeepsrt says:
10:35 AM, 02/ 1/10
Like other's have said, I don't think the appreciation was there for this car until the Camaro showed up and it's shortcomings, beyond the styling, were noticed.
jaden82 says:
10:42 AM, 02/ 1/10
I would be willing to bet a million dollars the dad would break down sobbing like a little child if the young boy made a beeline for the New Beetle parked right next to the Challenger.
stingray454 says:
10:59 AM, 02/ 1/10
Yep, what a muscle car should be. It definitely has presence, and a very cool name too.
uncanny_man says:
11:03 AM, 02/ 1/10
Just putting it out there: I have never seen an original challenger in person. I don't even recall hearing about the vehicle until this was coming out. With that said, the challenger is by far my favorite to look at. To me, the big difference is in all the detailing (which is incidentally what always stands out to me with classic cars in car shows). The chrome hoop around the grill, the long flat hood with vents standing out like a relief sculpture, the chrome fuel door, the full length tail lights, the sheer size of the thing, all is oddly lost in pictures. Perhaps that is why this thing still attracts lookers even this long after it came out...
bankerdanny says:
11:33 AM, 02/ 1/10
Dan, I like it better than the Camaro, but it only ties the Mustang in my book.
audisport says:
11:35 AM, 02/ 1/10
I was out running errands the other day and per usual, I stopped by a whole row of car dealerships just to see if they have any cool used cars. There was a 2008 Challenger SRT-8 for sale. It was metallic black and had its windows tinted. It looked so badass. I had never really paid attention to a Challenger before, but I can really see why people love them. I wouldn't mind owning one if I could afford the gas for my longish commute.
sabastian says:
11:39 AM, 02/ 1/10
To anyone who has these cars:
Would a V6/manual Camaro play the cruiser game as well as the Challenger?
sabastian says:
11:40 AM, 02/ 1/10
*has driven
bkochuk says:
11:44 AM, 02/ 1/10
it is a good-looking car. it'd be even cooler if you could have that dark menacing cloud overhead at all times...
wrinklebump says:
11:53 AM, 02/ 1/10
Great photo, Scott.
crowb says:
11:55 AM, 02/ 1/10
Damn fine picture, Mr. Jacobs. The Challenger looks sleek and forbidding.
questionlp says:
12:20 PM, 02/ 1/10
Although I have an eye out for an S5, I really like the more-true-to-the-original retro styling of the Challenger over the Camaro or the Mustang. It has a significant presence and largess that makes it stand out, at least on the outside.
I guess there has to be something said when you see it one dressed out like the original Dukes of Hazzard Charger.
lmbvette says:
12:58 PM, 02/ 1/10
Exterior of the Challenger is nice. However, after sitting in one, it just seemed like a really, really, really big car. Too big for my taste.
f1mom says:
01:12 PM, 02/ 1/10
It's big in the front, but small in the back. Both kids complain bitterly about having to ride back in "the cave."
However, Thing 2 said, "I could get used to this, as long as you drive it fast."
stephen987 says:
01:14 PM, 02/ 1/10
Maybe they're hoping for a glimpse of LL Cool J, now that he's driving a black Challenger on NCIS:LA.
ekimfeenux says:
01:44 PM, 02/ 1/10
I saw a brand new straight off the lot black Challenger the other day on I90 near Spokane, WA and I swear I have never wanted a car more in my life. What a glorious sound that V8 made. Excellent work Mr. Jacobs I now have a new background.
adamb1 says:
02:05 PM, 02/ 1/10
My 11-year-old son likes to assemble the occasional plastic or die cast model car. Usually, we just pick something up when we see it on sale. However, the only two models he has asked for by name are the Dodge Charger and Challenger.
uncanny_man says:
03:09 PM, 02/ 1/10
That photo does kick butt...
misterfusion says:
03:57 PM, 02/ 1/10
@F1mom: Makes me wonder what they said about the Camaro. Or have you not even bothered trying to put them back there...?
(Oh, and you win one Internet for referring to one of them as "Thing 2". But is it star-bellied?)
cr_driver says:
05:12 PM, 02/ 1/10
Darn, thats nice.....
r1chwa1nwr1ght says:
06:15 PM, 02/ 1/10
Going with the theme of this article... I'm in my early-mid twenties.... and I bought one (2010 RT)... and the only thing I don't like about it is that it is winter and I'm driving my winter car...
sabastian... I haven't driven a Camaro, so I guess my opinion is worthless, but from what I've read the Camaro feels more like a sports car than a cruiser. And I think that would make it worse for the long drives and obviously worse as a cruiser...
Although I did rent a v6 Challenger before I bought my RT and I would say the v6 gets cruising down, it just doesn't sound as good and it just makes the car so much better to have a proper manual.... although I did take the rental to a car show to display and it STILL GOT LOOKS! almost more than the 1970 Hemi Cuda Convertible on display next to me... Oh yea, and I had two kids (8 and 10 years old?) Tell me I had to buy one... and it had to be a manual!)
scottyscooter says:
04:47 AM, 02/ 3/10
That's a sweet picture