Challenger A-Comin'?

We've written about the upcoming Pony Car wars. We think we're over it before it even started. And now we're greeted with the very interesting news that Dodge just may have its act together enough to announce the Challenger today and, get this, maybe have it ready for a 2007/2008. Jalopnik reports: Da-GUM! Chrysler To Announce Challenger At Pepsi 400; Could Be A 2007/2008 Model! We'd be shocked (not in the good, sexy way*) if the Challenger was a 2007 model. If it was, however, it changes the whole dynamic of the Pony Car Wars. Why? Because we think most people will still be interested in them in 2007, but if the car(s) wait until 2009... yawn. The Detroit News reports: Muscle car is reborn.

"It's a pure retro car," said Csaba Csere, editor in chief of Car and Driver magazine**. "It's a dead ringer for the original 1970 Challenger."

Chrysler plans to build the Dodge Challenger off the same basic chassis as its rear-drive Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. Both of those vehicles are built in Brampton, Ontario.

What's also interesting to us is that Ford is now challenged (ha!) to make the Mustang even more retro. What can they do? Maybe an AM radio?*** So if the Dodge Challenger is indeed announced to go into production**** it's going to put a lot of pressure on GM to announce the Chevy Camaro is good to go.

General Motors Corp. is widely expected to resurrect the Chevrolet Camaro -- which went out of production in 2002 -- in the next few years.

A striking concept version of the Camaro arguably drew even more attention and praise than the Challenger at the Detroit auto show this year.

Anyway, the timing of these very un-fuel efficient dealies is pretty danged interesting to us. Why? The Detroit News reports: $3 gas arrives in time for 4th. It's not like gas is going to get cheaper.

*Jesus! This is what she wears to pump gas? What does she wear to cook? Please make us a chicken pot pie, please make us a chicken pot pie, please make us a chicken pot pie.
**What's a magazine?
***What's a radio?
****Katsuaki Watanabe: They're reviving muscle cars when the planet is getting hotter, gasoline is over $3/gallon, and we're all trying to make cars look contemporary?
Takeo Fukui: Jesus, did you see Mena?
Mater: Da gum!

Comments

[convertible69]

...those were the good old days!

Man.. $3.00 gas sounds GREAT! I just filled the tank with super in San Francisco, and it was $3.69 a gal.

[K]

muscle cars mean nothing to me. but it is smart to get the Challenger out the door in 2007 if they want to build it at all.

again GM with the Camaro will be too slow although it will probably be the better car.

"you can work like hell and be Johnny-on-the-spot. but you won't make money selling cars you haven't got."

[Hallie]

Check out why America loves Chevrolet!!
I think everyone will want to see this...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8727378189067600505

[Joel A]

You post any more stars and I'll go blind :)