That's a Wrap: Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Production Officially Ends
The final 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon rolled off the production line at Fiat Chrysler’s Brampton Assembly Plant on Wednesday. While the Ontario facility continues building the Chrysler 300, as well as Dodge’s Charger and Challenger, the drag-focused Demon’s time on Earth has passed.
Currently a black-on-black beast, the car will be repainted “Viper Red” before joining the last Dodge Viper ever made at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction. The duo will be part of a packaged lot, representing the final chance to own either vehicle with no miles on the odometer, with all proceeds from the sale benefitting the United Way.
Rated at 840 horsepower, assuming you’re using the right fuel, the Challenger SRT Demon was as odd as it was vicious. Dodge claimed it as the industry’s “first and only purpose-built, street-legal production drag car.” However, its potential 1/4-mile time of 9.65 seconds at 140 mph meant it required a competition license and roll cage — neither of which can be provided by the factory.
Dodge proudly boasted that the car was so fast that it was “ officially banned by NHRA.” That’s a half-truth and some exceptionally clever marketing. While you’d be asked to leave the track if you took an unmodified Demon and gave it the beans, simply letting off before you hit the finish line should keep most drivers from getting into trouble. In fact, you can make as many runs as you want, so long as you keep your final 1/4-mile above 9.99 seconds.
Limited to a single production year and just 3,300 units, the SRT Demon is the only four-wheeled production vehicle we know of that is capable of wheelies. We’re incredibly sad to see it go and we imagine the same goes for the dealers — some of which marked up the $84,995 car to over $175,000.
Running from June 20th to the 23rd, the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction will be held at the Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, Connecticut. If you’re an incredibly wealthy Mopar fanatic, details on the Viper/Demon sale can be found here.
[Images: FCA]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Haven't been to a drag strip in over a year, not seen one at a car show. In fact the only place is on TV during a Mecum auction.
FCA and the United Way: birds of a feather.