Dodge Offers the Ultimate Two-for-one Deal With Demon/Viper Auction

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Mopar fans are among the most steadfast automotive enthusiasts in history. Their ability to openly express their love for post-war luxury, classic muscle, and turbocharged compacts from the 1980s remains unrivaled. While an advocate for General Motors or Ford can certainly appreciate disparate models within their chosen nameplate, Mopar enthusiasts frequently push the envelope of sanity — at least, that’s the stigma.

If you’re unfamiliar with the stereotype, log into any car forum and write that you’re considering swapping an LS motor into a Plymouth, Dodge, or Chrysler. Congratulations, you just made a dozen new enemies. On the flip side of that coin, owning a vintage Mopar can win you a lot of respect within the community. While not equal in terms of prestige, owning a Dodge Aspen wagon will still net you loads of brownie points with anyone driving a Coronet Super Bee Six Pack or Omni GLH-S. Hell, at this stage in the game you might even get a thumbs up for buying a Plymouth Reliant.

Unfortunately, Chrysler’s immediate future doesn’t look nearly as bright as its often dicey past. That’s especially true for Dodge. The Viper is dead, the Challenger can’t go on forever, and annual sales are less than half of what they were 10 years ago. But its fiercely loyal enthusiast community remains, and they’ll have an opportunity to purchase the final examples of what may end up being the brand’s two most illustrious models.

Fiat Chrysler has announced an “Ultimate Last Chance” auction that will bundle together the last 2017 Dodge Viper and 2018 Challenger SRT Demon built by the company. While the final Viper has already rolled off the assembly line (FCA has already begun converting the factory into a personal museum), the SRT Demon should conclude assembly later this year — and Dodge insists the vehicle will not return for 2019.

Both cars will share the same red paint and possess exclusive badging, extensive documentation, the Demon Crate, and one-of-a-kind memorabilia to accompany the sale. However, this is less of a good deal and more of an investment for wealthy car collectors. If the first Hellcat is anything to go by, this lot should go for an astronomical price.

“We couldn’t be more excited to team up with Dodge for another significant sale,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Over the years, Barrett-Jackson has reached incredible milestones with Dodge, including the sale of a 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat (VIN 001) that raised $1.65 million at our 2014 Las Vegas Auction to benefit Opportunity Village Foundation. The sale of ‘The Ultimate Last Chance’ is a car collector’s dream and we are honored to partner with Dodge and support their philanthropic goals.”

With the first Hellcat raking in the kind of money someone might shell out for a personal jet, we don’t expect the Viper-Demon combo to be much of a bargain. Fortunately, the funds are going to a good place. Dodge said all proceeds will be handed over to the United Way — a decidedly unsketchy organization.

For those wondering, the Demon comes with the rear-seat delete option and a black interior with Alcantara seats. You also get a branded car cover, as odds are good you won’t be driving your investment all that much. The Viper doesn’t appear to come with any add-ons beyond extra documentation, some exterior carbon fiber accents, and the same black interior with Alcantara chairs.

The pair crosses the block at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast auction in Uncasville, Connecticut, on June 20th.

[Images: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

Consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulations. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Since adding automotive writing to his repertoire, he has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, discussed the status of the automotive sector on national broadcasts, participated in a few amateur rallying events, and driven more rental cars than anyone should ever have to. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and learned to drive by twelve. Alleged to be contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer and motorcycles.

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  • Mason Mason on Apr 12, 2018

    "Fortunately, the funds are going to a good place. Dodge said all proceeds will be handed over to the United Way — a decidedly unsketchy organization." Ehh,I wouldn't call a company supposedly devoted to the needy that pays their CEO over 1.25 million annually "unsketchy". We donate to a lot of local causes, but the United Way is NOT one of them.

    • See 4 previous
    • Brn Brn on Apr 13, 2018

      mason, I agree. My money goes to the Salvation Army. Sure they're a religious organization (I'm not), but they don't make that their mission. Their mission is about helping people. I've done my share of volunteer work and I'm always pleased by the folk from the Salvation Army. My blood goes to Memorial Blood Centers. They appear to be straight shooters. Red Cross is off my list. I hope I'm right about the other two.

  • Rasputin Rasputin on Apr 12, 2018

    Charities are like government: The closer they are to the people, the better and more efficient they are.

    • See 2 previous
    • PrincipalDan PrincipalDan on Apr 12, 2018

      @FreedMike Perhaps he has read "Parliament of Whores" - still one of my favorite PJ O'Rurke books.

  • MaintenanceCosts We need a $15k EV, probably a tall hatch, that satisfies US safety standards with reasonable comfort and durability and a warranty. That would actually be affordable to the median wage earner.
  • Calrson Fan I'll take a simple over cheap. Although that should equate to cheap or at least cheaper. I'm so over all the useless & intrusive tech. common in today's cars & trucks. Which is why I drive older stuff. We need more vehicles geared towards simplicity and longevity, like the Slate. if that ever makes it to market. As I once heard on American Hot Rod, less is more. Isn't that the truth!
  • 28-Cars-Later Maybe it will eventually change but as of right now even if you spend the money to build these stations everywhere, if the electricity sold is 100%+ of what its sold for in residential rates it will never take off. To a degree a convenience charge amount (of not 100%) could fly but smart owners will understand the trade off and limit their use of it. Those without home charging capabilities simply won't continue to pay through the nose on electricity - a utility of which has skyrocketed even wholesale and I suspect will continue to do so.
  • KOKing Need and want are definitely different, especially today. Not only are relative expectations different from 40-50yrs ago, but used cars' value/features/quality probably make them more attractive options than a couple generations ago. I suspect for the same $21k as a Hyundai Venue, a lot of people would choose a ~5yr old Ford Explorer instead. Today's gas prices might make some think twice, but a lot of the same people probably won't think as far as repair costs.I think something interesting to look at in other global markets where historically cheap, small cars continue to be available, where cheap Chinese cars are becoming available, whether the latter end up quickly displacing the former in the low-cost segment long-term (I suspect yes).
  • Lorenzo What the American market needs is a 1997 Honda Civic EX in coupe or sedan form, fully loaded like in 1997 at 1997 prices ($19K) or a slightly bigger 1997 Nissan Altima GXE sedan with the larger 2.4L engine and reliable Jatco automatic for about the same price. I have owned both, and wish I had either one back so I could get rid of the keyless Cr**p, the drive-by-wire, and the touch screen, and operate the car myself with buttons and knobs..
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