Production Challenger - on the road

[51state]

On the Super Snakes, they are now confirmed and we should have all 3 built by mid April. Shelby have closed their own list with over 400 names on it- all having given $10k deposits! However we have an exclusive arrangement whereby we can build up to 10 cars by July. They are not cheap but will be an amazing alternative to the KR which will be impossible to get hold of.

This from the Carroll Shelby website:

The GT500 Super Snake package, which will be installed at the Shelby factory includes:


Ford Racing Supercharger upgrade kit producing over 600 horsepower and 590 ft.-lbs. of torque; an optional 725 horsepower system is available

6-speed manual transmission with a Ford Racing short-throw shifter and 3.73:1 rear axle ratio

Borla performance exhaust system for the 600 horsepower version; JBA manifold and back system for the 725 horsepower option

Engine dress up kit including billet aluminum fluid caps and dip stick handle

Ford Racing suspension tuning including dynamic adjustable dampers, lowering springs, tuned stabilizer bars, and front strut tower brace

Exclusive Shelby- Alcoa 20-inch forged wheels with Super Snake center caps

Shelby / Baer 6 piston forged front brakes calipers with cross drilled and vented rotors all around

Front and rear brake cooling ducts

Side scoops, carbon fiber front fascia splitter, mirror covers and rocker panels

Classic Shelby design hood with functional scoops

Super Snake exclusive striping

‘Shelby’ lettering across the front edge of hood and rear deck lid and 'Super Snake' badges

Center cluster with Carroll Shelby signature gauges for boost, fuel pressure and oil pressure

Shelby embroidered headrests, Super Snake door sill plates, aluminum map light accent, floor mats and other exclusive components

Official Shelby CSM dash plate

[LuS1fer]

I assume the Super Snakes take so long because they have to be driven through Halfords window.....

Lucky we all like different things.

[dealmaker]

Guys,

How will the UK "SVA" spec lights - specifically indicators, be integrated into the rear light panel??

Edited by dealmaker on Saturday 16th February 10:20

[51state]

If I told you, I 'd have shoot you!!! Truth is we won't know until the first one lands but there are a few ideas we are working on in preparation - one of which involves panicking and losing much sleep! It does look like a tough one to maintain the integrity of the rear end (ooherr)

[LuS1fer]

On the Mustangs, some people graft in an orange pane. Easier is fitting a green bulb as green behind red makes orange. It's just finding a good green bulb.

[BigWithey]

Loads of picks and a couple of vid's
Seriously tempted .... she'll kill me


http://www.dodge.com/en/2008/challenger/gallery/

[dealmaker]

I've imported 5 cars from the USA myself now - so say:

$60,000 for a car inc dealer premium (or even cheaper maybe?) =

Purchase Price £30000
Shipping & Ins £1500 (assuming you don't RoRo - which would be cheaper)
Import Duty 10% £3150

Sub Total £34650

+VAT @17.5 £40,700 (in both cases assuming you use the inflated - with premium - invoice price instead of the suggested retail - which would be MUCH cheaper)

SVA & Test Fee £1000 (the very most I've paid for a complictaed SVA job)

Misc Fees & Licence fees etc add say another £800 (being generous here)

So I can't see any reason you couldn't bring one back yourself for around £40-42k

[LuS1fer]

You may be seriously underestimating the lengths a US dealer will go to, to stiff you. GT500's used to be marked up at over $100k. Many dealers use this type of car to generate showroom traffic and don't have that much interest in selling them but on a new, rare and desirable car, $20k is about an average premium and even then, you may be on the end of a long list.

[dealmaker]

LuS1fer said:

You may be seriously underestimating the lengths a US dealer will go to, to stiff you. GT500's used to be marked up at over $100k. Many dealers use this type of car to generate showroom traffic and don't have that much interest in selling them but on a new, rare and desirable car, $20k is about an average premium and even then, you may be on the end of a long list.

Maybe - I got a Shelby for a $15k premium - and my calculations allow for a $20k premium - I've seen a couple change hands for slightly less than that.

[LuS1fer]

I think the GT500s are slowly coming down to list but it's been a long time coming and much of that is borne on the wings of the impending 2010 Mustang and confirmation spyshots that show the GT500 will be carried over into the new shape.

To some extent, the demand for GT500s has been perhaps less than it might have been had the car not been so heavy (and of course it's easy to spec up a GT) but the Challenger seems even more limited, doesn't have a lesser model to fall back on yet and doesn't seem to have anyone who really thinks the weight is a problem for the size of the car.

Lovely though it is, I think for the money I'd have a new CTS-V......er,well to put it another way, I wouldn't pay the premium.