Video: Challenger Concept Designers Castiglione and Barrington Pt. 1
Nov 2, 2007 at 4:33PMCARLSBAD, Calif. – When the Dodge Challenger concept debuted in Detroit two years ago, it created a storm of press and excitement around the legendary nameplate. Given the overwhelming support for the show debut, it wasn’t long before Dodge got to work on bringing the car to life.
In a somewhat rare move, the designers of the concept were kept in the loop as the vehicle went to production. Fans of the vehicle wanted the version they saw in the showroom to be as close to the concept as possible. We sat down with the concept’s designers, Micheal Castiglione and Alan Barrington, for a chat about where they came up with the concept’s design and how it captures the spirit of the Challenger that will be debuting in Chicago in February 2008.
This is the first part of that interview, where we start at the beginning of the concept’s birth. Interestingly enough, as you’ll hear, Castiglione’s initial design didn’t even make it out of the first round of deliberations among the designers. Fortunately, you just can’t keep a great car down…
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18 Comments
Would be great to see this in person at the 2008 LX & Beyond Nationals in Columbus, OH on June 14-15. Maybe even see in run down the 1/4 mile drag strip?
http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56094
nice very good.
I would like to see Mr. Castiglione’s first drawing. I lean more toward the more sleeker lines of the original challenger and would have liked to see a more retro version. Why do we always feel need to modernize…
” BRUTLAL ” THE BEST THING ON THIS ERA I HOPE YUO DO THE SAME WITH THE PLYMUOTH DUSTER 340 1970 I KNOW YUO WOULD SOLD A LOT OF THEM
” BRUTAL ” THE BEST IDEA IN THIS ERA I HOPE DO THE SAME WITH THE PLYMOUTH ” DUSTER 340 ” 1970 I KNOW YUO WOULD SOLD A LOT OF THEM BELIVEME
“BRUTAL” THE BEST IDEA IN THIS ERA DO THE SAME WITH THE DUSTER 340 1970 AND I HOPE THE SALES PRICE WUOLD NOT TO SPENCE I KNOW YOU WILL SOLD A LOT OF THEM CONGRATULATION FROM PUERTO RICO
Way Cool! I cant wait until this comes out! I owned a 73 Challenger once and loved it! I would really like a sublime though! I heard that they are not coming out with high performance colors until 2009! I’ll wait!
The new challenger will be the new REAL muscle car of the century. In my opinion you guys should have done the Charger the same.Who’s idea was a four door charger.I hope NASCAR Dodge teams goes with the new Challenger.
I love my Daytona Charger and was looking to purchase the SRT8 Charger Untill I herd about the Challenger. I will purchase as soon as the Challenger is available. I Can’t wait! More info Please! Also the concept car shown is perfect. I hope that is what is going to production. Please make mine red or black with the 6.1 Liter Hemmi. A five speed stick shift would be nice to. Thank you very very much! Best Regards! Carl
Justin…although the Magnum has been cut from the line up, the third shift at the Brampton plant where these cars are built has been cut too. Also, there’s been no word of whether the 300 Touring wagon (Magnum with 300 front clip, sold in foreign markets) has been cut or not.
Gentlemen I am 52 years old and have been waiting for this car since the late 70’s early 80’s. I have owned imports since then just waiting for a real American made muscle car to be made. Well, you’ve done just that and made this old soldier a happy man. I will finally have an American Muscle Car after waiting for over 30 years.
All I can say is thanks!
Michael and Alan, if you guys ever read these comments, I just want to let you know that you guys ROCK! Your designs for the Challenger are awesome, and if the beancounters don’t water them down too much, the production vehicle will be the coolest muscle car on the road in decades. Thank you for your vision and your hard work in creating a truly beautiful car.
Excellent idea to interview the people who are making the new Challenger a reality. Future videos should be longer with more detail.
its good
Castiglione said they went back to the retro design in part “because of some input we got from Charger.”
I assume he ‘input’ he means was the universe of Mopar enthusiasts howling about a car that looks like a cross between a Galant and a brick, no?
I can’t wait to see the next-gen Charger. I’m confident that you guys will do it right this time.
Thanks for this excellent video.
Make sure you guys don’t forget about us Down Under. We’ve been waiting a very long time for another Mopar coupe. 30 years to be exact.
Wasn’t sure where to put it so I’ll just write it here. For whenever you guys do another Q&A. . .
With the news of the Magnum being cut will this leave room for more Challengers to be built? Seems like some empty space will be left and I doubt production of Chargers and 300cs needs to be increased.
Great clip! I can’t wait for part 2 (and any new information you’re allowed to give us).