Challenger #1 Auction Just Around the Corner

So mid-January is here, with the North American International Auto Show about to kick off Press Days on Sunday (look here for coverage of the event next week)…but it also means the rights to Challenger #1 are almost up for grabs at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 19. All proceeds will be going to charity.

Here’s a link to the Challenger page for full information. But here’s a snippet of the auction information:

“In addition to receiving the rights to the first production Challenger, the winning bidder also receives: Two VIP passes to the May 2008 Dodge Challenger 500 NASCAR race at Darlington Raceway complete with airfare and lodging, a meet and greet with Kyle Petty at the Dodge Challenger 500 in Darlington, May, 2008 and a Dodge Motorsports prize pack with vehicle delivery. The vehicle will be delivered to the Dodge Dealer of choice in the United States no later than May 31, 2008. All Proceeds from Dodge Challenger No. 1 will benefit notMYkid - an organization dedicated to facilitating improved understanding about youth behavioral health issues including suicide, drug abuse, eating disorders and depression. notMYkid was founded in 2000, and is designed to educate parents about youth and adolescent substance abuse, eating disorders, suicide, ADHD, depression, and more.”

Click through the jump for the full press release…

First Production 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8® Up for Bid!

After a 34 Year Absence, All-new Dodge Muscle Car Set to Roll Across the Auction Block at 37th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction

* Limited-edition 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8® features a 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8 engine, HEMI Orange paint, carbon-fiber-like hood stripes, a chrome fuel filler cap and a numbered dash plaque
* More than 4,300 orders placed the first day the all-new Dodge Challenger SRT8 went on sale
* Proceeds from the auction of No. 1 production Dodge Challenger SRT8 to benefit notMYkid

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jan 10, 2008 -

Dodge and notMYkid have partnered to auction the first production 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8® at the 37th annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction to be held Jan. 12-20, in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“The Dodge Challenger has always been an iconic vehicle and consumers are showing overwhelming enthusiasm for the modern version— the all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8,” said Mike Accavitti, Director — Dodge Brand and SRT Global Marketing, Chrysler LLC. “Dodge dealers took more than 4,300 orders the first day it went on sale. Clearly consumers are clamoring for the kind of modern amenities and iconic muscle car heritage the Challenger SRT8 offers.”

The all-new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 features the proven 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, a race-inspired interior and an exterior design stays true to Challenger heritage while delivering a host of modern features and technologies and “race inspired, street legal” SRT DNA.

Developed by Chrysler’s in-house performance engineering organization, the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 was engineered with a focus on the five pillars of every SRT vehicle: bold exterior design that resonates with the brand image, a race-inspired interior, world-class ride and handling across a dynamic range, a standout powertrain and benchmark braking.

Bidders will have the chance to own the car before it is shown to the public. The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 will make its worldwide debut on Feb. 6 at the Chicago Auto Show.

Interested bidders are required to register with Barrett-Jackson prior to bidding. Registration information can be found at www.barrett-jackson.com.

Proceeds from the first production Dodge Challenger will benefit notMYkid - an organization dedicated to facilitating improved understanding about youth behavioral health issues including suicide, drug abuse eating disorders and depression.

About the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events™” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com.

About notMYkid
notMYkid was founded in 2000 and is dedicated to helping kids deal with adolescent behavioral health issues and educating parents, teachers and communities about these issues. Information is available on the website www.notMYkid.org to educate parents about the warning signs and symptoms and to empower them to implement effective prevention and intervention strategies. In 2007, notMYkid reached over 100,000 students in Arizona. Nationwide notMYkid reached hundreds of thousands of parents, educators, students and community leaders. The organization offers programs for parent education as well as peer-to-peer youth educational forums.

About Dodge
With a U.S. market share of 6.4 percent, Dodge is Chrysler LLC’s best-selling brand and the fifth largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. In 2007, Dodge sold more than 1.3 million vehicles in the global market. In the highly competitive truck market, Dodge has a 15 percent market share. Recently Dodge introduced the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan with 35 new or improved features including the newest innovation, the Swivel ‘n Go™ seating system. Dodge is entering key European volume segments with Nitro, Caliber and Avenger. The all-new 2009 Dodge Journey will debut in 2008 calendar year, and will be available outside North America in both left- and right-hand drive in mid-2008. Also in 2008, Dodge will introduce its modern muscle car, the all-new Dodge Challenger.