In 2005, rumors began to swirl that Chrysler Group was planning a revival of the iconic Dodge Challenger. The Challenger concept was slated to make its debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show and many believed the production version would follow closely behind. One of those believers was long-time Dodge enthusiast Jesse McLean. “I heard about Chrysler doing a coupe on a shortened LX platform and that it could possibly be a retro inspired Challenger. Soon after, spy photos were leaked…and I was hooked,” said McLean. “I even drove down to the Detroit auto show that year for no other reason than to see that car in person.” McLean was not disappointed – and neither was anyone else.
Thanks largely to the overwhelmingly positive reaction; the Dodge brand scheduled the new third-generation Challenger to begin production in the spring of 2008. Initial announcements claimed that only 5,000 Challengers would be built during the first production year, making them a hot commodity before they even rolled off the assembly line. Interest in the Dodge Challenger surged as fans clamored for more information, and McLean was only all too happy to accommodate. A long time fan of the brand, McLean’s first car was a ’72 Plymouth Duster that he babied for years. With love for Dodge deep in his veins, it was only natural that he’d share his wealth of information and enthusiasm with fellow fans. Using his Challenger page, McLean divulged all of the hard data he could get his hands on including spec sheets, performance numbers and historical data on the original Challenger. The wealth of information helped generate quite a buzz on Facebook, and soon McLean found himself with a bustling community. “The page was…updated weekly with photos that always ended up with plenty of comments between owners and lovers of the car in general,” recalls McLean. “It was a great place for everyone to meet up, look at the pictures and talk about the car and upcoming colors, etc.”
Today, the original enthusiasm that McLean helped foster continues to grow under a new roof with the launch of the official Dodge Challenger Facebook page. Here, Challenger fans from across the globe can gather in one place and swap photos, videos and stories of their favorite track queen. If you yourself want to get in on the action and join McLean and other diehard motorheads in the grease ‘n’ gears, it’s as easy as clicking “Like.”
McLean was also on hand this past weekend as a guest of the brand at World Challenge Toronto. He and thousands of other loyal Dodge enthusiasts raucously cheered on the Viper team, providing the perfect soundtrack to a strong run. Energy and spirits were high and it was an event that won’t soon be forgotten. If you weren’t able to experience it for yourself, check out the official Dodge Flickr feed and bask in all the tire-smoking glory.
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I have always been a hard core Dodge fan until three weeks ago when I bought my new 2010 Dodge truck. Leaving the dealership the cruise control lever feel off and when I got home and tried to open tail gate it would only open half way. It has already been to the shop four times in less then three weeks to have tialgate fixed and every time they have told me it was fixed and still did not work when tried to open it . Picked up truck today still did not work and had grease all over tailgate. When I wiped grease off tail gate had more then 32 deep scracthes on it. I went to saleman and ask if their was any way he could help me and he told me it was between me and the bank now. My son bought a new one two weeks before me and I have always been such a Dodge fan but have lost more sleep over the lies and poor service then I have ever in my life. The 2010 Dodge truck is a major disapointment. I have a 2001 with 233,000 miles with less scratches and is in better shape then this one.
August 6, 2010 @ 10:32 pm
Major heart breaking disapointment.
August 6, 2010 @ 10:34 pm
Reece, which dealership and where are they located so we know not to purchase vehicles from them. Click on the Contact Us at the bottom of the page and someone should help you. Don’t they have the 60 trial period so if you don’t like it you can return it? I saw that advertisement on TV today.
August 6, 2010 @ 11:36 pm
I am the proud owner of an Old School and New a School Mopar and the only complaint I have is that I’ve run out of garage space and the housing market sucks so I can not buy another house for more garage space.
See CRUSH and CHERRY below:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3089456
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3820243
August 17, 2010 @ 4:06 pm
I have been great Mopar fans for years but have been waiting for a new challenger to become available. I own an 09 R/T and want the bigger engine for this years 2011 car. My complaint is dodge needs to get off their ass and get new products out at the same time as Gov. motors and the henry group. Why are we always months later and many dollars higher? I have a new 2010 trk and the service sucks at the local dealership, they act like I am doing them a favor by coming in!!! I owned an original hemi superbee at 16 years old and have drag raced and truck pulled mopar with great success. I buy a new car or truck every 6 months and dont want to move to another brand but am almost that far along. DODGE get your head out of yor backsides and see the customers, do something and stop the lip service, act now not talk!
August 25, 2010 @ 8:59 pm
I have a 2010 Challenger R/T. The problem I have is that the passenger window goes down alittle when you open the door but does not go back up sometimes. The driver side window works like it should. I know the windows go down alittle when you open the door and go back up when you close the door is normal. I just would like to know why the passenger window dose not always work.
September 1, 2010 @ 4:18 pm