Mopar Launches the Dodge Challenger Drag Racing 'Package' Car Program at the 2007 SEMA Show
The package car from Mopar is equipped with competition-bred versions of the third-generation HEMI engine
Next year is the 40th anniversary of the famous 1968 HEMI Dart and HEMI Barracuda 'package' cars. These purpose-built vehicles allowed drag racers to be competitive at the track with a factory-built Dodge or Plymouth drag car. Mopar, Chrysler LLC's original equipment manufacturer, launched a new 'package' car program based on the 2009 Dodge Challenger at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show.
The annual showcase of technology, trends and products representing the $36.7 billion automotive parts and accessories industry, SEMA will be held Oct. 30 - Nov. 2, 2007, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The package cars will be equipped with competition-bred versions of the venerable third-generation HEMI engine. A limited number of these HEMI-powered Dodge Challenger Drag Racing packages will be available.
The '68 package cars present a significant part of Mopar's history. A watershed moment in drag racing history, they represented a major milestone in the evolution of the second-generation HEMI powerplant. Mopar's popular HEMI Challenge racing series that is operated in conjunction with the NHRA features these 1968 cars. Modern-day super stock competitors are still building new, 'clone' versions of the 1968-specification car that led to the creation of what we know as NHRA pro stock today.
The race-only, off-road-use-only parts packages will be sold at Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships.