On December 22, we marked the one-year anniversary of the last Dodge Challenger rolling off the Brampton Assembly line, a moment that calls for reflection on some of the most unforgettable versions of the modern-day Challenger. From 2008 to 2023, the Dodge Challenger stood as a symbol of power, performance, and muscle car legacy. One of the standout versions that played a significant role in the Challenger’s history was the 2006 Dodge Challenger Super Stock Concept.
The Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock may be well-known as the halo car in the modern Challenger lineup, especially between the 2018 SRT Demon and the 2023 SRT Demon 170. With its incredible performance stats, including a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.25 seconds and a 1/4-mile elapsed time of 10.5 seconds at 131 mph, the SRT Super Stock was the most powerful and fastest muscle car in its era. However, it wasn’t the first Challenger to carry the “Super Stock” nameplate.
Enter the 2006 Dodge Challenger Super Stock Concept, which debuted at the 2006 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. This iconic concept was introduced alongside the Challenger R/T Concept to showcase a new 392 HEMI crate motor, a key addition to Mopar’s performance portfolio. The Super Stock Concept was not just a muscle car but a nod to Dodge’s rich drag racing history, harkening back to the 426 HEMI Challenger that dominated the National Hot Rod Association’s (NHRA) Pro Stock class in the 1970s.
The 2006 Challenger Super Stock Concept was built with performance in mind. To create the Super Stock, Dodge took a cut-down Dodge Magnum SRT8 chassis and combined it with handcrafted carbon-fiber body panels. These design elements were based on the dimensions of the earlier 2006 Challenger R/T Concept that had been shown at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The result was a more race-oriented version of the iconic muscle car, one designed for drag racing enthusiasts.
Under the hood, the Challenger Super Stock Concept was powered by a fuel-injected 392 HEMI V8 Mopar crate engine, producing 525 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque. This powerhouse was paired with an A999 TorqueFlite transmission, featuring a manual valve body and Turbo Action 3800 stall-speed converter, delivering the perfect setup for drag racing. A solid Dana 60 rear axle replaced the independent rear suspension found on the Challenger R/T Concept, ensuring better durability and performance under extreme acceleration.
To help put that power to the ground, the Super Stock Concept was equipped with massive 10-inch Goodyear Eagle drag slicks. A Line Lock feature, which would later appear on the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, was also added to the Super Stock Concept, allowing the car to perform perfectly on the drag strip.
The performance of the Super Stock Concept was nothing short of impressive. During a test run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in April 2007, the car posted a quarter-mile time of 11.53 seconds at 114 mph, as reported by Edmunds InsideLine. To put this into perspective, a long-term 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 1320 ran a pass at Mission Raceway Park with a time of 11.92 seconds at 113.96 mph, demonstrating just how close these two drag-focused models were in performance.
When it first debuted at the 2006 SEMA show, the Challenger Super Stock Concept sported a patriotic paint scheme, but it was soon repainted in a sleek Matte Black finish. The design also featured a unique crosshair grille and horizontal taillights with neon lighting, a departure from the LED lights seen on later production models. This set the Super Stock Concept apart from the Challenger R/T Concept, adding to its distinct identity.
The 2006 Dodge Challenger Super Stock Concept also previewed the Mopar Dodge Challenger Drag Pak factory race cars that would later hit the market. These factory-built race cars have become a staple for Dodge and Mopar enthusiasts, with limited numbers being produced every few years to meet the demand for high-performance, drag-ready muscle cars.
Looking back, the Super Stock Concept was not just a precursor to the modern Challenger SRT Super Stock; it was a pivotal moment in Dodge’s pursuit of dominating the drag racing world with muscle cars. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Challenger or new to the scene, the 2006 Challenger Super Stock Concept remains an important part of the muscle car legacy.
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