A 1/4-MILE AT A TIME: The 2009 Dodge Challenger 1320 Concept

Back in 2009, the Dodge Challenger 1320 Concept was a groundbreaking vehicle that completely changed the game for the modern-day Challenger. While you can now purchase a drag strip-oriented version of the Challenger with the same name from a Dodge dealer, the 1320 Concept was the first to bear this moniker. The Mopar Underground team aimed to create a street-legal design that would take the Challenger back to its roots during the early 1970s, but with modern technology.

Under the hood, the Challenger 1320 Concept was powered by Mopar’s 426 cubic-inch, all-aluminum, HEMI® V-8 crate engine that produced an impressive 556 horsepower. The engine was equipped with unique Mopar-designed valve covers and a dress-up kit, while Mopar’s long-tube headers and exhaust system allowed the engine to breathe. The exhaust could bypass the muffler system, which exited through custom side pipes for an added rumble at the dragstrip. The power was transferred to the ground through a 6-speed manual transmission and a custom Dynatrac rear housing with Mopar Dana 60 internals and a selectable, ARB locking differential.

The wheels were Dodge Charger Pursuit police wheels, widened in the rear, and strapped with Mickey Thompson street-legal drag radials to provide extra grip at launch. The four-corner, adjustable coil-over kit provided by Mopar as an option for the Dodge Challenger was also included, improving the handling of the vehicle under extreme loads from the powerful engine.

The exterior of the 1320 Concept was painted in an eye-catching nonmetallic yellow Acidic Hue paint and featured Matte Black graphics and 1320 decals on the front quarter panels. The vehicle also included several carbon-fiber components from Mopar’s design team and Seibon International, such as a custom bulged hood with a massive scoop, custom front spoiler, custom grille panel, and headlamp surround bezel.

The interior was minimalistic, featuring only the bare necessities to maintain the vehicle’s no-nonsense theme, including a pair of performance bucket seats from the Dodge Viper, a sport steering wheel from the Challenger SRT8, and a Hurst shifter with a custom ball knob.

While the 2009 Dodge Challenger 1320 Concept never made it to production, it paved the way for other vehicles like the supercharged 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, 2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock, and the naturally-aspirated 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 1320. These vehicles demonstrate that Dodge/Mopar’s passion for the drag strip never ended after the original Challenger was discontinued in 1974.

2009 Dodge Challenger 1320 Concept Image Gallery:

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