RIP Dodge Challenger V8: Goodbye To America’s Maddest Muscle Car
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- čas přidán 18. 05. 2024
- On 22nd December 2023, the last Dodge Challenger of this generation rolled off the (Canadian) production line. In its 15-year life Dodge sold 857,000 of them, steadily ramping up the power, the menace, the outrageousness - creating a 21st Century muscle car legend.
The final limited run of 300 cars pays tribute to a Challenger from a previous life: the street racing ‘Black Ghost’ of 1970s Michigan. Top Gear Magazine’s Ollie Kew has been to California to drive it, and to Detroit to hear the Black Ghost’s story. It’s one last hurrah for the V8 Dodge, before an awkward question: how do you go about replacing a car so characterful with something electric?
For more on the Black Ghost - and to read about it facing off against the Ford Mustang Dark Horse - pick up the April 2024 issue of Top Gear magazine.
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:05 History
05:04 The 'Black Ghost'
09:13 Chat with Greg Qualls
13:34 Modern Black Ghost
16:55 Conclusion
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Name your favourite Dodge
Al Bundy's Dodge.
2018 Dodge Demon
69 superbee
67 Barracuda convertible
Avenger
I'm a crazy person with three challengers a 1970 RT 440, a 2015 RT 5.7L, and a 2016 Hellcat with a manual transmission. It has always been my dream car. Nothing quite looks as aggressive, beautiful, and timeless. RIP you will be missed.
Not crazy at all! You're a cool guy!!
Never sell them
any tips on what to stay away from if I would be looking for a used one?
no srt and hellcat cause i am not rich :D
Lol. The new chargers with hurricane engines will have the same mounting locations at the hemi. Just saying
@@a.l.e.x8118 make sure it was garage kept with service records. Find an older guy for an owner. No young people.
The end of an era. 17 years later, and it still looks absolutely stunning.
Ya, 17 years later it still looks old...
It’s a European muscle car now
Yep you got it brother
no it doesn’t 😂 nothing special
@@miseryparty3726 ok, go back to driving your Hyundai Elantra.
As a Mopar fan, Stellantis will regret it...
Them frenchies don't care what Americans want or like.
I pray one day all these V8 would be restored when they have enough of the new world order BS
Yeah, its stellantis main profit, Peugeot with 1.2 wants a really only non known people...
@@GorgeousGeorge97 That's why they are still making the R8.
@@LigerSupremacy no, they killed it unfortunately.
The Dodge Challenger wasn't just a car; it was a dream, a symbol of freedom, and an embodiment of pure, raw power for so many. It's clear that whether you owned one, dreamed of owning one, or just admired them from afar, the Challenger held a special place in our hearts.
Ya Dodge, always playing catch up on a game that didn't exist.
@@georgekappland2935 Sales were decent, now with the downsized engines from Stellantis how are sales?
Not so good with early indications
stfu 😂 it’s just a dodge. NOTHING special
Always dreamed of owning one. Not the high end one. Just the 6.4 L V8 Hemi, one trim level below the Hellcat (yes Im aware you cant modify that V8, I would have just drove it as is, and enjoyed the Challenger bone stock. Would have been my daily driver)
this car will be truly missed
They are killing it 10 years ahead of time because nobody is buying it. So maybe it will be missed. But its not like anyone was about to buy one.
@@captain_context9991it outsold the Mustang and Camaro yet no one is buying it?
@@matrinezkevin11492
Well... Its complicated. Sure, they are selling units. But its what we call in marketing, a loss leader. A halo product. A car that isnt making money. Its sold at break-even or a loss. To act as an attention seeker to the brand. But cars dont have that effect anymore. These musclecars were just completely normal cars, but tuned up a bit, and placed in showrooms. And as random punters brought their kids in to look at the cool musclecar, they were sold other, normal cars. So they made their money back in the attention it brought to the company. Stuff like that doesnt really work anymore. Having a loss-leader isnt a thing anymore.
Not really
All 800,000+ of them. 😂
This is the only modern muscle car that actually captured what a muscle car is and what its supposed to look like.
Truthfully, the mustang and camero never were muscle cars in the same way as the challanger. I always thing of muscle cars as a size larger than those two.
@@mitchellsteindleryour right as ford and Chevy classify them both as sports cars. It’s in writing on their websites but fanboys will still argue they are 🤦♂️
@nicholaspoole8688 some of us don't...because there's ZERO Dodges setting world records while winning every event they're entered in while running a prepped oe engine running 6.2s @ 228mph. Or standing mile world record of 300.4 mph. Or running 5.88 @ 256mph with an almost entirely oe engine.
Ford is king of oe performance
@@chadkent1241 yet you feel the need to go on every post defend ford. how do feel about them calling their own products gay? How do defend a brand that does that?😂 do you own a mustang?
@@mitchellsteindler Mustang and Camaro are pony cars, which are a type of muscle car to be honest
I can’t believe top gear went to highway 9 and Alice’s, literally my home roads. I was grinning the entire time watching this
Bro same here
same it's wild to see top gear on the 9burgring
SAME. i am down in the bay area near redwood city. but we go up to sc every 2 weeks and always eat there. for me when i watched it i was like fuckkkk bro i wish i was there to see them now i missed it.
@@moparteen637 bro fr fr
4 corners!!
"Was I a good car?"
"No.
I'm told you were one of the best."
Amen to that!
Vullshit
😮
123456pikupsti+s
Weresthebitches
Bullshit
this car has an engine and it goes vroom. new cars don't go vroom. they go whirrrr. i like when they go vroom
Me likey this too
@@metalmike350z me like. me give thumb. pls take thumb
gay
@@LFshlevin as long as the gay car goes vroom, then it's ok, and i don't have a problem with it. But if that fucking car makes so much as one SINGLE FUCKING WHIRRRRR, SO HELP ME GOD, I WILL END MY FUCKING LIFE!! And i will go out dropping hard F's the entire time.
Yes, you probably talk about EV drivers. @@LFshlevin 🤣👌
The dodge brothers are turning in their graves
I wonder why Stellantis bought the Chrysler brands if they just wanted to kill them?
Yes 😢😢😢😢
"Socially conscious" and "environmentally aware" are words for people who live to worry, not live to live
Yeah live to live... They are killing this thing because literally NOBODY is buying it.
@@captain_context9991you've made the same comment a dozen times. I think you hate that it was selling
@@THESLlCK Sales of the Challenger peaked in 2015 with 66 thousand sold that year - and sales never dipped under 50 since then until 2023, when it sold 45 thousand models. Hardly "no one" buying them, especially when you consider that in 2011, only 3 years after production began, sales were 39k. They were making money and they were making good money.
@@cathat9622 you're replying to the wrong person. I'm aware they outsould the mustang and camaro on several occasions
@@THESLlCK
I hate that it was selling? Wow you people are so weird... Dude. Its corporate America. Nothing that is selling gets shut down. Give me a break. Go wave your flag at someone else.
What a car and what a video. The world's going a very sad way
Each according to his needs, each according to his gifts. The overlords decided we don't need it.
Yeah, world Is renewing old technology (EV)
To hear that, that 1 black ghost will be seen again by the public after getting a full restoration, that's a Mopar fans true wish for it to live on in Mopar fans everywhere!
such a shame dodge decided to end a era rip dodge such a incredible iconic car 2008-2024
They never made a single good car for 20 years. And they are ending this now because nobody is buying it.
@@captain_context9991 They outsold the camaro and mustang twice last year despite costing significantly more. They were always better, premium cars. They aren't making them because the government threatened to fine them 200k per car sold that didn't comply with new emissions standards
@@captain_context9991you talking nonsense. The sales figures prove you very wrong
@@THESLlCK
Then why are they killing them. Its corporate America. They never kill anything that sells.
@@captain_context9991 cuz of liberals in Gov worried about climate change, thats why. Gov has too much power right now and are telling us what we can and cant drive.
Dominic Toretto and Dodge Charger R/T both are legends.
Right
Charger R/T=Yes
Dominic Torreto=Hilarious 😅
Glad i got mine just in time
@@captain_context9991no…..
sounds like someone missed the boat..................
@@captain_context9991
@captain_context9991 Sounds like a thing you'd say when you're a hater. He didn't say he bought a Lambo. Don't be such a youtube toughguy.
@@captain_context9991you must be confused with Camaro they are killing them because nobody would buy them or steal them. Check the sales buddy they sell pretty well.
@@nicholaspoole8688
Then why are they killing it. Its corporate America. They never kill anything that sells.
Rip hemi V8s
They're gas suckers anyway.
As someone who grew up in the Detroit area in the 70s and 80s, this one really hits home. I totally get why Qualls would let his dad's car go so it can be restored. Also, a few years ago I got to spend a day out at Radford Racing (formerly the Bondurant School) hooning Hellcats around a track. Yeah, the interior is a sea of cheap plastic, but that car has no business going around an autocross course like that. And the supercharger whine is awesome.
Too bad it being a legendary street racer was a total fabrication. That is a 14 second car.
This will the the end of an era. With the Challenger going to be pulled off along with the famous TopGear / Grand Tour trio retiring, I'm sadly regretting growing up, but gladly remembering that I did it along these kind of cars and people. Nothing lasts forever. It's been a true honour being part of this game. May these heroes rest. It may not be so easy reaching the top, but I'm sure it isn't easy maintaining that position for such a long time.
That roaring muscle has been in my memories.....
Rip Dodge Challenger
R.I.P dodge challengers you will be missed by many people
Challenger/charger:Was I a good car father?
DB: son’s you were the very best!
this video made me cry .. honestly... RIP Big Boy 💔😮💨😢
For any keen eyed viewers, that ledge where they began shooting at the start of the video, is the same starting point the lads used back in 2008. When Richard sporting the same platform Challenger SRT8, James in a CTSV, and Jeremy in the ZR1, started their second attempt at a U.S road trip. Killer video though, great way to sum up the LX Challenger, docile and timid, and manic for the rest of the time.
I don’t think so… the trio hasn’t been to the west coast. Only the east coast and southwest
@@crashyyy4116 they started in California for that special.
czcams.com/video/rZseBpPufLI/video.htmlsi=SR3LLs0SVgtMsB7Y
If you're talking about the ledge they start at in the above video, it's not the same ledge. The original trio started IN San Francisco. The one in the new video is at a parking lot way south of SF. It's a spot locally known as the "Skidpad", just southwest of the intersection between Highway 9 and Highway 35 (Skyline Blvd).
My favorite episode of TG
Its a different ledge, the original one was in Twin Peaks SF. However, completed forgot about that video. Had to rewatch it again...can't believe its been 15 years
When the Black Ghost came to Washington DC, I got to see it and at night it gave off its street racing energy could be felt. Love it! 🏁🇺🇸
The man who owned the Black Ghost sounds like the US version of Bunta from Initial D
Mysterious but can absolutely pedel a car insanely well.
Black hoax
God, if there was ever a great story to turn into a motion picture... This is one... We need another awesome car movie out there.
Chose the best road in all of Cali to do this drive. Hope you enjoyed the 9!
So happy with mine, built it across 5 years and keeping it forever !
Yes! Never sell it!
wont last long, laws will probably make you sell it or swap it for full electric
The Charger and Challenger Hellcats has always been my dream car, and it's a shame that they're gone now. RIP Hellcats, you'll be missed.☠☠☠
I had the 71 barracuda now I got a 2019 redeye at 1200 hp. These cars are truly an enjoyment for any car guy.😊
As they say good things don't last for long
This one does though. 15 years is quite a long lifespan for modern cars.
all things fade or they wouldnt be special
Gorgeous video in every way. Probably the best I've seen on the top gear youtube channel. Such a great story, and awesome for dodge to build a tribute to it.
As a kid growing up during the 60s/70s on Long Island NY and thinking back to all the Saturday Night Street Races back then...RIP Dodge Challenger!
Imagine that engine paired with a e-motors ...
Dodge and Stellantis should atleast should've considered the V8 hybrid solution once, for a limited run
Giving me goosebumps. Beautiful story
What you talking about I am not crying you crying 😭 the most greatest American muscle ever😢
The retro started in 2008 and it’s still turn heads that should tell you how great this car is
Love the Black Ghost history. I heard of that car before anyone cared about old Mopars.
Dodge Challanger V8 successor...downsizing
LaFerrari successor...downsizing
Bugatti Chiron successor...downsizing was never an option!!
Mate Rimac "sorry we didn't get the memo" 😁 ...V16 + Hybrid is coming...💥💥
most likely not an 8 liter this time though. Probably like 6 or 7 but yeah i applaud bugatti for keeping a 16 cylinder haha
@@fuze3522Its actually even bigger. I have no idea where theyre fitting that thing.
Hwy 9 is my weekend drive. Very fortunate am I to live by such a sweet set of curves and mountain climbs. I own a Hemi powered M6 Scat Pack Challenger and I can testify that there’s no way an E Charger will ever compare to the visceral feeling I get shifting through the gears and feeling the rumble as I drive. Salute to the modern Hemi muscle cars and hats off to the SRT engineers and designers even as we watch the era die 🫡
The Black Ghost has been shown to be just a story about a real car but the story is a fairy tale.
im from Greece, and getting a challenger has been a dream of mine for the most part of my adult life. im 29 and although ive managed to amass a decent amount of money - the dream is more and more impossible. shiping costs were always bad, taxes too.. and now the rarity factor will kick in too
aderfe kala ta les !! exoume europaikes saboures pleon !! ta amaxia ta katestrepse I stelantis !! makari na pareis americaniko ! sou to euxome pragmatika !
I am so happy that his Dad's car is in good hands. It's hard to let go of a family heirloom especially something as valuable as the Black Ghost. But, like he said, it was too expensive to keep so he sold to someone who will share it with the world.
Yes, R.I.P. Dodge Challenger. You were the best.
His dad would be very disappointed that they sold the car 😢
I had always been a Mustang guy. I’ve been fortunate enough to own five of them, even two anniversary editions. But I had to make a switch to the Challenger to pay my respects to the end of an era. Bought a 392 Scat Pack (2023 model) a few weeks ago. It was bitter sweet popping the hood and seeing the “Last Call” badge. I have no regrets. She’s a beautiful beast.
Man awesome to see you guys out there at the skidpad! Glad you got to enjoy highway 9 and skylike like that.
I will miss this legendary machine ❤️🔥
Huh, thought everyone saw through this unfalsifiable haggerty black ghost mockumentary ordeal. Eitherway, got a TA392 myself, biggest thing ignored is how comfortable they are, esp if you spot one with the adjusting suspension, absolutely fine touring car if your not racing it. People really loved em, even the V6 GTs were neato with the AWD. There was certainly a chally for everyone.
Right? I quit watching as soon as I saw them bring that up.
Had a ‘10 RT with a manual, car was a POS. The clutch and input shaft, along with the synchros, were botched in typical Chrysler fashion. I dumped the car recently before it turned into a 5,000 pound $5,000 to fix useless anchor.
@@tycotrucking101 yeah I heard the earlier gens had gremlins, supposively the 2018s and up is when they finally got things stable, knock on wood.
Thanks for sharing this story!
Rest well brother here’s to hoping you return
Ollie my man, you have knocked it out of the park with this one, take a bow!
Indeed!
I feel so bad for these cars- to be such great and amazing cars and then discontinued for being the best, is just heartbreaking. No lie!
what a fantastic video - i feel like top gear had a few hiccups after the OG crew left, but have now found their ground again. Informative, funny, a unique story, incredible filming. A1 tier this is
Just bought my 2nd Challenger after an 5.7 RT Shaker an Scat Pack Widebody and love it loads. Sure they are not economic BUT puts so many Smiles on my Face each time I just see it and when start it for a Ride I don’t regret it at all that I bought it. Just amazing ❤❤❤
Makes you wanna shed a tear… truly one for the books love or hate mopar it was the talk for A near solid Decade. Still working on getting my dream hellcat one day 💯☝🏽
The Real Box Muscle Car ❤
Not even close.
It was a 1968 dodge charger R/T it was a beast !!!
Preface: I am not anti EV. With that said, as soul sucking EV's invade our roads, this kind of raw experience will be more and more revered. I have always favored euro rockets but thank you for such a delightful homage to the Challenger. Framing the story with the, gorgeous, mystery of the ghost put a beautiful bow on top of this excellent video. What a fantastic story! I have no doubt that the Dad would have loved that its sale helped his family as it has. Hats off Olly and TG for the fantastic content that you have been releasing. Top Gear, the series, might have retired but the channel is keeping the name alive with honor.
What a great video to watch! Thank you guys I really enjoyed this
Excellent video!! I've never heard of the Black Ghost so thank you for presenting the story. The power and gaudiness of the Challenger will definitely be missed.
There is a brilliant background story in this video for those contemplating watching it
Been a chevy man for yrs., but from the first time seeing them said i had to get one.I was looking for used with low miles.But found a great dealer and bought last call RT.What a great ride.Plenty of power to have fun, and a growl that turns heads.The inside is like a kid in a candy store.So many things you can do, still learning.
I remember my first encounter with a Challenger. Here in Indonesia of course they don't sell one officially. But there are parallel imports here selling RHD-converted Challengers, and back in 2020 I was keen to review a Challenger Hellcat. I got a taste of what it was capable of, but only with the Black Key, which means power is restricted to 550hp. Even in its limited mode it's still ludicrous, the supercharger whine and that gargling V8 is just so hilarious. The last two Challengers I saw was a red Demon doing burnouts in front of church and a Challenger RT Swingers just about 2 weeks ago. Didn't realize that it would probably be the last ever Challenger to enter our isles, maybe with the exception of a Demon 170 which I am sure will immediately go to garage never to be seen again.
Sad to see the big old girl go, I know it's a stupid car but I like it because it's just so silly.
Dodge did a phenomenal job with the Brotherhood of Muscle. It’s important to remember they were forced to cancel this engine. They’re doing the best with the rules they’ve been given. Regardless, we just lived through another golden age of muscle cars
False. They were not forced to stop offering V8s. The ancient Hemis were not going to comply with the ridiculous upcoming EPA regulations put forth by this administration. Their European corporate overlord, Stelantis was just too cheap to invest in developing a new V8 that would comply with upcoming regulations the way GM (Corvette’s multiple different V8 engines), and Ford (5.0 liter 4th generation Coyote V8) did.
epic story telling, great work.
You said it... a whole new generation. It brought the muscle car to a younger generation that had never seen a muscle car from the late 60's and 70's out side of collector cars and TV/movies. It has also touched the hearts of the older generation that lived that muscle car error. They also inspired a resurgence of collector car restoration. All along creating sweat sounding cars, with greater levels of horse power, and with all the luxury and handling you would expect from your daily driver. All this while meeting US emissions standards. I am so sad that the factory built Chargers and Challengers will no longer have the V8 HEMI. Glad I got mine. Delving into EV's was probably smart, but cutting off the HEMI is likely to hurt them at least in the beginning. Not to mention EV's are dependent on an energy source which is dependent on another energy source. Battery tech is getting pretty advanced, but what's the cost of an atomic battery that is large enough to move a vehicle and lasts 50 years. What are the environmental impacts of manufacturing them and then disposing of them?
RIP challenger
It’s been a great 16 years !
Iil really miss it
Thats because Chrysler was bought by f. Stellantis... If Dodge was owned by normal people, v8 Will continue (srry for my eng.)
Cool video.. but I wish people wouldn’t have glorified this “black ghost” character who wasn’t really THAT fast
incredible mini-documentary! thanks :)
As a happy S550 owner it kills me that this never came to Australia. It would've made car shopping a lot more fun.
There was no need to discontinue it. I get the electrification move but both could've survived and they could've let the customers decide what they wanted. I have serious doubts about the new electrified only charger.
Rest in peace
Sad to see it go, sadder I’ll never drive one
Most of the younger drivers know the current popular Challenger models of today, I've owned 5 Challengers in my live since the early 70's...70' 440 Sixpack, 70' T/A, 73" 340 Rallye, 74' 360 Rallye and a 2019 392 Scat Pack Shaker as of late. Although most of my time was spent with the first generation, you really have to appreciate the Dodge Brand to bring it back in 2010 as it's been so popular and probably would continue in it's current state if given the chance. It's not he first time I've seen the Challenger "Vanish" from the dealer floors, but it's legacy lives on.
Still remember the first one I saw on the street. Near Chicago.
I baby my '19 Charger Scat Pack. Don't care about the scene or whatever. It's just a big fat land missile that gets me around comfortably on the highways. Nice easy driving, and I can stab the throttle to merge/pass and enjoy the V8 roar. Can fold down the back seats and haul all sorts of stuff. Who needs a SUV? And I got it off the lot pre-covid for under 40k. I will drive it till it falls apart. Great, great, great car.
I just grabbed a Challenger Hellcat. My C8 corvette is a better driving performance car, but it doesn't make you feel like a High school kid who just got your license all over again! These hellcats are simply fun to slide them around at will as you listen to that supercharger sing like no other under the hood while listening to the growls coming from the rear. It's a symphony of intoxicating surround sound no electric car trying to replace it can ever replicate. If you are a Gearhead, you must own a hellcat before it's too late.
I like that you ended this video @alices. Run that thing to San Gregoirio in the hills “under SF”. :)
It will be said a few decades from now "In the early decades of the 21st century Mopar built the best American cars."
I own a R/T Charger and I love it.
Ain't that the truth! Mopar or No car!
I sold a Dodge Challenger. Just a 5.7 Shaker. Drove it back and forth to work. Oh yeah, manual transmission. I want to cry. I miss that car so much.
Damn bro u better get that car back
One of the best looking cars.
Wrangler looks great too
What a great story and tribute to the Quall's family!
Legends never die.
Nice tribute to this legend.. 🙂👍
This was a beautiful film
Challenger Hellcat and Charger Hellcat only cars come to my dreams in the night
I heard someone said
( you can take the man out of the super charged car but you can not take the super charged car out of the man )
It survives because it looks so good, and sounds fabulous.
Nice ending at Alice's, that's a short drive from San José where I'm watching this video from. Really enjoyed this video and the story of the Black Ghost! Thanks! And happy to hear you mention Highway 9 isn't what most Europeans expect in America... straight 1/4 mile at a time roads 🙂 we have our fair share of twisty roads, don't think we don't LOL
So happy I was able to get a last call charger 6.4
Esse carro compriu a sua missão
Glad I grabbed mine last year feels like I have a classic already lol 😭
Not correct, the car was released with a 6.1 liter engine, not 5.7 as stated.
Yes, that was a great engine!
I still remember the r/t concept coupe, I think it was the 1994 concept, which I had like more than these portly ones. If only this power plant were given a proper chassis. I think both Dodge and Ford had engineered some pretty incredible engines. The likes of these v8s and the 3.5 twin turbo v6 from Ford which today has found its way into the new GT. I don't hate these cars, I had an 06 Charger for 9 years and loved it, even though it was the slow v6. I drove half way across America in that and was not even the least bit fatigued. It's like a force of nature, the car made me feel alive no matter how tired I was. The interiors got way better after the first two-three generations, never regretted not getting another. I do feel they could have been so much more if they had a better chassis and less weight. But, I'm sure not complaining. My only complaint would be the noises fade off in to history never to echo again. I hope that does not happen. American governments push for global totalitarian rule is going to be the end of anything like this if we allow it to kneecap us.
My childhood friend who has 31 years at Dodge assembly had their hand in the car shown here. All the Chargers,Challengers and 300's were built there. Now they are all laid off for over a year while they re-tool to just build the Compass.
As someone who works on them daily, Its very bittersweet to see them go. Underneath there a little bit of a mess, but still have so much character.
Every car is different and every car needs to accept you. Respect the car and learn its ways and you will be golden.
They need to make a movie of "The Black Ghost" it would be awesome!
It is a beast, I have a 2016 manual and it is a joy to drive. Hes right on the driving because it demands you be aggressive with it and put your full effort into it.