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Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat VIN0001 Raises $1.65 Million for Charity

With the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat priced from $59,995, that ludicrous amount of green dollar bills equates to a whopping 27.5 examples of the most powerful muscle car ever produced. That's how much money Challenger SRT Hellcat VIN0001 got at Barrett Jackson's auction in Vegas, which is more than any other vehicle in Barrett Jackson history.
Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat 1 photo
Photo: Dodge
Because Barrett Jackson waved all bidding and fees, 100 percent of the sale price is going to Opportunity Village, a not-for-profit organization serving people with significant intellectual disabilities in the Las Vegas area. But how come this 707 horsepower all-American brute got to sell for that amount o' bucks?

First of all, we'll highlight that this hellish Challenger sold for $825,000 to Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and several Chrysler Group dealerships, but the Engelstad Family Foundation matched the auction price, bringing the total raised for charity to that whopping $1.65 million.

Despite being the first production Challenger from hell, VIN0001 boasts with a Stryker Red exterior finish borrowed from the Viper. Furthermore, this Hellcat is further differentiated from the rest of the production run thanks to a 6.2-liter supercharger engine cover and a HEMI Orange painted base presentation box with a VIN0001 electronic vehicle build book and a video documentary on an iPad mini that shows the step-by-step build process of the car.

The one-of-a-kind presentation box also includes still shots, vehicle footage, a customized key fob holder, an authentic Challenger SRT Hellcat embossed Laguna Leather iPad sleeve, as well as SRT Hellcat lithograph and a unique “birth certificate” for VIN0001.

“With 707 horsepower, the 2015 Dodge Hellcat is more than just the most powerful muscle car built by an American manufacturer,” declared Craig Jackson, CEO of the Barrett Jackson Auction Company.

“It is also the means to help countless people with severe intellectual and related disabilities reach their potential. We’re honored that Dodge chose our 2014 Las Vegas auction to sell Hellcat VIN0001 to support Opportunity Village. Not only will the wonderful people at this organization benefit from the sale of this muscle car, but the winning bidder will own a truly amazing piece of American automotive history.”

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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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