You paid 40 grand for that? It looks like a recovered theft from the police impound yard! Well, if you’re talking about a 2009 or 2010 LC22R Drag Pak Challenger, know there are plenty of Mopar diehards who have lined up--$39,995 in hand--for a chance to own an example of Dodge’s reborn, factory-built Super Stock drag car. No refugee from Midnight Auto Supply, the ’10 Challenger LC22R Drag Pak picks up where the ’65 Coronet WO21 and ’68 LO23 Dart left off, Hemi power and all.
Thanks to big changes in motor vehicle certification laws in the decades since the last batch of factory Hemi drag cars were produced, the new Drag Pak isn’t so much a car, as a parts group that comes wrapped in a fresh Stone White Challenger body shell. It’ll be up to you to install a transmission, rear suspension and axle, exhaust headers and the rolling stock of your choice (none of it is included). And it isn’t being sold as a new car. There is no warranty--or VIN for that matter, so you can forget about running it on the street. These are strip-only machines you buy through Mopar Direct Connection headquarters.
The 2010 edition featured here isn’t the first of the breed. Records show there were two Drag Pak development mules built in 2008 before the program went official in 2009. That year, Mopar and the NHRA predicted that 100 would be built to meet the then-current NHRA minimum production requirements for vehicle eligibility in its Stock and Super Stock categories. For 2010, the minimum was dropped to 50 units and that’s where our story begins.
Since 1966, Papa’s Dodge of New Britain, Connecticut, has been an active Dodge dealership with a strong background in high performance. Operated today by Dom and Ken Papa, their massive indoor showroom is a veritable museum that mixes old and new in equal measures. Visitors can admire the latest Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep models, then turn around and see a classic ’70 Challenger T/A, a Superbird, and other vintage muscle cars. It’s a fun place to visit. Take the virtual tour at www.papasdodge.com.
When he first heard rumors of the new Challenger Drag Pak, Dom Papa knew he had to add one to the collection. Though he missed out on the 2009 production run, he was among the first in line for a 2010 model and got serial number three of the 50 to be built. Dom plans to keep it as-is rather than building it out and going racing. So let’s take a day-one look at the third 2010 LC22R Drag Pak Challenger ever built.
On February 9, 2010, Mopar...
On February 9, 2010, Mopar formally announced the 2010 Drag Pak program to dealerships. On the top is Dom Papa’s hand written application form that he returned to Mopar via FAX. Five months later, in July 2010, Dom was notified that his car had been completed and was ready for delivery. Dom says; “Even though it isn’t a running, driving car like a new Challenger SRT8, this was a chance to get a real-deal factory drag car and add it to our collection. We’re thrilled we got serial number three.” To see a video of it being delivered to the dealership, click on www.papasdodge.com.
Dom says he was “pleasantly...
Dom says he was “pleasantly surprised” by the Drag Pak’s fit, finish, and paintwork. The cars are partially assembled at Chrysler’s Brampton, Ontario plant then shipped to Roush Industries in Livonia, MI for further completion. The standard R/T trunk spoiler is not included on Drag Paks but some cars have been delivered with trunk lids sporting the pre-drilled mounting holes. The trunk lid on Drag Pak 2010003 is a base Challenger V-6 stamping, so it lacks the spoiler mounting holes. Since ’09 and ’10 Drag Paks are delivered minus fuel tanks, the hinged fuel filler door opens into the void of the trunk compartment.
Someone’s finger points to...
Someone’s finger points to the Drag Pak’s semi-finished roof panel joints. On regular production Challengers, a body colored plastic strip fills this gap.
Just as the 1968 Hemi A-Bodies...
Just as the 1968 Hemi A-Bodies featured rectangular metal mirror delete plugs on the driver side door, 2010 Drag Paks utilize triangular plastic patches—secured by a trio of push-in buttons. They cover the holes left by the elimination of the standard Challenger dual rear view mirror assemblies.
With a 3,200-pound shipping...
With a 3,200-pound shipping weight, the Drag Pak weighs about 1,000 pounds less than a standard production Challenger R/T. To save weight, the standard door glass is replaced with 3⁄16 thick clear polycarbonate plastic replicas. Supplied by Shields, they’re treated with Supercoat to resist scratches. Contrary to reports stating the Drag Paks are delivered with the windows in the retracted position, Papa’s car was delivered with both windows fully raised. Previous ’65 and ’68 Race Hemi package cars used breakage-prone Chemcor lightweight door glass.
Challenger Drag Paks use a...
Challenger Drag Paks use a specific regulator unit which bears a sticker that reads: Challenger Drag Pkg. Car Door Module and displays part number P5MOPP319. Not visible are the marks left inside the door by the hand saw used to remove the adhesive-bonded inner door side impact brace tubes. This work was performed at Roush. Note the empty door speaker clearance hole. In true factory drag car tradition, these cars are strictly radio delete.
The windshield and backlite...
The windshield and backlite are standard issue Mopar safety glass but are temporarily installed for shipping. This allows easy removal for rollcage fabrication. Drag Paks are delivered via enclosed trailers to keep the semi-bonded glass from blowing out during transportation. Both glass panels are marked with yellow dots indicating the location of small adhesive dabs. The rear side windows are also production-grade Mopar shatterproof glass.
Riveted to the passenger side...
Riveted to the passenger side strut tower, every 2009 and 2010 Drag Pak features a laser-etched aluminum I.D. tag like this. Cars built in 2009 have serial numbers starting with 2009. This example is the third 2010 unit built and accordingly bears serial number 2010003. We haven’t yet seen if Mopar has retained this identification system on the new $85,512 Viper V-10 powered Drag Pak Challengers for 2011.
The usual VIN spot on the...
The usual VIN spot on the dash surface is vacant. This makes it impossible to register a Drag Pak for legal road use. Remember, Dodge hasn’t certified the Drag Pak for federal crashworthiness, fuel economy, or emissions compliance—and doesn’t intend to do so. These are dragstrip-only machines.