Jim Nelson enjoys the lines of 2008 Dodge Challenger No. 473, which was on display in the showroom of Miller Motors in Valley City. The car was scheduled to be shipped to its owner this morning. (Sheila Anderson/VCTR)

By Roger Bluhm
Valley City Times-Record

    An instant classic made a recent appearance in Valley City.
    That instant classic was a 2008 Dodge Challenger, officially No. 473 out of roughly 5,000 being made in the first year.
    “The fact that there are only so many being made does make it an instant collector car,” said Miller Motors General Manager Jim Nelson.
    Nelson mentioned that one of the owners of the famous Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction – which holds classic and unique auto auctions – bought Challenger No. 3 for $400,000.
    “The first and second ones were auctioned off for charities,” Nelson said. “The first one was auctioned for Make-a-Wish and the second went to the Victory Junction Gang.”
    The Victory Junction Gang is a children’s charity started by famous stock car racing family Richard and Kyle Petty. Nelson believed each vehicle sold for about $350,000.
    No. 473 is on its way to its out-of-state owner, who is a longtime customer of Miller Motors.
    “The owner’s hobby is drag racing, using MOPAR products,” Miller said. “About 15 years ago, I’m not sure of the date, he was heading from Washington to Brainerd, Minn., on his way to a drag race.
    “He broke down and the shop guys here went above the call of duty to get him back on the road in time for him to make the drag race. He’s never forgotten that and he’s been a good friend since.”
    Miller said the re-introduced Challenger, which originally was produced by Dodge in 1970 through 1974, had only two options – with or without a sun roof.
    “Most of the them are orange, but I believe a select few also came in black or silver,” Nelson said. “These cars are the SRT-8 package, meaning they come in a Street, Rod & Track package with a 425 horsepower engine, oversize brakes, oversize suspension and rear wheel drive.
 

For full story, see Friday's edition of the Valley City Times-Record.