AutoTrader Find of the Week: A Third-Generation Dodge Challenger That’s Actually Rare?

Here’s a prediction: third-generation Dodge Challenger owners will supplant Corvette owners as the peak “my car is rare because [insert option/spec/edition here]” enthusiast within the decade.

But like the Corvette, most Challengers were never really special or rare. For 15 years, Dodge absolutely milked the platform for all it was worth, and even though the new Charger Daytona EV is struggling to find an audience, unsold V8 Challengers and Chargers were still piling up and rotting on lots by the end of last year.

There were so many so-called “Last Call” special editions that amounted to nothing more than a sticker pack. Even the original “limited edition” Demon was made pointless by the introduction of Redeye models and then the Jailbreak cars, which made basically everything pointless, especially when it comes to rarity. What’s the point of a limited run when a Jailbreak enables the (unlikely) possibility of one of one? And that’s all compounded by the fact that Dodge simply tossed the keys over to anybody with a triple-digit credit score. As a result, Scat Packs and even Hellcats became regular traffic.

Still, despite the hype-gouging and the archetypal V8 Dodge owner being, you know, that guy, how can you not love the Challenger?

Whether you’re a muscle car fan or not, it’s undeniable just how well Dodge hit the nail on the head when the Challenger relaunched for the second time in 2008. There’s a reason the body style endured all the way to 2023 with only minor updates along the way — Dodge made a timeless body style. And it hasn’t done that since the first Challenger (no, not even the Viper. All but the most recent one look like the time in which they were produced). 

Dodge nailed the assignment on the options list too; V8 Hemi engines, Shaker hood scoops, vibrant paint colours, cartoon graphics, and manual transmissions (sometimes). But there was, of course, one option strangely missing: the convertible. Dodge never made one.

So, what the heck is this 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T convertible doing for sale through Auto View in Stoney Creek, Ont., doing on AutoTrader right now? 

This isn’t a hack ‘n slash job that someone built in their home garage. It’s the real deal — or, at least, as close to it as you can get.

This Challenger was modified by Drop Top Customs, which has been officially sanctioned by Dodge to convert third-generation Challengers into OEM-quality convertibles. The idea being, if Dodge had offered a convertible version of the Challenger, this is exactly how it would have been off the showroom floor.

The Drop Top Challenger receives a proper OEM-grade power roof with finished headliner, retractable quarter windows, as well as a plethora of chassis stiffening to maintain its structural rigidity. All of the interior space is retained, but it does lose about 20 per cent of the stock trunk space. Oh, well. 

Now you could buy your own Challenger and bring it to Drop Top in High Springs, Fla., (about two hours outside of Orlando) for the conversion. They’ll even convert a Demon 170 for you if you’re crazy enough. 

Drop Top is licensed to do this until the end of 2025, but be warned: the conversion doesn’t come cheap. The conversion is a cool $24,000 USD (about $33,500 CAD at time of writing). So finding one that’s already undergone the process is probably going to save you some cash in the long run.

Besides, it’s not like this isn’t a well-optioned example of a Challenger. It’s a 5.7-litre Hemi R/T model with the Shaker hood and the very desirable Tremec six-speed manual transmission. It’s also only done about 28,000 km, despite changing hands a few times from an owner in Welland, Ont., then sold through auction last year. 

True, the unnecessary and garish red Mopar stickers on the wheels, Vanishing Point sticker on the bumper and Shaker sticker under the black Hemi vinyl need to be ditched ASAP. But stickers are easy enough to remove. 

There are three reasons you should consider this Challenger.

First, it will still look awesome in 20, 30, or 40 years (if you get rid of those damn red stickers).

Second, you will legitimately have a special Challenger. In the years to come, there’s going to be a flood of Hellcats and Scat Packs at cruise nights and cars and coffee meet-ups. But you will, almost certainly, be the only one there with a six-speed convertible. 

Third, while so many of those other Challengers will likely lose value because they’re not actually that rare, this one actually is. And you never know, it might be worth a lot more one day.

It certainly wouldn't be the first time in history that a timelessly beautiful Mopar muscle car in a convertible became worth stupid money.