Whims and insights

[unixronin]

So, any of my readers who are auto enthusiasts probably remember the Dodge Challenger.  You're probably also aware that Dodge is muttering and mumbling not-quite-promises about building a new Challenger.

If built, the new Challenger will be built on the LY platform, a shortened, 116-inch-wheelbase variant of the 120-inch-wheelbase LX platform on which the current Charger is built.  Word is that, again if built, it would most likely hit dealerships in 2008 as a 2009 model (by which time it's even possible I might be able to afford one).  They say it'll look something very like this.

(Yes, it'll have a Hemi.)

(Please stop drooling now.)

And that spurred another thought today, that just sort of came out of nowhere.  It would be necessary, should I obtain such a car, to get personalized plates on it.  And I have a very specific plate in mind.

It would look something very like this....

---

Update:  Thanks to yndy for pointing me at the Acme License Plate Generator, which does a much faster and better job than my original relatively-crude Gimp effort.

Comments

[yndy.livejournal.com]

http://www.acme.com/licensemaker/

Timing...
:)

Just learned about this little generator on my FL

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Cool, thank you! Post updated. :)

[motomuffin.livejournal.com]

That plate is currently available as a New Hampshire registered passenger vehicle.

http://www.egov.nh.gov/platecheck/pass.asp

;)

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Ah, but will it still be so by 2008 .................... (assuming it's not moot even then)

[radarrider.livejournal.com]

I like the looks of the new Charger, but the Challenger concept really made me sit up and take notice. If they do this, it would be their answer to the new Ford Mustang: a new true pony car.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

It would, and the C&D article I read very much gave the impression they're intendong to go head-to-head with the Mustang.

Of course, GM is also noising about building a new Camaro, but personally I don't think what they're showing so far looks particularly reminiacent of any previous generation of Camaro. IMHO, they're not so much "building a new Camaro" as "re-using the name and crossing their fingers for magic to happen."

[radarrider.livejournal.com]

So like another GM brand, Pontiac, did with the so-called GTO? I'm told it drives nice, has plenty of power and handles well, but the styling is so bland it puts me to sleep.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they imported the Holden Monaro, then let the GM designers snooze their way through styling it ....

The new concept Camaro is, theoretically at least, a new design from the ground up on a clean sheet of paper. GM being GM, I have considerable skepticism that it'll actually make it to market in that form.

[radarrider.livejournal.com]

Yeah I've seen some pictures of the new Camaro concept. I do like the muscular look that sets it apart from the Corvette and the grill is somewhat reminiscent of the old Super Sports. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

I don't know, man, I don't think I'd be brave enough to invoke the spirit of Fifty-One Lima there... I'd be afraid the Hemi might go kaboom at just the wrong moment.

That said? It is a Be-YOOT of a car; it really reminds me of what Mopar was in the Good Old Days....

Now, is the dang thing all cattywompus and newfangled, or did they mount it front to back and give it rear-wheel drive like God intended?

Gimme a napkin, dangit. *Guh.*

[radarrider.livejournal.com]

Oh you betcha it's rear-wheel drive. See here (http://autoshow.msn.com/as/article.aspx?xml=DCX1&shw=autoshow2006). Both the Challenger and Imperial concept cars are based on the 2006 Chrysler 300C platform.

[olafthunderfoot.livejournal.com]

they even uglied up the imperial? how do you make it uglier then it was?

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

It's rear-wheel-drive with a longitudinal V8. (http://www.allpar.com/cars/dodge/challenger.html)

[olafthunderfoot.livejournal.com]

it's not as hideous as the new charger, but it's still not a real challenger! where's the chrome? where's the shaker scoop?

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Real Cars Don't Need Chrome. ;)

And if you read the articles, it does have a functional scoop up there, it's just a low-profile one like the original Challenger's instead of a big goofy shaker.

[olafthunderfoot.livejournal.com]

needs lots and lots of chrome. like the big fat chrome bumper on a '69. i like the big goofy shakers!

[olafthunderfoot.livejournal.com]

btw, what's the plate mean?

Challenger

[cymrullewes.livejournal.com]

It's the callsign/designation/whathaveyou of the Space Shuttle Challenger.

Re: Challenger

[olafthunderfoot.livejournal.com]

kewl, that's a great idea!

Re: Challenger

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Specifically, it's the mission designation of the final flight of Challenger, in 1986 .... the one they didn't survive.

The moral of which is, when the engineers say "Don't fly, it's not safe", you DON'T FUCKING FLY.

[darthgeek.livejournal.com]