I thought I would just introduce myself and say hello to all you guys and girls on here. I found this place sort of by accident after meeting up with some fellow Challenger owners at Brooklands last Sunday. What a great day out and nice to meet like minded people. In the afternoon we went to the NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals. There are a few pics of mine, reg number is CA11HEL. So I own a Pitch Black A8 Challenger Hellcat with black laguna leather.
What a journey to get this car. I stumbled across the Hellcat by accident back in must be May or June of last year. When Dodge announced it would have 707hp. From the moment I saw it I knew I had to have one. So with the help of my very good friend and mechanic Brian who a lot of you probably know (68 Coronet unpainted) we set about trying to buy one. Through his good friend stateside we put a $2000 deposit with Bob Frederick the Challenger Guy back in August. The order book opened up the 9th September from memory and Bob quoted 3 to 6 months for delivery. Laguna Leather became late availability but I did not want Alcantara. I was fixed on my exact spec. By early January it became clearly obvious that the chance of me getting a Hellcat from Bob was pretty slim. He would not tell us were we where on his list and rumours had it that he had taken orders for well over 100 Cats.
So on some good advice of some guys on another US forum I started searching Dodge inventory and emailing dealers. Three weeks, 2 to 3 hours a night. I knew that January was the best time to bag a Cat with all the snow on the ground and I got very lucky. One dealer I emailed on the Friday said the car was a sold order. He then emailed me on the Monday to say that the car had become available and was I still interested. Price was MSRP but had to be bought that week. So the deal was done but with all the snow my guy stateside could not collect the Cat that was 900 miles away for about six weeks.
So cut a long story short the Cat arrived at Southampton docks back in April. Finally UK registered early June and every mile is a smile. Guys stateside were always telling people that the Cat is worth the wait and to persevere. Well they were right. Well worth the wait. I knew it was going to be good but it has exceeded all of my expectations. I have around 2500 miles on it and so far no issues. Fingers crossed it remains that way.
Challenger Hellcat
Moderator: Moderators
Hi there your Lordship!
Yes I've known Brian for quite a few years and enjoyed getting the run-down on your Hellcat saga when we met at the Ace Café a few months ago.
Didn't realise this was the one tho when we saw it at Old Warden on Sunday
Hopefully get to meet up one day - my brother and I grew up a mile down the road from you in Mill Hill and went to school in Edgware so I feel we already have something in common..... just a shame it's not the car!
Yes I've known Brian for quite a few years and enjoyed getting the run-down on your Hellcat saga when we met at the Ace Café a few months ago.
Didn't realise this was the one tho when we saw it at Old Warden on Sunday
Hopefully get to meet up one day - my brother and I grew up a mile down the road from you in Mill Hill and went to school in Edgware so I feel we already have something in common..... just a shame it's not the car!
Welcome to the club Sir Hellcat!
What an absolute monster...........
I hope one of these cars make it to the HRD's in September......oh I wish my numbers would come up!! 
What an absolute monster...........
I hope one of these cars make it to the HRD's in September......oh I wish my numbers would come up!!
Dave Tildesley.....MMA-081
72 Dodge Dart
73 Plymouth Duster - SOLD
I wanna go so FAST i think i'm going to DIE!..........Then i'll shift into second!
"My Car is a work in progress, Probably never gonna get finished, never gonna have the money to Bananarama!!"
72 Dodge Dart
73 Plymouth Duster - SOLD
I wanna go so FAST i think i'm going to DIE!..........Then i'll shift into second!
"My Car is a work in progress, Probably never gonna get finished, never gonna have the money to Bananarama!!"
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shovelheadrob
- Posts: 959
- Joined: Tue Sep 18, 12 10:27 am
hello there 
, nice car
, nice car Si
1970 Charger 500
383 | 4bbl | 727 column | PAS | PAB | buckets/buddy - check out my photos HERE
If you don't want another same old brand-new car ... you could be DODGE MATERIAL
1970 Dodge Charger Registry - https://www.1970chargerregistry.com/
1970 Charger 500
383 | 4bbl | 727 column | PAS | PAB | buckets/buddy - check out my photos HERE
If you don't want another same old brand-new car ... you could be DODGE MATERIAL
1970 Dodge Charger Registry - https://www.1970chargerregistry.com/
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Lord Hellcat
Many thanks for the warm welcome guys. I'm not a new car guy. I come like most of you from the analogue age and I like my cars and trucks to be that way. I've owned all sorts of stuff over the years and have never been fixated on just one brand. I own an eclectic mix of vehicles. My mind is open to all suggestions but modern day stuff that I have driven over recent years leaves me completely cold.
The Hellcat. What a breath of fresh air. SRT have done a fantastic job. These things handle. Almost zero body roll and incredible grip. You have three way adjustable Bilstein suspension but I leave it in street mode. You have three transmission modes. For the most time I leave it in street and if I am going to get on it I put it in track. Lightning fast shifts. Blips the throttle on the down change with lots of pops and crackles and holds onto the gear driving normally.
Performance. With over 700hp this thing is quick as you would expect. I never drive it in anything else but red key mode. Forget 500hp or eco mode. On a motorway run you get around 26mpg. Incredible. The eight speed ZF gearbox is fantastic. It is hard to explain but you can just drive it on the throttle. Depending on how you modulate the gas the gearbox just responds. It works so well I don't bother using the paddle shifters or the manual shifter. Leave it in full auto, track mode on, nail it and just hang on. Traction is really very good. From 40 on it just grips and flies. Sure it is just slightly spinning up the tyres but it is almost imperceptible.
Hopefully I have managed to attach some pictures below
The Hellcat. What a breath of fresh air. SRT have done a fantastic job. These things handle. Almost zero body roll and incredible grip. You have three way adjustable Bilstein suspension but I leave it in street mode. You have three transmission modes. For the most time I leave it in street and if I am going to get on it I put it in track. Lightning fast shifts. Blips the throttle on the down change with lots of pops and crackles and holds onto the gear driving normally.
Performance. With over 700hp this thing is quick as you would expect. I never drive it in anything else but red key mode. Forget 500hp or eco mode. On a motorway run you get around 26mpg. Incredible. The eight speed ZF gearbox is fantastic. It is hard to explain but you can just drive it on the throttle. Depending on how you modulate the gas the gearbox just responds. It works so well I don't bother using the paddle shifters or the manual shifter. Leave it in full auto, track mode on, nail it and just hang on. Traction is really very good. From 40 on it just grips and flies. Sure it is just slightly spinning up the tyres but it is almost imperceptible.
Hopefully I have managed to attach some pictures below
