Dodge has been around since 1900, founded by two brothers, Horace, and John Dodge, nestled away in Detroit. In its illustrious history, the company has dipped its toes in many automotive niches. For those looking for a classic to invest their hard-earned dollars, Dodge have you covered for every decade. And provide the best investment opportunities across a vast plethora of vehicle types.
Dodge has done everything from muscle cars to JDM failures, forcing us to lust after their steadily appreciating back catalog. Build it, and they will come!… Thirty years later. Here are some classic Dodge vehicles buckling up for a steep appreciation curve.
10/10 Dodge Stealth R/T 1990-93
The Dodge JDM! The Dodge Stealth R/T was crafted alongside its twin brother, the Mitsubishi 3000GT, under the Diamond Star Motors brand umbrella. Chrysler had decided they wanted a piece of the JDM pie, wanting to produce a competitor to take on the notorious Toyota Supra. The Dodge Stealth was driven by a twin-turbo V6 producing 320 hp and 315 Ib-ft of torque, a big deal for the time. A later R/T turbo model replaced the front-wheel drive system with a four-wheel drive alongside a 6-speed gearbox replacing the 5-speed found on the base R/T, meaning ‘Road & Track.’
Stick to what you know is the message here. Dodge had their vehicle manufactured in Japan alongside the 3000GT, sporting the exact specifications. Mitsubishi shifted over 16,000 GTs over an eight-year production run, while their American cousins amassed just 9,561 in a shorter five years. The Stealth R/T is a rare car impaled alone on the American/JDM fence. Low mileage examples have been sold for $52,000 in recent years, quickly passing the $37,905 retail price back in 95.
9/10 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat
Likely the spiritual successor to the SRT10, and just like the aforementioned, Dodge stuffed a large performance engine they had lying around in their SUV. As a result, the Durango SRT Hellcat received the 6.2 liter V8-S Hellcat engine putting down 710 hp alongside 645 Ib-ft of torque.
With the performance SUV market exploding in recent years, the $80,000 Durango looks like a competitive steal when placed next to the $200,000+ Lamborghini Urus. And cause ‘Merica, the Durango produces 53 more ponies than its snobby European rival. So as days turn to months and months turn to years, this big lofty weirdo will be the ‘conversation starter’ among many collections.
8/10 Dodge Viper SRT I 1992
The Dodge Viper SRT I has all the hallmarks of an automotive great. Chrysler had their LA V8 sent to then-owned Lamborghini; the Italians returned an 8.0-liter V10 engine capable of 400 hp conjuring 465 Ib-ft of torque. As a result, some consider the SRT I Viper a spiritual successor to the Cobra, providing an aggressively primitive driving experience.
The Viper SRT I lacked ABS, door locks, and even sported vinyl windows, all in aid of playing a ‘race car’ to potential customers. Many features, such as air conditioning, eventually became optional for the $50,700 flagship. Approximately 6,700 SRT I Vipers sold on forecourts, the fastest appreciating models, were created in 1992, in which only 285 were manufactured.
7/10 Dodge Coronet Hemi 1966
The Dodge Coronet 500 was the top-spec Coronet model during the ’60s. With a start price of $2,700, the Dodge was the epitome of classy muscle. Now for an extra $900, Dodge would stuff in the legendary 426 Hemi producing 425 hp! The car arrived just before Dodge made the Hemi an exclusive option for ‘badged’ muscle cars such as the Charger, Belvedere, and Coronet R/T.
This exclusivity meant only 339 Coronet 500s two-door hardtops were manufactured with the Hemi option, and even fewer Coronet 440 Hemis at 288! Both trim levels of this vehicle continue to climb in value, with some 500s approaching $75,000!
6/10 Dodge Rampage 1982/84
The USA’s first production front-wheel drive truck. Built to a sum of 37,401 units, the brainchild of automotive legend Lee Laccoca sought to take on the leading ‘Coupe Utility’ machine. That being the Chevrolet El Camino. The little Rampage failed to do so but brought a budget-friendly truck to many suffering financially during the period.
A 2.2-liter inline four capable of 25mpg alongside a reinforced truck bed allowing a load of 1,145 Ibs gave the wee rampage the nickname ‘half tonne truck.’ A failed competitor with a dodge badge, you say? Of course, values are likely to exceed the few thousand required today. Nevertheless, rampage continues to garner attention within enthusiast circles, for now.
5/10 Dodge Super Bee 1968
The Dodge Super Bee was named after the shared B-platform it was built upon. Super Bee sits beneath the luxuries of the Coronet, allowing youngsters to experience the hellcat’s great-grandfather, the 426 cu-in Hemi. The Super Bee failed to be as successful as its counterpart, the Plymouth Roadrunner. However, Approximately 380 customers specified their vehicles with the Hemi Engine between 68/70, which can be seen fetching $100,000 today.
The 383 Magnum V8 can also return a healthy investment, some even reaching $45,000! The Superbee is Another Dodge copycat that has finished waiting in the wings.
4/10 Dodge La Femme 1955/56
The Dodge La Femme is a little-known vehicle based on the Chrysler La Comtesse concept unveiled in 1954. The brass at Dodge decided to build a car for the ‘modern woman.’ Draped in sapphire white or heather rose paint colors, the aptly named La Femme came equipped with many accessories such as a coat, umbrella, and even a purse for female motorists of the 50s. Despite their efforts, the La Femme failed miserably, shifting under 2,500 units.
The La Femme was an optional package for the Custom Royal Lancer; for $143, Dodge would happily give your Lancer a dodgy makeover and throw in some bits to sweeten the pot. A service of Approximately $1500 in today’s money. The ‘modern’ ladies of the 50s weren’t interested, meaning a low-volume production sedan with wacky colors and features was born. You can see where this is going, can’t you? Values from recent auctions point toward $30,000 – $50,000. Like all things rare and exotic, this will likely rise as avid collectors use this pink monstrosity to Centre their showrooms.
3/10 Dodge Charger 500 1969/70
The Dodge one-year-only NASCAR homologation special! The Charger 500 replaced the Charger R/T, which failed to compete with the Ford Torino Talladega. The 500 came equipped with a Mercury Cyclone spoiler and a Coronet grille. Oh, they also plugged the lift-inducing rear window and renamed it the 500.
Of course, the Hemi reappeared as a $650 option over the alternative 7.2-liter magnum V8. Unfortunately, Dodge only built 392 of the supposed 500 homologized vehicles. Today they cost a gearhead $67,000+; the 67 Hemi-equipped cars will likely reel in more cash for those looking for an excellent return on investment.
2/10 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
Dodge reworked the Hellcat engine into a Hemi 6.2-liter supercharged unit capable of 840 hp partnered with 770 Ib-ft of torque. As a result, the Demon was the fastest production car to 62 mph, clocking in at 2.1s at the time of production. Even better, the Demon was the first production car to perform a wheelie at 2.92 ft. The Demons’ engine is different from that of the tried and tested base SRT Hellcat, with a larger supercharger (2.7 liters) and reworked valve train, fuel injection system, and piston rods. However, the Demon was capable of so much more.
A Demon costs punters $86,000 when new, having already gone over the $100,000 mark in some cases. This model will only rise in value as the combustion Charger/Challenger models head out to pasture in late 2023.
1/10 Dodge Ram SRT10
A Dodge that didn’t fail its class! The much loved Dodge Ram SRT10 was a utility truck at heart; only it borrowed an 8.3-liter Viper engine; this combination alone made the 510-hp Goliath the fastest production truck in the world with a top speed of 154 mph! Cause ‘Merica!
The Dodge SRT10 was produced between 2004 and 2006, shifting 10,046 units. The most lusted after will be the 6-speed manual twin cabs which market for about $30,000. With prices likely to rise for this 5,130-Ib F-150 SVT slaughtering beast, you’d be a fool not to consider it.
link
