The 2008-2023 Dodge Challenger was late to join the 2000s retro-revival craze but became one of the movement’s biggest success stories. Announced in 2005 and debuting in 2008, the third generation Challenger unapologetically filtered the original Challenger’s muscle-bound past through a modern lens on the way to an impressive 15-year production run and more than 800,000 units sold. And like its predecessor, the car was configurable to a range of tastes, from attainable cruisers to low-production drag-strip weapons, with variants like the Hellcat, Demon, and Super Stock becoming instant American muscle car royalty.

Built on the same platform as the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, the new Challenger’s look had strong echoes of the 1970-1974 models and the car paired rear-wheel drive, a two-door faux-hardtop body, a low $40,095 entry price, and available HEMI V-8 power to instantly grab the public’s attention. Upon introduction the top SRT8 configuration delivered 425 hp.

Dodge refreshed the car in 2015 with new exterior styling, an updated interior, and more performance. The SRT8 was phased out in favor of the SRT 392 and the range-topping Hellcat, which had a 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 that boasted 707 hp. Quarter-mile times for the showroom Hellcat were quoted at 11.2 seconds and a 0-to-60 sprint took a reported 3.6 seconds.

The T/A and T/A 392 joined the lineup for 2017, with the 5.7-liter and 6.4-liter V-8s, respectively. In 2018, Dodge elevated the performance bar with the one-year-only SRT Demon. The car was designed with the drag strip in mind and cranked out 808 hp from a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 on the way to reported 2.3-second 0-to-60 times and 9.65-second quarter-mile runs.

The SRT Hellcat Redeye joined the ranks for the 2019 model year, using a 797-hp version of the Demon engine and a stiffer suspension setup. A widebody package also became available on a number of trims this year, and the SRT Super Stock came online the following year.

The model finally concluded its epic run in 2023 with a flurry of special models. The 1,025-hp SRT Demon 170 became the fastest accelerating production car in the world with a 0-to-60 time of 1.66 seconds and quarters at 8.91 seconds. The Black Ghost, Shakedown, and Swinger were a few of the “Last Call” special editions offered in celebration of the Challenger’s final generation.

Today the Charger is loved by enthusiasts for the way it so perfectly captured the attitude of the American muscle car’s heyday — with loud engines, exciting acceleration, and classic good looks.