Challenger is the car that gave me the strength to give up my beloved Trans Am

Being a GM fanatic for many years I had put Mopar aside. My '99 TA was my baby and I swore I would keep it forever. In 2007 I had seen my first headline of Chrysler bringing the Challenger back with focus on the retro styling. It grabbed my attention from the start, but I kept my hard headed mind on my TA.

In March of 2014 I finally decided to take a closer upfront look at the Dodge Challenger and styles they provide.

My Trans Am had the LS1 305hp V8 and closer inspection of the 2014 3.6Ltr 305hp Pentastar Challenger SXT+ caught my attention. Same horse power with all the additional technology was what changed my mind and I went all in. One thing I have noticed is the closeness of the Mopar community and the willingness to help others. Sure you have your bad eggs that think that the 3.5 or 3.6 are not a muscle car, but it has all the meaning for me.

I had never been to a "car cruize" before but my first was the Skyline Drive Cruize in Virginia. A beautiful drive through the Shanendoah National Forest in Virginia. Held by folks who are Dodge Challenger fanatics and who appreciate the love for togetherness and sharing ideas. The picture I am including is from the 2014 Challenger Skyline Drive Car Cruize which was the first time I had attended one and I was accepted and treated like family.

My Trans Am might have been the only one, but my Challenger has become part of me.