Your chance to score a rare Dodge Challenger SRT8 and help a good cause

Chrysler group's Chairman, Sergio Marchionne is auctioning off his exclusive Dodge Challenger SRT8 via Barrett Jackson.

In an effort to support the community in Michigan, Chrysler Group will auction its Chairman’s 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8. The annual giving campaign is being chaired by Sergio Marchionne. United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) supports a variety of programs and charities in the Area. This year’s goal for the campaign is $ 35 million. Michael J. Brennan, President and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan commented in a press release about the event, saying “It gives me great pleasure to thank Sergio Marchionne and Chrysler Group for their commitment to Detroit and its surrounding communities. Through the generous support of those who open their hearts and wallets during the Barrett-Jackson auction, United Way can capitalize on the ability to accelerate the impact of its work in three interconnected areas: education, income and basic needs.” Leadership by car companies with operations in Detroit are not unusual. Recently, GM’s CEO Dan Akerson raffled off his rare vintage Corvette for a Detroit charity.

The car is not a typical Dodge Challenger. Rather, it is a modified SRT8 model. The modifications include a custom paint job in Pitch Black completed by master painters at the Chrysler Groups Product Design Office. The paint job features Dark Charcoal racing stripes applied personally for Marchionne by Dodge’s designers in the SRT Design Studio. The car was also lowered through the use of a custom coil over suspension done by Mopar’s aftermarket parts group. The exhaust too is Mopar special. The rear lights have been smoked and the badges are all satin black, as are the 20 inch wheels.

The engine is factory spec. The 392 HEMI is more than enough for the car packing almost 500 horsepower, but the lucky bidder who takes home Sergio’s car will also be buying the newest crate engine from Mopar. This all aluminum engine is a Gen III 426 rated at 540 horsepower.

Inside the car is also black continuing the bad-boy theme. The instrument cluster is SRT exclusive and features the Electronic Vehicle Information Center technology. This provides the driver with instant feedback on 0-60 launch times and also other performance metrics such as quarter mile times and G-force measurements.

If you wish to bid on Sergio Marchionne’s car, it will be held for auction at the Barrett-Jackson event in Palm Beach Florida. The date of the event is April 4rth through April 6th.