Is the Hellcat a Rare Car? A Guide to this Future Collectible Muscle Car - 33rd Square (2024)

In one word – absolutely. When first unleashed back in 2015, the Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcat models were intended to be limited one-year-only production cars. And even as they‘ve stayed in production, Hellcat numbers have remained relatively low year-to-year – especially compared to other muscle car models.

This means any Hellcat you see out on the streets today is indeed part of a very exclusive club. And with the Hellcat engine about to be discontinued, they‘re on the path to becoming highly coveted future collectibles.

Just How Rare are Hellcats? A Look at the Numbers

While Dodge hasn‘t released full production data, various sources have compiled estimates over the years. Here‘s a look at approximate Hellcat builds to date:

That may seem like a lot, but it‘s a drop in the bucket compared to Mustangs, Camaros, and other muscle cars which typically sell over 50,000+ units per year. Dodge has intentionally kept Hellcat production exclusive.

For some specific models, the numbers are even more limited:

• Only 3,000 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat SUVs were built for 2021. It returned for 2023 but with similar limited production.
• The insane 840 hp Dodge Challenger SRT Demon was limited to just 3,300 units for its one year of production.

So every single Hellcat is quite special. And when you consider they are spread between Chargers and Challengers, and then further divided among trim levels, it‘s clear any Hellcat is a very rare sighting.

Why the Iconic Hellcat Engine Is Being Discontinued

After 2023, the famous supercharged 6.2 L Hellcat Hemi V8 will be discontinued from production Dodge cars.

This is primarily due to increasingly strict emissions and fuel efficiency regulations. The Hellcat‘s 700+ horsepower gas guzzling engine simply won‘t comply with upcoming standards. So Dodge‘s parent company Stellantis is switching focus and investments towards electrification.

As one Chrysler engineer put it, "the performance numbers have been achieved. We‘ve knocked that out of the park. We can‘t make a Hellcat much faster." So they‘re shifting gears.

This will make any remaining gas-powered Hellcats much more exclusive as production switches to electric Dodge muscle cars in the coming years.

What Makes the Hellcat Engine So Special?

The Hellcat engine was an incredible departure for Dodge, boasting power numbers far beyond anything they‘d ever offered before:

• Most Hellcat engines offer 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft torque from their 6.2 liter supercharged V8.

• The limited production Dodge Demon turned all settings to maximum with 840 horsepower on tap.

• Even "lower" Hellcat models like the Challenger R/T Scat Pack get 477 horsepower.

Combine this intense muscle car power with refined modern suspensions, gearboxes, and technology features, and you have the ultimate package.

The Hellcat can genuinely keep up with Lamborghinis, Ferraris, McLarens, and other $300,000+ supercars in acceleration and speed. Yet you can pick one up for around 1/3 of the price if you know where to look. It‘s a performance bargain.

The Hellcat Driving Experience – As Intense as Advertised?

You‘ve undoubtedly seen the videos of people reacting to flooring the accelerator in a Hellcat for the first time. The sheer force of the acceleration kicks you back in your seat like a rocket launch. As one happy owner described:

"Putting your foot down at any speed will scare the hell out of you and put the biggest smile on your face. It‘s absolutely bonkers! The overall experience brings you back to the old days of raw, visceral muscle."

But that doesn‘t mean it can‘t still serve daily driver duty. Thanks to different drive modes, you can soften the throttle response and shift points. This lets you comfortably cruise around town or sit in traffic when needed. Yet unleashing the full 707 horsepower is always just a stomp of the gas away.

Why the Hellcat Has an Almost Cult-Like Following

Beyond just impressive specs, the Hellcat has developed a reputation and following as one of the coolest modern muscle cars. It inspires passion from owners and fans.

The Hellcat‘s imposing, aggressive styling strikes a perfect balance between retro Dodge themes and futuristic details. It turns heads and stands out from any crowd.

The Hellcat has also been embraced in hip hop culture and music. There are dozens of rap songs named directly after the car, mixtapes dedicated to it, and lots of custom rapper versions.

More broadly, a wide range of online groups and communities are dedicated to Hellcat ownership, modifications, and drag racing. Events like the "Roadkill Nights" Powered by Dodge bring Hellcat fans together for a massive street-legal drag racing party.

The Hellcat lifestyle and culture is real. And for many, owning one is an aspirational dream and ultimate source of automotive passion.

Future Collectability and Investment Potential

Now that Hellcat production is winding down, their exclusivity and capabilities make them prime targets for collecting and long-term rises in value. Especially rare limited models like the Demon and Durango Hellcat.

Provided they are kept in excellent condition with minimal miles, Hellcats seem destined to follow that path of 60s/70s Hemi muscle cars which now trade for millions at auction. As the experts at Hagerty Insurance explained:

"Today‘s overpowered Dodges have cultivated a fanbase ready to buy them as collectibles. Don‘t be shocked to see them trading for well over $100k in the coming decades."

But for any car to be a good investment, proper maintenance and care is crucial. Here are a few tips:

• Keep mileage very low – less than 5,000 miles per year
• No modifications – keep 100% stock factory configuration
• All servicing done properly at certified shops
• Avoid accidents at all costs – bodywork hurts value
• Store in a controlled climate when not driving

Do this, and a Hellcat could return its purchase price many times over to the right collector years down the road.

The Hellcat Legacy Will Live On

While the current Hellcat engine is going extinct in factory Dodge cars after 2023, chances are good we haven‘t seen the last of it in some form.

Dodge/Chrysler still plans to offer the supercharged Hemi as a "Direct Connection" factory crate engine for installation in older classics. And there‘s nothing stopping tuners from modifying new electric Dodges to swap Hellcat power back in.

As one Dodge exec explained:

"We know gearheads will find ways to upgrade the electric Dodges. Hellcat power in an EV would give us the ultimate American muscle car!"

So even when the last factory Hellcat rolls off the line, expect its legacy to continue thanks to die-hard loyalists. 707 horsepower is once-in-a-lifetime automotive lightning in a bottle.

Conclusion

The Hellcat is absolutely one of the rarest and most special modern muscle cars. Between extremely limited production numbers, the discontinuation of its iconic engine, and cult-like following, Hellcats seem destined for historical collectability and value appreciation.

Owning one represents an opportunity to possess a truly unique vehicle with the unmatched performance that only Dodge could achieve. A Hellcat in mint condition will likely be as coveted by future collectors as the Hemi Cudas and Superbirds of the 1960s and 70s.

So if you have the chance to get one – especially the last 2023 models – it could prove to be a smart investment. Just be sure to care for it properly, and hold on for theHellcat‘s wild ride. This American muscle car legend still has plenty of history left to be written!

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