SEMA Review: 2009 Hurst/Hemi Challenger

Hurst Performance has made a name for itself by offering their quality performance shifters, and in their long and prestigious history, they have even dabbled in special edition trimlines, such as the Chrysler 300 Hurst and the Hurst Oldsmobiles.  The 2008 SEMA Show revealed to the world the newest installation in the Hurst legacy with the 2009 Hurst/Hemi Challenger, which is offered in four different “Series” options, with varying levels of modifications and performance.  The display car at the SEMA Show was the first unit of the Series 4 package, which is based on a Challenger SRT-8, packed with a 6.1L Hemi, and in this case, an automatic transmission.

Like all Hurst packages, it begins inside the car with a prominent Hurst shifter, and on the passenger’s side of the dash is set a dash plaque announcing the series and production number of that particular Hurst/Hemi Challenger.  The interior is dressed up by adding Hurst leather interior, with embroidered logos on the seat backs and gold stitching throughout the interior, and the interior package is completed by a Mopar/Kicker premium audio system.

The performance of the Hurst/Hemi Challenger is enhanced by adding Eiback and Bilstein suspension components, helping to keep the 20″ Hurst polished and forged wheels to the ground, and BFG KDW high performance tires help the Challenger hold the road.  The Series 4 models come with the 6.1L Hemi, where the Series 1, 2, and 3 all include the 5.7L Hemi, but the Series 3 and Series 4 packages both include the addition of a Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust system and more importantly a Vortech Supercharger.  As displayed in the SEMA show car, the Series 4 Hurst/Hemi Challenger makes an impressive 560 horsepower.

The exterior of this special edition Challenger leaves no question that this is a Hurst model, with Hurst logos on the front, back, and sides, accompanying the familiar Hurst gold trim.  The Series 1 models are available in any color, but starting with Series 2, the Hurst cars are available only in white and black, all with the thick gold stripes and body colored rear wing.  As a final interesting addition, the Series 3 and 4 models come with a custom car cover, matching the color of the vehicle, and including a set of gold stripes.

There is still no set price on the Hurst/Hemi Challenger packages, but rumors suggest that the Series 1 package may cost around 10,000 over the base price, with the Series 3 and 4 coming in around 20,000 over MSRP…but again, these are all just rumors.  What we do know for sure is that Hurst has done an awesome job of making one of the best looking production Challengers available in a very crowded Challenger performance market.

Information on the 2009 Hurst/Hemi Challenger from Hurst Performance Vehicles:

SERIES 1 R/T 5.7 HEMI
Hurst “Pistol-Grip” shifter
Hurst 20″ polished forged wheels
HURST Exterior graphics and badges
SERIES 1 sequentially numbered interior dash plaque
BFG KDW high-performance tires
Magnaflow Stainless -steel exhaust system
Eibach Suspension
Bilstein shocks
K&N Air Filter
Colors: Any color
No stripes or graphics

SERIES 2 R/T 5.7 HEMI
Hurst “Pistol-Grip” shifter
Hurst 20″ polished forged wheels
HURST Exterior graphics and badges
BFG KDW high-performance tires
Magnaflow Stainless -steel exhaust system
Eibach Suspension
Bilstein shocks
K&N Air Intake system
MOPAR/Kicker Audio System
SERIES 2 sequentially numbered interior dash plaque
Hurst leather interior with gold top-stitching and embroidered logos
Available Colors are White and Black
Hurst Gold hood graphics

SERIES 3 R/T 5.7 HEMI
Hurst “Pistol-Grip” shifter
Hurst 20″ polished forged wheels
HURST Exterior graphics and badges
BFG KDW high-performance tires
Magnaflow Stainless -steel exhaust system
Eibach Suspension
Bilstein shocks
MOPAR/Kicker Audio System
SERIES 3 sequentially numbered interior dash plaque
Hurst leather interior with gold top-stitching and embroidered logos
Limited Paint Color Series: White or Black Only
HURST Gold racing stripes
MOPAR Hood
HURST body color rear deck spoiler
Vortech Supercharger
Matching color car cover with HURST Gold racing stripes

SERIES 4 SRT8 6.1 HEMI
Hurst “Pistol-Grip” shifter
Hurst 20″ polished forged wheels
HURST Exterior graphics and badges
BFG KDW high-performance tires
Magnaflow Stainless -steel exhaust system
Eibach Suspension
Bilstein shocks
MOPAR/Kicker Audio System
SERIES 4 sequentially numbered interior dash plaque
Hurst leather interior with gold top-stitching and embroidered logos
Limited Paint Color Series: Black with HURST Gold racing stripes
MOPAR Hood
HURST body color rear deck spoiler
Vortech Supercharger
Matching color car cover with HURST Gold racing stripes

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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