Every era must come to an end. Such empires rise and fall. The second muscle car era is reaching its end now that Chevrolet has axed the Camaro, and the HEMI V8 is on a final countdown, never to see the dawn of 2024. The Ford Mustang, like Mick Jagger, is still kicking. But like a former teen idol too old to play a kid, the Mustang will soon have to reinvent itself to stay relevant. Evidence can already be seen in the upcoming 2024 model sporting a trending digital dashboard. Nevertheless, while production numbers may stop, the enthusiasm lives on in naturally aspirated swan songs like the 2023 Dodge Challenger 392 Shakedown Last Call Edition. 

• 

• 

• 

Its old fashioned favor separates the Challenger Shakedown from the rest of its Last Call Edition crew. No supercharger. No candy color code. It’s a straightforward muscle car package with no fuss and all the thrills. Its captivating shaker hood and chrome hood pins are functional equipment, not just pieces of flair. The carbon, suede, and Alcantara/Nappa leather interior is tastefully appointed with red seat belts and a monochrome Scat Pack rumble bee emblem embroidered on the seats. This car eludes a Johnny Cash sense of style as the car dressed in black. 

The Shakedown Last Call Edition 

The Challenger Shakedown Last Call edition starts with an R/T Scat Pack and adds a Black Sabbath paint job, shaker hood, carbon/suede interior package, and a Harmon Kardon sound system with a subwoofer. Unique styling comes in the form of a red Shakedown badge on the rear matte finish spoiler lip, a red 392 graphic on the side fender, and an exclusive Shakedown hood stripe graphic with a touch of red. Cherry on the bottom is a set of 20-inch carbon black wrap speed wheels wrapped in Pirelli all-season performance tires 305/35ZR20 with six-piston Brembo brakes peeking behind them. 

Overall, the subtle package comes off as bespoke without looking like someone’s personalized Dodge Challenger. It looks special.

Overall, the subtle package comes off as bespoke without looking like someone’s personalized Dodge Challenger. It looks special. More importantly, it sounds special thanks to its 6.4-liter 392 HEMI V8 rumbling to let you know that it’s packing 485 horsepower under the vibrating shaker hood. 1,000 Shakedown Last Call Editions were built, and only 500 as widebody. 

Texas Touring in Willow City Loop 

I had limited time with the Challenger Shakedown and couldn’t afford to waste it doing mundane tasks like working. So, I ditched the office space and escaped to the Texas Hill Country to the nearby Willow City Loop. This locally known scenic drive is a public road stretching 13 miles through private ranches. The route takes you through multiple signs warning you of free-roaming cows and private driveways to ranches larger than your neighborhood. However, the opportunity to cruise by fields of Texas BlueBonnets in full bloom in Spring draws people to Willow City Loop. 

• 

• 

• 

The day was cloudy and sprinkled with light drizzling rain when I arrived. The Challenger Shakedown’s mirror-finish black paint stood out like an Angus steer in contrast to the water-soaked greenery and vibrant blue wildflowers. Hidden away from the roar of interstate traffic. The tranquil soundtrack of light rain landing on raw earth, glass, and painted metal made for a peaceful scene that made it easy to ignore work-related emails.  

Making Every Mile Count at Midnight 

After spending the day driving through rain and shine in the Dodge Challenger Shakedown, I lay awake in bed. I couldn’t sleep knowing that one of the last HEMI V8s was parked outside, ready and willing. Deciding that I rather go to work with bags under my eyes but joy in my heart, I spun out of bed and reached for the key fob. 

Staring down the empty street from behind the bulging shaker hood, every stop light became a shining opportunity to paint the town red with a set of tire marks.

The streets were damp with recent rainfall, and the steady breeze was chilled. In a city as large as San Antonio, Texas, it’s rare to find breaks from traffic. However, staying up past 3am is the closest to having the streets to yourself. 4am is the magic hour. Those working the graveyard shifts are at work. The drunks have either made it home or been put in jail. And everyone else is asleep or wishing they were. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Staring down the empty street from behind the bulging shaker hood, every stop light became a shining opportunity to paint the town red with a set of tire marks. Not looking for a quarter-mile fight, just enjoying the night with only the next mile in sight. The Challenger 392 Shakedown is a night owl always ready to watch the sunrise. 

Raw Power 

The Challenger Shakedown, being of natural aspiration with an analog speedometer and tachometer, exudes a deep-set nostalgia of the unfiltered days of leaded fuel and too-young-to-classic rock. It’s the last American hero in terms of what is currently defined as a muscle car. It’s the rumble that tingles your core when you start it up. The fizzing sensation in the pit of your stomach deciding between fear and fun when you hit the gas.

The Dodge Challenger muscle car is the last American hero, and after 2023 it will be one of many examples of how “they don’t build ’em like they used to.”

One thing I appreciate about the 6.4-liter HEMI compared to its 6.2 supercharged Hellcat is how it delivers the same thrills without the added temptation. There’s no little red devil whispering supercharger whining noises in your ears. Yet when you open the throttle, the mix of shock and adrenaline is the same. Plus, the R/T and Scat Pack variants offer cylinder deactivation, which definitely helps boost fuel economy. During my brief but memorable drive, I averaged 18 mpg in the 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown.

There’s a dark side to these cars. The fan base is not exactly subtle. There are concerns about how easy they are to steal, and are often the leading role in street takeovers and police pursuits. But don’t blame the car for people’s mistakes. The Dodge Challenger muscle car is the last American hero, and after 2023 it will be one of many examples of how “they don’t build ’em like they used to.”