When the 7-passenger Dodge Durango debuted in the late 1990s, it sold more than 350,000 units in its first two model years. The SUV craze in America was in full-force, and automakers were swift to recognize the opportunity to develop and market their own offerings.
Dodge engineers started with the already-popular Dakota pickup truck platform, molded it into a three-row SUV, and had a hit on their hands in short order.
Back in those early days, most Durangos came equipped with a 287cid 4.7-liter Magnum V8 that pushed out 235 horsepower. But one particular Durango variant pumped up the performance by a large margin, thanks to a collaborative effort with Carroll Shelby. That Durango packed a supercharged 5.9-liter V8 under the hood that produced 360 horsepower and 412 pound-feet of torque.
The Pick of the Day is a 1999 Dodge Durango SP360 with only 38,000 miles on it, listed on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Ellensburg, Washington. Limited to only 300 units, this Durango is number 53 in the production sequence.
“This unit is housed in a collector’s garage and is impeccably maintained and cared for,” the seller states.
Making the vehicle even rarer is being equipped with four-wheel-drive, as not all 300 SP360 trucks were configured that way.
Further setting apart its performance-driven demeanor, the SP360 is painted in Viper Metallic Blue with white GTS racing stripes and Daytona alloy wheels. Under the hood, a Kenne Bell supercharger amplified the already-capable V8 powerplant, and the complete package was good for a zero-to-60 time of 7.1 seconds with a top speed of 142 mph.
Those kinds of numbers put the Durango squarely in sport-sedan territory despite the vehicle weighing in at nearly 4,700 pounds.
The seller is confident that this Durango gives Shelby enthusiasts a unique way to get into the collector market.
“The Shelby badge is one of the most sought-after emblems in car collecting,” the ad states. It may also be one of the only Shelby-branded automobiles in history to include creature comforts like a rear DVD system. The seller is asking $25,500 or best offer.
Worth noting, for model year 2021, the Durango SRT Hellcat now offers an available 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 with a tire-burning 710 horsepower, nearly doubling what the SP360 put out 22 years prior. It seems the thirst for power and speed hasn’t been forgotten by Dodge. Getting the kids to school continues to get a little more exciting every year.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Craziest thing I’ve seen in along time.
Less than 40k miles? Why would anyone buy this and not drive the wheels off? Think how many PTA/Athletic Department meetings this thing could cause- and how cool yer kids would be, arriving in Shelby style.
People are strange.