A purple Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat turns heads in the street as if it were Leonardo DiCaprio walking on the red carpet at a movie premiere, minus the fans’ cheering. But we've got no Hollywood star involved in this story. There is a stolen vehicle, instead, with a salvage non-clean title, which complicates things.
This 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat must have turned the heads of the perpetrators as well because the car was stolen some time ago. Authorities managed to recover it after a while.
But for some reason, it was not returned to its owner, who probably had already received the insurance money for the almost brand-new performance SUV while it was away. The insurance company is the one selling it now, and it looks like finding a new owner for it is quite a headache. Could that purple wrap be the reason for it?
So the vehicle ended up in the yard of a dealership in Birmingham, Alabama, with a salvage title, waiting to be sold for almost ten times less than its actual value. Its estimated retail value is $106,202, but it looks like no offer can come anywhere near that amount of money.
The current bid, which has been “current” for weeks, is of only $1,500. We found the Dodge on the Ukrainian version of the OLXsales website, selling for $14,000. That is dirt cheap for a car that is powered by a HEMI, which hasn't been crashed or flooded.
Photo: Copart
Oh, yes, you read that right, it is the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that sets this car in motion. And it does that pretty well with its 710 horsepower (720 metric horsepower) and 645 pound-feet (875 Newton meters) of torque.
The power plant sends these to all four corners via a TorqueFlite eight-speed 8HP95 automatic transmission and makes the performance SUV flash from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 kph) in just 3.5 seconds and run the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds as certified by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).
The needle of the speedometer goes all the way to 180 mph (290 kph). Those are figures that some supercars can only dream of.
When it introduced the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat back in 2021, Stellantis bragged about the model: "No SUV in the world can tow more or carry more with a faster quarter-mile time than the Durango SRT Hellcat."
Then carmakers started rolling out electric pickup trucks with impressive quarter mile times and just as impressive towing capabilities.
The Durango SRT Hellcat can indeed pull 8,700 pounds (3,946 kilograms) when equipped with the Tow N Go Package. Meanwhile, Tesla’s Cybertruck covers the quarter mile in under 11 seconds and can tow up to 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms).
Photo: Copart
Going back to the listing on Copart, there is no mention of the Tow N Go Package, and the Ukrainian olx does not mention it either. However, the super athletic Durango still has a lot to brag about: red and black leather covers the seats and dashboard, there is a panoramic sunroof, heated seats and steering wheel, power windows, power tailgate, power everything. The Dodge rides on 20-inch Lights-Out Aluminum wheels with a black finish.
It can't possibly be easy to sell a car with a non-clean title, which was stolen. Furthermore, the VIN was deteriorated. Therefore, whoever drives it home will have to re-VIN it. The car has been listed for quite some time. But people aren't queuing to buy it, and that's totally understandable.
The listing on Copart claims that the vehicle is a “Run & Drive,” which means that it starts on its own power or with the use of an external jump box, can be put into gear, and moves forward.
Yet, this info is no guarantee that the vehicle is roadworthy or will be able to start at the time of the sale. If that is ever going to happen. Because right now, it looks like the poor purple is not going anywhere.
Photo: Copart
The odometer reads just 5,144 miles (8,279 kilometers). This means that neither the former owner nor the thieves who stole it got to enjoy it much in the fewer than four years since it rolled off the production line of the Detroit Assembly Complex.
The future owner must know that the original paint, whatever that is because none of the two listings mentions it, is still there under the insane-looking purple wrap.
In 2024, the year Dodge is killing the HEMI, customers will only be able to choose one of the four paintworks available, each available in 250 units, which adds up to a total of 1,000 examples built. That almighty heart will beat for the last time under the hood of the Durango SRT 392 AlcHEMI. Afterward, Dodge pulls out the plug on the model, and its lifeline goes flat.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As a passionate automotive enthusiast and expert, I can confidently say that the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat is a truly remarkable vehicle. With its striking purple color and powerful performance, it captures attention wherever it goes. Despite its stolen status and salvage non-clean title, this 2021 model has a lot to offer.
The story begins with the car being stolen but later recovered by the authorities. Surprisingly, it was not returned to its original owner, who likely received insurance compensation during its absence. Instead, the insurance company is now selling the vehicle, and finding a new owner has proven to be quite challenging. Could the eye-catching purple wrap be a factor in the difficulty of selling it?
Currently located in a dealership yard in Birmingham, Alabama, the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat has a salvage title and is being listed at a significantly lower price than its estimated retail value of $106,202. In fact, the current bid stands at a mere $1,500. Interestingly, this stolen vehicle has even made its way to the Ukrainian version of the OLX sales website, where it is listed for $14,000. This price seems like a steal considering the car's impressive features.
Underneath its vibrant exterior lies a monstrous 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, capable of producing a staggering 710 horsepower (720 metric horsepower) and 645 pound-feet (875 Newton meters) of torque. Power is transferred to all four wheels through a TorqueFlite eight-speed 8HP95 automatic transmission, enabling the Durango SRT Hellcat to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and complete a quarter-mile run in 11.5 seconds, as certified by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). With a top speed of 180 mph, this performance SUV rivals many supercars in terms of speed and power.
The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat boasts impressive towing capabilities as well. Equipped with the Tow N Go Package, it can pull up to 8,700 pounds (3,946 kilograms). However, newer electric pickup trucks, like Tesla's Cybertruck, have emerged with even faster quarter-mile times and higher towing capacities.
While the non-clean title and stolen history pose challenges for selling the vehicle, the Durango SRT Hellcat still has plenty of attractive features. The interior is adorned with red and black leather, featuring a panoramic sunroof, heated seats and steering wheel, power windows, and a power tailgate. Rolling on 20-inch Lights-Out Aluminum wheels with a black finish, this SUV exudes a sporty and aggressive presence.
It's important to note that potential buyers must address the non-clean title and deteriorated VIN if they decide to purchase this Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. The vehicle is listed as "Run & Drive" on Copart, indicating that it starts and moves forward under its own power or with the assistance of an external jump box. However, this doesn't guarantee its roadworthiness or its ability to start at the time of sale.
With only 5,144 miles (8,279 kilometers) on the odometer, it's clear that neither the previous owner nor the thieves had the opportunity to fully enjoy this vehicle before it was recovered. The original paint is still intact beneath the purple wrap, although the listings do not specify its color.
Looking ahead, Dodge has announced that in 2024, they will discontinue the HEMI engine. Customers will have the opportunity to choose from four available paint options, each limited to 250 units, resulting in a total of 1,000 examples produced. The last incarnation of the HEMI engine in the Durango SRT lineup will be found in the Durango SRT 392 AlcHEMI. After that, Dodge will cease production of the model, marking the end of an era for this iconic SUV.
In conclusion, the stolen and salvage-titled purple Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat presents a unique opportunity for buyers seeking a high-performance SUV at a significantly reduced price. With its jaw-dropping power, aggressive styling, and limited production numbers, it is a true automotive gem. However, prospective buyers must consider the challenges associated with its non-clean title and the need to re-VIN the vehicle. Despite these hurdles, the Durango SRT Hellcat is a rare find that promises an exhilarating driving experience for those bold enough to take on its unique history.
