Photo: Barrett-Jackson Auctions

All of the hype that is the Hellcat Hemi has filled the internet and inboxes all summer long. Initially, the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat was to be available for sale in August, but that was postponed while everything was being sorted out with facts and figures, pricing, and a few nasty burnouts along the way. Finally, we heard from President and CEO of Dodge and SRT Brands, Tim Kuniskis, about the performance and a little bit of history.

With a car like this, setting the musclecar world on edge and creating a lot of fanfare as well as animosity, it’s only fitting that the very first Hellcat Challenger, VIN 0001, is to be auctioned off ahead of all others at Barrett-Jackson Auctions this weekend, with proceeds going to charity.

The one-of-one special edition Challenger wears the highly coveted VIN 0001, and some sources have already speculated that the car will reach more than ten times the MSRP of just under $60,000. What makes this SRT Hellcat so unique is not only it being the first production vehicle, but it will wear a one-time only Viper exclusive Stryker Red finish. This paint will be applied by hand at the Dodge Viper paint facility, and the sale will include special Hellcat badging, specific VIN documentation and one-of-a-kind memorabilia.

The Hellcat Challenger has been NHRA-certified with a quarter-mile time of 10.8 seconds at 126 mph, making it the fastest production musclecar in history. Adding to that top-of-the-charts category is the 707 horsepower and 650 lb/ft of torque that the Hellcat Hemi puts out, all from a car that can be purchased at the local dealership. So far, no other factory production musclecar has come off the assembly line with more power than the Hellcat.

The auction will take place at Barrett-Jackson this weekend, with the event running from September 25-27, and the unique Challenger Hellcat will cross the block on the 27th. Barrett-Jackson will be at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and all proceeds from the auction will benefit the nont-for-profit organization Opportunity Village, of Las Vegas.

Opportunity Village is an organization that serves people within the community with significant intellectual disabilities, aiming to improve their lives and the lives of their families. It was founded in 1954 by seven families with a goal of providing their own children with disabilities to have the best lives possible. Opportunity Village is one of the most recognized and respected organizations of their kind in the United States, employing the largest number of people with disabilities in the state of Nevada.

“The 2015 Challenger Hellcat is already guaranteed to be one of the hottest cars that will roll through the Barrett-Jackson auction lanes in decades to come,” said Tim Kuniskis, President and CEO, Dodge and SRT Brands, Chrysler Group LLC. “The VIN 0001 being auctioned this year is the ultimate one-of-one collectible 2015 Dodge Challenger, as Dodge is ensuring there will never be another one like it.”

The special edition Hellcat will come equipped with the TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission equipped with paddle shifters, 15.4 inch Brembo front disc brakes with two-piece rotors and six piston calipers. The car will also be equipped with 20×9.5-inch matte black forged aluminum wheels front and rear. Inside, the newly designed interior will sport very comfortable bucket seats trimmed in Black Laguna leather, and a fully customizable modern dash with all of the latest technology, including the option to customize suspension, engine, and transmission performance functions.

According to Chrysler’s press release, the first Hellcat Challenger will also include: “a HEMI painted presentation box with a VIN0001 electronic vehicle build book and video documentary, still shots, vehicle footage, an authentic Challenger SRT Hellcat embossed Laguna Leather iPad sleeve, a signed SRT Hellcat lithograph and unique “birth certificate” for VIN0001.”

Some of the little extras that will be included.

Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson Auctions, Craig Jackson, said, “With 707 horsepower, the 2015 Dodge Hellcat is more than just the most powerful muscle car built by an American manufacturer. It’s also going to be the means to help countless people with severe intellectual and related disabilities reach their potential. We’re honored that Dodge chose our 2014 Las Vegas auction to sell Hellcat VIN001 to support Opportunity Village. Not only will the wonderful people at this organization benefit from the sale of this muscle car, but the winning bidder will own a truly amazing piece of American automotive history.”

The auction is happening this weekend in Las Vegas, and you can still attend the Barrett-Jackson Auction and be a part of history and watch the price climb on this unique, one-of-one 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat in the exclusive Stryker Red Viper paint. Will it reach a million dollars – or more?  Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Check out the build video from Barrett-Jackson below.