1994 Doge Neon ACR

1994 Dodge Neon ACR David: 303.947.0444

The Dodge Neon was part of the reemergence of the Chrysler Corporation after Lee Iacocca retired. All new products including the Neon, the Ram, the Intrepid, struck a hopeful and revolutionary product note for the often dowdy Chrysler offerings. These cars and trucks were highly styled, revolutionary in their value, and offered features that were world beaters. Articles were produced by the Japanese Press about how the Neon was going to usurp Japanese models because of their high horsepower, high content (standard features) and extremely low price. At a time when the Corolla produced all of 115 horsepower, the Neon produced 130 horsepower and was extremely lightweight. These cars were FAST, not just fast for their price range but FAST. The ACR was offered only to SCCA members. It was a factory ringer. Devoid of any sound deadening insulation, the only Neon ever offered with rear disk brakes with no ABS and a closer ratio 5 speed, larger anti sway bars, faster ratio steering, heavy duty front hubs, and special engine computer put these cars right in the middle of the SSC classification and made them competitive right from the beginning. I believe only 230? of these cars were produced in this first year, I might be off my 50 cars one way or another.

As a Dodge dealer and an automotive enthusiast, I had been taking driving schools for years and decided it was time to go racing. I purchased two of these vehicles, formed a race team, and proceeded to campaign all over the country for the next two years. I collected some of the most famous racing courses like some people collect the most famous golf courses. This car has seen Road America, Laguna Seca, Sebring, and probably another 20 more across the country. We were competitive, winning a few races here and there but mostly, we just had a lot of fun as I got to drive on my dream race courses.

After the racing, the cars were used as office runners at my dealership but nobody liked to drive them because they were so rough riding and so noisy inside. At one point, my body shop got slow, I got a wild hair, and I pulled the ACR out of shagging service, stuck it in the body shop, ordered every single new part I could find for the vehicle and refurbished it completely with NOS parts and a complete interior and exterior paint job (only I am crazy enough to restore a Neon). The original Archer Brother cage was put back in but I left the belts out. This car brings back a lot of great memories I have pounded around storied race courses surrounded with 20-35 cars on the grid, pushing them out of the way to get the line into the first corner. It was a great time in my life and although this is a Neon, it is one of less than 500 ever built and is part of racing history.

The level of NOS parts replacement on this vehicle was epic. Carpeting, door trim panels, headliners, headlights, weather strips, the list goes on ad infinitum. The trunk is packed with new struts, and multiple NOS suspension wear parts. The engine may have been replaced at one point. Call for details. And finally, in the brand new back seat, you’ll find a brand new, from Chrysler, NOS transaxle.

Read the Hemmings article on thisspecific car:

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2014/12/04/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1994-dodge-neon-acr/

David: 303.947.0444