The confusion on 08/09 is really quite simply answered............
No ,the cars will not be 09s, as they all have 08 Vin numbers and they are not going to change that ( the last 8 numbers/letters are all beginning with 8V ).
We have often gotten model year cars clear into October, though normally it goes through August of late. Years ago Vipers were built through the end of the calendar year, so it was not uncommon to get a current year in December.
09 Pre-production models never figure in the mix, as they are just test mules and should not be confused with consumer built machines. The reason Chrysler stopped orders early was because they gave Dealers their entire final allottment months ahead of the final build.This was really quite brilliant, as the Conner Avenue Plant no longer builds three colors of cars with all the same components, but builds numerous colors, a myriad of interior combination and options, and has essentially three distinct styles ( Coupe, Convertible , Aero Group/ACRs ). With some cars coming out in tiny numbers ( example 3 cars in a specific color for an ACR ) and still having different options , suppliers needed to be contacted and specific numbers of items needed to be ordered. Unlike a mass produced car with 20,000+ parts in the supplier bins, there may be a supplier required to supply only 10 items ( say a graphite radio bezel ) , and if orders were to come in late for 20 more, it might impossible to get in time or at best would cause a long delay.
We currently have 3 Black ACRs built ( in I status ) and all the other Black ones are in D1 status or beyond. We should all be seeing the Killer Snakes real soon, and only Mr. Wellington is able to relish the Venomous Track Asp at present!
Respectfully,
Bill Pemberton
Woodhouse
