Even though Chrysler is going through a very hard financial time, Hurst Performance Vehicles said yesterday that it has opened the doors of its new California Performance Center in Irvine. The new 50,000 sq-ft complex will provide space for 60 employees that will hand build the many tuning stages of the 2009 Hurst/Hemi Dodge Challenger.

Hurst said that production and deliveries of the 2009 Hurst/Hemi Dodge Challenger and the 50th Anniversary Hurst/Viper is set to begin immediately.

The Hurst Hemi Dodge Challenger is available in five performance stage for the Dodge Challenger R/T and SRT8 with prices starting at $18,350 for the R/T upgrade packages and $17,450 for the SRT8 packages.

50th Anniversary Hurst/Viper SERIAL #01:

- By: Kap Shah

Hurst Performance today dropped us some photos of the new 50th Anniversary Hurst/Viper that we heard about earlier last month. The pictures show SERAIL #01 of only 50 that will be built by the Hurst Performance Vehicle Group. Unit one will be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction on Jan. 17 with the proceeds being donated to Victory Junction, a year-round camping facility for children for chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.

Unit no. 1 will be the only model that will come in Gold with Black stripes. The other 49 units of the 50th Anniversary Hurst/Viper will come in two exclusive colors including Black with Gold stripes and White with Gold stripes to honor the Golden Anniversary of the vehicle.

Features on the 50th Anniversary Hurst/Viper include a new Hurst HARD-DRIVE gold anodized pistol-grip shifter, Hurst 19″ and 20″ polished aluminum wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, Corsa exhaust and Moton Club Sport adjustable coil-over suspension with Eibach springs. Interior upgrades feature special Katzkin charcoal leather with Hurst embroidered logos, gold thread detailing and perforated leather inserts.

Click through for the high-res image gallery.

50th Anniversary Hurst/Viper SERIAL #01:

Hurst Performance Vehicles has just announced that it will be building a limited edition series Hurst/Viper to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary. The 50th Anniversary Hurst/Viper will feature “an impressive list of performance enhancements and classic Hurst color combinations.” Hurst will only make 50 units that it will begin building in later this month.

No official performance figures have been release as of yet but Hurst says the limited-edition Viper will feature “the new Hurst HARD-DRIVE gold pistol-grip shifter, Hurst forged aluminum wheels, Katzkin leather interior, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, Corsa exhaust and Moton Club Sport adjustable coil-over suspension with Eibach springs.”

The 50th Anniversary Hurst/Viper will be available in combinations of Black with Gold stripes and White with Gold stripes to honor the Golden Anniversary. Inside the special-edition viper will feature special Katzkin charcoal leather with Hurst embroidered logos and gold thread detailing with perforated leather inserts.

Unit No.1 will feature a unique flat-finish Hurst Gold exterior paint, black racing stripes and black-chrome Hurst wheels. It will be auctioned off at the 2009 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction on January 17th alongside the first unit of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.