Vintage Lines Hide Modern Hellcat Muscle
The dance we do as hot-rodders typically goes like this: We find a classic car, strip it down to the bare body, and then rebuild it to suit our own, often modernized vision. With a pro touring- or restomod-type build, that includes adding a high-power modern EFI engine, modern brakes (often with ABS on the nicer builds), and amenities like air conditioning and a rockin' audio system. In essence, the classic lines of the old body are kept, and the newest performance and cruising technology is grafted to it. It's time-consuming and expensive, but it gives us the look we want along with modern performance.
But what if you did it the other way around? This would be where you took a modern performance car and added body panels to replicate the classic lines. This isn't a new idea, but to be honest we haven't loved the results in the past. The problem is that modern cars have modern dimensions and structures that don't always play nice with the lines of our classics. This is especially true around the windshield and A-pillars. For example, we remember a company that was trying to make a C5 Corvette look like a vintage C2 'Vette, but the windshield area just killed it since the C5's A-pillars were way too swept back for aerodynamics. It just looked wrong. We had yet to see one of these retrofied modern muscle cars done where the proportions were right, or at least close enough to still look good.
That was until we spied the builds from eXoMod Creations. It was their C68 CARBON build (a clever code for 1968 Charger) and it actually looked like a vintage Dodge Charger! Now, we're not saying it's an exact copy, but it certainly captures the soul of a '68-'70 Charger that's been given a 21st-Century makeover. You get all the modern performance and tech of a new Dodge Hellcat (707 hp) or even a Hellcat Redeye (807 hp) with the vintage vibe of its '60s-era ancestor. They are also currently offering the C69 CARBON, which is reskinned in carbon fiber to look like a 1969 Charger.
eXoMod Creations owes a thank you to Dodge for making this possible. You see, the C68 CARBON Charger is exactly the same length as a bone-stock 1968 Charger. It also has the exact same wheelbase! Add in that the windshield rake isn't nearly as extreme as some cars, such as Camaros and Corvettes, and you end up with proportions that are close enough to work. One area that changes, though, is the car's width, since the eXoMod C68 CARBON is a true widebody. This is done with the quarter-panels and fenders instead of the fender flares used on a modern widebody Dodge. The result of all this body-swap voodoo is a modern Dodge Hellcat that has the look of a vintage Charger, with the right proportions so that your eye doesn't dismiss it all as some sort of bait-and-switch deal.
As they said in that old Ginsu knife infomercial, "But wait—there's more!" You see, the new vintage-shaped body panels aren't stamped-steel, they're carbon-fiber. This means the new retro-modern Mopar is 400 pounds lighter than a factory Hellcat Challenger! The weight loss is akin to free horsepower for an already stupid-fast car. Oh, and the body panel swap retains Dodge's powertrain warranty.
The interior of the eXoMod cars stays pretty stock with the exception of better, Italian leather for the seats. All the high-tech options found on a new Hellcat are still there, so you have heated and cooled seats, launch control, and safety stuff like airbags and backup sensors.
eXoMod isn't stopping with Chargers. Other classic Mopars are getting the reskinned-in-carbon treatment as well. The D71 is styled after the 1971 Dodge Demon, and we have to say the rendering looks kickass. This ride, limited to just 25 vehicles, should be done around the summer of 2023. Like all the eXoMod cars there are tons of color, wheel, and trim options.
Want something wilder? How about a Hellcat reskinned to look like a 1969 Charger Daytona? Yep, big nose, big carbon-fiber wing, and tons of attitude. They are currently building this Daytona and hope to have it on display at November's MCACN event in Chicago. All the eXoMod conversions roll on high-end Forgeline wheels. Even these rollers, which look like vintage steelies, are in fact 20-inch billet Forgeline wheels!
Now this isn't an inexpensive proposition, but what is these days? Consider the cost of taking a 1968 Charger and building it into everything the 2022 Hellcat is. All the comfort, all the power, all the modern suspension parts, flush-mounted glass, and latest technology. A build like that would be hundreds of thousands and take an eternity to get done. eXoMod can convert your existing Challenger (all the way back to a 2011 R/T model year) for $275K and have it built, painted, and on the road in around 8 weeks! They also sell complete cars, customized to your tastes, starting at $400K for the 707-hp Hellcat or $450K for the 807-hp Redeye!
For us mere mortals, nearly half a million bucks falls into fantasy land, but you could easily spend that much, and more than likely more, adding all the Hellcat guts and carbon fiber to a vintage Mopar, and still not end up with a car capable of reliably making cross-country drives. This car drives like a new Hellcat because, in essence, it is a new Hellcat. In short, this is just another way to skin the proverbial feline; a way to get those classic-car lines we love along with the modern kickass performance we've become accustomed to. To window-shop or place an order, click on over to www.exomodcarbon.com. If you're at the 2022 SEMA show in Vegas, look for booth 24995 in the Hot Rod Alley, where a new purple car that's just being finished up will be on display.
Watch! Roadkill's General Mayhem Gets Upgraded
Is the '68 Dodge Charger the "best car" like David Freiburger says? Maybe, but the General Mayhem is definitely one of the most iconic Roadkill cars. Watch as Roadkill Garage hosts Freiburger and Steve Dulcich give it tons of body upgrades and engine-saving modifications before hitting the road for proper break-in procedures—aka burnouts! Sign up for a tree trial to MotorTrend+ and start watching every episode of Roadkill Garage today! Video created by Little Dot Studios.
You may also like
WHAT IT IS: Lincoln's first electric vehicle, an Aviator-sized SUV.WHY IT MATTERS: Lincoln promises three new EVs by 2025, a fourth in 2026, and full electrification of its portfolio by 2030. Many automakers are letting their luxury brands lead the EV charge, but Lincoln is behind the volume Ford brand.PLATFORM AND POWERTRAIN: The Lincoln Star concept offers hints of what's to come when Lincoln creates high-tech, connected luxury vehicles on Ford's new rear-wheel-/all-wheel-drive EV architecture. Given today's Lincoln lineup in the U.S. consists of four crossovers (China has an additional electric Lincoln Zephyr Reflection sedan), we expect four electric SUVs to replace them, followed by derivatives.First up should be the Lincoln Aviator EV, last up an electric Navigator from the next-gen full-size large truck/SUV EV platform. There's nothing concrete yet on the powertrain, but dual motors are a must for AWD. And although the Lincolns will ride on a different platform than the Mustang Mach-E, there could be sharing of its 75.7- and 98.8-kWh battery packs. Expect one-pedal driving, the latest Sync infotainment, a streamlined body with LED lighting, an illuminated matrix grille below the frunk lid, and lattice lightwork across the back.Anticipating advanced driver assist technologies, the concept has an interior ready for an autonomous future, with front seats that swivel to interact with rear passengers. The production model won't go that far. We expect Lincoln will add B-pillars for production models, and the A- and D-pillars will be made of metal, not glass like the concept's. The split rear gate can open to create an extra bench for tailgating, a feature that might survive into production.ESTIMATED PRICE: $70,000EXPECTED ON-SALE DATE: Q4 2024 or Q1 2025
After confirming the return of the legendary Integra nameplate to the buzz of many car enthusiasts, Acura unveiled the Integra prototype last November in near-production form. The next-generation Integra model is more mature-looking and appropriately bigger than the ho-hum ILX compact sedan it effectively replaces, though like the ILX and Integras of yore, it shares its underpinnings with a Honda, in this case the Civic hatchback.Now a five-door liftback sedan, the 2023 Acura Integra arrives this spring and should have a starting price of $30,000 more or less. Acura has finally announced an online sign-up form for customers who want to be among the first notified when reservations open on March 10. According to Acura's announcement, the new Integra will initially launch in limited production, with reservations handled at participating dealerships.While specifications of the sporty compact are not yet released, it will come powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter I-4 engine coupled with a six-speed manual transmission. The engine should develop just over 200 hp (and is thought to be essentially the Civic Si's powertrain), though the recently trademarked Type S model might raise the performance bar much higher. And if you missed it, we finally got a look inside the highly anticipated car at Daytona International Speedway, revealing other Civic similarities.More concrete details should be available closer to the on-sale date. We will keep you updated as soon as that information comes our way.
In the world of Honda building, the Civic and Integra chassis reign supreme in terms of popularity and aftermarket support. But even within the ranks of multiple generations and trim levels, some models just don't get as much attention as others. The second-generation Integra, for example, was a hit with both the mainstream and enthusiast groups when it debuted over 30 years ago. Aspirational for the Civic and CRX crowd, it served as a step up with its 1.8-liter DOHC engine and refined interior chock full of additional amenities and modified versions could be found virtually everywhere. As the third-generation Integra was introduced, the DA chassis took a backseat as parts development and popularity surrounded the newer model and the number of 1990-93 Integra builds dropped considerably.Reliving the Glory YearsThat was then, and lately, early 190s Honda nostalgia is at an all-time high. With those old school vibes comes a renaissance of sorts for the DA chassis. Along with those that have always owned and modified these cars, there is a wave of new and return owners that appreciate the sleek styling and charm of Acura's early '90s, entry-level offering. And for any Honda enthusiast looking for a '90s-era chassis to start on, the "mechanic's special" that Enrique Guerra found on Craigslist four years ago is the stuff of dreams. A 1992 LS model with faded paint and an undiagnosed engine issue that resulted in an asking price of just $500—something Guerra jumped on immediately.Like any older Honda chassis, finding aftermarket support can be tough, while sourcing OEM replacement parts is almost impossible. He adds, "It's been a stressful couple of years sourcing new parts and buying products that will work with the DA chassis, but with the help of social media, close friends, and networking, finding parts became a lot easier."As with most DA chassis owners, the initial plan called for a deep clean and some very basic updates to freshen the car up while maintaining its '90s-era feel. "In the Bay (Area) we have a very diverse car community with a little of everything which influenced the Integra to go through a couple of phases—I eventually ended up going as far as restoring the car completely."JDM x USDMThe restoration portion of the build included a Captiva Blue Pearl respray that covered the entire car, including a set of classic Wings West side skirts and matching rear bumper cap. Every DA build needs JDM one-piece headlights to consider it complete, which Guerra sourced, along with a set of thin side moldings from the Japanese DA model that match the bumper moldings much better with their flatter appearance. Other less obvious parts from overseas included the front fenders and bumper. From there, carbon fiber replacement parts became Guerra's main focus with the build.The requisite carbon fiber Seibon hood and VIS hatch were in order, and matched to a slew of other carbon parts, including a JDP Engineering front lip and rear spoiler, Tracklife Composites bumper ducts, I-Sport side and rear window visors, a custom windshield cowl, and a set of Cactus Composites mirror bases to anchor Imagine Racing side mirrors. Adding even more contrast against the uncommon factory body color are gloss black 16x8 TE37 wheels highlighted by bright orange front and rear Wilwood brake calipers.Modern ReliabilityHaving a personal connection to the 1990-93 Integra chassis, one thing I've noticed time and time again is that many nice-looking DA builds ignore under-hood enhancement - but that's not the case here. The original engine issues that came with the car are ancient history with a B18C1 swap now powering Guerra's LS. Avoiding shaved sheet metal or a tucked wiring loom, the appearance is clean and tidy with an OEM-plus aura. The A/C, power steering, and cruise control are all still intact and operational, while the B-series' weak link ignition system is modernized by way of Hondata's coil-on-plug conversion with a Rywire coil plate and engine harness included. The high-quality wiring is a welcome addition as Guerra notes that the car included some frustrating wiring issues provided by its previous owners, but he was fortunately able to work them out.The OEM-style intake is based on a Comptech Ice Box with a velocity stack that routes outside air to an Integra Type R factory intake tube before feeding a Skunk2 throttle body and Ultra Street intake manifold. Exhaust is routed through a PLM header and Thermal cat-back system and a Vibrant Ultra Quiet resonator was added to control drone. It's not pushing big peak power or running on the ragged edge, but instead offers a huge improvement over the Integra's original output while remaining entirely reliable and doesn't force Guerra to give up any of those create comforts that come in handy on his lengthy drives up and down the California coast.More modern touches were applied to the interior, starting with an S2000 gauge cluster swap and a flocked dash. Just in front of the updated cluster is a Renown Champion HP steering wheel that Guerra fitted with a custom mount for the cruise control buttons. The original seats were pulled for a pair of Corbeau buckets with upholstery that matches perfectly to the suede pillars and headliner.The Parts HunterDuring the build process, Guerra was a regular at local junk yards in search of replacement parts for his Integra as well as offering to help his fellow enthusiast outside of the state or country that might be in search of something he had access to. In addition, he spends his free time coming up with his version of some much-needed Integra replacement parts which he offers through his Ninety93 website with the promise to add more as development continues.Getting his hands on a starter chassis for such a cheap price came with its fair share of issues, as he states, "It needed a lot of attention, but it was definitely fun to build, nonetheless. It pushed me to learn how to do things on my own such as powdercoat and understand what parts work and don't work with the DA chassis, and even quickly trouble shoot anything wrong with the car. The idea behind the build was to have something modern and aggressive with some old school appeal while also steering away from the rest of the other Integra builds you usually see."The tale of the $500 mechanic's special isn't over just yet. "The car still has a long way to go as 2022 rolls in and I have big plans to change the look of the exterior very soon, along with other small things here and there."Car: 1992 Acura Integra LSOwner: Enrique GuerraInstagram: @pincheenriqueEngine GS-R swap; Hasport engine mounts; PLM header; Skunk2 intake manifold, throttle body; ITR intake arm; Comptech Ice Box intake; Thermal R&D cat-back exhaust; Vibrant ultra-quiet resonator; ATI crankshaft pulley; RC 440cc injectors; MPC Motorsports fuel rail; Grams 255lph fuel pump; custom catch can; Rywire Motorsports Electronics engine harness, coil-on-plug plate; Mishimoto aluminum radiator, slim fans, silicone hoses w/heat shrink clamps; G Development titanium hardware; Hondata S300 V3 management, coil-on-plug conversion kitDrivetrain B16 transmission; OEM LSD; Innovative DC2 shift linkage, half shaft, axlesSuspension Megan Racing coilovers; Skunk2 front/rear camber kits; Buddy Club extended ball joints; K-Tuned traction bar; Password:JDM 3-pt. shock tower bar; Hardrace front control arm bushings; ASR rear LCA w/spherical ends, subframe, 24mm sway bar w/spherical end links, trailing arm bushings; G Development titanium hardwareBraking Wilwood DynaPro 6-piston front calipers, rear calipers, 12.9 front/rear rotors, parking brake cables, stainless linesWheels & Tires 16x8 Volk Racing TE37; 225/45 Toyo Proxes R1R; Rays Engineering lug nutsExterior JDP Engineering carbon fiber lip, trunk spoiler; Seibon carbon fiber hood; VIS carbon fiber hatch; Tracklife Composites carbon fiber brake caliper ducts; Cactus Composites side mirror plates; Imagine Racing carbon fiber mirrors; I-Sport carbon fiber window visors, hatch visor; custom carbon fiber wiper cowl; JDM 1-piece headlights, fenders, front bumper, bumper support, thin moldings; Wings West side skirts, rear bumper cover; OEM optional sunroof visorInterior Corbeau seats; flocked dash; S2000 gauge cluster; Renown Champion HP steering wheel w/custom-mounted cruise control; NEXT Miracle X-bar roll bar; Phase2Motoring floor mats; ZOOM Engineering carbon fiber rear view mirror; Cactus Composites carbon shift plate, S2000 cluster bezel; Mugen sport pedals; JDM manual seatbelt conversion, armrest w/cupholder, Gathers optional rear speaker covers; suede headliner, pillars; Optima battery relocated to trunk; custom subwoofer enclosure, Pioneer double-din head unitThank You I just want to thank my old friends who got me into Hondas 10 years ago and to all of the friends I made along the way. Also a huge thanks to Patrick for all of these amazing shots and also all of the big to small companies that support making replacement and performance parts for these very old cars
0 Comments