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HXC Performance marketing 'Cuda conversion for Dodge Challenger
Click above for more shots of the HXC Cuda conversion
When Chrysler gave its Plymouth brand the axe, many storied name-plates were orphaned -- none of them more legendary than the Hemi 'Cuda. As the Mopar brand began teasing the world with its pony car revival, otherwise known as the Dodge Challenger, a great many fans of the classic Barracuda were left wishing that their childhood dreams of driving off the showroom floor in a brand new Hemi-powered Plymouth muscle car could finally be fulfilled. And so they might. HXC Performance is currently hard at work designing a retrofit kit that would transform the Dodge Challenger into a proper Plymouth 'Cuda. Many aficionado's believe that the 1971 'Cuda was the best looking year, and it's on this model that HXC chose to base its conversion. Included is a new grille, fender "gills" (which were only used in '71), Shaker hood, tail lights and a new rear valance.
To up the performance ante of the standard HEMI-powered R/T model, a Brembo brake package and suspension upgrade will also be included, as will a few engine option packages that can bump the power up to 475 horsepower. Mustang and Camaro owners may now have one more reason to keep an eye on their rear-view mirrors, mimicking countless scenes from the muscle car glory years of the early '70s.
Gallery: HXC Performance Cuda
[Source: HXC Performance via Motor Gears]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
glockophilic 4:43PM (9/19/2008)
Like the HP, dont like the ports, like the grill. Maybe if it was lighter...
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TriShield 4:39PM (9/19/2008)
When will someone make a new Camaro into a new Firebird?
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CJ 4:55PM (9/19/2008)
I was just thinking the same thing. You know someone will.
J M C 3 5:58PM (9/19/2008)
Ugh (shiver ,shakes head) Bleah!
Zeus.:God 11:44PM (9/19/2008)
They have concepts of a new Firebird... It's the Camaro with a grill divider...
tricky dicky 4:49PM (9/19/2008)
Cool idea, but I'll keep my Challenger 500 looking like a challenger.
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MemphisNET 4:57PM (9/19/2008)
Go Canada :D
My Black 09' R/T MTX is on it's way!
MemphisNET 4:56PM (9/19/2008)
I'm all for a Plymouth revival, and a REAL Plymouth 'Cuda -- but I could never bring myself to de-value my Challenger - or any other factory-built car.
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imoore 6:24PM (9/19/2008)
Agreed. this sounds just like the West Coast outfit that tried converting the '04-'06 Pontiac GTO into the HRSS454-a modern-day Chevelle. People didn't go for it then, and I don't think anyone will accept this fake Barracuda.
What's next-converting the Mustang into a retro-themed Mercury Cougar?
The Luigiian 7:51PM (9/19/2008)
iMoore, the difference between the Coog and the Cuda is that the Cuda is more well known than the Challenger.
I knew about the Barracuda wayyy before I knew about the Challenger. I'd never even heard about it. Whereas I knew about the Mustang long before I knew about the Cougar.
I know I would personally be more interesting in buying a Plymouth Barracuda than a Dodge Challenger. The name alone sounds cooler, due in no small part to the song by Heart.
J. D. Billiford 5:20PM (9/19/2008)
>>> I came across some information a while ago, and I apologize for not remembering the source, that suggested Chrysler was considering bring back the Barracuda after the Challenger model had been discontinued.
In this case it seems the folks at HXC Performance either got the jump on Chrysler, or is giving us a hint of things to come.
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Chris 5:38PM (9/19/2008)
There is 0% chance of that happening. Sorry.
Say What? 7:36PM (9/19/2008)
Chris, is that an "absolute zero chance," or a "very low probability zero chance?"
Aki 5:29PM (9/19/2008)
Hmm Challenger looks better.
Not necessarily against gills, but those look kinda tacky.
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MONTE 6:53PM (9/19/2008)
The Challenger should have been the 'Cuda all along. You don't hear about Hemi Challengers bringing record prices at Barrett-Jackson, you hear about Hemi Cudas doing it. If I had a new Challenger I would absolutely have this conversion done to it because it looks better and is more noteworthy in Mopar history.
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Torrent 9:20PM (9/19/2008)
Step 1: Bring back Plymouth.
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Tony 10:27PM (9/19/2008)
Hmm...
I'll have a Oldsmobile Cutlass made from a G8.
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JustJoe 5:39AM (9/20/2008)
Right after John Neff gets his Alero and TriShield gets his Grand National. ;)
jmanbball 1:38AM (9/20/2008)
If they want to make a Cuda, they need to redo the rear quarter panels to make the body crease straight down the whole body, which is one of the biggest differences. Otherwise it's just some bastard offspring of both, not really one or the other.
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Chris 10:29PM (9/20/2008)
0% as in absolute zero, snowball's chance in hell, of anything Plymouth coming back in any form, at least as OE.
Which is a shame.
Chrysler LLC isn't even putting much $ into new product at this point, not in house at least...their next-gen vehicles, sadly, are in a very real way being 'outsourced' (here's looking at you, Nissan). New engines coming and that’s about it through 2011, excluding a facelift here and there…
But I digress...too much idle time, my apologies lol.
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