The backstory behind HPP's showstopping Daytona conversion... is a Chevy Camaro next?

When we saw the HPP Daytona at this year's SEMA show, two things became very apparent. One, we'd really like to drive it. Two, we need better pictures of it. See, the poor thing got itself shoved into a tight booth at SEMA and we just couldn't get too many decent shots. So, being the enterprising lads that we are, we wrote HPP and asked if they had some better pictures. Guess what? You're looking at 'em.

One thing we really dig about these studio shots is the detailing. Just check out the custom exhaust tips – the square suckers sticking out of the Daytona's side behind the rear wheel. Nifty, no? Great hood latches, great front splitter, good looking (and apparently functional) hood scoops and really nice hood pins. And just look at that wing – fabulous. Really, the more we look, the more we like this 600-horsepower supercharged bad boy. Which leaves us with one big question: who is HPP?

Well now, included with the purty pictures was a very interesting explanation to that very question. Gordon M. Heidacker is the president of Heide Performance Products (HPP). He's been in the car business for 23 years, working for AMC and Chrysler while getting his hands dirty with cars like Plymouth Prowler and Dodge Viper. After the Cerberus debacle, Heidacker decided to go it on his own, and set up HPP to fill, "a general hole in the market for accessories and upscale vehicles that could be converted into passionate expressions of metal, glass, plastic to become rolling art." Sounds good by us.

As far as this here Daytona goes, Heidacker had a conversation with Chrysler explaining what he and his team wanted to do. And if Chrysler liked it, they'd fund it. But, as Heidacker points out, they "Delivered that proposal to Mopar exactly 1.5 hours before they declared bankruptcy. So we decided to internally fund the project." Timing, as it's said, is everything. What's next for HPP? Next up is another Challenger, but for next year's SEMA show, they'll be bringing a Chevrolet Camaro. We, for one, will be there. For a partial list of the 50 individual changes HPP made to the Challenger when turning it into the Daytona, make the jump.

[Source: hppcars.com]

Performance:
Supercharged 5.7 L V-8 (600 HP est.) Vortech Supercharger
K&W Coil Over Adjustable Suspension (Vehicle lowered 3.5")
Magnaflow Cat Back System 3" with Custom Side Exit Exhaust Tips

Interior:
Seat Inserts and Logos
Custom Shifter and Shift knob
Custom Floor mats and Trunk mat
Custom Black Face gauges, with Chrome bezels and pointers
Color matching trim bezels (Gauges, Center Stack, Console)
HPP Badging on doors
Daytona Dash Badge

Exterior:
Custom front Daytona / Superbird nose with active hidden headlights
Custom Side Rocker covers
New Aluminum hood with custom hood power scoop
Custom Hood fender vents
Custom Rear Daytona / Superbird wing
Custom rear fascia with Side Exit Exhaust
Repositioned Side marker lights
New rear tail lights and center Daytona bezel
Custom Graphics
Custom door detail