Autoblog

SEMA 2008: Mr. Norm's AAR 'Cuda redo

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:18:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Tuners, Coupe, Performance, Dodge

Click above for high-res gallery of Mr. Norms AAR 'Cuda

The Dodge Challenger is offering tuners one of the hottest platforms to work with since the current-era Mustang arrived in 2003. And although this is supposed to be the year of the Camaro, there are tons of cool Challengers here at SEMA. One of our favorites is actually badged as a 'Cuda built by Mr. Norm's Garage. Yes, that Mr. Norm, the legendary owner of Grand Spaulding Dodge that was famous for building some of the fastest Mopars in the country during the muscle car glory days. The car you see here is one of two the company put together for this year's show. This one is made to replicate an AAR 'Cuda. It features a supercharged version of the 6.1L Hemi putting out 900 horsepower (!), forged wheels, Hotchkis suspension upgrades, massive SSBC brakes, and a custom front clip that makes it look more like a Plymouth. Very hot car.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Mr. Norms AAR Cuda

SEMA 2008: Mr. Norm's AAR 'Cuda redo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

HXC Performance marketing 'Cuda conversion for Dodge Challenger

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Tuners, Coupe, Performance, Chrysler, Dodge, Specialty

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]

HXC Performance marketing 'Cuda conversion for Dodge Challenger originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEMA 2007: Chrysler Barracuda?

Alex Nunez — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:34:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Chrysler

OK, let's set a few things straight about this right off the bat. We have no details other than the photos you see here, which are posted at CarDomain and were sent in via a tipster. It's parked with the other SEMA Chryslers and looks for all the world like a factory 'Cuda concept based on the LX platform shared by the Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Chrysler 300. Now, let's go into 100% speculation mode.

If it's a real Chrysler concept, logic would dictate that it's based on the Challenger (2-door body style and all) and is therefore propelled by some HEMI variant under its shaker hood. A look inside reveals a stock Chrysler interior, save for the pistol-grip shifter, and a closer inspection of the steering wheel reveals a badge that looks like it represents something other than Chrysler or Dodge, which means that this could just as likely be an one-off show car from some undetermined builder.

We hope that's not the case, and that it's really a tease to gauge interest in a possible Barracuda production car, but something that important would likely be unveiled at one of the big public shows. A modern HEMI Cuda would be awesome, but until we get some kind of confirmation on what this thing is, we won't hold our breath. One of the reasons we remain skeptical is that our party-crashing buddy, Ray from Jalopnik, is currently skulking about the show floor, snapping pics during setup. If this was an actual Chrysler Barracuda concept, he'd have probably posted on it by now. In any case, the Autoblog SEMA crew will be on-site tomorrow, and they'll be able to let us know if this is really something to get excited about or not.

UPDATE: According to commenter "Burningman," it's a one-off, carbon fiber-bodied, Charger-based custom for a private customer. No word on what shop did the project.

Thanks for the tip, Maestro1!

[Source: CarDomain]

Gallery: SEMA 2007: Barracuda Concept

SEMA 2007: Chrysler Barracuda? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments