Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[HXC Performance marketing 'Cuda conversion for Dodge Challenger]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/19/hxc-performance-marketing-cuda-conversion-for-dodge-challenger/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/19/hxc-performance-marketing-cuda-conversion-for-dodge-challenger/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/19/hxc-performance-marketing-cuda-conversion-for-dodge-challenger/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


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]]>1971 barracuda1971 cuda1971Barracuda1971Cudahemi barracudahemi cudaHemiBarracudaHemiCudahxc cudahxc performanceHxcCudaHxcPerformanceplymouth barracudaplymouth cudaPlymouthBarracudaPlymouthCudaFri, 19 Sep 2008 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA[John Herlitz, designer of '70 Barracuda, '71 GTX, dead at 65]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/30/john-herlitz-designer-of-70-barracuda-71-gtx-dead-at-65/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/30/john-herlitz-designer-of-70-barracuda-71-gtx-dead-at-65/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/30/john-herlitz-designer-of-70-barracuda-71-gtx-dead-at-65/#commentsFiled under: ,



John Herlitz packed a lot of memorable MOPAR into his 35 years with Chrysler. He graduated from college and started with the company as a designer in 1965. In just three years, Herlitz became manager of the Plymouth Intermediate Car Studio and didn't waste much time making his mark on the lineup.

Best known for his redesign of the 1970 Barracuda and 1971 GTX, Herlitz went on to work on several well-known concept cars, including the '97 Copperhead (above right).

Upon the announcement of Herlitz's retirement in 2001, Tom Gale, then executive vice president of Chrysler Product Development, said, "John Herlitz has made a tremendous contribution to DaimlerChrysler, and we will miss him personally and professionally. John's design signature has been seen on Chrysler branded vehicles from 1968. He has a true passion for cars and vehicle design that is unparalleled in the industry."

Herlitz died Wednesday at 65.

[Source: Automotive News (subscription required)]

John Herlitz, designer of '70 Barracuda, '71 GTX, dead at 65 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Mar 2008 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BarracudacopperheadDodge CopperheadDodgeCopperheadGTXJohn HerlitzJohnHerlitzplymouthPlymouth Barracudaplymouth road runnerPlymouthBarracudaPlymouthRoadRunnerroad runnerRoadRunnerSun, 30 Mar 2008 10:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Photoshop fun: <strike>Plymouth</strike> Chrysler Barracuda concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/30/photoshop-fun-strike-plymouth-strike-chrysler-barracuda-conc/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/30/photoshop-fun-strike-plymouth-strike-chrysler-barracuda-conc/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/30/photoshop-fun-strike-plymouth-strike-chrysler-barracuda-conc/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click either image for a high-res gallery.

When Chrysler trotted out the 'Cuda concept this past November at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, our first thought, after wanting to give it our lunch money, was that it might be one of the few examples in recent memory where Chrysler's badge engineering boffins couldn't drop the ball. A Photoshop wizard from Sao Paulo, Brazil by the name of Rafael Reston figured that Chrysler wasn't working fast enough (if at all) and decided to mock up his own interpretation of a Barracuda revival. While we're not entirely sold on the styling cues he chose, which straddle the line between concept car gauche and an art student's waste basket, we still like the idea. But it's highly doubtful that Chrysler has the time or resources to pour into a low-volume seller that has the possibility of cannibalizing sales from the Challenger.

[Source: Serious Wheels via Carscoop]

Gallery: Chrysler Barracuda by Rafael Reston

Photoshop fun: Plymouth Chrysler Barracuda concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barracudachryslerchrysler barracudaChryslerBarracudaplymouthplymouth barracudaPlymouthBarracudaWed, 30 Jan 2008 17:33:00 EST