This 1971 Cuda Is Actually a 2022 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye With a Carbon Fiber Body

People have been trying to turn the Dodge Challenger into a Plymouth Cuda ever since it came out in 2008. Everybody knows about the Mr. Norm’s grille. However, this build takes it to the next level by installing a full carbon fiber replica body of the 1971 Cuda onto the desirable Hellcat Redeye performance machine from 2022.

This is lot S220, coming up for sale at the first major auction of next year, Mecum’s Kissimmee 2024. VIN 2C3CDZL93NH194224 technically belongs to a 2022 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye, one of the most desirable modern muscle cars. However, it’s been fully encased in a new carbon fiber body and is worth a lot of money.

Normally, one of these 797 horsepower Redeye’d beasts is worth about $115,000. However, Mecum believes this restomod is worth between $375,000 to $425,000. The fabrication certainly justifies this, but will bidders want something that’s so unique?

The build is already famous, having been revealed at the 2022 SEMA Show. It’s a unique pre-preg carbon fiber shell cured in an autoclave by Six12 Auto Worx, who have also fabricated an awesome Challenger-based ’69 Charger. However, we believe this isn’t the car they showed at SEMA because it’s got different wheels. Shop owner Danny Derasmo published this photo in October titled “Who’s ready to see CUDA 2?“, confirming there are at least two of these.

Speaking of the wheels, the fake Cuda is riding on 2 piece forged billet Boze wheels, sized 20×10 inches front and 20×12 inches rear. You’ll need a lot of rubber to contain Dodge’s monstrous 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi engine.

The general proportions are those of a Challenger. However, everything is custom-made, including the roof. Like a classic Plymouth Cuda, this doesn’t have plastic bumpers that join into the fenders. The body is one continuous, sexy piece.

Most of the body is finished in a custom shade of purple, which resembles Plum Crazy, but is deeper and more metallic. The places that you think are black graphics actually show the carbon fiber through a translucent purple clear coat. And there are more places where the carbon is visible, such as under the hood and around the rear lights.

This style of custom car is called a retromod. Where restomods add modern tech to classics, retromods do the opposite thing. Other notable examples of new bodies with old designs include the ExoModC68 and Trans Am Worldwide’s 70/SS, replicating a Chevelle on top of a modern Camaro. Of course, everybody knows the excellent Trans Am conversions.

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