Nowadays, muscle car enthusiasts can have it all, from showroom models with all the modern safety and tech features to top-class restorations bringing the 1960s/1970s classics closer to the standards of our times. But what if you’re looking to have your cake an eat it? Well, West Virginia-based specialist ExoMod promises to offer just that with its modern Challenger Hellcat-based C68, which brings back the look of the ’68 Charger in full carbon.
In theory, the company’s recipe goes like this: they take a new Challenger and give it a carbon body, but the fresh panels come in the form of an old-school Charger. The company claims this is the first “all-carbon fiber bodied muscle car built on a brand-new automobile chassis”.
Now, we’ll point out that other full carbon builds out there, such as Stellantis head designer Ralph Gilles’ recent 1968 Charger Hellucination, which was built by SpeedKore, feature custom chassis, this is based on a modern production car. And while the same can be said about Trans Am Worldwide’s 70/SS, a current Camaro-based revival of the 1970 Chevelle, that proposal lacks the carbon body, which is reflected in the pricing.
In practice, their first build debuted earlier this week and you can check it out in the gallery below. At least based on what we can see in these images (lens tip to americanmusclehd), it appears the creation does a proper impression of the 1968 Charger. However, unlike the custom hood, which may simply pass as an aftermarket effort, the A-pillars and the way the windows are mounted give away the true nature of the hardware lurking underneath the surface.
The ’69 Charger is also on the list and so is the Challenger Scat Pack base
Note that while 1968 was the original year for the second-generation Charger—the one most enthusiasts think about—a brochure found on the specialist’s website also mentions the possibility of replicating a 1969 Charger (yes, you Dukes of Hazzard fans, we hear you cheering).
And it seems that the base vehicles involve the Challenger Scat Pack, with its 485 hp 6.4L N/A HEMI, as well as the Hellcat and the Hellcat Redeye. And since Dodge’s revived Direct Connection performance parts allow superior outputs for those supercharged monsters with a warranty, these are on the list (you can take the Hellcat from 717 to 797 hp, while the Redeye can go from 797 to 885 hp). Nevertheless, only the eight-speed automatic is mentioned.
Returning to ExoMod’s custom work, the exterior can come in exposed carbon (partial or full), or in various shades, while a custom leather interior is also available.
You can have various wheels supplied by Forgeline—the steelie-look units seen here are custom 20-inch wheels with Dog Dish hubcaps sporting the Fratzhog emblem Dodge recently resurrected for its future EV muscle cars, which should debut (in concept form) this August.
Pricing and 1969 Charger Daytona remake coming to SEMA
The retro fun starts at $375,000 for the Scat Pack, while the Hellcat conversion costs $399,000, and the Redeye one will set you back $450,000. Note that the clear carbon makes for a $7,500 option.
There are many who will be thrilled to see the hideaway headlights and old-school bumpers resurfacing, while others will label this union as unholly.
Nevertheless, ExoMod doesn’t plan to stop here. In fact, the company aims to debut a 1969 Charger Daytona version of its carbon package at this Novermber’s SEMA (the show is mentioned in the comments section of the first Instagram post below). Unlike the various modern editions Dodge made, this should come complete with a nose cone and a super-sized wing. Meanwhile, you’ll find a rendering of the reborn aero car below.
Any chance you could do a car from another country ? Would love to a 1967 HR Holden doe in this fashion