The Dodge Magnum is a vehicle that oozes 2000s nostalgia. The car's parent company decided in 2004 to manufacture a wagon based on the Chrysler LX platform. Prior to that, it made its debut as a concept car in 2003 before the production model was released in 2005.
The Magnum was a station wagon version of the Dodge Charger. Here is a fun fact about the vehicle that you may not know: Magnum as a nameplate was used by different Dodge cars during different times.
The first-generation of the Dodge Magnum was introduced in 1978 as a coupe to supplement the Dodge Charger. The 2005 model was a second-generation model portrayed as a revival of the nameplate. In terms of sales, the Magnum was a complete flop, and it was eventually killed off. That's a shame because many auto fans appreciate this car for what it is now, more so than they did back in the '00s.
In the US, it is still referred to as the country's greatest wagon by many. During those dark days of the 2008 recession, which Dodge's manufacturer Chrysler fell victim to, they decided to discontinue the Magnum alongside many other vehicles.
Thankfully, though, many people have imagined what the Magnum might look like today if it was brought back to life.
Let's take a look at the best reincarnations of this legendary ride so far.
Rostislav Prokop's Dodge Magnum
Popular car website Holley teamed up with Czech automotive artist Rostislav Prokop to invent their own version of the Magnum. The artist's rendering sees a closer tie with the current SRT Charger Widebody, typified by the bulging fender flares, the scoop and heat extractor-equipped SRT hood, and the Charger's racetrack-style LED taillights. The website claims that it all works surprisingly well in long roof form thanks to the slammed stance and additional carbon fiber parts installed underneath the rocker panels and front fascia.
Rather like with the original SRT Magnum, the roofline receives an extra dose of sportiness from a low-key spoiler that integrates the third brake light, while the Charger Widebody's rear brake vents have been spruced up to provide the Magnum with an even more assertive look.
The interior would fall closely in line with the Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody. Napa leather, heated and ventilated seats, and SRT's recent flat-bottomed steering wheels would help drag this car into the 2020s. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility were not around in the 2000s, so these features would also achieve the same outcome of modernizing the legendary automobile.
There was a staggered set of performance tires that measured 245 MM wide-up front and 255 MM in the rear on the original Magnum SRT8. Nowadays, fender flares that enlarge the Charger Widebody's overall width by 3.5 inches provide enough clearance for 305 MM-wide rubber to be installed at all four corners, and maybe the Magnum would include similar rolling stock. With a larger contact patch comes improved cornering capability and faster launches.
Both the compliance and body control of a new Magnum could also be significantly improved with a three-mode system.
Junkyard Dave's Magnum
Junkyard Dave's YouTube channel has been active for several years. Its host Dave Nenno built his own Magnum, and Motor Biscuit tracked it.
Even though the vehicle did not have its powertrain or the proper fitting wheel and tire combination back in November, the width of the car and its rear both provided the impression of a machine that should be taken seriously. As the picture above indicates, it looks incredible.
Mr. Nenno clearly realizes the potential that his version of the Magnum has to make many people happy, so he intends to take the car to numerous events, race tracks, and possibly the Speciality Equipment Manufacturing Association show in Las Vegas.
Since November, Junkyard Dave has chopped and massaged the basic, boxy shell of a Magnum into a convincing Hellcat shape. There are too many mods to keep count of, but it has got Charger doors with the famous creases and the widebody fenders at both ends.
Thankfully, this is now a high-roofed wagon, too, according to Auto Evolution. To anybody else, it should be regarded as a shooting brake because of the rear shoulder lines that wrap tightly around the chassis and lead people's eyes to the Charger's LED taillights. This is nothing more than a labor of love to Junkyard Dave, and he has done an outstanding job of bringing one of our favorite 2000s cars back to life.
These two brilliant reincarnations give us a taste of what the Magnum might look like if it returned in the 2020s. But, which of these two is better? That's up to you to decide.