Exomod, a custom tuning company, introduces its take on a classic Dodge Charger. Unlike their previous restoration projects, this one creates a 1968 Dodge Charger, the icon of the muscle car scene from the current 2023 Dodge Challenger.
Using the Dodge Challenger Hellcat as its base, this promises to make quite the entrance to Cars and Coffee. This cool American creation packs the punch of the swansong for muscle cars - the Hellcat; but with the look of where it starts.
But like all these bespoke projects, Exomod's latest project seems nowhere near as affordable as a new Hellcat. The craftsmanship seems top tier, and the work hours near unthinkable. While not for everyone, this classic take on a modern muscle will surely tick some collector's boxes.
Exomod takes the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and turns it into an 800-horsepower classic-looking muscle car.
Exomod Concepts Bring Classic Dodge Looks To The Modern Challenger
Well, the good-old Dodge Challenger and Charger are nearing extinction. Both of them and the Chevrolet Camaro will soon leave the Ford Mustang as the lone American muscle car icon. Since the Dodge Challenger launched in 1968, it saw multiple iterations, and the design evolved. On its return in 2005, the four-door Dodge Charger had a retro-chic look that emulated the original car. Since then, the Charger saw some design overhauls but never a return to the original two-door 1960s look.
Aftermarket customizer Exomod Concepts now change that with their latest project, the C68 Carbon. This car uses the infamous Dodge Challenger Hellcat as its base. With 807 horsepower, these classic-looking muscle cars pack a modern punch.
The interiors remain the same as a standard car. The two examples on sale currently have either cognac or white leather. This compliments the exterior color choices of purple and blue, respectively. However, the rear seats instantly become a little less practical. After all, the Dodge Charger in period only had two doors, not the four of today's cars.
How Does Exomod Turn The Modern Dodge Challenger Into A Classic Charger?
These modified cars made their first appearance back at SEMA 2022. A firm break from Exomod's previous works, which focused on high-quality restomods, manufacturing bespoke panels for the contemporary Dodge Challenger shows that the company grows in its capabilities. Interestingly this project highlights just how much modern cars grew over the past few decades. The Charger always sat a tier above the Challenger in size. While in the late 1960s and early 1970s, both were two-door cars. The modern Challenger is now of comparable size to the much larger 60s Charger and, thus, the perfect platform for this project.
Earth Motor Cars is a dealer selling an example of the car, the "ExoMod's C68 "exoskeleton". It is a carbon fiber body that pays homage to the iconic 1968 Dodge Charger R/T". The main selling point of the car it reduces the height of the front grille, as well as flattens the front of the car. This also features the black-out grille with those vertical bars shielding the monstrous V8 nestled beneath the bonnet.
The only feature distinguishing it from a classic Dodge Charger is the 68 Carbon badge, which sits across from the iconic name Charger. However, if you were to put a real Charger next to this one, the 68 Carbon comes in around 4 inches wider and also a bit lighter. So is the march of progress; by incorporating carbon fiber over the original steel construction, Exomod cut nearly 441 pounds out of their Challenger-based Charger Restomod in comparison to the original.
The rear looks spot on with the quad circular tail lights and the distinctive long trunk. But get a little closer, and the lights are out of the 21st century. A nice subtle hint at the car's more modern design.
How Much Does Exomod's Classic Dodge Charger Cost?
Even in its most expensive run-out special guise, the regular Dodge Challenger rarely exceeds $100,000. Even the latest and coolest Challenger SRT Demon 170 costs $96,666, arguably the cheapest way to over 1,000 horsepower and definitely the most affordable new 1,000 horsepower car.
These fully custom-bodied Dodge Challengers come in an entirely different league of performance. Exomod Carbon advertises two examples currently for sale. The purple car at Earth Motor Cars is listed at $349,790. The blue example at F40 sits at a similar amount of $359,000. For perspective, that's Ferrari or Lamborghini money and also nearly three times that of an actual 1968 Dodge Charger.
In fact, you could buy a decent example of a classic Dodge Charger and a Hellcat while still taking enough cash home to buy yourself a reasonable daily driver, like a base Dodge Challenger or a Kia. But then gearheads tend not to make the most rational choices with their cars.
Exomod has another project in the work called the C69. Drawing inspiration from the famous Daytona variation of the Dodge Charger with the giant wing on the trunk. These are to make their first appearance in July this year, likely these will see much larger costs.