Chip Off the Old Block: Foose Resurrects Original Dodge Challenger

[Mr.DJ]

Chip Off the Old Block: Foose Resurrects Original Dodge Challenger

DALLAS — Chip Foose, of Overhaulin' TV fame, is joining forces again with Texas-based Unique Performance to update another vintage muscle car: this time the 1970-'71 Dodge Challenger.

Their timing couldn't be better. Dodge unveiled a latter-day Challenger concept at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit that draws heavily on the original 1970 model for styling inspiration. Industry sources say the company has tentative plans to build a production version of the car, using Dodge Charger/Chrysler 300 underpinnings, in 2008.

The latest Foose/Unique collaboration follows their popular update of the classic 1969 Chevrolet Camaro (another muscle car soon to be reborn as an official factory re-creation). The Foose Camaro is completely reworked from top to bottom and upfitted with modern components, including 18-inch BFG tires, Tremec five-speed transmission and a choice of engines, ranging up to a 620-hp 9.3-liter big-block V8. Prices start at $124,000.

The partners aim to follow a similar pattern on the Challenger, modernizing a limited number of original cars with a Unique Performance rear suspension, Wilwood disc brakes, Foose wheels, BFG tires and Tremex gearbox. Engine choices include 5.7-liter and 7.0-liter Hemi V8s.

Unique Performance CEO Douglas Hasty opines: "Working with Chip, our team will turn a handful of these vintage muscle cars into pink-slip-winning, Z06-eating supercars."

No word yet on pricing, but Unique expects to begin production in July.

What this means to you: You won't have to wait for Dodge to ramp up production of the neo-Challenger in two years. All you need is an original 1970 Challenger — and lots of money.
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Source: Edmunds.com - Inside Line
Date posted: 06-14-2006

[Ragamuffin]

Well, These Challenger's will most likely be real nice and so will the price !! These are only for people with Double - Triple the amount of the genuine 2008 Dodge Challenger's cost: that will come with at least the standard 3/36 or maybe even the 7/70 -100,000 DCX warranty !! Not sure what type of warranty Foose offers ?

[Vanishing Point]

Originally Posted by Ragamuffin

Well, These Challenger's will most likely be real nice and so will the price !! These are only for people with Double - Triple the amount of the genuine 2008 Dodge Challenger's cost: that will come with at least the standard 3/36 or maybe even the 7/70 -100,000 DCX warranty !! Not sure what type of warranty Foose offers ?

You got that right!! More folks,jumpin' on the greed bandwagon!! I'll take at least 3 new srt-8's over the price of 1 of these,...ridiculous!!

[MikeF]

Not that I would ever buy anything from Foose, but the lines of that illustration are so much better than the show car that it isn't even close which one is better looking. I am still hoping for a few small changes in the production car so that it is closer to the sleekness of the original.

[Vanishing Point]

Originally Posted by MikeF

Not that I would ever buy anything from Foose, but the lines of that illustration are so much better than the show that it isn'r even close which one is better looking. I am still hoping for a few small changes in the production car so that it is closer to the sleekness of the original.

Yea,..like loose the 4x4 look,and lower this puppy to the ground,..and loose the ghetto 20 +some inch wheels!!!

[MikeF]

Absolutely, lower in all areas, less massive looking (right now it looks like a reskinned 300, not a bad thing) and less flabby. The original was the biggest car in its class but it doesn't look that big. Why not try that now.
My daily driver is a F250 extended cad lwb 4x4, I don't want a car that looks like that compared to other sporty cars.

[francis]

Just curious - what's the problem with Chip Foose?

[Ragamuffin]

Originally Posted by francis

Just curious - what's the problem with Chip Foose?

Well, I probably shouldn't answer this,since I'm really not an authority or knowledgable on Chip Foose,but I'll take a first crack at it ! First, just reread post # 1 from Mr. D.J. .... the Camaros are starting at $124.000 / and I opine that the Challenger is better and/or more prestigious ; so the starting price can easily be bumped up to 130.000 min. !! Second you have to find /supply him with a Challenger [ try a bone yard at the tip of the Baja Peninsula ] ! Next is you'll probably have to make bi-monthly appts. at Chip's paint booth to touch up the 'chips' from either highway debris &/or inconsiderates in parking lots ,since you'll want to keep this one of a kind and exotic paint scheme looking good !!!!!!! All things considered though ,Chip is a 'Good Guy' ,is very talented and artwork is not cheap...especially these days !!!!!!!!!!!