The second-generation Dodge Charger is arguably one of the best-looking classic American muscle cars ever built. It was heavily redesigned with an emphasis on performance and an aggressive stance, and it has since become one of the most recognizable designs from that era, not to mention famous for its exploits on TV as The General Lee.
As far as I’m concerned, the fact that Dodge has yet to reproduce that design in an official capacity is nothing short of a national tragedy. Alright, maybe it’s not that tragic, but where do you get off “bringing back” the Challenger and not the second-gen Charger?
Don’t get me wrong, things have worked out perfectly with the third-gen Challenger, especially after the 2015 model year when they updated the styling to what you see today. But still, the original Challenger was never as good-looking as the second-gen Charger, and you can take that to the bank.
Luckily, there’s a solution to this “problem” in the shape of a bespoke creation from aftermarket specialists eXoMod Concepts of Greenville, Pennsylvania.
Meet the so-called C68 Carbon, a 1968 Dodge Charger lookalike based on a 2022 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. It’s getting auctioned off to the highest bidder, and with just 2 days left in the auction, the highest bid has already reached $245,000, making this bespoke muscle car more expensive than a brand-new Lamborghini Huracan.
It’s obviously not a perfect replica of a 1968 Charger, seeing as how the dimensions aren’t the same, and neither is the sheet metal – there are still a few angles from which this looks a tiny bit awkward. Yet, the car is overall stunning, and a true testament to how good a modernized version of the second-gen Charger would look today.
Anyway, let’s run through some of the mods, starting with the Charger-style carbon fiber exoskeleton, which is wearing a nice cool shade of Electric Blue Pearl, to go with pearl-white tail stripes like on any self-respecting Charger R/T.
Other visual highlights include the black front grille, CNC-machined headlight doors, satin black tail panel, LED taillights, center-exit dual-exhaust outlets, exposed carbon fiber hood, bespoke badging, and a set of 20” Forgeline V-spoke wheels with Nitto NT555 G2 tires and Brembo brakes.
Photo: Bring a Trailer
The interior is more or less the same as before, although you get custom embroidery to go with the standard SRT badging, plus dual-zone climate control, a Uconnect infotainment system, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the 18-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
As for the engine, it’s your usual supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 in Redeye spec, meaning 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque, with everything going to the rear wheels via a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic gearbox and a limited slip differential.
In terms of retromods, this Charger-like Challenger is about as cool as they get. However, I do believe that a heavily restomodded original second-gen Charger would have looked even better.
Sergiu got to experience both American and European car "scenes" at an early age (his father drove a Ford Fiesta XR2 supermini in the 80s). After spending over 15 years at local and international auto publications, he's starting to appreciate comfort behind the wheel more than raw power and acceleration. Full profile
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