Photo: Andreas Wennevold on artstation.com
The Cuda we all know and love was produced in the 1970s, and the first two model years are particularly desirable among collectors. ‘71 brought forward a few changes to the half-sibling of the Dodge Challenger, and the most obvious comes in the guise of the front grille with six slots flanked by four headlights.
As opposed to the Barracuda, the ‘Cuda as the rear badge reads came exclusively with V8 options from the HEMI family of engines. Not recommended to the faint of heart – or the weak of insurance – customers could opt for the 440 “Six Pack” or the 426 “Fresh Air Hood” engines. It’s a known fact that Chrysler underrated the horsepower and torque of these engines, but then again, don’t forget the Cuda is lighter than the Dodge Challenger and two inches shorter in terms of wheelbase.
As desirable and rare as they are, these babies are sometimes treated to pretty wild restomods by the aftermarket. SEMA-quality builds aren’t exactly uncommon, but something that hasn’t been done yet is a 426 Hellephant swap. Digital artist Andreas Wennevold of Sunndalsora, Norway has imagined this specification, complete with a carbon-fiber hood inspired by the Challenger SRT Hellcat.
Hellephant is Mopar talk for a supercharged leviathan that produces 1,000 horsepower and 950 pound-feet of torque from 7.0 liters of displacement. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles designed the engine assembly and kit for pre-1976 vehicles, hence the 1968 Dodge Super Charger demonstrator vehicle at the 2018 SEMA Show.
The engine alone is priced at more than $30,000 but the carbon-fiber widebody kit with improved aerodynamics costs much more if we’re talking about a life-sized Cuda 426 Hellephant. Side exhaust pipes, slick tires from Michelin, four carbon-fiber vents on the front fenders, and a sturdy roll cage are also featured.
What’s most peculiar about Andreas’ rendering can be seen up front. One half of the grille is red while the other features a matte-black finish to go together with the carbon-fiber hood and lip spoiler. On an ending note, the inner headlights have been deleted while the outer headlights are hollow, inspired by the Hellcat.
As desirable and rare as they are, these babies are sometimes treated to pretty wild restomods by the aftermarket. SEMA-quality builds aren’t exactly uncommon, but something that hasn’t been done yet is a 426 Hellephant swap. Digital artist Andreas Wennevold of Sunndalsora, Norway has imagined this specification, complete with a carbon-fiber hood inspired by the Challenger SRT Hellcat.
Hellephant is Mopar talk for a supercharged leviathan that produces 1,000 horsepower and 950 pound-feet of torque from 7.0 liters of displacement. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles designed the engine assembly and kit for pre-1976 vehicles, hence the 1968 Dodge Super Charger demonstrator vehicle at the 2018 SEMA Show.
The engine alone is priced at more than $30,000 but the carbon-fiber widebody kit with improved aerodynamics costs much more if we’re talking about a life-sized Cuda 426 Hellephant. Side exhaust pipes, slick tires from Michelin, four carbon-fiber vents on the front fenders, and a sturdy roll cage are also featured.
What’s most peculiar about Andreas’ rendering can be seen up front. One half of the grille is red while the other features a matte-black finish to go together with the carbon-fiber hood and lip spoiler. On an ending note, the inner headlights have been deleted while the outer headlights are hollow, inspired by the Hellcat.
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