Stereotypes are rooted in truths. The stereotype of a Mopar fan is rooted in tradition, perfection, and an absolute abhorrence for any deviation from “as it was”, whether that was perfectly stock or as it was for the period. You know what I’m talking about…guys comparing assembly line grease-pen marks while complaining that anything built after 1972 was a travesty. The same kind of guys who harbor a seething rage towards Dr. Dieter Zetsche not for hobbling Chrysler during the DaimlerChrysler era, but because that was when the Charger became a four-door sedan, AND THAT’S JUST NOT RIGHT! Those folks.
Well, if you happen to know one or two and really want to set their nerves on fire, do we have a find for you! The 1968 Dodge Charger is as close to perfection as they are willing to agree upon…even if it’s not their personal favorite machine, there is nothing but respect for what it is. And yes, that’s a Daytona wing on the back, but the way this car is being flung around in France, we can let that one slide…but what’s the story on that screamin’ V8 that’s making the car drift? That sure doesn’t sound like a 440, does it? That’s because it isn’t…under the hood is a 4.9L S62 V8 that was pirated from an E39-era BMW M5, and out back the entire rear suspension setup is rom a Porsche Cayenne Turbo.
It sounds beastly, lays rubber like Chargers are legendary for doing, and checks just about all the right boxes, but this car, which is owned and beaten on by French drifter Alexandre Claudin, has enough European bloodline in it to sent the Mopar faithful into rabid, foam-at-the-mouth fury. And you know what? Hell with ’em…this car rocks.
A disgrace!!! The next thing someone will stuff a Mercedes Diesel into an S-10 and go Land Speed Racing with it! What’s this world coming to?
I’m a major Mopar fan, but I can’t hate this build like I might hate if somebody put an LS1 motor in the car. When it comes to blasphemous builds, I find it easier to forgive a Dr. Faust than a lesser heretic.
Not my style but I dig it just the same.
As a long time AMC/Renault, Chrysler Corporation, Dumbler/Chrysler, Chrysler LLC (Cerberus), and now FCA employee I harbour no “seething rage towards Dr. Dieter Zetsche”, but I hate his over rated POS compary with every once of hatred I can muster.
And I wouldn’t cross the road to piss on a burning Benz if you paid me. 😉
how do you say joe dirt in german??
I dig it, though I would paint it French racing blue with a French flag on the roof and the name General DeGual.
A Mopar fan took a cue from the Harley Davidson, go-fast engineers and sought the help of the krauts in order to produce horsepower. Smart man.
DOES THIS LOOK LIKE A PIECE OF CRAP TO YOU????
yes it does look like a piece of crap to me . now do it with a real engine 426 hemi and we will sort out the real drivers .