“SUBZERO” MOPARS AT THE 2009 SEMA SHOW

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According to a U.S. News and World Reports story on Yahoo, "the Challenger just about the only Chrysler product showing signs of life."

Working through a two-foot stack of materials from the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show, a couple of cool Dodge Challengers keep coming to mind. These Challengers are livelier than most . . . or in the gearhead vernacular of BBC's "Top Gear" "Cool Wall": "Subzero."

The first one is “The King” – a slick Challenger from “Petty’s Garage” in Randleman, North Carolina. http//www.pettys-garage.com



Petty’s Garage lays claim to building “performance vehicles since 1949.” Although Richard Petty Motorsports is in the process of transitioning back to Ford in NASCAR, much of the Petty Family history is wrapped up in speedy Mopars.

(Note: some of the NASCAR press materials suggest that the last Ford run by the Pettys was during the 1969 season. However, after Richard left the family team to drive Mike Curb’s Pontiacs, Petty Engineering fielded a Ford Thunderbird in select NASCAR events. Moreover, Kyle Petty spent significant time in the Wood Brothers’ Thunderbird.)

“The King” Challenger features Gen III Hemi, poked and stroked to the storied 426 cubic inch displacement. The lump was stacked by NASCAR engine builder Arrington Engines. Kook’s Long tube headers and 2 3/4 inch mandrel-bent exhaust tubes help evacuate the latter-day EFI Elephant.

BASF R-M formulated the trademark “Petty Blue” hue. Petty’s Garage claims credit for custom front and rear facias, rocker panels and an old-school Grand National-style blade spoiler.

“The King” is stopped by massive Brembo Gran Turismo brakes, with M6 calipers and monstrous 380 x 34 mm drilled discs in front and M4 calipers squeezing 380 x 28 mm discs in the rear.

Petty’s Garage slicked up the interior, including the obligatory “Petty’s Garage” embroidered logos on the seat backs . They also fabbed up a brace of adjustable sway bar linkages, rear toe links and a handful of body braces.

Sales of “The King” will reportedly benefit the Petty Family Foundation.

The second chili Challenger from the 2009 SEMA Show was the Heide Performance Products (HPP) “Daytona” concept. http://www.HPPCARS.com

HPP is out of Madison Heights, Michigan and is a "newly founded company that is dedicated to bringing fun, style, and a new level of individuality to the Automobile Market."

The HPP Daytona does that in spades. It’s HPP’s first “full vehicle concept.”
According to HPP’s promotional materials:

“Early in 2009, during a meeting with Mopar officials, there was discussion of the old glory and historically significant Chrysler vehicles of the past. After a lot of discussion, the question was asked – ‘Hey, can you take a Charger / Challenger and make a Superbird out of it, updated of course.’ Wild idea we all thought, but HPP was up to the challenge.”

Thus, the world’s only HPP Daytona was born. “This vehicle is the culmination of over 50 product changes, designed and produced by HPP and its partner companies.”

HPP plans to start offering aftermarket products in the first quarter of 2010 and full vehicle conversions “once we have completed our tooling and vehicle testing.

Curiously, the HPP Daytona combines design elements of the 1970 Plymouth’s Superbird with the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona. Most notably, the HPP Daytona uses Superbird-style “racoon stripes” around the headlamp doors.

Sadly, HPP’s SEMA booth was one of the smallest, compromising photos of the wild HPP Daytona.

Truth With Speedzzter wonders what Petty’s Garage could do with an HPP Daytona . . . . Petty Blue . . . Arrington Hemi . . . . Maybe a new High Output Intercooled ProCharger Supercharger System . . . .



Intercooled centrifugal supercharger system for Dodge 5.7L Hemi-powered Challengers, producing 100+ additional horsepower, with all components needed for quick and complete installation. http://www.procharger.com

Part Number: 1DF304-SCI

Or maybe an STS REAR-MOUNTED TURBO system . . . .



Squires Turbo Systems's twin turbo Challenger

SOURCES ‘O 2009 SEMA SHOW MOPAR COOLNESS:

Petty’s Garage: 311 Branson Mill Road, Randleman, NC 27317 (336) 498-3745.
Heide Performance Products: 32430 Industrial Drive, Madison Hts., MI 48071 (248) 307-4263.
ProCharger: 14801 w 114th Terrace, Lenexa, KS, 66202, (913)338-2886.
Squires Turbo Systems, Inc.:165 N. 1330 W. Suite A-4, Orem, UT 84057, (801)224-3477.


[INTERNET NEUTRALITY DISCLOSURE: Truth With Speedzzter attended the 2009 SEMA Show as an unpaid guest of Source Interlink Magazines and Ford Motor Company. None of the companies mentioned in this story provided any compensation, inducement or gratuity of any kind for this story. Truth With Speedzzter is not affiliated with any of the companies referenced in this article.]