We have to admit that Fast N’ Loud is among our favorite automotive-themed shows on cable right now. Featuring Richard Rawlings, Aaron Kaufman and the Gas Monkey Garage crew, they have a knack for taking deteriorating classic musclecars and turning them into something truly special.
Well history has a way of repeating itself over there, and they recently worked their magic on a classic Challenger R/T. Having this all-original ’71 340 R/T and a 2015 Challenger Scat Pack that had a date with the crusher in their shop, Aaron came up with the idea to swap the drivetrain from the new car, into the treasured classic.
Now while some of you purists out there are probably scoffing at the sound of this, it really is a breath of fresh air to see something a little bit different for once, not to mention, seeing a modern HEMI powerplant being used, as opposed to another GM LS crate engine.
But it’s all well and good, because the late-model HEMI in question wasn’t a run of the mill 5.7L version with 370 hp, this is actually the 6.4L (392 ci.) HEMI, good for 470 hp, and was last seen in the 2011-2014 SRT8 line of Chrysler vehicles.
Of course with a boost in power, comes improved suspension, braking and steering systems. The original hardware was set aside and in went the latest technology from the aftermarket. The stock wheels wouldn’t clear the new Wilwood brakes, not to mention, hindered the handling of the new suspension.
So off they came and on went a set of US Mag wheels, that measure 18-inches in diameter on the front and 20-inches in the rear – they’r essential modern interpretations of the timeless Mopar Ralleys.
The interior was left stock overall, just with a few modernized touches and seats that are equipped with far more side bolstering that what a ’71 Challenger seat originally came with. With a pro-touring car that can stick to the pavement, it’s good to know that the occupants won’t be moving from side to side with ever hard corner that comes up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtZWusDhSIU
But now you can win this car! Yup, our friends over at Havoline have actually bought the car from Richard, and are now offering it as the giveaway prize for their Bad to the Chrome II Sweepstakes: The Challenger Edition! You can enter through Havoline’s Facebook page, by clicking the link HERE, and typing in your email – that’s it!
Rick Seitz is the owner and founder of AutoCentric Media, the parent company to Timeless Muscle Magazine, and has a true love and passion for all vehicles. When he isn’t tuning, testing, or competing with the magazine’s current crop of project vehicles, he’s busy tinkering and planning the next round modifications for his own cars.
