Wow, talk about a cool car with a great look! This 1974 Dodge Challenger resto-mod nails the pro-touring movement with a lowered stance and oversized wheels, and few cars are better proportioned than the early Challenger. The builder put this one together for himself, and the attention to detail definitely shows.

The color is Lucerne Blue, which is technically from the Pontiac color palette, but it looks flat-out amazing on the E-body's aggressive bodywork. Thanks to the road race stance, the blacked-out ducktail spoiler that's straight off an AAR, and the gills on the front fender, this Challenger looks vastly more potent than its stock siblings, even the mighty Hemi. There's also a fresh air hood and blacked-out tail panel to complete the pro-touring theme. There are fans who like the later Challenger's grille and headlight treatment, and you can count me among them, and the chrome bumpers are the perfect framework for those particular details. Someone clearly spent a ton of money getting this car to look this good.

The interior is pure stock, and with the Challenger, Chrysler designers were hitting on all eight cylinders. Stock high-back buckets, that driver-oriented center console, and a full complement of Rallye gauges, including a tachometer, keep an eye on the hot small block under the hood. A carbon-fiber applique brings the '70s interior into the 21st century without dramatically altering its looks, and extends to the door panels and center console to complete the effect. The original AM/FM stereo radio remains in the dash, feeding a pair of 6x9 speakers in the rear deck area. A factory Tuff Wheel and pistol-grip shifter were racy enough to remain, and the choice was the right one, since it's hard to improve on the factory's design.

By 1974, the big block E-bodies were gone, but that doesn't mean that a 360 cubic inch V8 isn't potent. With less weight over the front end, this car has razor-sharp reflexes and a fat torque curve that delivers all the performance its looks promise. The engine is a date-code correct piece, too, which is nice, and is backed by a correct A833 4-speed manual and 8.75-inch rear end full of 3.55 gears. Giving it that dramatic look are a set of heavy-duty torsion bars, KYB shocks all around, and re-curved leaf springs out back. The factory disk/drum setup remains and is actually surprisingly effective-Chrysler was always well-known for having the best brakes in the business. A new dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers uses the stock rectangular exhaust tips for a factory look and awesome sound effects. You'll also note polyurethane bushings to sharpen up the car's reflexes-this sucker drives and handles extremely well. The finishing touch is a set of awesome Coy's C5 alloys, 18x8s in front and 18x9.5s out back wearing low-profile Nitto radials.

Challengers will always be cool, but some are definitely cooler than others. Take this one home today and watch the Hemi guys stop in their tracks. Call today!

This vehicle is located in our Charlotte, NC showroom. For more information, please call (704) 598-2130 or toll free (866) 542-8392.