SpeedKore Unveils Carbon Fiber 1968 Dodge Charger Built for Stellantis Design Chief
SpeedKore recently unveiled its most carbon-fiber-intensive build to date, the 1968 Dodge Charger “Hellucination” built for client Ralph Gilles, the company announced.
The bespoke Charger features a full carbon-fiber body, floor and wheel tubs mounted to a custom SpeedKore perimeter frame for a wider track, menacing stance and dramatically improved handling capabilities.
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“With its fully custom carbon-fiber floor, wheel tubs and body, the ‘Hellucination’ Charger is our most extreme build yet,” said Jim Kacmarcik, president and owner of SpeedKore, a Kacmarcik Enterprises Company. “This was the first time we’ve had the client directly involved with a vehicle’s design process, and it was a lot of fun to help Ralph’s dream build come to life.”
“Hellucination” gets its power from a 1,000-horsepower Dodge Hellephant 7.0L V8. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a ZF eight-speed transmission, with both the engine and transmission utilizing Motul fluids for reliable performance. The Hellephant breathes through custom SpeedKore-fabricated headers and an exhaust system with MagnaFlow mufflers. The car uses a dry-sump oiling system and a fuel cell, both with trunk-mounted reservoirs. The oil and fuel lines are run inside the SpeedKore custom frame, delivering a low and clean look while keeping the lines out of harm’s way.
The custom SpeedKore frame with perimeter reinforcements and roll cage delivers a low stance and wider track for improved handling dynamics, the builders said. It rides on a double A-arm front suspension from Detroit Speed and a custom four-bar diagonal link rear suspension by SpeedKore. An Ididit steering column and Woodward steering rack improve agility, while Penske dual-adjustable coilovers add composure.
Brembo six-piston calipers up front and dual Brembo four-piston calipers in the rear help “Hellucination” come to a quick stop. Custom HRE “Hellucination” 19×9-inch front and 20×12-inch rear wheels with 265/35ZR19 and 345/30ZR20 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires complete the setup.
In addition to its full carbon-fiber floor and wheel tubs – a first for SpeedKore – “Hellucination” features a front-hinged SpeedKore carbon-fiber hood, custom front and rear SpeedKore valances and one-off LED 1968 Charger head and taillights from Dapper Lighting. “Hellucination’s” body panels are rendered entirely in carbon fiber, showcased by a clear finish using BASF Glasurit. The carbon fiber extends into the interior with a custom carbon-fiber dash, door panels and rear interior quarter panels. The seats feature carbon-fiber backs and upholstery by Gabe’s Custom Interiors with RaceQuip four-point harnesses to keep driver and passenger in place, while gauges from Classic Instruments relay necessary information to the driver. A custom SpeedKore center console and 2,000-watt Bluetooth-driven audio system from KICKER Audio complete the interior experience.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the process with SpeedKore over the last two years, working together and thoughtfully debating the countless details of this build,” said Gilles, chief design officer, Stellantis. “Growing up watching a certain orange car doing amazing things on TV as a kid started a love affair with the Dodge Charger and Mopar. The ‘68 embodies so many fascinating details and amplifies the Dodge ethos perfectly. We still use it as a spiritual reference to this day as we design the next generation of performance cars. The car is as visceral to drive as it is to look at. It has deliciously precise steering and an abundance of lateral grip that allow me to truly put it through its paces.”
“In trusting SpeedKore with this build, it was about fusing the best of modern muscle tech as faithfully as possible in an all-carbon-fiber body that honors a legend that still looks great 54 years later,” continued Gilles. “In restoring this ’68, it was our mission to carefully and tastefully modernize countless details, adjust the proportions but to keep them faithful, reduce the weight yet keep it comfortable enough to drive cross country, and finally create a one-of-a-kind piece that the forefathers of the brand could only have dreamed of.”
