2015 Dodge Charger...Well It Could Be Worse

2015 Dodge Charger SRT8 (front)

2015 Dodge Charger (rear)

2015 Dodge Charger SRT8 (front)

2015 Dodge Charger

2014 Dodge Charger SRT8 (front)

So I just got a glimpse of the newest Dodge Charger from the NY Auto Show video clips and latest Dodge internet postings. All I have to say is- it could be worse. The front is too round above the headlights in my opinion. They took away the hyper-aggressive "snake eye" look and replaced it with a more common "aero-dynamic" theme. The car definitely has a resemblance to the new Dodge Dart which I like, but I think they should have done something more interesting to the headlights on the Charger. The pre-release renderings by various auto illustrators and fans actually look better than the real car. Maybe Dodge will tweek the front end a bit in 2016? If sales are slow they may have no choice.

2014 Dodge Charger (rear view)

2015 Dodge Charger Pre-Release Renderings...much better IMHO

Go-Kustom TV

Did a little editing and organizing on the Rat City Rodz Episode of Go-Kustom TV. I have so much editing to do, it's nice to bounce over to a new episode and do some ground work. I was waiting for my wife in the car and actually got some work done on my laptop in the car!

Star Charger II

As I was packing, I got a little time to add a few details and parts to the Star Charger II (based on a 1968 Dodge Charger). Multi-tasking. Paint a part, pack a few boxes as the paint dried, then paint another part. I am starting to dig this Intergalactic Muscle Car!

Drive Angry

Watched Drive Angry last night via Amazon Instant Video on the Roku. I had to rent it after seeing the Dodge Charger in the promo stills. The premise is Nicolas Cage escapes from hell to try and save his grand daughter from being sacrificed by a Satanic Cult. OK. Cage's main rides are a 1963 Buick Riviera (opening), a 1969 440 Dodge Charger R/T (main ride), a 1971 Chevrolet SS 454 Chevelle (climax sequences) and briefly a 1957 Chevy (ending). Overall a decent action film, worth the cost of the rental. Some over-the-top sequences, like the sex scene turned gun fight while still having sex scene. The '69 Charger was almost spot on except the General Lee style Vector rims. Cragars would have been the deal. Which brings me to the lamest part of this film. The '71 Chevelle. Chevelle's do not have any kind of bad ass attitude and from 1970 on they looked weak kneed even in SS trim. It's almost like they put a Chevelle in the film just to appease the dime a dozen Chevy guys and sell some Chevrolet merch. It really didn't fit in the film AT ALL- especially in it's bright red paint and resto-stock appearance. The Riviera was a cool choice- you don't see many of those old gorgeous cars in films, and even the '57 Chevy for the end sequence was acceptable. It's just that damn Chevelle...well at least we got the Charger for 
the bulk of the chases. 

Go-Charger Project Update

Chris Darland just sent me these pics of my '66 Dodge Charger build. Right now Chris is getting the 383 set up with a new oil pan and engine paint. Little by small, this will be a driver someday...and a movie car for The Legend Of D.B. Petty.

Gearhead Punks Dodge Charger DVD First Day Of Filming

Stills from todays shoot of Barry V. Hasson's incredible black with dark red crimson interior 1966 Dodge Charger. Yes it has 1967 turn indicators on the fenders- it is a late '66 model with a blueprinted (non original) 440. This car has the best black paint job I have ever seen (and I've seen alot!). This is the fist car I am shooting for a Gearhead Punks all Dodge Charger DVD that will come out next year. I also did a full interview with Barry about the black Dodge.  

2011 Dodge Charger

Saw the first press release pics from Dodge for the restyled 2011 Charger.  Very nice- even as a 4-door! Love the new "Coke Bottle" side sculpting and '68-'70 Charger inspired rear end tail light area (with that old school telephone receiver shape also seen on the 1970-1972 Plymouth Roadrunners). The front looks a bit more aggressive with a Mitsubishi Lancer (did you know Dodge had a Lancer back in the early 1960s?) looking headlight treatment. Supposedly the new design is also more aerodynamic than the previous version. Overall- very nice changes to what is becoming an iconic return of one of Dodge's most popular nameplates.

Life's Little Pleasures

Found out last week that Revell is reissuing the 1/25 1967 Dodge Hemi Charger plastic model in June! A few year ago, I bought every kit form Revell's last run that I could find off e-bay and through online hobby stores. I was down to one unopened kit- Charger Jonesin'! Since this is my favorite car (along with the 1966-67 Coronet) and I really dig kit bashing them into different concepts or phantom projects. So far I've made two Gasser Chargers, one Monster Truck Charger, a shortened sports car Charger (not finished yet), a funny car Charger and a DTM Charger. I pre-ordered two kits and will probably buy thirty to forty more over the next year.