Australian custom builder Rides By Kam is recognized throughout the world for its incredible car design and detailing. This time, they have transformed a 1970 Dodge Challenger to a 2,500 HP monster!
ProCharged 1970 Dodge Challenger with 2,500 HP
Australian Rides By Kam is the specialist custom builder behind this amazing ProCharged 1970 Dodge Challenger. The family-run business specializes in building cars from the ground up and they do it so well, that their builds have made it to SEMA and got international attention and prizes. The 1970 Dodge Challenger with the name “Havoc” is no exception! The Procharged HEMI engine with incredible 2,500 HP is, of course, a major highlight, but the detailing that went into the build is (almost) more impressive!
“Everything is bigger in Texas… but everything is wild in Australia!”
Bigger and better
Owner of Rides By Kam, Robert Zahabi started the Challenger build to challenge himself after touring America with an earlier successful build (the “Nova” based on a 1970 Chevy Nova). The 1970 Dodge Challenger is made with even more custom parts to showcase their talent and use elements that can’t be bought anywhere. In other words, it had to be more innovative….and even bigger and better!
Custom build from the ground up
The car has been completely dismantled and build up from the ground with a more contemporary bodyline to suit a newer Challenger design. The line has been changed all the way from the beginning of the front guard to the tip of the quarter panel making a distinct, yet subtle change that people knowing the original design will immediately recognize.
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Due to the massive changes to the body, a year and a half of just metalwork were invested in the car. Even though the build isn’t an ‘authentic’ build true to the original design, Rides By Kam have tried to keep it rather traditional. It is designed around the barrels for the wheels and with the massive wheels tucked in, they are almost going up to the back windows.
Hardware for the road with Incredible detailing inside and out
Despite the many hours spend on detailing, the ‘Havoc’ is not only built for being a show car – it is also built for driving. To match the massive engine, big brakes have been installed and all components in the car have been carefully selected to do their job also under extreme conditions.
The complete build has taken Rides By Kam 2 and a half years to complete and cost around 10,000 workshop hours. Many of the components like the custom gauges, buttons and dashboard started out as cardboard models and even though many of the details and changes have been hidden in the result, you do see the amazing level of detailing in everything from the headlights to the wheels, paint and leather interior.
Specifications:
- 1970 Dodge Challenger
- Mopar Performance 572ci big-block Hemi (4.5” bores with forged Diamond pistons)
- Crank-driven F3 ProCharger
- Tremec T56 6-speed manual transmission
- 2,500 HP
- Custom body/chassis
- Wheel tubs front & back
- Custom sheet-metal engine cover that extends from the front grille
- Illuminated Havoc badge
- Brown custom paint
- 20” American Legends Blackhawks wheels with 8” wide tires in the front and 15” wide tires in back
- Narrowed bumpers
- Custom tail panel with custom taillights
- Slim door handles
- Custom interior in matte black (painted steel) and brown diamond-stitched leather
- Custom bucket seats
- Dash built around a VHX-1200 instrument system with carbon fiber face styling and red LED backlighting
- Matte orange on the wheels and in the interior
Who is behind Rides By Kam?
Rides By Kam has been in business for 25 years. The family-owned business runs their shop from Queensland Australia and they also have a webshop supplying quality products and custom parts for most American muscle cars. Owner Robert Zahabi is the man behind a number of show-winning vehicles besides being a specialist in custom-designed interior.
