1 Bad Mirada

Chip’s Challenger
Foose to build a limited run of modernized Challengers

Automotive News |
6:00 am, June 13, 2006

Designer extraordinaire Chip Foose and Texas-based Unique Performance will build a limited run of cars based on the Dodge Challenger. Production begins in July to transform 1970 and 1971 Challengers into modern muscle cars equipped with Hemi engines and five-speed manual transmissions, along with new wheels, tires, suspensions and interiors.


PRESS RELEASE:
Chip Foose and Unique Performance create MOPAR madness with limited edition ’70 Challenger

Team to Build A Handful of HEMI-Powered American Supercars

DALLAS – June 10, 2006 – A new line of limited edition supercars based on the 1970 HEMI Challenger from Unique Performance and Foose Design will stoke the imaginations of MOPAR fans worldwide. The two companies will turn a limited number of Challengers into world-class performance machines with ultra-cool design and 21st century speed technology. The prototype will be completed by June 15, 2006, and production will begin in July. Unique Performance is the premier manufacturer of signature series American muscle cars, trucks and motorcycles.

“The response to our Foose ’69 Camaro was fantastic, which led to an outpouring of requests for a similar car from MOPAR fans,” said Unique Performance President and CEO Douglas Hasty. “Our 1970 Challenger program is designed to fulfill those wishes with a very, very small run of an even more exclusive MOPAR. Working with Chip, our team will turn a handful of these vintage muscle cars into pink slip winning, Z06 eating supercars.”

The team will transform 1970 and 1971 Challengers with contemporary wheels, engines, suspensions, transmissions and interiors. Each Foose Challenger will be clad in DuPont’s Hot Hues™ custom finish and have a sleek custom interior. Either a 347 c.i.d. HEMI small block or a 426 c.i.d HEMI big block can be mated to the TKO 5-speed transmission. The car will feature a Unique Performance Parts rear suspension, 4-wheel disc Wilwood Brakes, Foose 18” wheels and BF Goodrich tires. Styling cues include Foose emblems, a custom front grill, shaved bumpers and custom hood. Each car will have a unique serial number for documentation purposes.

“I’ve always loved the lines of the ’70 Challenger,” stated Chip Foose. “It may be the quintessential American muscle car from that period. We’re adding contemporary speed gear and updating the Challenger’s style to redefine the vintage car as the ultimate limited edition MOPAR.”

Award-winning Chip Foose penned the Foose Challenger. He is the creative head and driving force behind the respected automotive and product development company Foose Design (www.chipfoose.com). Headquartered in Huntington Beach, Calif., it specializes in illustration, graphics, ideation model making, surfacing and complete construction of automobiles and automobile-related products.

“Nobody does it better than Unique Performance and Chip Foose,” added Hasty. “Every car is a piece of art that is equally at home on the track, street or a Concours. With sizzling design and supercar capabilities, the new HEMI powered Foose Challenger will rocket past the pretenders on the road. It’s the ‘bad to the bone’ MOPAR that fans have wanted for the last 35 years.”

Unique Performance, which began as a hot rod shop 20 years ago, has evolved into a premier limited volume auto production manufacturer. Unique Performance manufactures the Shelby G.T.500E and G.T.350SR continuation cars based on vintage Ford Mustangs, as well as the Foose ’69 Camaro. The company offers a line of Foose designed cars based on the current Ford Mustang in cooperation with Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide.