An alternative kind of hybrid.
The Specialty Equipment Market Association still takes place in November. This is despite the fact that most major car events have been cancelled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. This spectacular Highway Star, which was developed by Hemi Autoworks & Ellsworth Racing, will be one of our eyes in Las Vegas. The unique vehicle was named after Deep Purple’s 1972 song. It is the result of a few muscle cars being donated that were worth saving in order to make a truly unique car.
The Highway Star’s frame was sourced from an Dodge Viper that has been burned by fire, much like the mythical Phoenix Bird rising from its own ashes. To make it compatible with the 1970 Challenger body, the chassis will be stretched to 13 inches (33 cm). The body was badly rusted and badly restored. It is being rejuvenated by a widening of more than 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) and beefier fenders to increase its total width by almost 4 inches (10.1).
Additional modifications are being made to the custom body. It will incorporate an R/T Hood adaptation to make space in the engine bay for the new heart. The Highway Star will feature a “mostly stock” 6.2 liter HEMI V8 Hellcat motor with a supercharger ported to Kong Performance and heat shielding spacesrs from FI Interchillers. Viper-spec transmission will channel power to the road via a Mantic Clutch USA triple disk and billet flywheel.
This ambitious project was started by the team at Complete Performance Motorsports. They borrowed additional parts from the Viper, including suspension components, and will upgrade coilovers, brakes, cooling, and cooling. The team will also be improving aerodynamics by installing a spoiler, functional splitter and diffuser. The car will be able to ride on Viper-spec 19 inch wheels with extremely fat tires.
Interior design is all about minimalism. The cabin will be stripped down to only include a roll cage, six-point harnesses by St Louis Race Gear and a factory-esque dashboard equipped with Stewart Warner gauges. The cabin is not equipped with air conditioning as it would have added weight. However, it does have heat insulation and noise insulation from Cool It ThermoTec.
Hemi Autoworks, Ellsworth Racing and Ron Francis Wiring teamed up to make it possible. Pareto Point Inc also provided the supplemental oil filter system. Hot Rod Fuel Hose is responsible for the fuel, power steering and supercharger coolant hoses. Racing Shields supplies the lightweight glass. YearOne supplied the interior, including the vinyl trim and pistol grip shifters, as well as several other OEM-like parts.
Highway Star wants to stress that it’s not just a SEMA-bound vehicle. The car is being built as a street-driven race car and will compete in national events.