Over the past few years, I’ve spoken with a guy who runs a company called HXC Performance, and he went on about how his company would be offering a “Cuda” once the Dodge Challenger production models hit the streets. However, this guy could never produce any proof that he had ever been involved in a project of this sort before, so I questioned the legitimacy of his claims. Imagine my surprise when I walked up on this car, which looks at first glance to be a 1971 Cuda…but its actually an HXC Performance Cuda, and I’m here to say that I am impressed by their work.
The front end, Shaker hood, and fender gills are very well done, and I love the car in Plum Crazy with all of the black trim. I don’t know that I care for the tail light treatment, as where the front end is a perfect procreation of the 71, the rear is not, and there is a ton of “dead space” along the back end, but overall it doesn’t really detract for the great look of HXC’s Cuda. Also, while I like the rear bumper, where are the backup lights?
This particular HXC Performance Cuda features a performance upgrade package as well, with a Vortech supercharger kit and air/water charge cooler, assisting the 6.1L Hemi to make 560 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. The handling has been upgraded, with KW Variant 2 coilovers and a Brembo brake kit, featuring 6-piston calipers in the front and 4-piston caliper in the rear, all of which clamp down on 15″ rotors. Finishing the exterior trim is a set of BBS 20″ wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero Rosso performance tires.
HXC is entering a tough market, especially considering that Mopar legend “Mr Norm” displayed his new Super Cuda, but HXC Performance has done an awesome job of bringing their Cuda to life, and not only does the HXC Cuda look great, but their optional performance packages make it a great one-stop shop for Challenger modification.
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
Over the past few years, I’ve spoken with a guy who runs a company called HXC Performance, and he went on about how his company would be offering a “Cuda” once the Dodge Challenger production models hit the streets. However, this guy could never produce any proof that he had ever been involved in a project of this sort before, so I questioned the legitimacy of his claims. Imagine my surprise when I walked up on this car, which looks at first glance to be a 1971 Cuda…but its actually an HXC Performance Cuda, and I’m here to say that I am impressed by their work.
The front end, Shaker hood, and fender gills are very well done, and I love the car in Plum Crazy with all of the black trim. I don’t know that I care for the tail light treatment, as where the front end is a perfect procreation of the 71, the rear is not, and there is a ton of “dead space” along the back end, but overall it doesn’t really detract for the great look of HXC’s Cuda. Also, while I like the rear bumper, where are the backup lights?
This particular HXC Performance Cuda features a performance upgrade package as well, with a Vortech supercharger kit and air/water charge cooler, assisting the 6.1L Hemi to make 560 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. The handling has been upgraded, with KW Variant 2 coilovers and a Brembo brake kit, featuring 6-piston calipers in the front and 4-piston caliper in the rear, all of which clamp down on 15″ rotors. Finishing the exterior trim is a set of BBS 20″ wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero Rosso performance tires.