Dodge Charger Possibly ‘World’s First Vintage Hellcat’

8-speed Transmission

While the Hellcat dash and gadgets make this 1969 Charger the most unique swap project we have seen, the fact that the eight-speed automatic transmission was used is almost as unusual. Since Mopar introduced the HellCrate engine, there has been an explosion of classic Mopars with the Hellcat engine, but that crate package is designed to work with a manual transmission only. Using the automatic transmission requires a great deal more work with all of the electronics, but by using so much of the original Hellcat Challenger interior and electronics, Bumbera’s was able to make the stock transmission work.

Since the stock shifter, stock steering wheel and stock interior electronics were used, the shift paddles work as well, so the actual driving function of this 1969 Dodge Charger is similar to that of the 2015 Hellcat Challenger. Also, as mentioned above, using the original transmission allows the Drive Mode system and traction control system to work as they do in the modern cars, so this Hellcat-powered classic is safer than a comparable car with a “simple” engine swap.

Of course, having the automatic transmission also makes this 1969 Charger easier to drive and when compared to a similar build with a manual transmission, this car should be quicker and faster.

Full Details

Hill’s 1969 Dodge Charger is one of the most unique Hellcat swap projects in the world with the engine, transmission, dashboard and electronics from a 2015 Hellcat Challenger, but there was plenty of other work done to this car to allow it to safely handle all of that power.

Rather than trying to make the Hellcat Challenger suspension work in the 1969 Charger, the build team installed front and rear suspension components from Magnum Force Racing, along with a front engine cradle and a Moser 9-inch rear differential with 3.70 gears. Considering that Hellcat cars come with a 2.62 gear and some people swap to a 3.09, that 3.70 should give this Charger some insane low-end pull.

Some other details that are hard to see in pictures include the Magnaflow exhaust system and the custom-modified grille that allows all of the air needed to cool and feed the supercharged Hemi. Wilwood forged brake calipers with six pistons up front and four pistons out back work with drilled and slotted rotors to make sure that this classic Mopar with modern muscle car stop in a hurry while 17-inch American Racing Wheels complete the classic look.

Check out the video below to hear the Hellcat-powered 1969 Charger roar to life.

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Patrick Rall

"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.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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