Highway Star Fuses Vintage Challenger Body with Viper Chassis
Although created for SEMA, Highway Star is promised as more than a show piece. It even has a Hellcat engine!
The Dodge Challenger and Viper cemented their status as icons decades ago. As a result, there are plenty of restomods and other projects out there. Of course, you generally don’t see older Vipers being chopped up for weird and interesting projects due to their relative age and exotic car rivaling performance. But a new restoration designed for SEMA 2020 aims to change all that in a big way.
Hemi Autoworks and Ellsworth Racing recently revealed their Frankenstein car to the public. Highway Star, named after a famous single by Deep Purple, formed around the bones of a second generation Viper. Fortunately, the craziness doesn’t end there. It also boasts a 1970 Dodge Challenger body and a Hellcat engine. Better yet, the developers are adamant it will be a fully functional racer.
Retro Looks, Modern Heart
Key to the Highway Star’s insanity is what lies underneath: a second generation Viper chassis. Similarly, a worn out 1970 Dodge Challenger donated most of itself for the project. The Viper succumbed to a fire some time ago, so these appear to be kindred spirits. The team envisions it as a true race car, so the cabin won’t be filled with amenities, just some basic equipment. A roll cage and six-point harness were built into the interior. Additionally, the team sourced a number of components so Highway Star can have heat and insulation.
Although Hemi Autoworks and Ellsworth Racing teamed up for the Highway Star, they procured many parts from outside companies. The fuel lines, power steering gear, supercharger coolant, and windshield originated from a plethora of tuning companies.
Viper Parts and Hellcat Power
Highway Star currently combines Viper underpinnings with Hellcat goodness. The team borrowed the Viper’s suspension but have decided to upgrade components like the cooling system, brakes, and coilovers. That’s probably because the car is slated to tip the scale at around 3,400 pounds, or slightly more than a stock Viper. The Viper-supplied frame supplied the team with good bones. However, they stretched the frame by 13 inches to accommodate the Challenger’s longer body. Width increased by more than 1.5 inches, too. Plus, new fenders widened the car by four inches. The team used an R/T hood to make more room for the Hellcat.
Details about the Hellcat engine haven’t been fully revealed. But we do know the team decided to outfit the powerplant with some upgrades. The 6.2-liter Hemi V8 will come equipped with a supercharger from Kong Performance. Additionally, a Viper T56 six-speed manual sees duty in the Highway Star. That transmission received upgrades too. It sports a Mantic Clutch and triple disc and billet flywheel. It’s been calibrated to modified differential with a 3.73 ratio.
More to Come?
Despite so many details about the project, Highway Star is not finished yet. For example, tires are still being decided on. But the car’s mission statement is clear. The team declared their intention to compete in time attack, hill climbs, and other racing events with Highway Star. Although it’s built to be shown off at SEMA, it will apparently be much more than semi-functional show car. Hopefully, this wonderful combination of old and new is the real deal. We hope to bring you more news about it in the future!
Photos: Ellsworth Racing
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