Jay Leno Gobsmacked by Demon-powered, Carbon Fiber 1970 Charger

Speedkore’s ‘Evolution’ is one of the slickest examples of a classic Charger ever, and Leno loves it.

If you are in any large Mopar communities online, you have likely seen the 1970 Dodge Charger shown here before. This car was built by Speedkore, featuring their full carbon fiber body package and drivetrain parts from both the Hellcat and the Demon. Speedkore Vice President David Salvaggio recently stopped in to Jay Leno’s Garage with the Demon-powered, carbon fiber Charger, giving the legendary car collector a chance to drive the beast.

On the Road

The video begins with Leno cruising in the unique 1970 Dodge Charger as Salvaggio provides all of the key details. He explains that the machine is powered by a 6.2-liter Hemi from a preproduction 2018 Demon, but it is mated to a modified 6-speed manual transmission from a Hellcat Challenger. Pretty much every piece of the car is either carbon fiber or aluminum, cutting the weight down to around 3,400 pounds, leading to a feel on the road that Leno is quick to call “fantastic”.

During the early portion of the drive, Leno points out that it looks like it sits very low, but it doesn’t scrape like many of the cars that he drives. He also states that “the pistol grip shifter always makes me laugh”. He continues to praise the driving dynamics, calling it fun to drive and stating that “it’s so light, it’s very nice”.

As Leno makes use of the supercharged Hemi, Salvaggio explains that the Demon engine under the hood is not stock. In addition to the front-drive accessory system from the Hellcat, this Hemi has been fitted with headers, bigger injectors and smaller pulleys, leading to added boost and more power. To be exact, the Evolution Charger makes 966 horsepower.

The drive ends in the rain, but Leno still raves about every aspect of the drive.

“I’m very impressed with the handing and driving characteristics of this car,” said Leno, going on to place it about many of the restomods that he has driven.

Back in the Shop

Once Leno, Salvaggio and the Evolution Dodge are back in the shop, they take a closer look at the gorgeous carbon fiber body. It takes the team about a week-and-a-half to make the full body and during the process, the panels are constructed so that all of the lines in the weave line up perfectly across the tiny body gaps. The drip rails have been removed, as have the window moldings, and the car sits lower than stock, but over, the look of the 1970 Charger has been preserved and Leno appreciates that.

“I like it because it still looks like a Dodge Charger”.

Towards the end of the video, we get a look at the Demon engine under the hood, with a 3D-printed air intake and Speedkore’s carbon fiber radiator cover. All of these parts are now available through Speedkore for all 1968 through 1970 Chargers, so if you have one that you are restoring, you can buy the entire body or some of the individual components. The parts can be left with the exposed carbon fiber, but they can also be painted like any metal piece.

Crank up your speakers and enjoy!

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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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