Dealer Creates Convertible Dodge Challenger

North Carolina dealership bucks the system and creates their own Challenger convertible.

By David Place - August 27, 2019
Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody Convertible
Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody Convertible
Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody Convertible
Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody Convertible
2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody Convertible

Tired of Waiting

Do you drive a Challenger or have you been waiting to buy one?  If you’ve been holding off, it may be because you’ve been hoping for a convertible option. Ford and Chevy have been rolling out convertible versions of their pony cars for a long time.  Unfortunately, Dodge hasn’t thrown their hat in the ring yet, which is disappointing for any Mopar lover that dreams of rolling down the strip with the top down on a HEMI V8.

Photos: Keffer Dodge

Going Topless

One dealership couldn’t wait any longer and decided to take matters into their own hands.  Keffer Dodge, Chrysler, Ram and Jeep of Charlotte, North Carolina reached out to Drop Top Customs by Convertible Builders LLC, a company based in High Springs, Florida. Drop Top Customs by Convertible Builders LLC is a full conversion shop that does all of their work in house. They have a long resume of performance and luxury car convertible conversions including makes such as Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and Ferrari.  Keffer Dodge sent three Challengers off to Florida to get their tops chopped.

>>Join the conversation about the convertible Challenger right here in Dodge Forum.

Metamorphosis

The end result was the first three Challenger convertibles of the new Mopar generation. Topping the list is the massively muscled Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody. The Scat Pack powerhouse features a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine that can unleash 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque.  The convertible upgrade raises the base MSRP of the 2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody from $46,590 to a sales price of $63,995.

>>Join the conversation about the convertible Challenger right here in Dodge Forum.

Three Options

A white R/T Scat Pack (without the Widebody option) and a red Challenger R/T also made the cut.  The white-knuckle R/T Scat Pack convertible has a list price of just shy of $60,000 while the red R/T goes for $56,300.  The additional cost of the convertible upgrade is being worked into the final sales price of each car.

>>Join the conversation about the convertible Challenger right here in Dodge Forum.

Hats Off

So how does it affect the car?  No changes are made to the engine or performance of the Challengers.  They still go fast, handle great and look mean.  For some, they may look even better.  The conversions won’t void the car’s warranty either.  Because no changes are made to the vehicle’s powertrain, the standard manufacturer’s warranty remains intact.  All of the surfaces of the vehicle that are modified are covered by Drop Top Customs' own warranty.  Does it affect the car’s collectability?  That question remains to be answered.  On one hand, owners of the cars will have a very limited version of a popular muscle car, something that may prove to be highly valuable in the future.  On the other hand, future car collectors might not shine to aftermarket conversions since they aren’t factory-produced modifications.  Either way, if you’ve been dreaming of taking a drive down the coast and smelling the ocean air in a sleek, modern muscle car with a purring HEMI V8, owning one of these conversions just might be the thing you’re looking for.

>>Join the conversation about the convertible Challenger right here in Dodge Forum.

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