Written by independent automotive journalist Tom Jensen
This 1973 Dodge Challenger is crossing the block at our 2022 Scottsdale Auction
Classic muscle cars from the late 1960s to mid-1970s have long been beloved by collectors for their vintage looks that evoke the days of carefree summers spent cruising with friends.
As much fun as the Detroit iron of that era is to look at and reminisce about, truth is these older gems drive like they’re half a century old. Because they are.
That’s where custom builders come in. Today’s generation of automotive artists know how to preserve the beauty and style of an original muscle car while upgrading it with state-of-the-art performance, safety and modern technology.
At the 2022 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, January 22-30, at Westworld of Scottsdale, you’ll see scores of customs from some of the nation’s most acclaimed builders.
One such car that will sell with No Reserve at Barrett-Jackson is a custom 1973 Dodge Challenger built by Streamline Custom Designs in Utah. Known as “The Chastizer,” it is fresh from its debut showing at the November 2021 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. There it was one of the vehicles featured in the MagnaFlow booth at that show.
Virtually every aspect of The Chastizer has been upgraded, enhanced and modernized with an eye toward straight-line speed.
The magic starts under the hood with a modern Dodge HEMI engine, in this case a 6.4-liter V8 that has been bored, stroked and supercharged for maximum power and rapid acceleration. The engine bay is highly detailed to give it a very contemporary and high-tech look.
Feeding the Magnuson supercharger is an Aeromotive fuel system, while discharging the spent gasses is taken care of via a set of custom-built long tube headers connected to 3-inch mandrel bent dual exhaust with MagnaFlow mufflers. The engine power is transferred to a Strange Ford 9-inch rear end, via a Paramount 45RFE 4-speed automatic transmission. Along with all that horsepower, the MagnaFlow exhaust delivers the classic V8 muscle car rumble.
There was no way the stock suspension in any 1973 Dodge Challenger could handle that much power, so the builders radically reworked the underside of The Chastizer.
Long gone is the stock front torsion bar/rear leaf spring suspension, replaced by a full custom tube chassis, with QA1 adjustable coilover shocks at all four corners. The rear end features a narrowed 4-link suspension, and the custom built cockpit roll cage adds structural rigidity and safety.
To get the dramatic stance just right, The Chastizer rides on custom Schott wheels, 20×12-inch out back and 19×9-inch up front. All four corners feature Wilwood power disc brakes for stopping power.
Getting the cosmetics right is every bit as important as getting the mechanicals correct, and the builders composed stellar design work on this Dodge.
On the outside, the body lines have been sharpened and the two-tone paint features a hue known as PPG Envirobase Streamline Slate Gray.
Other exterior details include tucked front and rear bumpers, custom grille and headlight surround with modern Challenger headlight and taillight panels, front and rear spoilers and flush-mount smoked glass.
On the inside, the rear seat has been removed to accommodate the full roll cage, while the black leather seats with suede inserts and headliner were inspired by the Harley-Davidson Punisher. Music is handled via a 2000-watt KICKER stereo system with two KICKER CompC 10-inch subwoofers.
Looks, power, build quality — this Dodge has is it going on and come the 2022 Scottsdale Auction one lucky bidder will take this Chastizer home.
To register to bid at the 2022 Scottsdale Auction – a celebration of 50 years of The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions – click HERE. To sell your vehicle at Barrett-Jackson’s flagship auction in January, click HERE. Tickets and VIP packages are also now on sale.