This article includes renderings created by Thanos Pappas for CarScoops that are neither related to nor endorsed by Dodge.
The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT was one of the most anticipated concept debuts of the year, as it previews the electric future of the iconic muscle car with a production version scheduled to follow in 2024. Thus, we decided to use it for our “face-swap” series, in order to see how it looks when fitted with the front end of three of its most iconic ancestors.
The clean design of the concept’s bodywork makes it both timeless and non-proprietary, creating the perfect base for our exclusive renderings. While we could blend it with rival models including the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro, we chose to keep it local for this face-swapping session, starting with the most obvious choice; its predecessor.
2008 Dodge Challenger
Our first option for the first render would be the two-door muscle car from Dodge’s current range – the immortal Challenger (instead of the current four-door Charger). Despite being on sale since 2008 with minimal styling changes, the Challenger has proved to be wildly popular with buyers, often outselling its much newer rivals.
Predictably, the Challenger’s face harmoniously blends with the body of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT, and looks great in combination with the latter’s alloy wheels. The donor car for the face transplant is the limited production 2019 Dodge Challenger T/A with its prominent splitter and vented hood finished in black satin. In our eyes, this looks better than a widebody variant like the Hellcat – do you agree?
1969 Dodge Charger
Next up is one of the most iconic muscle cars ever – the 1969 Dodge Charger. The most famous version of the nameplate is undoubtedly the second-generation Charger (1968-1970). While there is a massive 53-year difference between the two models, the surgery was deemed a success, and the result looks like a sleek reverse restomod.
We believe that if Dodge or a tuner creates something like this based on the next-generation platform, it would probably sell like hot cupcakes. Obviously, the reason it works so well is that the design of the 2022 concept is heavily inspired by the 1969 Charger, with many references including the dynamic lines on the profile and the greenhouse. For our render we used the 1969 Dodge Charger CAPTIV by Ringbrothers which was revealed earlier this year featuring a modern Hellcat Mopar V8 crate engine.
1969 Dodge Charger Daytona
Since the reverse restomod business is booming, our last face transplant for the Dodge EV muscle car also came from the ’60s. The iconic 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona NASCAR racecar donated its sharp nose with pop-up headlights to its grandchild, although an extra splitter was needed in order to comply with modern design and aerodynamics standards.
The face swap was complete but we couldn’t resist the urge of adding the signature rear wing of the original. This would certainly reduce the EV’s range but numbers don’t matter when you look that cool. A red shade with white for the tail and contrasting black trim for the lower bodywork was chosen for this conversion. Again, the bi-tone alloy wheels of the concept looked so good we didn’t feel like changing them. This marriage proved Dodge right for using the Daytona name for the new concept.
Which one of the face-swapped Dodge Charger Daytona SRT digital concepts do you prefer? Dodge has pledged to bring the EV muscle car into production in 2024, so tuners are probably already prepping up for similar conversions. Until then, enjoy the gallery below.
What other face-swaps would you like to see from us? Tell us in the comments!
