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DODGE CHALLENGER HELLCAT DAMAGED FROM FIRE RESTORED AFTER 9 MONTHS

The Turnaround Is Incredible

Challenger Hellcat

This has to be the most extensively damaged carbaque we’ve ever seen, and yet this decrepit ash pile of a Dodge Challenger Hellcat was still able to make a comeback after nine months of incredible miracle work done by the DIY Gang.

The unfortunate victim of a barn fire, this Dodge Challenger Hellcat was completely and utterly incinerated, as shown in the video below. From there, it shows the melted muscle car on a fork lift after being acquired by the video’s host. Then it gets right into it, starting with the engine bay. Again, nothing but ashes and overcooked metal to be found here. Bit by bit things are cleaned up and taken apart, until finally the 6.2L supercharged V8 that once roared with 707 horsepower was completely removed. Ironically, in the cabin, a fire extinguisher was found.

Once things were as cleaned up as can be reasonably expected, repairs the the scarred and deformed body of the Dodge Challenger Hellcat began. Much of what was left was scrapped, while the rest of it was hammered, stamped, and pulled back into place. The effort put into this process has got to be the envy of DIYers and trained professionals alike, as most people would have sealed the fate of this destroyed muscle car to be reborn as a stack of metal paint cans.

The finished product is actually two Dodge Challenger Hellcats in one, as the DIY Gang found a totaled and scrapped body of a Sublime Green model, and merged the necessary body parts with what could be spared from the fire damaged salvage project. The end result was painted IndiGO Blue (or something close to it).

The nine month restoration project concludes with the builders clipping on front and rear fascias, followed by a firing up of the engine, and a sunset cruise that represents the insane amount of work to get to this point. Don’t spare a minute of the 15-minute video, which currently has nearly 7 million views at the time of this writing.

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

One Comment

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  1. This was very misleading if you didn’t watch the entire series. The burned up car is NOT the same car that appears to be nicely repaired at the end.

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