1000HP Hellephant In a '68 Charger

This Hellephant Charger is proof that the V8 is far from finished. Internal combustion may be nearing the end of its production run, but the SpeedKore Hellucination, a carbon-fiber 1968 Dodge Charger packing a 1,000-horsepower Hellephant crate engine, shows the breed going out swinging. Commissioned by Stellantis design chief Ralph Gilles, it is one of the wildest restomods ever built. Here is the story, the spec sheet, and where to find muscle cars in the same spirit.

What is the Hellephant Charger?

The Hellucination is a carbon fiber-bodied take on the iconic 1968 original, the result of Ralph Gilles commissioning Speedkore to create the ultimate Dodge Charger. Under the hood sits the Hellephant, an all-aluminium 7.0-litre (426 cubic inch) supercharged HEMI V8 making 1,000 horsepower and 950 lb-ft of torque, mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. As Motor1 reported, this car carries serial number 001 of Mopar's 1,000-horsepower Hellephant crate engines.

How is the Hellucination Charger built?

The engine and bodywork are mounted on a unique two-seat SpeedKore chassis with staggered HRE Hellucination wheels measuring 19 inches up front and 20 inches at the rear. Brembo handles stopping power, with six-piston calipers on the front wheels and twin four-pot calipers at the rear. Inside, a 2,000-watt six-speaker Kicker audio and infotainment system keeps the cabin loud in more ways than one. The build leans harder on carbon fiber than any previous SpeedKore project, with a one-piece carbon floor pan replacing eight welded metal parts, plus a custom carbon dash, door panels and seat backs.

Find muscle cars and restomods at TheArsenale

If the Hellephant Charger speaks to your love of American muscle, TheArsenale curates the same horsepower-rich attitude. Browse the full cars collection, then meet the same-family Playboy 72 Charger, the modern muscle of the Equus Bass 770 and The Throwback, or the carbon-bodied Charge Electric Mustang.

Photo: SpeedKore