The Playboy Charger is a 1972 Dodge Charger created by artist Richard Philipps and curator Neville Wakefield as the only car ever commissioned by Playboy. Built by Long Island specialist HRE around a genuine NASCAR engine, it pairs muscle-car heritage with fine-art provenance and carries a Certificate of Authenticity from Playboy Enterprises.
Where did the Playboy Charger come from?
Back in 1947, at the peak of the automobile industry's expansion, Playboy established the Playboy Car Corporation in Buffalo, New York. That dream lasted only four years and produced 99 cars including one prototype, before crashing into bankruptcy in 1951. Decades later, in collaboration with artist Richard Philipps, Neville Wakefield decided to create a unique car to commemorate the history of Playboy.
Why a 1972 Dodge Charger?
The car of choice was the Dodge Charger of 1972 because that year Playboy sales peaked at over 7 million copies. The same year, Richard Petty switched from Plymouth to Dodge, running the same body type until 1977 in NASCAR and scoring an impressive number of consecutive wins. The Charger's racing pedigree, detailed in the Dodge Charger history, made it the perfect canvas.
What is under the hood of the Playboy Charger?
Being the only car ever commissioned by Playboy, the Charger carries huge importance, a status it keeps following the passing of Mr Hefner. It is built as a racing machine, masterfully assembled by Long Island Shelby specialist HRE, with a sourced Ernie Elliott NASCAR engine. Full specifications include a Dodge R5 engine block, custom pistons, Carillo connecting rods, a custom camshaft and a long list of high-performance upgrades. At full race specification it pumps out 900 bhp, detuned to 600 hp to run on regular pump fuel, as reported by The Drive.
Can you own the Playboy Charger?
The car includes a Certificate of Authenticity from Playboy Enterprises, so whoever becomes the lucky owner will carry with them a genuine piece of history. TheArsenale offers this very car: the Playboy 72 Charger, a one-of-a-kind art and racing machine.
More American muscle at TheArsenale
If the Charger fires up your love of muscle cars, explore the electric Charge Electric Mustang and the modern Equus Bass 770 muscle car, then browse the full TheArsenale cars collection.
