2008 XV MOTORSPORTS CHARGER

NEWS & REVIEWS Next year’s arrival of Dodge’s raunchy, all-new Challenger is already focusing plenty of attention on the original, big-horsepower, classic Mopars. Trouble is a 1960s muscle car drives like a 1960s muscle car. Which is badly. Irvington, New York-based XV Motorsports will happily build you a brand-new Challenger or a Charger, with a restored-original body and the latest mechanical bits. Our favorite is their ’68 Charger with a 6.1-liter HEMI under the hood, cranking out 550 hp, preferably painted in a not-so-subtle shade of Plum Crazy or Go Mango. It comes with a choice of five-speed or six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions, monster brakes at each corner, and an all-new suspension. Inside, the cabin is completely redone with custom consoles and retro-style leather upholstery on power Recaro seats. In fact, pretty much anything your heart desires. And that includes a twin-turbo 6.1 HEMI with a gazillion horsepower. Now that’s a muscle car. www.xvmotorsports.com PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge