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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' (FCA) Mopar department has prepared six very special customised American cars for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.
Looking back to the heritage of the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands, the most stunning vehicle of them all is the Dodge Shakedown Challenger. This is a blend of an old car - the 1971 Challenger muscle motor - with modern interior treatment and under-the-bonnet Mopar tuning products that help the big Yank drive 485hp to the road via a Viper Tremec T6060 six-speed gearbox. It looks amazing and is bound to sound incredible, and we love the matte paint finish.
Another vehicle that's a mix of the old and new is the Jeep CJ66. This uses a modern Wrangler chassis but with a 1966 CJ universal Tuxedo Park body fitted on top. A third generation of Wrangler, the JK, provides further elements and the idea is that Mopar power upgrade parts can also be used for owners who are off-road more than they are on it. This glorious old Jeep is finished in Copper Canyon paint and sits atop 35-inch BFG all-terrain tyres and a two-inch lift kit. The custom steering wheel boss, stamped with a 50th Anniversary Moab Easter Jeep Safari logo, pays homage to the CJ66's Moab-inspired origins.
Off-roading is not the speciality of the Dodge Durango Shaker, which is a high-performance SUV. With a proper Shaker Hood (something the Shakedown Challenger also features) hiding a 6.4-litre Hemi V8, Mopar power tuning parts focus on cat-back dual exhausts, big six-piston brakes, a three-inch lowering kit for the suspension and massive 22-inch Satin Black alloys.
Power of another kind is represented by the Ram Macho Power Wagon, owing its name to a 1970s trim level. It's a heavy-duty pick-up finished in Macho Mango paint and its USP is the sliding Satin Black RamRack in the 6x4ft load bed out back - this item can secure a number of items and can be stowed under the sail panel of the Ram's cab when it's not required. Massive 37-inch tyres are wrapped around rather-more-modestly-sized 18-inch beadlock wheels, which have an orange tint to pick up the bodywork. The interior is also adorned with Macho Mango highlights and the same 6.4-litre Hemi as found in the Durango Shaker is located under the Ram's black-detailed bonnet.
Ram provides the most refreshing custom vehicle in the FCA sextet with the ProMaster Pit Stop, which is essentially a pub on wheels. With a keg refrigeration system on board, the Pit Stop has a drop-down bar and hinged door on the driver's side, while the four taps to serve drinks on board are made of Mopar's gearshift items: a T-handle, a billet aluminium piece, a cue ball and a pistol grip. 'Brewmaster' badges can also be seen on the exterior of the large van, which sits on 20-inch Satin Black lightweight wheels. Power is provided by a 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar engine.
The final car is a styling exercise, designed to evoke a Pacific surfing lifestyle. Hence, it's the Chrysler Pacifica Cadence, equipped with custom Mopar graphics on the outside, a Mopar/Thule board carrier on the roof, 20-inch alloy wheels and even a pet kennel inside, to ensure the dog can enjoy the seaside fun as much as the human occupants. Wireless charging on-board is a feature for the properly connected 21st-century types.
Anything else?
"The Mopar customised vehicles speak to our ability to assist owners in creating a ride that fits the blueprint of their individual lifestyles," said Pietro Gorlier, head of Parts and Service (Mopar) for FCA Global. "Our SEMA line-up highlights the parts and accessories we have available to bring vintage Mopar vehicles roaring to life, fuel family fun for all, equip off-roaders for trail adventures, and so much more. Our job at Mopar is to help customers to enhance their current rides, but also inspire our sister brands and customers to have fun, push boundaries and imagine new customisation possibilities for the exceptional portfolio of FCA vehicles."