First Oldsmobile ended up on a NASCAR entry sheet, now Mopar is bringing what sure looks like a Plymouth to SEMA – suddenly it feels like the mid-1990s. The Olds appearance was apparently just some sort of error, but this Plymouth situation is one that Mopar itself has sort of semi-confirmed with a new teaser image.
Dubbed “Chapter 2” (we’ll get to Chapter 1 soon enough), a single image shows the front of what looks like a classic Plymouth Belvedere GTX. Along with it, we get a single question and pseudo answer. “What kind of future is there for a legendary muscle car? A concept from Mopar may show the answer.”
So Mopar wants to show us the “future” for a “legendary muscle car.” That doesn’t sound too far afield from other vehicles it has debuted in the past, so let’s consider what this concept might actually end up being.
What Do We Expect?
Based on the image, this looks like a Belvedere GTX. The way the front of the hood hangs over the inner lighting elements appears to indicate that at least. In 1967, the Belvedere GTX was a badge-engineered version of the Dodge Coronet R/T. That same year, the GTX was available with one of two burly V8 options. First was the 440 Super Commando with 375 horsepower. Second, buyers could opt for the 426 Hemi. Clearly, power was a major selling point for this muscle car.
That said, some bits of this concept also look quite unique. The hood has a set of unique vents and scoops. The original Belvedere GTX had forward-facing hood scoops that gathered air into the engine bay. These appear to be cowl-induction scoops that cover far more space on the hood. In addition, a chin spoiler looks like it’s sitting low on the front end of this concept.
Interestingly, Mopar teased something similar last year with another vague post featuring what looked like a Dodge Challenger. “Get ready for a jolt” is all the teaser image said. Stellantis would then completely bow out of the SEMA show before revealing whatever it had in mind.
A year before that, Mopar showed up at SEMA with a classic Jeep CJ that leveraged an eCrate motor for propulsion – that’s it below. Called the CJ Surge, it used a 400-volt system with a 200-watt motor and a 50 kWh battery. It would make sense for Mopar to show up with a similar setup for the GTX in this new teaser. No doubt, some classic car lovers will want a way to modernize their powertrains and an eCrate motor could be one solution.
It’s also worth noting that this could be another way to capture musclecar guys disaffected by the swing to futuristically-shaped electric cars – cars that do little to push said guys’ macho-muscle-machine buttons, even if the EVs do post power, torque, and 0-60 numbers that crush classic iron. The adoption of the new Charger Daytona EV hasn’t been as widespread and smooth as Dodge likely hoped, and showing fans that even classic muscle cars could benefit from electrification might help sway the crowd a bit.
Dodge will likely reveal everything sometime around Tuesday, November 5, when the SEMA show opens its doors at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and there’s more to look at from the Stellantis group. There will also be at least one big, burly RAM concept that the brand touts as a “beastly full-size concept.” That’s the Chapter 1 mentioned earlier. “Workhorse and Warrior” is what Mopar calls it. Based on the image below, it very well could be a 2500. We look forward to the reveal unless it for whatever reason ends up dropping out again.
If it’s an electronic ersatz of a Belvedere, I hope one of the horn options goes “wesssleeeyyy…”
…and we just might live the good life yet. I’m rooting for a St. Regis revival myself. He’s outta control!
I’m still waiting for the flexibility and price of kits and parts to make electrifying any random car a reasonable proposition. I expect I’ll be waiting some time yet.
At this point, a complete set of conversion parts from a wrecked Tesla is $15K, which is less than a GM 350 Connect and Cruise engine/trans/electronics package.
You won’t see conversion packages because they aren’t worth the effort except for the novelty of converting a classic car to electric power. A used car isn’t worth converting just to extend its life. Sell it or part it out and add that cash to the cost of the conversion kit, then walk yourself over to the Tesla store.
Wait is it April already?
It took me a minute to figure out who is in the bottom corner of the photo. But I’m old so I figured it out. Ha-ha!
Same for me. I am old.
Seriously? The show still has a following, the local chapter of the Guy Who Played Mr. Belvedere Fan Club gets really good attendance at their monthly meetings
Moar Brands
“Chapter 2”
LOL, I thought Stellantis was up to Chapter 11 by now.
They really have slowed down on their growth of bloat of brands (the only metric they seem to measure themselves by), so maybe it’s time to throw Plymouth back in the pen. Might as well add Talbot, Simca, Eagle and who knows what else while they are at it. It’s got to be cheaper than mixing in Renault or BMW.
The original GTX was marketed oxymoronically as a “gentleman’s muscle car.” Wonder if they’ll keep that theme?
If you replace the ICE with an electric motor, you’ll no longer be numbers matching.
but will you still know what you have?
As long as you get the current right you should be fine.
So we just might live the good life yet?
Only if you drop kick your jacket when you come to the door.
I’ve come to the conclusion as long as my car moves under its own power, I don’t particularly care how it moves.
Considering Ford sells the Mach-E motor (or maybe not: their website says no longer available, but Summit Racing still has it) and GM sells the Bolt motor (but only as a complete drive train, and only through Lingenfelter, and neither of their sites has a price), it’s only a matter of time before whatever Chrysler’s calling itself this week gets in on the action.
Will it have “vintage” features like mechanical door handles, no fake engine sounds, etc?
Almost assuredly not. Also, the instrument cluster will be replaced with a screen and the headlights will be bright LEDs.
There will probably more screens elsewhere in the interior, also
I fully expect Carlos and the gang will just show up with a bunch of Crayola drawings this year.
Easier and cheaper than actually producing something real.
Was this Carlos you speak of pictured above?
Is it going to be the future of Callahan Parts?
Nice reference!