Challenger Kammback: a unique 1970 Dodge concept car... Inspired by Harry Bradley

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi!

Long before Tom Thaylor, Steve Stanford and Chip Foose became household names, the great Harry Bradley was creating buzz in the automotive press with many innovative designs. In a spring of 1970 issue of CarLife magazine, he posited that the crop of Pony Cars could be transformed into sport wagons, at low cost for GM, Ford, AMC and Chrysler.

I kept the article, titled "The wagon as a GT", and it inspired my concept. 

Based on a Revell T/A Challenger, with a second roof added to create a Kammback design, with a rear hatch instead of a trunk. The man of action, into, let's say Scuba diving, would take advantage of the rear platform extra cargo capacity to carry around the diving kit from Monogram's Blue Bandito. Rolling stock from Revell's Foose 67 Charger, seats from Uptown Caddy, and scratchbuilt rear interior section, side windows, and custom 8-stack injection and air intake unit: it's a factory concept car after all! 

Tamya's Champagne Gold + MrHobby Top Coat clear, Smartcraft Fog grey acrylic interior, Revell's spray chrome accents. 

So, Mister Bradley was right: minimum tooling costs involved, and Vive la difference! 

Hours of fun with styrene 

CT

[michelle]

Very nice custom work 

[Kah puts]

That’s Uber cool ??

[Yeah Nah]

Cool concept Challenger! Smooth job on the roof mods.

[karbuildr]

Oh man Claude, I am diggin' this concept. Beautiful execution, outstanding details, it truly looks like a factory concept. ??

[SpikeSchumacher]

As my fellow Germans would say, "das ist Supergeil!" ??

[Claude Thibodeau]

3 hours ago, michelle said:

Very nice custom work 

Thank you Michelle! 

CT

[Lobo2me]

Another very cool creation in exceptional execution. Well done!

[bondo bill]

cool concept and execution

[Mittagskind]

Very interesting, I like it.

[dust collectors]

Nice work and very cool concept.

[ismaelg]

Very well executed. 

[spencer1984]

Fantastic job on this, and I really like that hood treatment!

[ncbuckeye67]

Wow, that is a work of art! Absolutely beautiful. 

[Claude Thibodeau]

16 hours ago, Kah puts said:

That’s Uber cool ??

Thanks Glen, happy tou like it!

CT

[drodg]

Very nice!!!

[iamsuperdan]

Really nice conversion!

I'm particularly impressed with how perfectly you lined up the hood and engine. Gaps look perfect!

[Bainford]

Cool concept Claude, and fine execution. I see you sprung for nitrogen to inflate the tires.

[espo]

Beautifully done body work and paint. This actually looks like something that would have made since at the time. Like the way you worked the intake through the hood and the stance. 

[Phildaupho]

Very interesting and of course very well built.

[Claude Thibodeau]

20 hours ago, Yeah Nah said:

Cool concept Challenger! Smooth job on the roof mods.

Thank you Gary!

The roof job was actually easier than I tought. The joint (with super glue) is centered on the B-pillar center-line. Molded afterward with catalyzed putty. 

CT

[speedy5963]

Very cool build, like the concept design here! 

[slusher]

Impressive concept!

[Claude Thibodeau]

On 1/11/2024 at 5:42 PM, karbuildr said:

Oh man Claude, I am diggin' this concept. Beautiful execution, outstanding details, it truly looks like a factory concept. ??

Thank you David. That was the goal, happy I convinced you!

CT

[MeatMan]

Very nice build!