The engine was scavenged from a B-Body and fitted with parts from TRW, Crane, Edelbrock, Comp Cams, and Holley. The stout package meets with a Dynamic-prepped 727.
Limping the worn and weathered Challenger home, Mike had a chance encounter with Greg Zeneski of Magnum HP. Greg has an intimate knowledge of making stock Mopars a little bit meaner. Mike knew he wanted to keep the 3.23 gears, but he also wanted a low-to-mid-12-second contender. A 440 RB was built for the convertible with TRW pistons, a high-volume oil pump, Edelbrock heads, and a 770 Holley Street Avenger carburetor. The suspension required work, and an A-Body front disc brakes and a MP master cylinder were added. Dynamic was the brand used for everything transmission related with their 911/42-inch converter, shift improver kit, and a B&M shifter.
When it came to cosmetics, Mike gave up his dream to keep the Challenger white and went with a color match to a '00 Chrysler Prowler's Orange Pearl. Automat, in Hicksville, New York, installed a new convertible top, black interior featuring Recaro seats coated in custom leather, and tinted windows. A custom aluminum gauge cluster was designed specifically for the Challenger and was installed by Greg at Magnum HP along with all the mechanicals.
It might look stock at first glance, but this interior with Recaro seats and custom dash cluster is far from factory original. It's updated features like this that make the drive a blast, especially compared to Mike's first ride in the car. |  | 
Before the restification began, Mike enjoyed his Challenger. He enjoys it even more now, but probably has to clean it more often now that it looks so great. |
Since that time, the car has been shown and driven as much as possible, taking first place at the Atlantic Nationals in Englishtown, New Jersey. Then second place at Chryslers at Carlisle the same year. The Challenger brings in the awards wherever they take it, but nothing as memorable as that grueling long-distance run across America with his family.