Mr. Norm's Garage Built Legends Edition 'Cuda 1000 HP

If you know anything about the awesome performance that built the Mopar brand, you know about Mr. Norm's Garage. If you know anything about the reborn line of Hemi powered hardware available at Chrysler dealers, you know about the Dodge Challenger. What happens when one of the guys that practically pioneered funny car racing gets his hands on one of the baddest Hemi powered cars to ever hit the streets? THE 2009 Mr. Norm's Legends Edition Cuda is born. And yes, I did say THE because this particular car was the pilot car for the Legends Cuda street series, which has become some of the most feared street machines ever built.

The sign of a good customization shop is its ability to modify a car extensively, yet still make the car appear as natural as when it rolled off the assembly line. With 1,030 actual miles, this Legends Edition Cuda is painted in bright silver and features custom painted, black Mr. Norm's Hemi billboards with neon green pin stripping on its quarter panels. Even though the car seems straight forward, the visual modifications are extensive and well thought out. Up front Mr. Norm's started by adding a modern Cuda grille insert complete with a stainless looking crossbar that recalls the legendary '71 Cuda from which this car is based. Blacked out Cuda style lower grille bars and a carbon fiber front chin spoiler add a bit of a modernism to that classic look while a custom body colored “'Cuda” emblem replaces the Dodge logo normally found on the nose. The hood features character lines that are correct to a '71 Cuda and a replica hood scoop with chrome and red “426 Hemi” emblems and mesh grille inserts. The front fenders house actual reproduction '71 Cuda gills and the rear quarters have been modified in shape to incorporate the correct horizontal character line that differentiated the Cuda from the Challenger back in 1971. At the top of the driver's side quarter, a chrome fuel cap for the modified fuel tank is a nice detail touch. Out back, a Cuda rear valence houses actual reproduction '71 Cuda tail lights and features an actual reproduction '71 “'Cuda” emblem and a classic Mr. Norm's badge. A carbon fiber rear decklid spoiler complements the modern look of the chin spoiler in front and stainless Corsa exhaust tips, inscribed with “Mr. Norm's” replicate '71 Cuda stainless tips.

But enough about the appearance of the car, as we all know Mr. Norm's has never been about just stripes and stickers. Straight from the factory this new Hemi makes 425 horsepower, but with the help of a bump in displacement and a Kenne Bell intercooled supercharger, the power goes from wild to insane. Based on the production 6.1 liter Hemi which is already one of the most impressive mills on the road, this Mopar keeps its standard bore for the sake of durability and increases its stroke from the 3.975 inch factory setting to 4.050 inches. Now measuring 6.9 liters, the motor receives a forged Callies Performance crank, forged H-Beam connecting rods and forged flat top Diamond Racing pistons. On top of those stronger components, you'll find Arrington ported heads, a Kenne Bell throttle body and a 3.6L liquid cooled Kenne Bell supercharger that creates 20 pounds of boost. A predator tune finishes everything off and the result is a 422 cubic inch Hemi monster that sends over 1000 horsepower to the car's flywheel and close to 900 horsepower to the car's rear wheels. That's more than enough power to dispatch just about anything on the road, and enough power to make very impressive runs at the strip. Visually, the engine compartment comes together just as the outside of the car does. The install is exceptionally clean and looks tidy enough to be an OEM package. The big polished aluminum blower sits front and center and features a subtle blue “Kenne Bell Liquid Cooled Supercharger” emblem. On the right side of the engine, a factory “HEMI 6.1L” cover deceives the unknowing and on the left side of the core support a Mr. Norms signature plate confirms what the astute already know. A massive polished stainless intake sits to the left of the block and feeds cold air into the motor while polished strut mount covers add a nice finishing touch to the engine bay. From front to back, the engine is spotless and would be right at home at a photo shoot or a show.

Mr. Norm's spent as much time underneath the car as they did under the hood. Custom Mr. Norm's coilovers sit at all four corners of the chassis and can be adjusted for both ride height and dampening. Up front, Macpherson struts mount behind slotted Brembo rotors and calipers that match slotted Brembo rotors and calipers at the rear of the car. Out back, a custom Mr. Norm's 4 link set up, inspired by 1970s Pro Stock drag cars, features a solid axle conversion and a custom Mr. norms anti roll bar. A mini tubbed Dana 60 Posi-Traction rear end with 3.73 gears sends power from the factory Tremec 6-speed transmission to Moser 35 spline rear axles. Mr. Norm's frame connectors add strength while a custom fabricated fuel tank finishes the modifications off. A Corsa free flowing cat back exhaust, designed exclusively for Mr. Norm's, sounds great through stainless tips that mimic those found on the '71 Cuda from which this car is modeled. Mr. Norm's forged and polished two piece 'Thrust' wheels measure 20 inches and ride on 255/45/20 front and 305/45/20 rear Pirelli Scorpion Zero Assimetrico radials.

Inside the car, Mr. Norm's took an already nice design and made it even better with OEM quality upgrades. All of the factory luxury and equipment was retained in the conversion, including the factory air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, heated seats, touch screen navigation and AM/FM stereo with CD player, auxiliary MP3 input and Sirius satellite radio connectivity. The dash features silver faced SRT-8 gauges which look great behind the silver spoke steering wheel and a set of chrome foot pedals contrasts great against black carpet that shows little to no wear. The console lid and all seats have been recovered with leather and suede Mr. Norm's covers that feature silver stitching and prominently display the Mr. Norm's Legends Cuda logo on the front buckets. To put a modern spin on a classic look, a slick carbon fiber pistol grip shift knob is attached to the Mr. Norm's chrome shifter that now controls the 6-speed Tremec. On the passenger's side of the dash, the Mr. Norm's identification plaque reads “MRN 09 Pilot” confirming this cars status as the very first Legends Cuda. The trunk looks factory fresh with a new fuel filler neck that has been covered in the cars factory trunk material and underneath the trunk mat you'll find an upgraded Optima battery. The interior of this car shows no significant signs of wear. It's evident that only a few lucky people have seen seat time and it even still has that new car smell.

Documentation included with this car is extensive. We have the complete original owner's manual which includes a manual for the navigation system, warranty information and a suggested maintenance pamphlet among other things. We have a copy of the Amos Auto Enthusiast in which this car was featured on the cover and in their “Mopar Showcase”. We have a collector's edition copy of MuscleCar Milestones magazine in which this car was featured as an “Extreme Machine”. We also have an auction kit which outlines all of the Legends Cuda equipment added by Mr. Norm's and features a dyno sheet.

This is a brilliantly executed tuner car by one of the biggest names in the Mopar game. It has performance credentials to back up its looks and an excellent pedigree. When will you get another chance to own a serious Mopar with crazy horsepower this kind of collectability AND modern conveniences? Call today!