- The distinctively 'Detroit' roadster is a collaborative build project
between Chrysler's Mopar Underground SEMA design team and Quality
Metalcraft
- The SEMA Show, the annual showcase of technology, trends and products
representing the $36.7 billion automotive parts and accessories industry,
will be held Oct. 30 - Nov. 2, 2007
- The Mopar booth (#42427) is located in the lower South Hall of the Las
Vegas Convention Center
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- What do you get when you
combine the new 392 HEMI(R) crate engine from Mopar(R) with the world's
first- ever steel reproduction of a 1927 street rod body and three
car-crazy designers? The result is a custom SR 392 Roadster that will debut
in the Mopar booth (#42427) at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market
Association (SEMA) Show. The SEMA Show is the annual showcase of
technology, trends and products representing the $36.7 billion automotive
parts and accessories industry that will be held Oct. 30 - Nov. 2, 2007 at
the Las Vegas Convention Center.
For nearly two years, Chrysler's Mark Allen and Ralph Gilles planned to
build the SR 392 Roadster as a SEMA stunner with Michael Chetcuti of
Livonia, Mich.-based auto supplier, Quality Metalcraft (QMC). Allen is
chief designer, Jeep(R)/Dodge Truck Studios - Chrysler LLC and Gilles is
Vice President of Jeep/Truck & CFM Design, Chrysler LLC. Gilles and Allen
are members of Chrysler's Mopar Underground SEMA design team, a group of
in-house automotive enthusiasts who donate their time to SEMA project
vehicles.
Allen said, "It was important to convey the car's theme as an homage to
Detroit -- the cool Detroit with its unique artistic community, music and
gritty vibe. We used durable materials and let the mechanicals show to
reflect the industrial backbone of the city. We wrapped it all up in a
high-gloss black-and-chrome wrapper to evoke Detroit's cool attitude."
Allen, Chetcuti and Gilles saw a challenge in proving that the
6.4-liter HEMI crate engine could apply to a vehicle other than traditional
muscle cars or modified up fits. The team's idea was to redefine the
classic hot rod with a more functional urban and industrial attitude to
create a distinctly 'Detroit' roadster.
The project was assisted by Chetcuti's QMC since the company has
tooled, designed and now stamps the first-ever steel reproduction of a '27
street rod body -- the Shadowrods XL-27 Roadster and Lakes Modified bodies
developed by hot rod legend, Jon Hall.
"The core design elements of this roadster speak to the grit and
industrial edge of our city," said Chetcuti. "Things like the mezzanine
flooring detail and Eames-inspired seating -- these take an industrial cue
but are by no means 'rat-rod.' It is a refined and organized design
throughout."
After several design variations were discussed (California hot rod king
Chip Foose even had a peek), Allen brought his full resources to the
design's completion. QMC stamped and performed the initial assembly on the
reworked Shadowrods body -- and fabricated and fit the revised hood, hood
side panels, lower rocker panels and doors to the body.
With the car's extremely low stance, Shadowrods was asked to build a
custom frame using a unique staggered truss concept. For the final build of
the SR 392 Roadster, QMC turned to longtime concept- and show-car builder
Wheel to Wheel Powertrain of Madison Heights, Mich.
Overseen by Gilles, the Mopar Underground SEMA design team has been
customizing Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge production vehicles for the SEMA show
since its creation in 2002. The team creates tricked, tuned and customized
vehicle concepts meant to develop performance parts, accessories and
customization, vehicle concepts and keep the Mopar spirit and passion
alive.
About Quality Metalcraft
For more than 40 years, Quality Metalcraft (QMC) has been one of the
leading prototype and low-volume production automotive suppliers in the
world. Operations at QMC's massive Livonia, Mich. campus cover all phases
of design, engineering and manufacturing from tooling to advanced laser and
stamping capabilities. Projects include everything from simple brackets to
large advanced prototype full body assemblies. Visit
http://www.qualitymetalcraft.com for more information.
About SEMA
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, the annual
showcase of technology, trends and products for the $36.7 billion
automotive parts and accessories industry, will be held Oct. 30 - Nov. 2,
2007 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The premier automotive specialty
products trade event in the world, SEMA draws the industry's brightest
minds and hottest products to the Las Vegas Convention Center and attracts
more than 100,000 industry leaders from over 100 countries in the
automotive, truck and SUV markets. Open to domestic and international
industry professionals and media, the 2007 SEMA Show will feature more than
2,000 exhibitors. More than 100,000 are expected to attend this year. SEMA
was founded in 1963. The industry provides appearance, performance,
comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational
vehicles.
70 Years of Mopar
When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts
manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing
enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation
(CMPC) in 1929.
Originally used in the 1920s, Mopar (a simple contraction of the words
MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937.
It was also widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its
mark in the 1960s -- the muscle car era. The Chrysler Corporation built
race-ready Dodge and Plymouth "package cars" equipped with special
high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of "Special Parts" for super
stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar
Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing
use.
Today, Chrysler's Global Service and Parts division is responsible for
the manufacturing and distribution of nearly 250,000 authentic Mopar
replacement parts, components and accessories for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge
vehicles sold around the world. To assure quality, reliability and
durability, all Mopar parts and accessories are designed in strict
adherence to Chrysler engineering standards.
A rendering of the SR 392 Roadster is available at media.chrysler.com.
SOURCE Chrysler LLC
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Related links:
http://media.chrysler.com
http://www.chrysler.com
http://www.semashow.com/main/main.aspx?ID=/content/SEMASHOWcom/HomePage
http://www.qualitymetalcraft.com
CONTACT:
Patricia Georgevich of Chrysler LLC,
+1-248-512-4889, or cell, +1-248-514-1313, pg572@chrysler.com
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