MAGNUM DELIVERY

A New Direction for the Dodge Magnum

Targeted at a different audience than that of the hugely popular Chrysler 300 and the 300C sedans, the sleek, almost chopped-looking Magnum wagons have garnered affection from car enthusiasts everywhere. So popular are these cars that several forward-thinking super rodders have taken the concept to more personal levels, including the owner of this “Lil’ Red Wagon,” David Green.

Making It His Own

Already enthusiastic about the chopped-top style and Hemi-based horsepower of his Dodge Magnum R/T, California’s David Green wanted to put distance between it and those filing out of dealerships. To widen the gap between his car and thousands of others, Green came up with a novel concept that is certain to catch on. For now, its panel delivery styling is the first of its kind and one to be remembered. It’s a prime example of what DG Motorsports is all about, and if this is any indication of what lies ahead, we are looking forward to it.

Built, Not Bought

Rather than turning to the skills of others to accomplish this wagon-to-delivery transformation, Green took on the project himself. But the paint and pinstriping was a total effort, and it’s one he should be proud of. Once he was finished with the conceptual drawings, Green went about the various alterations, which included fabricating all of the unique specialized exterior components from scratch.

Major Exterior Modifications

To transform the original wagon configuration into this panel delivery, a number of changes were applied. The most obvious alterations were made to the rear half of this Dodge. You notice immediately that the rear doors have been removed; in this case, they were welded shut. The window glass was also removed, and the openings were filled using 18-gauge steel panels. Careful attention was paid to these rather serious alterations, and you can tell by the way all the different contours and shapes have been joined as one. This is especially effective when combined with the declining contours of the roofline and the high beltline.

Respect for the Craft

We can understand the extent of what Green went through, as we took the panel delivery route ourselves with a new Ford Expedition. Super Rides By Jordan welded shut its doors and filled its rear door and window openings. Then R&R painted it a DuPont Candy Blue. The truck was rear-ended early in its life, so it sat awhile before all the repairs were made again. This time it is reincarnated as a flat-black ’50s-style hot rod. So we have a strong appreciation for DG Motorsports’ modification commitment.

Clean Body Lines and Custom Trim

Beyond the modifications to the rear door and window areas of the Magnum, all of the exterior trim and emblems were removed in favor of the broad expanses of angular sheetmetal. To make the most of these sculpted lines, Green also designed and shaped various body trim that build on the good looks of these wagons. A ground-effects package that incorporates side skirts has been added along the sides and does an excellent job of speeding the overall design by extending the body below its standard dimensions. These same lines carry over to the front grille and bumper, where a lower valance has been added that extends the nose closer to the pavement.

Muscle Car Throwback Up Front

Taking the concept still further, Green added a rear valance/diffuser that gave the rear of the car a much more distinct appearance than the original. Additional changes were made up front that include the addition of a shaker hood, which is reminiscent of those found on the great Mopar muscle cars of the past. It improves performance with the cold-air intake, and it looks great.

Custom Paint With Hot Rod Heritage

With all of the body modifications completed, the body was prepped for the new hues to come, which include a custom PPG mixture accented with Dan Hatch’s gold-leaf graphics across the new side panels and pinstriping by Bowman Signs. Judging from the mile-deep reflections, there’s no doubt that considerable effort went into refining this paint scheme, which brings to mind the very inspiration for this ride, Bill “Maverick” Golden’s ’60s Dodge truck, the “Little Red Wagon.”

Interior Built to Match

To keep the interior in phase with the changes to the outside, a number of alterations were made inside as well. These included the replacement of the original front seats with black leather Recaro buckets. The back seats were removed entirely to keep with the panel delivery concept. Additional detailing can be found in the various materials used throughout, including leather, suede, wood and chrome trim, all of which lend themselves to this highly individualized ride.

Finishing Touches

Other detailing includes the wooden floormats and wood and chrome rear deck. The dashboard is also a special item. It was specially dyed to match its surroundings by Wood & Parts in Minneapolis.

Serious Tech and Sound

A serious audio/video entertainment system is made up of numerous high-end Sony components centered on Sony’s Xplod head unit and a wide array of speakers positioned around the interior. Additional updates include automatic locks, a Viper alarm system and dark glass by Image Window Tinting.

Power to Match the Looks

The rolling stock used on this Magnum R/T delivery mounts BFGoodrich T/As on 20-inch Jesse James .44 wheels up front and 22-inch DUBs in back. To turn them with gusto, little more was needed aside from the original 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 producing 340 hp. Of course, after bolting on a tuned exhaust from Sebring, a K&N cold-air intake and a great-looking engine cover from DG Motorsports, and adding the appropriate painted and chromed detail, everything in and around the engine makes a statement.

A Unique Vision Realized

There’s no question that Green understood what it takes to bring new meaning and impact to an already popular car such as the Magnum; otherwise, he would never have finished it in a scant three months. The only thing to look forward to is whether DaimlerChrysler will follow up with a panel delivery of its own, or if it will leave that singular image to one DG Motorsports has conceived. But for now, the D&G car delivers.