Since its completion in August 2009, Jay Lightner’s 2007 Dodge Charger SRT8 has garnered over a dozen awards. It’s been recognized for everything from the sick sound system (Winner, DUB Best Dodge & Best Audio, 2009) to its flawlessly executed custom paint job (semi-finalist, SEMA Mother’s Shine Award 2009), but nothing means quite as much to Jay as this newest accolade. Explained Jay, “The car has now won 12 Best of Shows…When the maker of the car gives you recognition that is something you have to appreciate.”
Although his humility in the face of his numerous awards is admirable, don’t let it fool you – this car is every bit as deserving as you might suspect. Everything from stem to stern was painstakingly custom crafted, right down to the hand-stitched leather. Many, many different hands were involved in building Jay’s vehicle, but you couldn’t tell from the seamless, impeccable craftsmanship. The body itself was modified by LA-area specialist Topo Villafana and is actually the first full metal wide-body “suicide” Charger to be created, replete with 4.5” wide custom front fenders. The slick paint job was mixed, poured, and applied by Lucky 7 Customs in Antioch, California and the perfectly-matched 3-piece rims were specially forged by US Wheels. Inside, the black-on-burnt-orange theme is continued with a unique pattern designed by Jay’s wife, Alicia, and brought to life by Oakley, California-based shop, Tony’s Upholstery.
Beneath the custom hood liner, the snarling 6.1-liter HEMI® received a blindingly bright make-over, including polished Inertia heads, Super Spartan cam, polished Airhammer intake, one-off power steering tank, one-off Coolant tank, and a color-matched engine brace. A Diablo Predator tune and Megan coil-overs round-out the performance upgrades while Billet Technology badges tie the fearsome theme together.
Hit the jump to check out more pics of the masterpiece and be sure to leave some love for Jay!
Want more? Hit up the Dodge Autos’ official Spring Fest 5 photo stream on Flickr.
