Built as a headline feature for the 2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, this custom Plymouth 'Cuda known as "Conviction Cuda" represents a full-scale, no-compromise interpretation of the pro-touring movement at its peak. Rather than relying on bolt-on parts or catalog upgrades, the build focused on hand-formed metalwork, modern Hemi power, and a show-quality finish that blends custom fabrication with contemporary performance. The result is a car that stands as both a rolling showcase of craftsmanship and a fully functional, high-performance street machine.
The body is the foundation of the build, and nearly every visible surface reflects custom steel fabrication. Instead of fiberglass add-ons or adapted aftermarket panels, the modifications were shaped and finished in metal, giving the car a more substantial, high-end presence. Details include a molded rear spoiler, a custom hood with factory-inspired nostrils, flush-mounted glass, shaved door handles, and smoothed drip rails. Fabricated front and rear valences, along with a custom rear panel housing hand-built LED taillights, reinforce the modernized aesthetic. The entire body is finished in PPG Silver Star and Vibrant Purfect Purple, accented by a hand-painted strobe stripe created through layered airbrush and pinstriping techniques, resulting in a deep, multi-dimensional effect under changing light.
Power comes from a modern 6.1L Hemi V8 built by Arrington Performance, producing more than 525 horsepower. Electronic fuel delivery is handled by a Holley Sniper EFI system. A Tremec TKO500 5-speed manual transmission sends power to a Chrysler 8.75" rear end equipped with 3.91 gears and a limited-slip differential. The chassis combines a torsion-bar front suspension with a 4-link rear setup and coilover shocks, creating a stance and handling profile consistent with serious pro-touring builds. Stopping power comes from four-wheel Baer brakes with drilled and slotted rotors, assisted by a Hydratech power brake unit. Long-tube headers feed a stainless dual exhaust system with an X-pipe and chambered mufflers, exiting through custom tips integrated into the rear valence. Polished Bonspeed wheels, 18" up front and 20" in the rear, are wrapped in Nitto performance tires to complete the car's aggressive stance.
Inside, the custom theme continues with a fully tailored interior that blends modern materials with classic Mopar cues. C6 Corvette-sourced bucket seats have been reupholstered to match the car's color scheme, while the door panels and center console were fabricated specifically for this build. The console retains the familiar 'Cuda profile but incorporates a carbon-style insert and houses the Tremec's pistol-grip shifter. The dashboard was reshaped to accommodate a full set of AutoMeter white-face gauges, and the cabin is equipped with power windows, air conditioning, and an Alpine AM/FM/CD head unit paired with a powerful Kicker sound system.
Purpose-built for one of the most demanding stages in the custom car world, this SEMA-featured 'Cuda blends hand-formed steelwork, modern Hemi power, and a show-quality finish into a single, cohesive build. It represents a moment when pro-touring cars were pushing beyond traditional restoration and into fully realized, custom-engineered machines, and it still delivers the presence and performance to stand out in any modern collection.
Key Highlights
Built specifically for the 2008 SEMA show
PPG Vibrant Purfect Purple & Silver Star paint and Airbrushed stripes
All-steel body with many hand-formed modifications
6.1L Hemi V8
Tremec TKO500 5-speed manual transmission
8.75" rear axle with 3.91 gearing
Limited-slip differential
Holley Sniper EFI
Torsion bar front end
4-link rear suspension with coilover shocks
18" and 20" Bonspeed wheels
245mm front and 295mm rear Pirelli P Zero tires
Custom exterior lighting
Power-assist 4-wheel Baer disc brakes
Power steering
Modern air conditioning
Leather/cloth custom interior
Autometer white face gauges
Alpine AM/FM/CD receiver with Kicker speakers
