---
title: "Behold a Demon-Powered Dodge Challenger Hellcat Rendered as Hemi Under Glass Plymouth Barracuda"
description: "Created by Hurst Performance in the late '60s, the Hemi Under Glass 'Cuda relocated the Hemi engine to the top of the rear axle for extreme wheelies."
date: "2019-04-22"
modified: "2019-04-22"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/27584/behold-a-demon-powered-dodge-challenger-hellcat-rendered-as-hurst-under-glass-plymouth-barracuda"
categories:
  - "Builds"
  - "Culture"
  - "Dodge News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Challenger SRT Hellcat"
  - "Coupe"
  - "dodge"
  - "sports car"
---

# Behold a Demon-Powered Dodge Challenger Hellcat Rendered as Hemi Under Glass Plymouth Barracuda

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/04/33786403168_ccb19fb66a_o.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Many folks would argue that muscle cars and American hot rods climaxed in the late '60s and early '70s—you know, the [Dodge Charger](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/27580/2020-dodge-charger-srt-hellcat-widebody-spied-recording-tv-commercial-report>), Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Chevelle, and of course, the Plymouth Barracuda. However, modern offerings from the same powerhouses (minus Plymouth) are equally, or maybe even more awe-inspiring than its predecessors, especially given the outrageous horsepower figures produced by modern engines. But has a little bit of flair and over-the-top showmanship been lost in translation?

Behold this in-your-face rendering by [Abimelec Design](<https://www.facebook.com/Abimelecdesign/>): a Dodge Demon-powered Challenger Hellcat dressed to resemble the old-school Hurst Hemi Under Glass 'Cuda. The original exhibition drag race cars were built by Hurst Performance around the mid-'60s and mid-'70s, and featured Chrysler-derived 7.0-liter Hemi V8s placed strategically over the rear axle and under the large rear window the Barracudas were known for. Hence, the Hemi Under Glass 'Cuda. Clever, no?

![message-editor%2F1555949966367-33786404138\_05ce212c6b\_o.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1555949966367-33786404138_05ce212c6b_o.jpg>)
**Abimelec Design**

![message-editor%2F1555949984470-33786405108\_6b0b3a9da6\_o.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1555949984470-33786405108_6b0b3a9da6_o.jpg>)
**Abimelec Design**

While these show cars didn't break any records, per se, they were all about the show, wowing crowds with insane wheelies aided primarily by the odd engine placement—[especially for a drag racing car](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/26448/dodge-investigating-video-showing-pair-of-dodge-demons-exploding-on-drag-strip>). For that same reason, Abimelec Arellano of Abimelec Design decided to pay homage to perhaps the ultimate American show car.

"One of my favorite modified cars of all time is the Hurst “HEMI Under Glass” Plymouth Barracuda, Arellano told *The Drive*." "It's a car built exclusively for showing off, making noise and amaze the crowds. In my opinion, cars don’t get much cooler than that."

"It's been a while since the original Hurst ‘Cuda so I thought I would bring it back to life, with a Demon engine and Challenger body," he added. "Originally I was just going to replace the rear seats with an engine, but then you wouldn’t be able to see the chromed supercharger, wouldn’t you? And remember, its all about the show!"

![message-editor%2F1555950007451-47663776661\_d4f0bdab33\_o.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1555950007451-47663776661_d4f0bdab33_o.jpg>)
**Abimelec Design**

![message-editor%2F1555950027988-33786404508\_684cdc37a0\_o.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1555950027988-33786404508_684cdc37a0_o.jpg>)
**Abimelec Design**

While we've seen plenty of crazy Hellcat and even Demon conversions in recent times, including one made entirely out of [carbon fiber and twin-turbocharged](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/24364/all-carbon-twin-turbo-1400-hp-dodge-demon-is-the-devils-own-ride>), we've yet to see a V8 Demon crate engine installed in the rear of a vehicle. Just thinking of 840 horsepower driving the rear wheels directly with minimal energy loss gets our juices flowing.

"I think the car culture in general needs a bit more of this kind of stuff," said Arellano. "Nowadays everything seems to be so centric on who’s got more horsepower or who’s got the fastest quarter-mile, which is amazing, don’t get me wrong, but I think we all enjoy a good show like the old wheel-standers used to put on."

Well, we don't disagree.

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)