Did you know there’s a company that sells kits to convert your present-day Dodge Charger into a Ute (utility or coupe utility vehicle)? These cars are plentiful, especially retired police state trooper cars that can usually be picked up at an auction for a song. That’s what the seller of this 2010 Charger apparently did and got most of the way through the project before stopping. Located in Walnut Creek, California, this “Charcamino” (Charger/El Camino) is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,000 OBO. Thanks for this unusual tip, Cowboy!
I remember back in the late 1970s, you could buy a used 1971-73 Dodge or Plymouth cop car with a 440 Police Interceptor V8 for about $400. The things were beat up and multi-colored but would still run like scalded apes. Fast forward about 40 years and I suppose the same can be said now for the Dodge Charger, which is a 4-door muscle car by today’s standards, though likely priced higher than $400. These things have 348 cubic V8 engines that produce 368 hp and 395 ft-lbs. of torque and probably handle a great deal better than the 1970s tanks.
The seller apparently acquired one of these machines from 2010 with 165,800 miles. Which isn’t too bad if this was a state patrol car, and they were largely highway miles. For $3,590, he bought a conversion kit from Smyth Performance that is said to give you everything you need to turn the cop-mobile into a Ute, which is akin to an El Camino or Ranchero.
We’re told these kits work great on 4-door Chargers because of their solid build. You’ll have to cut the roof and sheet metal off behind the front doors, and the kit comes with a multi-panel aluminum bed and stock Ford tailgate to help pull this transformation off. So, this doesn’t have to be a half-baked project if you follow the instructions and do it right.
The seller provides before, during, and after photos of his/her project, but the work is not yet complete. We’re told the side panels are not bonded and the bodywork needs some assembly, but all parts needed to finish this off are there. All that is missing is the paint and you can take it to the Earl Schieb of your choice to complete things. We assume the machine runs well and you could have an interesting “show and tell” piece for not more than a small fortune unless you can do the remaining work yourself.
Um; just… no thanks… smh
Thats a lotta work just to get rid of two doors.
“2010 with 165,800 miles. Which isn’t too bad if this was a state patrol car…”
An insane amount of idle hours though.
True. Really had to watch that when buying the old H-D cop bikes. Air cooled and idling, don’t mix.
Saw one this past weekend.
https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/314540140_6368604483166131_6976520744740072158_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=0debeb&_nc_ohc=TCE8fYWMwZsAX885vuA&_nc_oc=AQmkRazG4kFBEsANm0yo7oEwdSmucGdFNMxUwUMH6Oz1sIRM4x3Ykbq83YDYw90yD4d_vMzqE67GzoKCrEtueiAL&tn=dCaMWW99ajd04t8R&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpa1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDGzetvgXX-VCFX5b7gD4ZpYcRAWWHHoye5yhuHkzLk2Q&oe=63715DF9
I was ready to not like this, but when I looked at the web site with finished examples, they aren’t half bad looking. The impetus would have to be having something completely unique, which is fine. But like 370zpp says, it would be lots of work. And, not sure of the wisdom of starting with a well-used example.
I built one, turned out well. You are right, you should find the very best donor car you van. Mine was a one owner R/T with 55,000 miles
I’d lose the cop paint scheme but other than that it actually looks OK.
Since the description mentions auctioned Dodge cop cars…
ELWOOD: “it’s 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark… and we’re wearing sunglasses.”
JAKE: HIT IT!
Car is a laughable joke…
One of the greatest movie lines, ever!! Thanks for the chuckle!
As i have written many times , it needs to be done with a 2 door so it doesn’t look off ! And this one looks OFF
And when did 168 k miles become low miles ?
“It’s got a cop motor, it’s got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks.. and an aluminum Ford pickup bed?!” Sorry, it’s not the next Bluesmobile. Pass!
I became aware of Smyth Performance when I saw one of their Beetle conversions. Pretty neat. I see that they have expanded their line, including the Dodge Charger Ute. The Jeep Cherokee Ute conversion looks particularly interesting to me, kind of bringing the Jeep Comanche back to life.
I am familiar with Smyth conversion and I am on his e-mail list. I think ,I am on the other side of the argument. I really like the conversions. I would like one if the right deal came along. The numbers on this car don’t seem bad. I think it is priced almost at cost and 50% or more of the labor is done. Also, I don’t think the cop car is such a bad thing. I was a big city Firefighter and as much as we abused our vehicles, they got the best care and maintenance. I would also say before you say how bad this kit is, look at the web site.
Why not a “Chargechero”, or “Charchero”? This no more an El Camino than a Ranchero, and the Ranchero was produced before Chevy copied it. Just sayin…
El Chargero.?
Why would you want to do this to a Charger. If you want a pick up buy one.
Have you seen pickup prices lately?
A 2010 Ram 1500 with similar milage around me will run you around $8500
Anyone can buy a pickup. You build/own one of these simply because it’s different. Admittedly, different doesn’t always equate to useful.
Every van, pickup, El Camino, Ranchero or truck that Barn Finds has showcased, I envision its usefulness factor. This ute is definitely much more interesting than any 4 door Charger but it’s about as useful as a Chevy Avalanche. In other words, only mildly useful and only for a city dweller. I’ll stick with my 4 older pickups, each with its own niche.
Another easy pass.
Wrench Every Day (youtube channel) did a build on one of these. You can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNxbJAog3ZQ
I have a Smyth for my MK4 VW Jetta……..in the back of the shop just as I got it two years ago.
Projects.
I got projects.
Y not use the s. wagon to do it?
They have been just down the rd (Aquidneck) in
RI for near 10 yrs (da Man been at it for more’n coupla
decades tho. 1st ones were the beetle). Some look better than
others. I like this one but would attempt it w/the wagon ina fashon
where I could make the back go on’n off (a hrd top). Local here does
the rag tops and I’d have that as well (2 styles’n a vert). Bet the whole
GVWR (not bed payload) is near 1/2T (passengers, full gas tank, payload).
I believe the “s.wagon” you’re referring to is the Dodge Magnum, which has been out of production since 2007. You don’t think one of those wouldn’t be a high-miler? To top it off, the Magnum was a 4-door vehicle as well. So, let’s just run with the Charger.
Strange…..very strange. And very UGly !
Well, the hard work is already done……now, just figure out what shade of fast you want….
Russ funny you mention in 71 you could pick up a hp car with a 440 because in 71 I was 14 and my older brother gave me his 65 spot fury perfect except it had a rod through the side of the block he accomplished drag racing. My buddy and I found a 1970 nj state trooper fury wrecked in back 35,000 miles on the 440 we put a new cam timing chain and six pack intake on it and jacked up the front torsion bars and air shocks in back 60’s on the rear with wide and thin crager ss beautiful car that ran hard lost my license at 18 too many points but had fun doing it LOL
Someone also makes a kit to turn these Chargers into a Road Runner look alike. I spoke to a guy who was building one – he said it wasn’t too hard to do – mostly just new body panels. I should look it up.
Hi, i researched your charger to roadrunner but couldn’t find anything, could be the search engine that prefers i don’t see such things ! Kindly supply a link to it
Thanks
YOLO
Claudio, I looked for it too, after I made that comment, and couldn’t find one either. I will keep looking because I doubt the guy made it up, and I doubt that I will ever run into him again to ask.
for all that trouble and $$$, you could go to Australia and get a Ute, which was designed and built to be a real Ute from the get-go. Check out the Aussie Utes, they are great looking vehicles.
Claudio look up smug automotive
https://www.smythkitcars.com/charger
Hi , thanks for the reply but that was not my question
And the link is no op
I just stumbled on this auction for a Smyth Ute conversion of a Beetle:
https://www.hemmings.com/auction/2003-volkswagen-beetle-246500?utm_medium=email&utm_source=daily_marketplace
A Maaco body shop in Vacaville, CA built a pair of these VW conversions 2 years ago. Rather attractive little rigs.