1969 Plymouth Roadrunner is Kevin Hart’s latest project car

Clothes might make the man, but cars make the celebrity. It's a necessity for some, while others view it as a well-earned indulgence. American actor and comedian Kevin Hart belongs to the latter, with his newest project car based on the 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner. 

Comedian Kevin Hart is the one laughing with his sweet new ride 

Hart is well-known for his appreciation of American muscle cars, and his latest ride is a result of a collaboration with Salvaggio Design, paying tribute to the Mopar monsters of the late 1960s. The design team used 3D scanning to make a computer model of the donor car and designed a custom frame using computer-aided design (CAD).

Kevin Hart's 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner

Almost everything was removed from the original car, retaining only the roof, doors, fenders, and rear quarter panels, with everything else upgraded. A new carbon fiber hood was installed, complemented by bumpers utilizing the same material. 

A pristine donor car was needed to kick off the upgrades

Elements such as the rollcage, removable floors, custom firewall, radiator support, wheel tubs, and trunk were all fabricated. The drip rails were streamlined while retaining the Plymouth’s overall silhouette. Multiple coats of BASF black paint brought out a high gloss for the car’s exterior, complemented by numerous machined billet parts made from aluminum. These include the three-piece grille, driver’s door mirror, and hub caps for the HRE wheels wrapped in custom high-performance Michelin tires. 

Billet parts also make their way into the interior through the steering wheel, shift lever, and instrument panel that uses digital gauges linked to the onboard engine management system. Black Italian leather dominates the cabin, from the Recaro front seats to the custom rear seats and headliner. 

A carbon fiber hood reduces weight and brings an aggressive look

Despite having around 20 cars in his collection, Hart finds time to drive them around instead of just keeping them as garage queens. His custom Plymouth should be no exception, outfitted with a 7.0-liter HEMI V8, fusing together a Demon and a Hellephant engine with overhauled internals and accompanied by a Whipple 3.8-liter supercharger. 

The interior was refreshed with billet parts and tech bits

The result is a dyno-verified 940 horsepower, approaching the output of a standard Bugatti Veyron. This is paired with a Tremec 6060 6-speed manual transmission at Hart’s request, reinforced to match the engine’s grunt. Stopping power is courtesy of lightweight Brembo brakes with 14-inch rotors in front and 13-inch rotors at the rear. 

Tests using the custom frame proved so successful that it will be made available separately for all Mopar B body platforms. To top it all off, Hart gets custom Nike sneakers, belt, and wallet made from the remaining leather used, allowing him to match the car every time he takes it out for a spin.  

Hart requested the 7.0-liter HEMI V8 to be paired with a custom 6-speed manual

The entire project was said to have taken only 10 months. If you had the time and the money, would you buy a modern car or reinvigorate a classic instead? 

Read more stories of classic cars getting a new lease on life at Philkotse.com.