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As the Netflix series “Cobra Kai” reaches its sixth season, fans are ready for an explosive and bold end to the story of Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), and their students. However, one of the show’s more comical bits centers around Lawrence’s short-lived relationship with a Dodge Challenger. In fact, the Challenger managed to pull a de-aging act by donning a fresh livery. Curious.

William Zabka managed to turn his pre-facelift Dodge Challenger into a newer model with a montage in ‘Cobra Kai’

Even with its ubiquity, the Dodge Challenger is difficult to miss. I mean, the LA-platform R/T Scat Pack is the better part of 10 inches longer and well over 500 lbs heavier than a comparable S650 Ford Mustang GT. To our surprise, Netflix and the creative minds behind “Cobra Kai” thought they could seamlessly turn a pre-facelift Challenger into a post-facelift model with a paint montage. Not so fast, Johnny Lawrence.

In the show, William Zabka gets the Dodge Challenger as something of an appeasement gift from Daniel LaRusso, played by Ralph Macchio. After LaRusso’s daughter Samantha and her space cadet compatriots slam into Lawrence’s third-gen Pontiac Firebird in season one, LaRusso gives Lawrence a 2009 Dodge Challenger in eye-popping Hemi Orange Pearl with black stripes.

That Challenger, an R/T with a 5.7L HEMI V8 under the hood, is an LC platform model. However, in the second episode of the second season, Lawrence takes the Challenger to a paint booth. Gone was the brilliant orange. In its place, the Cobra Kai sensei outfitted the Mopar muscle car with matte black paint, yellow stripes, yellow trim, and, of course, cobras aplenty. 

Admittedly, the burbling, eight-cylinder Challenger in the dark livery was apropos for the sensei of a dojo with the words “STRIKE FIRST, STRIKE HARD, NO MERCY” emblazoned on the wall. Hell, the vanity plate even reads “COBRAKAI.” Perfect.

However, viewers at the intersection of Cobra Kai fans and car enthusiasts may have noticed an interesting development. Sure, many owners repaint or vinyl wrap their cars. However, Lawrence’s paint booth time updated the Challenger from a pre-facelift LC model to a post-facelift LA one. That’s right. One look at the 1970s-inspired LED lights, LA proportions, and SRT wheels confirms the model’s post-2014 age range. Not bad for a paint job.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).