Automotive custom shops around the world create amazing things and some amazingly horrible things too! But, those things start with an idea. Those ideas sometimes get transferred into a paper sketch or digital media rendering. From there, workers at the custom shops get an idea of how to bend the metal, what fabricate extra parts need to be created, and the color of what the final product will be. But, not every rendering comes from a custom shop designer. Some of them come from talented people who ask the simple question, What if? That is where this story comes in. A talented digital designer asked the question, What if the Dodge Challenger was made into a small lifeguard surf wagon? 

The Challenger stands the test of time

A Youtube content creator that goes by the handle of TheSketchMonkey, has always been a fan of the Dodge Challenger. He thinks it is a solid, simple car that stands the test of time. But, he wondered what if a lifeguard could use a Challenger to do his job. From that point, he starts to share with the viewers his design ideas as he updates the new Widebody Super Stock Challenger right before everybody’s eyes.

The 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock

The 2020 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock was just released this Summer. It has 807-horsepower coming from a supercharged 6.2-liter engine. With stock, grippy tires the Super Stock has a zero-to-sixty time in the 3-second range. In short, it is one intimidating modern muscle car. So, it is no wonder that TheSketchMonkey chose the platform to play with. 

The shooting brake variant

TheSketchMonkey converted the Challenger into a shooting brake (two-door) wagon concept. The end result of the surfboard carrying two-door, as the designer claims, is a surf wagon that can quickly get a lifeguard to different points along a five to 10 mile-long beach. He thinks the need for speed would be necessary if there was only one lifeguard guarding that much beach. The video of the conversion is below.

The Challenger was already a wagon

Let us not forget that the Dodge Challenger was already a four-door wagon years ago. What was built as a Dodge Magnum was actually a stretched Dodge Challenger. In fact, the Dodge Magnum was the same four-door chassis that underpinned the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300, each of whom are already four-door vehicles. However, the Magnum was the only model as a wagon variant. That Magnum model was in the Dodge lineup from the 2005 model year to 2008, but it was never offered as a two-door.

The shooting brake Challenger is not a new thing

This is not the first time the Challenger has been rendered as a shooting brake wagon. As far back as 2014, Car and Driver found a rendering that they took a liking to. In fact, they called the wagon variant of the Challenger an “instant obsession.” They went on to say that such a car is not about practicality. Instead, it is “about having something rare, something contrarian, something so deliciously ironic that even Audi R8s would feel obliged to kiss your square-backed [rear] after you blow them into the weeds.”

Indeed! So much muscle on the beach would probably not be practical. Getting traction in the sand with so much horsepower does not really look good for the theoretical lifeguard. In fact, the lifeguard is probably better off sticking with an off-road vehicle of some sort. But, that does not stop creative people from daydreaming, much like TheSketchMonkey has done. Daydream or not, it is still pretty cool to see a lifeguard surf wagon Dodge Challenger.