Approached by the Satellite’s long-time care taker (since ’73!) who was looking for a few upgrades in the B-Body’s performance and attitude, Randy had a few ideas of his own he wanted to try out. First up was the body, which was thoroughly worked over with details both subtle and bold. The glass is flush mounted for a modern, streamlined look, and the door handles were lost completely. Instead of modifying the stock bumpers to get the fit desired, Randy opted to hand-fabricate new ones that hug the body and follow the fenders and quarters almost seamlessly. A subtle rear spoiler and rocker panel extensions were handmade for an aggressive look. Things really get aggressive up front, where Randy built a lower splitter that mimics the distinctive grille opening. The inner headlights were ditched for machined aluminum rings for the air intake system. The hood is a masterpiece in itself with a handmade hood bulge, matching air intakes and a well-placed opening for the supercharger to poke out. One air inlet feeds fresh air to the engine, and the other helps keep the intercooler working at max capacity. It should be noted that all of these body mods were done in steel; no fiberglass shortcuts here!

With a look so sinister and tough, Randy knew big horsepower was in order to complete the image. The supercharger peeking out of the hood is the icing on the internal combustion cake, which is takes the shape of a GEN III Hemi from a Hellcat. Output is 900hp, which gets funneled through a T-56 manual transmission. You have to think that this car would be a handful at anything under 50MPH.  Putting the power to the ground is a narrowed 9-inch Ford filled with 3.70 gears and secured by a Watt’s link system and Ridetech coilovers. Up front is an independent suspension package from Scott’s Hot Rods, also sporting Ridetech goodies. All four corners are hemmed in by 14” Wilwood brakes. The wheels were custome made by Evod, measuring 18x9 in the front and 20x15 in the back. Mickey Thompson rubber got the nod to keep things rolling.

If you’ve followed Weaver Customs for any length of time, you know that the interior is not left as an afterthought. The dash was sliced and diced to accept a Dakota Digital VHX-1023 instrument system and a digital touch screen to run the Kicker audio system. A scratch-built center console houses a Dakota Digital DCC-series AC controller for the Vintage Air climate package, as well as a killer billet shifter that harkens back to the Pistol Grip shifter made famous by MoPar’s most bad ass muscle cars. JS Custom Interiors in Salt Lake City handled the stitch work on the Hyde’s leather, punctuated by billet AC vents and other assorted details.

Not all that long ago, cutting up a 1964-74 Plymouth two door anything got you plenty of grumpy stares from fellas in Direct Connection T-shirts, but luckily the tide is turning. Since its completion in 2019, “Thriller” has pulled in a gaggle of awards, including best of show at Hot August Nights, ISCA Outstanding Full/Radical Handbuilt Custom as well as ISCA Best Full Hardtop. Additionally, the car was on the cover of Mopar Collector’s Guide.  Randy and Sydney Weaver can be found at hot rod events across the country with ear to ear smiles, thoroughly enjoying their hobby-turned-full-time-job, which we love to see. Specialty cars are supposed to be fun; don’t be afraid to build what you want the way you want it!