In 2023, there hasn’t been a Challenger convertible ordered from the factory since the 1970s. This is the first time in the modern era of the nameplate that the Convertible Challenger is being offered. Tim Kuniskis introduced the Dodge Convertible Challenger to the world in August 2022 during Speed Week Dodge. Kuniskis and his team have created a soft-top option for this legendary muscle car. However, in order to end the current generation, Dodge has teamed up with Customs Top Drop. The convertible is converted at Customs Top Drop where it is shipped after being built at the Brampton Assembly Plant for each new Challenger.
Introduced in 2008, the Florida-based company has been manufacturing convertible Challengers since the contemporary period. While Drop Top Customs has recently partnered with the Dodge brand to provide a factory-ordered choice, the yellow Dodge Challenger SRT® Hellcat Widebody Convertible depicted here is owned by Brian Harlow and it was the inaugural SRT Hellcat Widebody model crafted by Drop Top Customs upon the introduction of the package. Given the title of this article and the fact that 2023 marks the first model year in the contemporary era in which you can place an order for a Dodge Challenger Convertible from your nearby dealership, one might anticipate this article to revolve around an individual who ordered and received a 2023 model. However, that is not the case.
Fifteen years ago, I had the opportunity to witness the debut of the final year model of the legendary Dodge muscle car. Before connecting with Dodge to offer a convertible option for private owners, Customs Top Drop had already built scores of topless Challengers. The car that was shown below is a green-and-black convertible, which made its grand debut at the SEMA 2008 Show in Las Vegas. It is worth mentioning that this was the first modern Dodge Challenger convertible built by the renowned Ltd Coachbuilders, also known as Customs Top Drop.

However, before we dive into his story, it should be pointed out that Brian Harlow, who retired from FCA in 2019 after serving as the Head of Manufacturing for North America and playing a key role in the conversion of the Challenger into a Widebody Hellcat SRT, is now enjoying his executive role as a former challenger. Speaking with Harlow Brian about his experience, we learned that the process of getting a Dodge Challenger is a bit different for those who ordered a 2023 model year car from their local dealership, as he just recently converted his 2018 Widebody Hellcat SRT Challenger into a convertible.

After a successful career with the company, Brian Harlow, Head of Manufacturing for North America’s FCA, was planning to retire from his role. To celebrate his retirement, his wife Rachelle had ordered him a 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody, which was his first car, a 1970 Challenger.
In the global arena, the retirement present transitioned from a Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody to the very first-ever Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody Convertible when Gilles facilitated communication between Rachelle and the company, and Harlow expressed his interest in the concept. Gilles proposed that he explore Drop Top Customs for the conversion of his car into a convertible after Harlow mentioned that he had recently ordered a new Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody while attending a social gathering. Harlow was conversing with his long-standing colleague and friend Ralph Gilles, who is renowned as the global design chief for Stellantis (formerly FCA).

In the latter part of 2017, when manufacturing commenced, Harlow, the Manufacturing Chief, managed to acquire one of the initial SRT Hellcat Widebody models to emerge from the Brampton Assembly line. That yellow Challenger, adorned with black stripes, was promptly transported to Jacksonville, Florida, where it was collected by Jeff Moran, the proprietor of Drop Top Customs, and transported to his workshop. Equipped with a black power-folding convertible roof to complement the black interior and striping, it underwent a metamorphosis into the convertible muscle car displayed here.
The Chevrolet didn’t perform admirably in that race, as evident in the picture provided. At Florida International Motorsport Park, Moran personally handed over the vehicle to Brian and Rachelle Harlow upon finishing the construction, where the duo indulged in some exhilarating moments with the recently launched Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody Convertible and a Corvette, driving them side by side.
Brian Harlow’s story about how he came to own the first Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody Convertible in the world is quite interesting. He explained that he had owned a Chrysler Sebring Convertible years ago, which he described as running smoothly and looking top-notch even though it was an aftermarket conversion. When I asked him if he had owned any factory-built convertibles to compare to his custom-built Top Drop Hellcat SRT Convertible, he mentioned that he and his wife had planned to retire to South Florida, and if it had been offered in 2018, he would have ordered a Convertible Challenger. I also asked him some general questions about his ownership experience.
Finally, I asked Harlow if he had driven a similar car without the convertible conversion, to provide some insight on whether the two differed much on the open road. He pointed out that the Customs Top Drop does a great job reinforcing the structure to give equal performance in all aspects, with the only real difference being the noise from the road coming through the driver’s seat.
My conversation with Brian Harlow ended with this statement, expressing his experience working with the company that is building the 2023 Dodge Challenger Convertibles.
Larry’s dad, Jeff, is a genius when it comes to executing and designing a conversion for any hard-top vehicle, providing unparalleled service and support. Customs Top Drop delivers outstanding results when completing a standard hard-top conversion, with top-notch overall performance and attention to detail in speed and design execution.
Harlow also pointed out that even after five years, he still gets random questions and comments from pretty people wherever he goes, whether it’s sitting or parked in traffic or while driving his Challenger Top Drop.
When you hear the roar of the HEMI® Hellcat SRT engine, it should serve well to intensify the anticipation of waiting for the game – it will be worth the wait. This input comes from a customer who has ordered a 2023 Dodge Challenger Convertible, making those folks who had his drop-top muscle car happy.