Gen III Hemi Hellcat-Swap 68' Coronet “The Professor” | QA1
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Bo Schulz had been eyeing the ’68 Coronet for five years. Every time he passed it parked in his local Minnesota town, he saw more than just an aging B-body Mopar—he saw a connection to the past, a tribute to his father, and the car he had dreamed of building since he was a kid.
In 2019, after years of polite pestering, the owner finally agreed to sell. Not long after, Bo’s dad passed away. That’s when the build took on a whole new meaning. “My favorite car he ever had was a B-body Mopar,” Bo says. “I always wanted one of my own, and this was it.”
The car, now nicknamed The Professor, is anything but a casual weekend project. It’s a full-blown, Gen III Hemi Hellcat-powered, coilover-suspended machine with all the refinement of a modern performance car—thanks in large part to a full QA1 suspension front and rear.
FROM RUST TO SEMA-READY
Like many old Mopars, this Coronet held a few surprises once it was stripped down. What was supposed to be a relatively straightforward refresh quickly turned into a major metalwork job. “The body wasn’t what we thought it was,” Bo admits. “It ended up needing almost full metal replacement.” The team at Superior Quality Rides and Restoration stepped in and got to work, rebuilding the car piece by piece.
The bright white paint, sprayed in Akzonobel’s finish, is crisp and clean—an unexpected choice that works beautifully with the sharp body lines and chrome trim. Paired with black accents and custom leather and Alcantara upholstery inside, The Professor strikes a confident balance between muscle car aggression and high-end craftsmanship.
BUILT TO DRIVE WITH CONFIDENCE
Underneath the clean lines is a suspension setup designed to make this big B-body feel nimble, responsive, and flat-out fun. Up front, Bo went with QA1’s tubular K-member with rack and pinion steering and adjustable coilover suspension. The swap shed weight, sharpened steering input, and opened up the engine bay for the real star of the show: a Hemi Hellcat 6.2L crate engine paired with a Tremec 6-speed manual.
“I wanted a car that handled well, was fun to drive, and had that wow factor,” Bo says. “The QA1 front suspension completely changed how the car felt on the road.”Out back, the factory leaf springs were tossed in favor of QA1’s four-link rear suspension with adjustable coilovers. Combined with the narrowed 9” rear end, the setup gave Bo the stance he wanted and the grip he needed to put all that Hellcat power to the ground.
The result? A car that looks aggressive, sits right, and rides even better. “The ride and handling are probably my favorite part,” he adds. “It’s tight, smooth, and fun in a way that these cars never were from the factory.”
HELLCAT HEART, SHOW-CAR SOUL
The drivetrain alone would be enough to make this build impressive—a Gen III Hemi Hellcat crate motor mated to a manual trans in a Mopar B-body is a rare sight. But The Professor is more than just muscle
.
It rolls on Billet Specialties wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires and stops with Wilwood brakes front and rear. Inside, the dash features Dakota Digital gauges, a RetroSound head unit, and a clean, custom interior with subtle details that reward a second look—like the custom-fabricated door handles and, of course, three pedals.
Every detail was selected with purpose, blending show-quality finishes with functional upgrades that make the car a joy to drive. It’s a car that turns heads at SEMA, but Bo built it to enjoy, not just admire.
THE NIGHT BEFORE SEMA
One of the most memorable moments of the entire build came just hours before the car was set to leave for its debut at the 2024 SEMA Show. While out on a test drive, the Coronet was lightly rear-ended. Most builders would’ve thrown in the towel. But the team at Superior Quality Rides and Restoration pulled an all-nighter, making the car show-presentable just in time. After the show, they took it apart again and made it perfect.
“It was a scramble, but they absolutely killed it,” Bo says. “They’re a huge part of this story.”A CAR WITH MEANING
Bo named the car The Professor. Well—technically, his wife did. She joked, “It took me to school and took all my money.”
For Bo, this build is more than just a project. It’s a tribute to his dad and the realization of a lifelong dream. “It’s amazing,” he says. “It’s the car I always wanted, and I’m so proud of how it turned out.”
In 2025, The Professor has already made appearances at major events like Goodguys Des Moines and the QA1 Open House. And while it hasn’t picked up any awards just yet, Bo couldn’t care less. “I just finished the car. I built it for me. I can’t wait to enjoy it.”
His only regret?
“I should’ve gone with a bigger motor,” he laughs—spoken like someone already dreaming up what’s next.
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FAQs
What engine is in the car?
It’s powered by a Gen III Hemi Hellcat 6.2L crate engine paired with a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission.
What suspension setup is used?
QA1 front tubular K-member with rack-and-pinion steering and adjustable coilovers. In the rear, it uses QA1’s 4-link with adjustable coilovers and a narrowed 9" rear.
Did the car require major restoration?
Yes, the body needed nearly full metal replacement. Superior Quality Rides and Restoration handled the extensive metalwork and body rebuild.
What wheels and brakes are on the car?
Billet Specialties wheels wrapped in Pirelli tires, with Wilwood disc brakes on all four corners.
What interior upgrades were made?
It features Dakota Digital gauges, a RetroSound head unit, custom leather and Alcantara upholstery, and fabricated door handles.
