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Monday, July 14, 2025

How the DiMora JX Coupe Turned a Chrysler into a Custom Icon

Rolling Artistry - There’s something captivating about movie cars. They often become icons, remembered long after the final scene fades. But more often than not, they’re little more than film props—visually stunning but hollow under the hood. DiMora Designs, a division of DiMora Motorcar, took a different route. Instead of building a disposable showpiece for the screen, they created the DiMora JX Coupe: a concept vehicle that didn’t just look good under the lights but had the power, craftsmanship, and road presence to back it up—long after the credits rolled.
The DiMora JX Coupe, a concept vehicle built from a 1999 Chrysler Concorde LXi, combined striking looks with real power, craftsmanship, and lasting road presence. (Picture from: HotRodHotLine)
The JX Coupe was no ordinary creation. It started as a 1999 Chrysler Concorde LXi, a comfortable and practical family sedan. With its front-wheel drive, roomy five-passenger seating, and a 235-horsepower V6 engine, it was built for everyday reliability. But Alfred DiMora saw something more. He envisioned a two-passenger coupe that fused movie magic with real-world performance. By late 2006, that transformation began—and the result was nothing short of remarkable.
The DiMora JX Coupe began as a 1999 Chrysler Concorde LXi, a practical and comfortable family sedan. (Picture from: DiMoraMotorcar)
Gone were the rear seats and family-friendly design. In its place stood a long, dramatic coupe with the utility of a modern-day El Camino. The trunk was massive, topped with a lockable electric lid, adding a practical twist to the concept’s bold styling. Underneath that sculpted steel was a new heart: a 3.2-liter V6 engine from ATK, upgraded with a Tornado air intake component that delivered a boost in both horsepower and fuel efficiency. With an estimated 260 horsepower and a smoother, more dynamic response, this was not just a design experiment—it was made to drive.
The DiMora JX Coupe featured a bold exterior enhanced by a shimmering House of Kolor “Sunrise Pearl” finish from San Diego, California. (Picture from: DiMoraMotorcar)
Alfred DiMora didn’t stop at performance. The JX Coupe became a modern homage to a nearly forgotten era of American automotive historywhen coachbuilders shaped steel by hand, giving each car a soul. Inspired by the metalwork of the late '30s and '40s, DiMora and his teamespecially Concept Car Project Manager Jim Willisreshaped the Concorde’s body through countless hours of handcrafted steelwork. The result? A car with presence, elegance, and unmistakable individuality.
The DiMora JX Coupe achieved a grounded, muscular look with Intrax lowering springs and 18-inch American Racing Euro-Chrome wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich performance tires. (Picture from: DiMoraMotorcar)
The transformation was literal. They “coupe-d” the Concorde, sealing the rear doors and lowering the roof to fit custom rear glass. The tail end received a performance-inspired makeover with a Camaro Z28 dual-outlet muffler, set into a carefully modified rear fascia. Every cut, weld, and bolt was done with purpose. The JX Coupe’s stance was fine-tuned with Intrax lowering springs, while new 18-inch American Racing Euro-Chrome wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich performance tires gave it a grounded, muscular look.
The DiMora JX Coupe was powered by a 3.2-liter V6 engine from ATK, enhanced with a Tornado air intake for increased horsepower and fuel efficiency. (Picture from: DiMoraMotorcar)
Inside, the team upgraded the interior with plush leather seating, giving the cabin a luxury feel worthy of the car’s bold exterior. And then there was the painta shimmering House of Kolor “Sunrise Pearl” finish from San Diego, California. Depending on the light and time of day, the JX Coupe seems to change color, adding to its surreal charm.
 
The response? Overwhelming. When Jim Willis took the JX Coupe on its first drive, people stopped in their tracks. Cell phones came out. Restaurant diners left their meals just to get a closer look. The car wasn’t just turning headsit was sparking conversations. “Where did you buy it?” “How much does it cost?”Is it available?” The answer: there’s only one.
The DiMora JX Coupe was powered by a 3.2-liter V6 engine from ATK, enhanced with a Tornado air intake for increased horsepower and fuel efficiency. (Picture from: DiMoraMotorcar)
Though the JX Coupe was a one-off masterpiece, the concept didn’t stop there. By 2009, DiMora announced a follow-up vehicle with similar ambitions under a new nameScattare. Built on the Oldsmobile Aurora platform, this evolution carried forward the spirit of the JX Coupe with its own unique interpretation, showcasing that the vision behind the original movie car was just the beginning of a larger design philosophy. | iGAXSLZUdTA |
The JX Coupe had already made its mark by then—featured in CarVision, a premier Korean auto publication, and welcomed warmly at the Spring Rod Run in Temecula, California. With appearances lined up for both television and cinema, it continues to dazzle wherever it goes. And if you ever spot it on the road, know that you’re looking at more than a car. It’s a rolling expression of creativity, craftsmanship, and the belief that even an everyday sedan can be transformed into something unforgettable. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DIMORA MOTORCAR | STORYCARS IN X | AUTOCAR | HOTRODHOTLINE ]
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