Dodge M4S Interceptor – 1986 PPG Pace Car
One of the most popular PPG Pace Cars, due to being driven by Charlie Sheen in the 1986 street racing film, The Wraith. The M4S is much more than just a celebrity.
History
The M4s was Designed by Bob Ackerman of Dodge. The concept was sponsored by PPG. Three local shops in the Detroit area also had a major role in the build: Michigan Specialized Vehicles Inc, 3-D Industries Inc, and Special Projects. SVI built the engine and the roll cage; it also assembled the powertrain and body; and, it kept the car running for the months of its pace-car service. 3-D Industries modeled the car in clay and produced body-part molds. Special Projects cast the body parts, did final paint and the interior.
Specifications
The mid-engine, rear-wheel drive M4S had a a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with two Garrett T25 turbochargers and a Cosworth tuned DOHC 16-valve cylinder head.
0 to 60 MPH (97 km/h) was achieved in just 4.1 seconds. 1/4 mile in 12.9 seconds. These are common figures for high performance vehicles of today, but to imagine this performance from a turbo 4 cylinder in the mid 80’s is mind blowing. The car’s weight is unknown, but must be lean with a fiberglass body over a tube chassis.
Suspension on the M4S could be raised in order to drive it on and off transporters. When it was shown it was often left in transport mode. This explains the tall stance of the M4s in many photos.
Current Status
The Dodge M4S has a proper home inside of the Chrysler Museum.
Thanks to Todd Root for this early photo of the M4S, wearing wheel covers.
M4S at the Chrysler Museum
Some great links to more information on the Dodge M4S:
https://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/dodge/M4S-Ackerman.html <– Definitely worth a click – everything you ever wanted to know about the full history of the M4s from deign to execution to testing.
https://www.allpar.com/cars/concepts/wraith-M4S.html <– The M4S and Hollywood
I helped with the restoration of the movie prop from The Wraith. I love seeing new articles come out on the history of this unique machine. Thank you!
One of my favorite childhood films, it may have led to my brother & I’s love of the automobile (in general).
My brother,however, is a turbo-Dodge fanatic. I ended up a Chrysler dealer technician… and one of the few in the service department that even knows about this beast. All the younger guys have been blowing their own minds reading about this thing recently!
It would be awesome to have a coffee table edition of this build. Is there one or in the works?