The largest owner’s gathering for Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, Magnum, 2011+ Durango, SRT® Jeep®, Trackhawk and Ram TRX vehicles
It all began 20 years ago when Chrysler 300 enthusiast John Fortuno rallied a small crew of loyalists in a parking lot – just four vehicles. From that modest meetup, “Spring Fest LX” evolved through word of mouth (and the rise of the Internet) into a full-fledged Mopar® movement. Fortuno’s custom “Fatchance” 300s (1.0, 2.0, 3.0) were always fan favorites. In 2025, after a five-year hiatus, the event returned in a big way. Hosted at the Homewood Suites in Lake Forest, California, Spring Fest 2025 drew passionate owners from all over – Houston, Reno, Phoenix, Oregon and up and down the California coast. The energy was electric, and one stroll through the parking lot made it clear: this community is alive and thriving. The modern Mopar movement isn’t just still happening – it’s growing stronger every year.
Platform Codes
Tracking the codes:
LX = 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger.
LD = 2011-2023 Dodge Charger, 2011-2023 Chrysler 300.
LC = shortened LX platform designed for Dodge Challenger 2008-2014.
LA = Dodge Challenger 2015-2023 (updated LC platform primarily for use of the 8-speed automatic transmission).
LB = 8th Generation 2024-2026 Dodge Charger (supports both electric and gasoline versions).
In addition, model year 2011+ 3rd generation Durangos (unibody platform), Ram 1500 TRX models and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawks were invited to Spring Fest 2025.
Mega Meet for Modern Mopar Muscle
“Go West for Spring Fest” was the call – and the Mopar faithful answered. This wasn’t just a car show – it was a full-blown social experience built around a shared passion: Modern Mopar Muscle. Big shoutout to the sponsors and vendors who brought serious heat to the event, including Anderson Composites, Vӧxx Wheels, Carven Exhaust, Glassskinz, American Brother Designs, Manton Racing Products, Universal Air, Triumph Performance Forged Wheels, Gloss Empire, Street Kustoms, Helm Promotions and Disciplined Nutrition. The parking lots – aka “Muscleville” during the festivities – were packed with killer rides, product raffles and a lineup of food trucks to keep the energy high.
Friday night at the host hotel, Homewood Suites Lake Forest, kicked off with a Block Party that set the tone. A live DJ, great food and drinks, and plenty of time to connect with fellow owners. A standout moment? A live seminar hosted by Dodge brand and design staff, who made the trip from Michigan to give attendees a firsthand look at the next-generation electric Charger lineup.
The location was prime, too. For out-of-towners, it was just a quick 10-mile cruise down to Laguna Beach – a perfect way to soak up the California coast and cap off the day with an ocean breeze and sunset.
Everywhere you looked there was a well-detailed modern Mopar vehicle. A variety for sure – and from a quick walk around, it seemed the Dodge Challenger was the most represented.
Passion, Performance & Community
A major highlight of the event was the exclusive opportunity to check out the Next-Gen Dodge Chargers up close – straight from the factory. Attendees had direct access to Dodge brand reps on-site, giving them the rare chance to ask questions and get insights straight from the source. Two specially prepped, two-door Charger Daytonas were on display and drew major attention. One sported a sleek gray finish with blackout accents and a bold Fratzog logo stretching across a striped hood with custom one-off graphics. The other turned heads with a metallic black body, matte black detailing and dual red-trimmed stripes – each filled with a repeating Fratzog pattern. Both featured glass roofs showcasing the Fratzog design visible from inside the cabin. The buzz around these modern muscle machines was nonstop, sparking conversations all weekend about the bold direction Dodge is heading.
1968 Charger-Inspired Design Cues
For anyone that focused and paid attention to details, there were two (at least) “throw backs” to the iconic original 1968 Charger body design that the creators of the eighth-generation Charger snuck in! One is seen when the driver’s door is opened, the other when lifting up the rear hatch. Located on the plastic panel that adjoins to the dashboard, a side silhouette of the second-gen Charger appears, and with the rear deck opened up, if you stick your head inside and look back you’ll see the 1968 rear end view of the Charger. How cool is that!
Color Clinic
A fun “let your vote be heard” activity took place where there were eight proposed new colors applied to miniature Charger body shells out in the bright California sunshine. Participants of the event were able to vote for their personal favorite hue. Along with the displayed colors, artwork depicting what they were actually look like on a Charger vehicle was provided on poster boards.
Television commercial stunt driver Stina Hϋbinette was drawn to the blue Richard Petty-based “The King” hue!
And a special bonus took place as the event was winding down, as the artwork on the colors were available for free to anyone interested, and this Canadian definitely jumped at the chance! Packaging it up for the return flight to Canada surly was an afterthought however, but for sure a keepsake from the trip!
Challengers Came in Force
Personalized to their own individual tastes, a wide-range of modified Challengers attended, everything from mild to wild!
It’s All About Loyalty
There’s long been a certain allegiance to high-performance Mopar vehicles, and this loyalty has clearly been passed on generation by generation – all ages – and it’s stronger now than ever!
Show your colors! Or ink, as in this case!
Chargers Too!
Dodge Chargers were well represented, an important segment that represents the world of modern four-door Mopar vehicles, with modifications and upgrades to suit owner’s preferences. With the newly released LB platform eighth-generation Chargers, it’s no longer an exclusive four-door offering.
Violent Ryderz_Valley Car Club was just one of the numerous car clubs that participated at the gathering. Among the mods and enhancements to this metal-flaked Charger Super Bee were both front and rear “vertical doors”. As for the off-the-charts creativity, one has to give major props for the dedication and automotive passion that is required for such a detailed ride!
300s Made the Scene
The fact is that the LX-based Chrysler 300 that debuted for the 2005 model year can rightfully take claim for starting the modern muscle Mopar movement, as in a rear-wheel-drive passenger car that had available HEMI® engine power. With the 300 being available all the way through the final 2023 model year run, there’s no shortage of available cars out there. Spring Fest 2025 had an ample supply, and one that really stood out was the blue-flamed two-door hardtop version, something that was never factory produced! It was expertly build in Orange County, CA, using widened doors that delivered a very proportional side profile. The craftsmanship is so good that it looks like a factory job although at this point there’s no side glass on the car. Luckily, like the song, “it never rains in Southern California!”
In addition to the converted two-door, some very creative examples of 300s were there. A very distinctive body shape that 300 has!
Big Rollers on the Magnum
With a tilt-forward hood modification, windshield visor and chromed accents, this “Dynamite Dodge Magnum” had a look all its own, especially with the slammed airbag suspension and big spoked rollers! Extra points for unique seated mascot!
Prize Raffle Fun for All
A number of items from various sponsors/vendors were given away to those registered participants who had the winning raffle numbers, and the kids had a great time going up and reaching in the barrel in hopes of a winner for their parents!
It’s never too early to get them started on the Mopar addiction!
SRT Assorted
Out front of the host hotel’s entry was an SRT-powered Jeep, as well as an off-road enhanced Ram 1500 TRX, creating a nice visual to show that the “brand culture” of Modern Mopar Performance isn’t limited to Challenger, Charger and 300 passenger cars, and the Magnum wagons only. It’s a big umbrella!
Honoring her father, this Durango SRT Hellcat owner, Morgan Heinzle, had an overflowing amount of positive energy for her memories of her dad, as well as how much she enjoys her SUV’s HEMI engine power, and she’s also a former owner of a Charger SRT Hellcat.
SRT Jeeps were welcomed as well, and “Passion Pink” was the chosen custom paint hue on this one!
Plum Crazy
Originally offered for 1970, the extremely vibrant FC7 “High Impact” Plum Crazy color is iconic and they look as cool now as way back on the “Scat Pack” muscle cars of yesteryear.
First Public Viewing: Four-Door Charger
Revealed for the first time out in the public, Spring Fest attendees were able to view up close the 2026 model year Charger Daytona R/T four-door variant. And by the comments heard, many liked the flavor, the proportions, of the car; some in fact actually preferred it over the two-door coupe counterpart! Done up in the striking Bludicrous exterior color, it was a head-turning vehicle.
Check out this event video from DonnySRT
Author: James Maxwell
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