Even though Dodge vehicles roll off the assembly line practically perfect, hot-rodders can’t resist putting their own spin on their Mopar® vehicles. Personalizing our rides is part of the thrill of being in the Dodge community. But let’s give a nod to those mad Mopar scientists at Connor Avenue Assembly Plant who’ve been churning out masterpieces since 1992. Each Viper, every year, is a testament to the era’s innovation and culture. Lately, I’ve been wondering how you take something so perfect and make it even better.
That’s where Jake Gillem comes in. Jake’s been tweaking and building cars since his teen years, always chasing that dream of owning a Dodge Viper. Now, he’s got what’s arguably the most perfect Dodge Viper ever modified.
Jake’s journey wasn’t a straight line. He started by tinting a friend’s window without any experience, and from that favor, Mitten Auto Tint & Customs was born. It wasn’t smooth sailing — at one point, he even had to sell parts from one of his prized builds to keep the business afloat. Today, Jake and his team are known for high-quality window tints, wraps, PPF, ceramic coating and custom wheels. Jake’s pursuit of perfection in his business extends to his personal life, and his big break came after wrapping YouTuber Whistlin Diesel’s monster truck.
When it came time to build his dream Dodge Viper, Jake faced a tough choice: dream car or dream home? With his wife’s support, the answer was clear: build the car.
Located in Novi, Michigan, just two hours from Autoform — the go-to for custom high-end Dodge Viper parts—Jake was in the perfect spot to make his dream a reality. He teamed up with Autoform to install their legendary A10 wide body kit, a process that took 9 months. Today, due to Autoform’s skyrocketing popularity, fitting a Viper with an A10 body kit can take up to two years. This kit makes the Viper 5 inches wider in the rear and 4 inches wider up front, completely redesigning the front fascia. Jake didn’t stop there — he added every carbon fiber option Autoform offers and custom wheels engraved with his company’s initials, sitting on coilovers wrapped in Nitto tires.
With its new aggressive stance and eye-popping color, Jake wanted his Viper to perform as well as it looked. Enter Calvo Motorsports, one of the top Viper shops in the U.S. They outfitted Jake’s Viper with a built motor and twin turbos, bringing it to a jaw-dropping 1366whp.
Jake’s Viper isn’t alone in his collection. He also has a fleet of HEMI® engine-powered Mopar vehicles. His first, the Superbee Dodge Charger, boasts custom yellow paint and carbon fiber galore. Then there’s the Plum Crazy Dodge Charger with twin turbos and custom wheels. His Chrysler 300 Heritage edition is equipped with a 426 HEMI engine, 6.4 ported heads, a custom grind cam and a mild-built NAG1 transmission. Before selling his Dodge Ram SRT-10, he had it cranking out over 700 horsepower.
With so much time and money invested, Jake keeps his Viper out of risky situations, enjoying it during private rides with his wife. To Jake, his Viper symbolizes hard work and the grit it took to make Mitten Auto Tint & Customs a success.
Jake Gillem’s story is a testament to following your passion to achieve your dreams. He doesn’t just find joy in building his dream car but also in helping others realize their visions. If I ever find myself in Novi, Michigan, looking to modify my car, I’d head straight to Mitten Auto Tint & Customs — the only place that can take a perfect car and make it even better.
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