Hennessey Performance Engineering made a name for itself by modifying performance cars for over 30 years. The company is practically synonymous with beefed-up muscle cars. The firm uses platforms like the Chevy Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Mustang as a foundation for its big-horsepower creations.
However, the Texas-based tuner, recently listed a modified Toyota Tundra on eBay.
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Hennessey Performance Engineering made a name for itself by modifying performance cars for over 30 years. The company is practically synonymous with beefed-up muscle cars. The firm uses platforms like the Chevy Camaro - opens in new window or tab., Dodge Challenger - opens in new window or tab., and Ford Mustang - opens in new window or tab. as a foundation for its big-horsepower creations. However, the Texas-based tuner, recently listed a modified Toyota Tundra in its eBay store - opens in new window or tab..
Where It All Started
The car that put founder John Hennessey on the map was a heavily modified Dodge Viper - opens in new window or tab. called the Venom 500. The name refers to its 500 horsepower, whereas the stock Viper generated 400 horsepower. Increasingly more powerful Vipers—the Venom 550 and Venom 600—soon followed.
Finally, there was the Venom 650R, which broke the 200-mph top-speed barrier, landing it on the cover of Motor Trend in 1999. The stock Viper GTS was already pretty far out with its 415-horsepower 8.0-liter V-10. To create the Venom 650R, Hennessey stroked and bored the engine to 8.4 liters and added twin turbos. Although many supercars pack that kind of power today, it was unthinkable in the 1990s. It’s fitting that Hennessey’s slogan is “making fast cars faster.”
However, before the Vipers made him famous, Hennessey modified Japanese sports cars, including the then-new Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 - opens in new window or tab.. He increased the horsepower of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 from 300 to 450, an impressive figure at the time. Hennessey also modified the Mazda RX-7 - opens in new window or tab., Toyota Supra Turbo - opens in new window or tab., and the 3000GT’s badge-engineered twin, the Dodge Stealth R/T - opens in new window or tab..
Modding the Tundra
These days, there’s a booming market for high-performance trucks like the Ford Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX. So it’s only natural that Toyota’s top dog, the Tundra TRD Pro, would go under the Hennessey knife.
It’s a bit shocking that, in 2024, a regular pickup truck has more horsepower than the Dodge Viper did in the mid-1990s. The TRD Pro, the top Tundra off-road spec, is packed with all the right stuff. It rolls from the factory with a twin-turbo V-6 hybrid powertrain making 437 horsepower, as well as Fox internal bypass coilovers up front and remote-reservoir shocks at the rear.
It’s set apart from lower-spec Tundra by its exclusive Solar Octane paint and 18-inch forged BBS wheels - opens in new window or tab. wrapped in 33-inch all-terrain tires - opens in new window or tab..
Hennessey took things to the next level by fitting the truck with these upgrades:
- High-flow air intake - opens in new window or tab.
- Custom off-road bumpers, front and rear
- 20-inch Hennessey-designed wheels with 35-inch off-road tires - opens in new window or tab.
The company put its mark on the Tundra TRD Pro with Hennessey badges and embroidered headrests.
Six Figures
The truck's asking price is $112,950. Compare the Hennessey Tundra with the stock TRD Pro’s $73,980 sticker, which includes a $1,850 destination charge.
The San Antonio-built Tundra and Hennessey Performance Engineering may seem like a strange combo, but they both harken back to the company’s forgotten history with Japanese cars. The Hennessey Tundra has logged 8,500 miles. It comes with a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.