‘Hiding in plain sight’ seems to be the theme when it comes to huge barn finds of muscle cars. In this case it’s 90,000 sq.ft. of muscle cars, trucks, and an assortment of prewar cars. The additional good news is all these vehicles are up for sale (the contact email ad. at the foot of this page).

The background to the collection starts with a James Harky, who bought the land and farm back in the 1970s, when he also started his vast inventory. The collection has been built up over the last 20 years, but after his wife’s passing last year, the collection needed to be thinned down.

Some of the standout muscle cars included in the video below include a Chevy Caprice 504ci, 1971 Camaro, 1970 Pontiac GTO, 1964 GTO LS Swap, Z28 Camaro, plus many more. Even if you have no intention of buying any vehicle in the video, its still a 22 minutes nostalgia trip checking out many types of American vehicles which go back nearly a hundred years.

Contact harkeyfarm@yahoo.com for any inquiries

The post 90,000sqft of Barn Find Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

If we think back to the beginning of 2023, we were all resigned to the fact that EVs in all shapes and forms will be the future of road travel. From the smallest city car to large-scale trucks, electric vehicles seemed the way forward. This direction seemed more to do with legislation than public sentiment. But the tide seems to be turning against Evs in part, if the video below is to be believed.

While the video focuses on trucks and the lack of sales, it could also hint at the gap between the makers going all in on EVs and production and the real-life uses of these vehicles.
While EVs have more instant torque than ICE cars, and are more environmentally friendly on the surface, an ICE vehicle is still cheaper and more convenient to run daily. The basic luxury of an internal combustion engine vehicle to fill up and be on its way in 5 minutes is still a huge factor.

We could be just going through a ‘teething’ phase where the EV makers are ironing out all the bugs. Plus, in the short term, Ev’s will be more expensive than an internal combustion engine car, if only for the amount of tech. they house.

High-end performance vehicles such as muscle cars may be in a different category. As in they may not be used on a daily basis, so the daily EV inconveniences won’t matter so much. For the average worker who is on the clock every day, stopping for even 30 minutes to refuel can become costly.
If an EV car or truck only travels within built-up areas with lots of charge points, then it’s an easier life. In rural areas, you can’t exactly bring a few gallons of electricity to a truck to get it going which you can with diesel if it runs out of fuel. In other words, until the infrastructure is in place where charge points are everywhere, ICE vehicles will be around much longer than we think.

So, it seems the public is not 100% convinced EVs are the whole way to go, or at least not yet. It will be very interesting to see how the electric Dodge Charger and Challenger are perceived in the coming years, like a band that changes their sound and look completely. They lose some fans but hopefully gain a new audience. However, the change in direction can also go the other way.

The post The Future of Muscle Cars May Not be EVs appeared first on Muscle Car.

Instead of taking a vintage design and then adding new parts, the ‘B is For Build’ guys have taken a 2019 Ford Mustang GT and made it look like a 1967 Ford Mustang. The included video below documents the whole process and build costs.

The car was initially purchased as a write-off, but it only sustained relatively minor damage that was easy to repair. The modern components and chassis were left intact, while the old-school body panels were expertly integrated into the car. This Mustang has the classic 1967 look and feel while still maintaining its technological advances. It was the perfect union between classic style and modern performance.

If you’re interested in taking on this kind of project, you should keep an eye out for Ford Mustang 2019 write-offs. These cars are generally reasonably priced, allowing for more resources to be put into the customization process. All you need to do is purchase the new body panels for your Mustang and you’ll be ready to start transforming your car into a classic beauty!

If you plan on undertaking a similar job, you will need to find the right 1967 Mustang body panels. Fortunately, many companies specialize in muscle car restoration and can provide you with the necessary parts for a reasonable price. You should also consider the option of having professional installers come in and do the job for you, as it may be more cost-effective in the long run.

To further customize your Ford Mustang GT Retrofit 1967 Body Panels, there are countless aesthetic accessories that you can purchase. From vintage wheels to custom hoods, you can make your retrofitted Mustang look unique and like nothing else on the road. There are also performance modifications available for those interested in taking the 1967 design to the next level. The addition of a supercharger or turbocharger can give you more power than ever before, transforming your classic-looking muscle car into an unbelievable machine.

Of course, before you undertake any major project such as this one, it’s important to do plenty of research. Make sure you have all the facts and have weighed all the pros and cons before making any major decisions.

With this build the 5L Coyote V8 engine was left intact part from a new cold air intake, exhaust, and the oil filler was moved due to clearance issues. The final build was shown at SEMA, Las Vegas and cost $40,320 to convert.

The post New Ford Mustang GT With Retro Looks appeared first on Muscle Car.

Muscle Car Video

Owning a muscle car is one thing, driving one around a race track and putting a supercharged monster through its paces is another. This short video provides a taste of what it is like to sit behind the wheel of a throat-grabbing classic.

In this example, the car in question is named KINGXY, a 5.5L, 1200Hp big block Ford Falcon cruising around Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, New Zealand. The car is supercharged, with 15psi running on a C16 race fuel / E85 Ethanol mix. Obviously, this car needs to be put through its paces down a quarter mile or similar, but we will wait and see on that one.

The post Muscle Car Driver’s View appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Digging into the back history of any muscle car requires the skillsets of an experienced journalist and/or detective. Uncle Tony’s Garage highlights this depth of inquiry perfectly in the video below about the not-so-obvious rarity that is this 1966 Dodge Coronet 426 Wedge car.
Even if muscle cars are not your thing, it’s a great tale of pulling together all the hidden bits of information, and then interpreting the findings with an experienced eye.

With just a passing glance, this 1966 Dodge Coronet looks entirely run of the mill. However, it’s quite the anomaly. The car initially appeared to be a regular 383 four-speed car, but anomalies were discovered, indicating that it was originally a 426 Hemi car. Further investigation revealed that the car was internally ordered as an insurance policy by Chrysler in case the planned 500 units of Street Hemi cars couldn’t be produced. The car’s history and unique features make it a highly unusual and significant find.

There are a lot of facts and information deconstructed here, so the full length of the video is worth ploughing through. But, if you want a brief summary of the main points, then here you go:

The car initially appeared to be a regular 383 four-speed car.
Anomalies were discovered, indicating that it was originally a 426 Hemi car.
The car was internally ordered as an insurance policy by Chrysler.
The car’s VIN number and build sheet confirmed its rarity and uniqueness.
It was not intended to be used as it was but served as a backup plan.
The car has historical significance due to its association with Mr Norms and Chrysler’s production strategies.
The 426 Wedge engine was not available for production in 1966, making this car even more unusual.

The video comments are also worth reading to expand on the information. If car history is your thing, and you love to read about all the juicy details, then you will love the depth of research that has gone into the back history of this great car.

The post The Rarest Mopar Ever Sold: 1966 Dodge Coronet appeared first on Muscle Car.

by Dave Ashton

Summary:
– The 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird is a rare and highly sought-after vehicle designed for NASCAR
– Only 135 were sold new with a Hemi engine
– The car has a unique aerodynamic design with a nose and wing designed for high speed tracks
– It was unpopular with the public at the time but successful in NASCAR, especially with Richard Petty and Pete Hamilton
– This particular example sold for $1,650,000 at auction.

Never mind modern supercars, the Plymouth Hemi Superbird was hitting 200mph over 50 years ago. This example is 1 of 135 with a few unique features. The car has a special rear window filler panel and a large rear wing, plus a rubber strip at the front was added but only in a few states where it was absolutely required.

This example includes a 426ci HEMI V8 engine with a TorqueFlite 727 automatic transmission in high-impact Tor red. Other notable features include a Chrysler 8 ¾-inch with a 3.55 ratio sure grip axle, Hemi suspension, J45 hood pins, black interior, factory tachometer, AM radio, 3-spoke steering wheel, and 15-inch Rallye wheels with Goodyear Polyglas raised white-letter tires. The car has also been included in the MMC Detroit Global Vehicle Registry.

The post 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird Hits $1.6 million appeared first on Muscle Car.

by Dave Ashton

If you are into performance vehicles in any shape or form, you have probably heard of John Hennessey or his company Hennessey Performance Engineering. Essentially, they ‘make fast cars faster’ with a focus on American-made muscle cars and trucks, turning all the dials up to 11. In this almost two-hour interview, we get the rare opportunity to hear experiences and tales from the man himself.

Hennessey Performance is known for car builds such as the 301 mph Hennessey Venom F5, the VelociRaptor SUV, and the Hennessey Exorcist – basically a 1,000 hp Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. When you are dealing with this level of high-end vehicle, you are going to attract a certain type of clientele. This point alone makes for some interesting listening, with insights into this world only available via these types of long-form interviews.

While it’s possible to watch snippets of the interview on different video platforms, it’s worth watching the whole thing, even if it’s just for the interesting anecdotes of life inside high-end car builds. You can check out the full interview via the link below.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7LAHk8UOD0nTOIUfQwyarM

The post John Hennessey Interviewed On Joe Rogan appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Jay Leno recently had the chance to take the much-anticipated Dodge Challenger Demon 170 for a spin, and the results are impressive. CEO Tim Kuniskis provides an in-depth walk around of the muscle car before it races down the drag strip, one of the car’s specialities. As expected, the car has a ton of power under the hood, but Jay was also amazed by how well it handled on the roads.

The Demon 170 is equipped with a 6.2L HEMI V8 engine that produces an impressive 1,025 horsepower and 945 lb-ft of torque, the world’s quickest 0-60 production car with a time of 1.66 seconds, the highest acceleration g-force of any production car @ 2.004 Gs, and the first eight-second factory muscle car coming in at 8.91-seconds ET at 151.17 mph.

Although the impressive power of the car can be felt right away, Jay Leno pointed out that the Demon 170 also has great handling capabilities. On Launch front of the car lurches up, pulling a wheelie. Jay praised this as a great feat of engineering.

Interestingly, the car is not just a minor update of its predecessor, it is essentially an entirely new model. The engine was completely rebuilt, and all of the components have been “re-engineered from the ground up,” according to Kuniskis. No doubt this is why the car handles and drives so smoothly.

Overall, the experience with the Dodge Challenger Demon 170 left Jay Leno impressed. He praised aspects such as the power, the handling, and the innovative design of the vehicle. So, it looks like the Challenger Demon 170 is a must-have for any muscle car enthusiast.

Another impressive feature of the Challenger Demon 170 is its Drag Mode Launch System. This innovative system lets the driver launch the car off the line with minimal tire slip, resulting in smoother and faster starts.

The exterior of the car is also worth mentioning. The sleek curves and smooth lines haven’t been changed from previous models. As the Demon 170 is the last of this great line of Dodge Challengers, it makes sense to keep the same aesthetics. In time, this will show the Demon 170 as the pinnacle of this generation’s performance.

In order to further improve its performance, the Demon 170 has been outfitted with a range of aftermarket components. These include a cold air intake, a high-flow exhaust system, and better braking components. All of these parts are designed to work together to increase the car’s speed and handling capabilities.

The reason why this video is worth a watch is that the Jay Leno explanations are like listening to a fellow car enthusiast. It’s not just about the technical specifications, but how the car drives and feels. Just like the original Demon, the Demon 170 will become a future classic.

The post Jay Leno and The Dodge Challenger Demon 170 appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

This 1970 Rapid Transit System Plymouth Barracuda is a great example of a historical muscle car hitting the light of day after 40 years in storage. While the paint job and front grille are let’s say, very particular to the early 1970s, the heritage of this car stands for itself.

The car belongs to Chuck Miller, who designed the car for the rapid transit tour which toured America in 1970. The VIN number says the Cuda was originally a six pack, but with so many details about the vehicle, it’s best to watch the full video to gain the full story behind this landmark Cuda.

The post 1970 Rapid Transit System Plymouth Barracuda 40 Years On appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

If you are after a bountiful amount of eye candy in the form of highly fettled Pro Street muscle cars, then the video below is for you. All these wonderful machines are being paraded at the OBX Rod and Custom festival, NC. A yearly event where you can witness all types of classic and vintage automobiles, usually fitted with a supercharger powerful enough to turn the earth.

The festival shows off many types of classics, but in the video below we mostly get to see golden-era muscle cars. Each vehicle is accompanied by the classic soundtrack of a gurgling American V8 engine. Not to mention the rolling artworks, that have been a common sight for the last 50 years.

No matter if you are a seasoned muscle car fan or completely new to this type of vehicle, this video is a great way to see many American classics on show, along with the owner’s personal interpretation of each car.

The post Pro Street Muscle Cars on Parade appeared first on Muscle Car.

by Dave Ashton

There’s nothing like being overly cryptic for building up intrigue and keeping the rumor mill flowing. This is exactly the situation with Dodge and their latest release of teaser videos to promote the final Last Call Dodge Challenger.

The idea behind the last call vehicles is to provide a fitting sendoff to the iconic Hemi V8 platform with exclusive models that reference classics of the past. This last edition has to be something special for the fans, so a series of teaser videos have been released by Dodge hinting at potential performance levels.

We’ve never been in the business of trying to dissect and reconstruct the hidden meanings behind such videos. We are just boring like that, prefering to wait for the official release to find out the exact offering. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t implement your own detective work. Maybe figuring out ahead of time the performance levels, may just tip the balance to put in a cheeky order for one of these future classics.

Current conclusions to the teaser videos point at a top speed of 215 mph, a quarter mile time of 8.99 seconds, over 900HP, and 105 octane fuel. Plus, the presence of a few leprechauns for good measure in the videos, who aren’t the usual fun-loving and happy characters, but rather angry types in their demeanour.

Everything will be revealed on March 20, 2022 in Las Vegas, with the obvious hope that this is one of the most potent Dodge Challengers ever produced.

Currently, each vehicle in the last call lineup has its own under-hood plaque, with old-school paint jobs such as Destroyer Gray, Plum Crazy, Sublime, and B5 Blue.
In terms of the individual models, we currently have the Black Ghost, based on the SRT hellcat Redeye widebody with 807 HP. The shakedown special edition, the Swinger Special edition, and the blacktop package with a 5.7L Hemi V8 with ‘345’ badging.

The post Dodge Last Call Videos: What Does It All Mean? appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Slamming cars into things and things into cars seems to be the best way to observe how a vehicle reacts in a potential crash. All roadgoing vehicles have to go through this rigorous testing phase along with the most common makes of muscle cars such as Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge.

IIHS HLDI or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway loss data Institute has the job of testing out roadgoing vehicles for how they react in various types of collisions. The videos below demonstrate how 2016 versions of a Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger are put through their crash test paces and the general outcomes for each vehicle.

Bear in mind that these video tests are from 2016. Vehicle safety is an ongoing work in progress, with the results fed back to the manufacturers to implement ever-better standards. So, expect a vehicle in the 2020s to have far more safety features than even a car from a few years before.

The post Crash Testing Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

If you have watched enough of Joe Rogan’s very popular podcast, you will have no doubt about his love of classic muscle cars. One standout vehicle in Mr Rogan’s collection is a custom 1969 Chevy Nova Restomod, produced by Pure Vision Design with a supercharged LT4 V8 powertrain.

In reality, Mr Rogan has quite an eclectic mix of vehicles in his collection, going from off-road performance like a 2021 Ford Raptor Hennessey Velociraptor 600, to even German engineering like a 2008 SharkWerks Porsche 997 911 GT3 RS. But for somebody who is American born and raised, a custom muscle car build is an obvious choice. Especially an example such as in 1969 Chevrolet Nova, a vehicle that is as tough and rugged looking now as it has ever been.

The video below walks you through the background behind the custom build, inspiration, and mechanicals. The custom build is also clearly a labor of love for the team, who quite rightly wax lyrical about every aspect of the car.

As with any custom muscle car build worth its salt, the powertrain is a key component. This particular Chevy Nova features a supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8, basically, the same variant found in the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Without any tweaks to the power levels, the engine is good for 650 hp and 650 lb-ft. of torque, going through a 6-speed manual Tremec transmission. No power steering here.

The sheet metal used in the build was custom shaped and sourced from other vehicles such as a Camaro and Firebird, resulting in a 3 inches extra width to the vehicle. The interior is also completely bespoke, with added old and new extras such as an infotainment screen, and even Fender Telecaster electric guitar knobs for some of the accompaniments.

In essence, check out the full video below, even if it is just to get an idea of all the subtle details added to this wonderful custom build.

The post Joe Rogan’s 1969 Chevy Nova Restomod appeared first on Muscle Car.

by Dave Ashton

During and after the Chicago Auto Show, opinions on the upcoming Dodge Fratzonic exhaust system started to emerge. Recreating the tones and subtle vibrations of a traditional V8 and transmission in a convincing way is what Dodge has been beavering away on for some time. Now, real-world feedback is starting to come in, up to now generally being positive.

The video below gives a good representation of the current state of play with the exhaust system, with Dodge obviously still tweaking parameters based on initial feedback. The great thing about the video is that it doesn’t just give examples of the exhaust notes, but also direct feedback from other people at the scene, chin-scratching away wondering how the hell Dodge is going to pull this thing off.

To reproduce a convincing V8 noise, plus the 126 dB volume, Dodge hasn’t just slapped a few speakers on the exterior of the vehicle but instead opted for acoustic piping at the rear of the car. Dodge is also building into the system gear changes, muffler noise, and generally, all things down the chain that is up to the fee and noises we have come to expect.

Obviously, this is still a work in progress by Dodge, and you have to bear in mind that the sounds were witnessed with the help of the venue’s huge reverb and echo capacity.

Thoughts

It’s looking and sounding like Dodge will make a sound system with the upcoming Dodge Charger Daytona SRT that will at the least please future buyers. Apparently, Ferrari is also developing their own sound system for their vehicles. Plus, these early developments may have wider implications for the whole car industry.

In a bleak future when all roadgoing vehicles are fully electric, we are not going to have the usual oncoming vehicle sounds which tell us to get out of the way. This may lead to more traffic accidents, so the need for electric vehicles to pump out some sort of sound may be needed. Obviously, 126 dB of sound may be overkill for popping down to the grocery store, but being able to change the volume of the output is one side benefit of this future system. In other words, future electric vehicles, including muscle cars, should have the option to be in silent stealth mode or as loud as a jet taking off.

One thing’s for sure, Dodge is clearly aware of having to reproduce all the minutiae from the sound and feel of a traditional V8. It’s not just about the initial sounds, but also the subtle vibrations and feel produced by a traditional ICE engine. This is obviously a work in progress, which seems to be on the right track.

The post The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Fratzonic Exhaust Sounds appeared first on Muscle Car.

At the request of some of our readers, we have started to upload overview videos of iconic muscle cars.
Each week we will be adding new content about these iconic vehicles as a starting point for your own research and fascination with these long-standing cars. https://www.youtube.com/@Fastmusclecar/videos

To find out more about all types of muscle cars, check out our website – fastmusclecar.com

The post Muscle Car Videos! appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Do you know how a modern-day Dodge muscle car is assembled from start to finish? Most muscle car fans would answer sort of, kind of, of course, not at all. This video runs through the processes used to produce the Dodge Challenger, Charger, Viper, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Durango.

Admittedly the video is aimed at the newby to these vehicles for the broadest reach. A more broad overview, than a component-by-component fitting. But, this also means basic information isn’t assumed. Such as the basic power output of each vehicle.

Luckily, nearly half the video is dedicated to the production run of the Dodge Challenger and Charger. The video recounts the full production cycle from pressing the basic steel panels to final inspections. Being able to see a Hemi engine roll down the production line is a thrill in itself. But more than anything, it’s a new appreciation for the efficiency of the modern car production line, all the safety measures, and the most ergonomic and easiest ways for the workers to operate.

The part of the video dedicated to the Dodge Viper is interesting in itself as it focuses on the designing of the initial models and wind testing. It’s nothing like the old days of designers having to sculpt clay models by hand to bring their ideas to life. These days, it’s about 3-D modeling and CNC machines to produce real-world designs. However, it still takes a bucketload of people to hand-apply all the metal mesh to the basic model for wind testing. For those who haven’t seen that section of the video yet, the process is like applying glass fiber sheets with all the gunk involved, layer by layer.

In total, the video is worth a watch even for a brief glimpse into the modern-day vehicle production line.

The post Behind the Scenes: The Dodge Production Line appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Have you ever wondered why certain makes and models of cars last the distance while others don’t? Considering all the variables involved in a car’s design, it can be just one component that breaks the performance chain. In the accompanying video, Uncle Tony’s Garage provides us with not only a back history of the inner workings of muscle cars, but also why some just didn’t last the distance.

One of the topics covered explains why Pontiac didn’t reach the heights it should have. In essence, this could have been down to a design flaw in one critical component.

The video itself is worth a watch providing firsthand, behind-the-scenes information from a guy who has been working on these cars for decades. It’s a bit like hearing insider tips on the real pros and cons of classic muscle cars and how those shortcomings can be rectified. As stated in the video, if the car is driven within factory parameters then the components should last. This is a different story if the car is tuned or modified.

The other bonus here is the comments and feedback on the video page from real users, documenting their own experiences. Basically, anecdotes from people who actually owned these type of cars themselves, the problems they overcame, and in some cases how they were fixed. In other words, if you already own a classic muscle car or are in the market to get hold of one, all this information could be incredibly useful. Especially if you want to push its current power levels.

The post American Muscle Car Evolution – Why Pontiac Started Strong And Faded Into Obscurity appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

This is the question not just on Dodge fans’ lips, but for anyone with a passing interest in performance vehicles. The EV revolution is coming, and classics such as the Dodge Charger and Challenger will soon be replaced in a few years going from V8’s to electric powertrains. The accompanying video highlights mainly the perspective of a few diehard muscle car fans, and their take on the scene moving forward.

At 15 minutes long, the video doesn’t just highlight the muscle car perspective on EVs, but how the technology will infiltrate all areas of the motor industry.
Without going into the fine details of the pros and cons of EVs, right or wrong, it’s more about how fans are trying to make peace with the upcoming changes. The muscle car fans featured in the video, show off their own V8-powered muscle car collections and highlight what makes them great.

While one fan is quite impressed with what Dodge has in store for the first full-blown electric muscle, the underlying vibe also seems to be of reluctant acceptance. We are guessing this is the same for the car makers themselves. The people who work on these performance vehicles have spent a lifetime learning the intricacies of the V8, to now have to turn their attention to an electric platform.

The video is a definite watch for anyone with a passing interest in the current climate change from the internal combustion engine to electric vehicles. What is also interesting is the plethora of comments accompanying the video. They give a good overview of how the performance car market feels in general about the situation.

One of the comments mentions how the title of the video ends in a question mark, which means it can be automatically answered with a ‘no.’ This may end up being largely true, but there will also be those who take to the new platform straightaway. As with all these things, we will have to wait until the first of these new vehicles is tested. Then it will be the case of user feedback and tweaks to the platform over time to get everything just right.

Dodge is in the unique position of having the most diehard fans in the industry. Up until now, they have stuck to their guns with the V8 platform, with the ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ mentality. From this standpoint, you would think they will be the last to give in to an electric platform. But, it’s clear they don’t want to be left behind and want to push and optimize the platform as quickly as possible.

The move from ICE’s to electric is going to be a bumpy road for performance vehicle fans. But at the least, Dodge seemed to be trying their utmost to make sure whatever comes out as an electric Challenger in Charger is going to be the best it can be, at least in its first iterations.

The post Will Dodge’s Electric Muscle Car Satisfy Its Die-Hard Fans? appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

On the surface, British car sensibilities and the Dodge Challenger Hellcat seem to go together like oil and water. However, as you will see from the video below, the seemingly simplistic template and raw power of the Hellcat is to any car fan a rare treat, no matter which patch of soil you live on.

Present-day muscle and pony cars have the reputation of sticking unapologetically to their original formula of simplicity and raw power. This is why the breed can be either loved or hated. You either get the concept or you don’t. But, a modern muscle car like the Dodge Hellcat is a more advanced beast than its predecessors, while it still retains that original essence.

The Dodge Challenger Hellcat in the video has a supercharged, 717 HP 6.2-litre Hemi V8 under the hood. While the ‘Redeye’ version has 797HP, and the ‘Super Stock’ 800 HP, squarely aimed at drag racers.

There may be plenty of other sports cars out there with comparable power levels, even relatively affordable supercars. But, as you will see from the video, it’s the unbridled fun factor of the seat-of-your-pants driving experience that is the main selling point.
The point above is important, as such a raw driving experience is now only found in these classics. Anyone over the age of 40 experienced cars in their youth which were almost as basic as a simple body shell, engine, rear wheel drive, and steering wheel. It was analog all the way, with only your driving skills to get you through.

For the average driver going from A to B, a modern car with all its computer governance feels like a more controllable and easier ride. But for the car enthusiast, the simple principles still provide the best driving experience. Okay, traction control and everything that keeps the car planted these days is great, but there’s nothing like every reaction being directly translated into your roadgoing experience. This is where the modern muscle car still stands.

If you watch the video until the end, Rory states in the video what we all already know. The Hellcat may not go round corners with such aplomb as a Mercedes E63 or an M5, but that’s not the point. Plus, the statement of the present-day Challenger and Charger being, ‘the last great muscle car.’ or is it?

In terms of the last great ICE V8, we still have a good couple of years for some rather tasty V8s to hit the market. They may be limited edition and collectible items, but are still largely available. The advent of electric is going to be a hard sell to muscle car fans, but future generations who only know electric, may come to see their vehicles as potent muscle cars, with the older generation simply being those original classics.

For now, let’s enjoy how the Hellcat has carved its own path.
The Hellcat may be an analog wristwatch in a digital world, but there’s still nothing like owning the original design, even though it is harder work to maintain, the effort is worth it.

The post A Dodge Challenger Hellcat Across the Pond appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

If you have been following the tricky transition between gas and EV muscle cars, you’ll understand the rocky years ahead for both makers and consumers. There are lots of areas to consider such as government mandates, public perceptions, emerging technologies, infrastructure, and the obvious lack of real ‘vroom’ noises. No matter how up-to-date you are with the current developments in the muscle car world, a nice summary report is always needed.

In the video below, Lauren Fix provides straightforward and eloquent answers to the present state of play. In a nutshell, the move to EVs is due to government mandates. Traditional gas-powered muscle cars are still hot property(old and new), especially in the collector’s market. It may even be worth buying a rare edition to store away as a future asset.

Dodge is arguably the first out of the blocks with a mainstream EV muscle car, in the form of the recently unveiled Charger SRT Daytona. A vehicle to not just replace an aging Charger and Challenger platform, but also to ease people into the idea of electric muscle cars.

Energy Storage and Recharge Speeds

Early adopters of EV vehicles have to live with long recharge times and potential range anxiety. In other words, hanging around while your car recharges, and will it go the distance? The ultimate aim is to have refueling capabilities as we enjoy now with ICE’s. The powers that be are working on these problems, and we are getting closer, but we are just not quite there yet..

Lithium-ion and lithium-iron phosphate batteries are the most widely used in current Ev’s. Tesla is a big user of both these types of batteries, as with all other car makers most likely up to 2030.
Other battery types such as solid-state could be a thing of the future, but we have a good few years to wait on this one. This means that if you are in no hurry to buy an EV, 5-10 years from now, range and storage speeds could be completely different.

One thing’s for sure, it’s going to be an ongoing process to improve range and recharging speeds. There will also be plenty of headlines in the coming years noting the latest battery tech. with ever-increasing performance. To filter out the noise, simply concentrate on what the manufacturers have put into their latest vehicles, as that’s what we’ll be using during the ownership of the vehicle.

The post Where We Are Currently At With EV Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

Watch it here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/am-2024-mustang-revealed.html

The post S650 Mustang Reveal Video appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The Dodge Viper ended production years ago, but it still seems to be the platform for producing crazy horsepower numbers. Ryan Lewakowski’s wife Bridget,(Ryan also has a black ACR Dodge Viper) shows off in the video below her CM2000 Package Calvo Motorsports, 2,000 horsepower Viper with all the trimmings.

To produce such high power numbers, the vehicle has some rather tasty components under the hood. This fifth-generation Dodge Viper, tested in Denver, Colorado, produces 1,870HP but can kick out 2,200HP at sea level. The 8L+ V10 engine features twin 7685 turbos, Motech ECU, and an air-to-water intercooler among many other gadgets.

The outer shell has also been customized, turned from the original red to military green. Also, highlighted with aero carbon vents, spoiler, and front splitter.

If you want to skip the initial commentary in the video and get straight down to the G-pulling driving action, then skip to roughly minute 7 in the video.

The post 2,000HP+ Dodge Viper: Like a Kick in the Stomach appeared first on Muscle Car.

With the addition of the new Mach-E to the AmericanMuscle(AM) fleet, AM host Justin Dugan puts it to work on the track in the latest installment of Hot Lap.

See how fast it went here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/am-mach-e-2022.html

The post Ford Mach-E Quarter Mile appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

In our modern age where we have video cameras everywhere, satellite imaging, and drones clocking our every move, there are still hidden gem vehicles stored away right under our noses. In this case, it’s a vintage 1969 Dodge Charger R/T that has been in storage for 56 years.

The back story to this particular Dodge Charger R/T starts with only 6 years of initial driving, from then it was stored from 1975 onwards. Specification-wise, the Charger is an R/T with the SE package, sporting a 440c.u.(7.2L) V8, with a 4-barrel carb., rated at roughly 375HP when new. The main body color is Y3 cream, and of course, the car is all original, and numbers matching.

The accompanying video below details the initial inspection of the Charger, making it fit to roll out of its resting place, and taken away for restoration. What’s also remarkable is the Charger had a 1971 Corvette living next door, also waiting to be reinvigorated to its former glory.

The 1971 Corvette is not as original, with a replacement engine. But, it is in far better condition than the Charger and was last driven around 2006.

This succinct muscle car find should give you inspiration for finding your own hidden gems. You never know, there could be a garage or barn just around the corner from you storing the next hidden rarity…

The post 1969 Dodge Charger R/T: 56 Years In Storage appeared first on Muscle Car.

In this week’s Customer Builds video, we dive into Bobby Liniger’s 2007 Mustang GT500.
Bobby is an AM customer whose build was among the top voted on AM’s customer builds feed, thus his nomination to share more about it in a video call with AM host, Justin Dugan.

Check it out here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/profiles/9926

The post AmericanMuscle’s Supercharged GT500 Customer Build Breakdown appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Here we have a drag race between a Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye vs. a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. On the surface, this challenge may seem unusual, pitting an SUV against a regular saloon car. However, each vehicle has under the hood the same Hellcat engine in the form of a 6.2L high-output supercharged V8.

Although the basic engine configurations are the same in both vehicles, this is where the similarities end. The Challenger Hellcat Redeye can kick out 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft. of torque. Plus in jailbreak mode, the power can be upped to 807HP. In the Trackhawk, the basic Hellcat engine setup is in place with 707HP, 645 lb-ft. of torque, and a towing capacity of up to 7,200lbs.

In both cases these vehicles are heavyweights, but the Trackhawk is a far larger lump of metal with slightly less power. This should mean on paper that the Challenger Hellcat Redeye should easily win. However, as in all drag races, who crosses the finish line first is not always down to basic car specifications. Driving ability, traction, and a whole host of other variables always play a part.

As usual, you will have to watch the video to find out the winner of the race. But no matter who wins, this little drag race shows how a bulky SUV can still keep up appearances in the performance stakes.

The post Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye vs Jeep Trackhawk Drag Race appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Imagine a place in the world where there are open roads with no speed limits. Somewhere to take the most potent vehicles on the planet, and let’s face it, to feel a little bit naughty hitting top speed on public roads. This is the exact situation with the German Autobahn.

AutoTopNL has gathered together a bunch of topline American muscle cars to sling around the heady roads of the Autobahn. These include a souped-up Ford Mustang GT, a Dodge Hellcat widebody, a Chevy Camaro Z1, and for good measure a 1966 Ford Mustang.

A few things to bear in mind about the German Autobahn – only certain areas have de-restricted speed limits, and there are very strict rules on the road over there such as no passing on the right.

A 780HP Mustang GT

The first vehicle to open up the taps or if you are in the US – faucets, is a Mustang GT with a 5.0L V8 and Whipple supercharger pumping out 780HP. The driver-side viewpoint gives a good representation of the driving experience. Plus, the in-car commentary provides nice feedback on the actual sensation.

888HP Dodge Hellcat XR Wide-Body

This particular Dodge Hellcat has been tuned by AEC Performance to produce 888HP and 737lb. ft. of torque. That’s more juice than a Dodge Demon in full flight. All this from a 6.2 L supercharged Hemi V8.

On this particular run, the roads had low amounts of traffic. This meant the Hellcat could touch nearly 200mph.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 boasts a 6.2 L supercharged V8 producing 650HP and 650lb. ft. of torque. Clearly, the Camaro isn’t short of power, but what’s also important is the driver’s feedback about the driving experience. As what seems to be happening with the current Ford Mustang GT, the Camaro these days is a viable alternative to European sports cars. Just a little food for thought……

The 1966 Ford Mustang

https://youtu.be/rGtB0Fwgk38

You may think on the surface that this old classic would be a more sedate drive. This 1966 example has a 289c.u.(4.7L) V8 with 203HP, and while that may not seem much compared to the other vehicles here, it’s still capable of touching nearly 200mph.

Ironically, this video doesn’t have much in-car commentary. This is probably due to the vehicle needing far more concentration to drive, not having all the latest, fancy safety features we take for granted today.

The post American Muscle Cars Hit the German Autobahn appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

From initial impressions, the latest and greatest EV up against the best the muscle car world can offer in a drag race seems like a good idea. Electric motors up against the tried and tested, no replacement for displacement, internal combustion engine. Some would call it the old against the new. While another viewpoint is measuring up two completely different technologies.

We all know that electric vehicles are coming soon like an unstoppable tsunami wave, which also includes electric muscle cars. But, those already invested in electric vehicles, want to prove a point against the ICE and vice versa.
ICE vehicles want to prove they are still relevant, and EV’s to prove they are the future. However, the comparison is a bit like measuring up 100m world record holder Usain Bolt against Wayde van Niekerk, the current 400m record holder. Completely different engines optimized for different events.

Electric vs. ICE

We wrote at length about the differences between electric and the internal combustion engine here. As a recap, the internal combustion engine relies on a chemical reaction to ramp up the power. Peak power and torque is generally hit at higher speeds in an ICE. An electric engine has instant torque, but power levels can tail off once top speed has been achieved.

This means that the drag strip which was once the preserve of the best ICE vehicles is now the ideal platform for EV’s. Over a quarter-mile distance, an EV is very quick off the mark. However, if the race was over a mile or two, the result could be very different. But, in the video above, the muscle cars with their internal combustion engines, aren’t that far behind in most cases. Driving skill has a lot to do with the final results, but we can’t really test that one yet until all-electric vehicles in the future have autonomous driving capabilities.

In a few year’s time, Dodge should release the first electric muscle car. From that point onwards, there is sure to be a slew of videos of Tesla’s lining up to challenge whatever Dodge all the others have in store.

Conclusion

Both vehicle types have their pros and cons. But, in the drag race video above, the 1968 Dodge Dart still performs very respectably with a 11.912 time against the Telsa at 11.462. Not too shabby for a 50 years engineering difference.
You could argue that the Dodge Dart needs an engine that can drink a bathtub of fuel every second to keep up. However, the Tesla also needs loads of heavyweight batteries to do the job.

Therefore, electric versus an ICE vehicle is really a comparison of different technologies. On the surface, it’s a fun comparison to see what naturally comes to us, who is the fastest. But the real fun will start when all muscle car manufacturers have their own electric versions, and are ready to hit the dragstrip for the next generation.

The post Why Tesla vs. Muscle Car Drag Race Is a Null Point appeared first on Muscle Car.

In this week’s Customer Builds video, we dive into Nick Colonello ‘s 2017 Mustang GT.
Nick is an AM customer whose build was among the top voted on AM’s customer builds feed, thus his nomination to share more about it in a video call with AM host, Justin Dugan.

Check it out here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/profiles/44027

The post AmericanMuscle’s 2019 Mustang GT Customer Build Breakdown appeared first on Muscle Car.

A quick walk around a 2021 Dodge Challenger SXT Blacktop.

The post 2021 Dodge Challenger SXT Blacktop Walkaround appeared first on Muscle Car.

Lucas is an AM customer whose build was among the top voted on AM’s customer builds feed, thus his nomination to share more about it in a video call with AM host, Justin Dugan.

Check it out here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/profiles/153270

The post AmericanMuscle’s Supercharged 2017 GT Customer Build Breakdown appeared first on Muscle Car.

In this week’s Customer Builds video, we dive into Ryan’s 2021 Ecoboost.
Ryan is an AM customer whos build was among the top voted on AM’s customer builds feed, thus his nomination to share more about it in a video call with AM host, Justin Dugan.

Check it out here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/profiles/179671?from=0

The post AmericanMuscle’s 2021 EcoBoost Customer Build Breakdown appeared first on Muscle Car.

ExtremeTerrain has teamed up with their customers in another installment of our Customer Builds series, where XT’s top-voted customers are asked to share some inspiration behind their builds.

In this installment, XT host, Merideth Evasew, hops on a video call with one of our community’s favorite TJs, owned by Juan Anchando. Together they go over a full breakdown of the build and shed some light on the inspiration behind it.

Check It Out Here: https://www.extremeterrain.com/jeep-wrangler-builds-profiles.html?imageid=268835&from=0

The post ExtremeTerrain’s Customer Spotlight TJ Build Breakdown appeared first on Muscle Car.

AmericanMuscle’s (AM) Justin Dugan reports live from SEMA in this week’s episode from AM’s YouTube video series! To showcase the craziest Mustangs of 2021, Justin takes us around the floor of SEMA to show us his “Top 3” favorite builds displayed at the event.

Watch it here: www.americanmuscle.com/am-mustang-sema-2021.html

The post SEMA 2021: Top Mustang Builds appeared first on Muscle Car.

ExtremeTerrain’s (XT) Justin Dugan brings you our latest episode from XT’s YouTube video series featuring the all-new Ford Bronco! In this episode, Justin takes the new Bronco off-road to give his first impression. With the Bronco back for the first time in 25 years, this one is sure to be exciting!

Whether you’re going off-roading or overlanding, you need the right recovery equipment to help you out of a tricky situation. The 4WD recovery kits at Autobarn will help get you unstuck fast, and get you back on the road again.

Watch it here: https://www.extremeterrain.com/all-ford-bronco-videos.html

The post New Bronco Off-Road & First Impressions appeared first on Muscle Car.

by Dave Ashton

We all dream of finding a remote barn chock-full of muscle cars, forgotten to time, but for some individuals, they actually own the things. This is the case with this muscle car collection amassed by a Mr. Johnson, who has been collecting classic-era muscle cars for decades. The recipe seems to be quite simple here, Mr. Johnson over the years kept buying these vehicles to fix them up, then stored them in one of his barns. As his collection grew, he simply built more barns to accommodate his collection.

From the first glimpses of the vehicles at the beginning of the video, it’s clear that this guy was quite the hoarder. The whole property seems to be a collection of many bits and bats, which probably means there are also many parts to go along with the various vehicles.

There seems to be a bit of everything in this collection, but just like any avid collector, they do have their favorites. There’s a good bunch of Cudas, Camaros, GTOs, Chevelles, and Trans Ams in the preview video. We are also seeing in the video what seems to be the full collection out on display before some sort of auction or presell. Not a surprise with a car collection this big. Usually, by the time this source of news hits the masses, the collection has already been evaluated and ready for sale.

There are also no real details here about the owner’s background, but he was obviously a true fan of American muscle cars. You also have to forgive the guy in the video as he misidentifies quite a few of the vehicles. We’ll just put that down to him being overexcited from all the vehicles on display.

The post Huge Muscle Car Barn Find appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

With any vehicle that is more than a few decades old, there’s bound to be a touch of power loss from the engine. Unless you own a vehicle that was tucked away in storage from new, only being started once in a while, a few ponies tend to bolt free from time to time. In this short video, a white 1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 convertible is dyno-tested to see how much umph it has lost over the years.

This particular 1987 Mustang GT 5.0 convertible has 78,000 miles on the clock, and a four-speed AOD transmission. Everything on the car is completely stock as it rolled out of the factory.

As you can see from the video, the car is in pretty good shape for its year, originally being able to produce 225 hp and 300-foot pounds of torque when new. While these figures may not be massive by today’s standards, they were quite potent figures for a late eighties Mustang. The Mustang also measures 12° of timing, rather than the original factory 10°. Also, the car is running on 93 octane fuel.

As for the results, the Mustang kicked out 184.44 horsepower at 4300rpm and 259.5 lb. ft. of torque at 3100rpm. Not too shabby results for this age of vehicle with 78,000 miles under its belt.

What if I Want One?

If the sight of this 1987 Mustang GT 5.0 convertible has sparked your interest, there are examples available to buy. Traditionally, 1980’s pony or muscle cars aren’t the most sought-after, at least compared to late sixties and early seventies examples. Depending on the condition, mileage, and rare options, prices currently range from just under $5000 for an example needing major restoration, up to $31,000 for a pristine convertible example we found on eBay.

The eBay example we found had only done 18,993 miles and was almost a replica of the car featured in the above video. On the flipside, we found a 1987 Ford Mustang GT on Autotrader for $4,850, which was in need of a full restoration.

The post 1987 Ford Mustang GT 5.0: How Many Horses Remaining? appeared first on Muscle Car.

In this episode of AmericanTruck’s (AT) “The Haul”, Justin Dugan selects his top five for the  new 2021 Ford F-150.

The 2021 F-150 is newest generation of F150 on AT and with that, Justin shows us what 5 mods he would choose to really change the look and functionality of the truck.

Watch It Here: https://www.americantrucks.com/thehaul-september-2021.html

The post Justin Picks His Top 5 Mods For The 2021+ F-150 appeared first on Muscle Car.

ExtremeTerrain’s (XT) Justin Dugan brings you his latest episode from XT’s YouTube video series featuring the all-new Ford Bronco! In this episode, Justin dives into a full breakdown of our all-new “Big Bend” model’s styling, features, and even dyno results!

Watch it here: https://www.extremeterrain.com/ford-bronco-videos.html

The post New Ford Bronco Review Video appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is simply the best movie ever made….apart from Highlander. Dodge recognize this cultural phenomenon, helping to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the movie, with the help from the Dodge Durango SUV.

Reese Bobby is back, the immensely flawed and deity-like father of Ricky Bobby, who this time around is giving his two grand children words from the wise. Youngster Ricky and Cal Jr. are fully suited in NASCAR attire, being treated to the rules of the road in a Dodge Durango R/T Blacktop Tow N Go in Granite with Dual Carbon Stripes. In the original movie, Bobby SNR. drives a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu. However, a people carrier may now seem the more sensible option now he has grandkids.

The video completes with a trifecta of the only cars you need in your life, a 2021 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack Widebody and a 2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Widebody.

If you want to snap up a Durango, they are available with 2935hp 3.6-liter Pentastar® V6, 360hp 5.7-liter HEMI V8, a 6.4L HEMI V8 or a 6.2-liter Supercharged HEMI V8 with 710 horses and 645 lb-ft of torque. None of these are supplied with a live cougar.

The post Talladega Nights 15th Birthday With Dodge appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Here we have a short but succinct review from the guys at Autocar, on the merits of the BMW M8 Competition Coupe vs. the Ford Mustang CS800.

The BMW M8 Competition Coupe is a top-of-the-range sedan from the German car company. The Ford Mustang CS800 is a UK-tuned pony by Sutton Bespoke, capable of spitting out 825bhp, with a 0-60mph of roughly 4.0 seconds, and a top speed of 180mph. The BMW has stats. of 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds, producing 616bhp. As the review comes from the fair Isle of the UK, the costs come in with the BMW at £125,000, and the Mustang at £105,000.

A UK review should also ensure no rose-tinted glasses for either car make. On UK shores, a BMW is a common sight, with the Mustang becoming more numerous, but still a more exotic beast.

This test is more of a fun comparison rather than a blow-by-blow, scientific matchup. This point is probably due to the BMW being more an off-the-shelf car, and the Mustang is more custom. No matter the testing procedures, this little showdown still matches up American versus German engineering, with the final results echoing what we usually expect from both these cars.

For those impatient among you, the Mustang came out on top using two-wheel drive in the wet. Both are rear-wheel drive monsters, with the Mustang being the more ‘physical’ car, but that also makes it the most fun. The Beamer in four-wheel-drive seems to have the most traction and gets the overall technical victory in this department.

However, the usual question of, ‘if this was your money…’ is the usual deciding factor. One consensus is that if you already had a daily driver, and wanted a fun blast at the weekend, the Mustang is a great choice. If you have one parking space for a daily driver, then maybe the BMW. But the overall result is a draw, with the Mustang getting the moral victory.

‘A top, top giggle all the time,’ is the overall impression of the Mustang. The Mustang also costs less money than the BMW. The Beemer may be more ‘practical,’ but in this price range, it’s also about the experience. This is why we said earlier the results are as we expected.

The Mustang is selling well in Europe as no matter its technical deficiencies compared to the competition, it’s just plain fun to drive. It’s like Ford have hit the sweet spot recipe, having just the right amount of European and American ingredients. A seat of your pants American pony car template, with native European hand drive. Plus, the Mustang has a body design that isn’t too big for European roads.

At this point it looks like Europe is finally figuring out the pony car template.

The post BMW M8 Competition vs 825bhp Ford Mustang Review appeared first on Muscle Car.

Upgrading wheels is among the top modifications for car enthusiasts, all of which are after a different style of wheel fitment. AmericanMuscle (AM) aims to simplify the process of choosing the optimal setup for our customer’s rides by explaining and visualizing some of the many factors to be considered, like wheel offset, tire size etc.

With that, AM has released a new fitment-oriented video, this time focusing on the S197. Fear not though, we have plenty of other videos, photos, and information for both newer and older generations as well, starting with our general Wheel Tech guide.

With all this talk about wheels, we also wanted to give one lucky winner from your audience the chance to upgrade their ride with a FREE set of Rovos Wheels. These sweeps will ONLY be promoted through the media kit below, potentially making the chances of winning higher!

Enter Sweeps Here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/mustangwheels.html

The post AM Talks Wheel Fitment + Rovos Wheels Giveaway appeared first on Muscle Car.

by Dave Ashton

The UK and Europe may not seem like a hotbed for muscle car owners, however, the fan base is ever-expanding. For those over the water who want to dance with one of the most potent models, there is the option of the Dodge Demon. The main stumbling block to ownership in the UK is a Dodge Demon needs importing from the US, and will cost upwards of $200,000 or £137,000 after all the import malarkey.

To run through all the pros and cons of owning a Dodge Demon in the UK, Mat Watson from Carwow provides an overview in the video below.

When the Dodge Demon was first released in the US back in 2018, it cost roughly $85,000(..about 100 cups of tea in the UK). This price was almost a bargain for a car with 808hp(840hp with high octane fuel), which could do 0-60 mph in just 2.3 seconds, and a quarter-mile in 11.7 seconds. Only 3,300 units were produced, which also makes it a collector’s item. The Demon also had other crazy stats., such as the highest horsepower and g-force for a production car, and can pop a wheelie on takeoff. It is also optimized for the dragstrip with features like line-lock.

In a country that is mostly ruled by German and Japanese performance vehicles, American muscle is more of an exotic concept. But if you look at the proliferation of the Mustang GT, Europe is slowly warming to the American V8. So, how will the Dodge Demon fair, being thrown down a British airstrip? In this test there’s no regard for back history or tradition, thus the Demon has to perform on merits alone.

At first glance, the Dodge Demon looks like a regular Dodge Challenger. However, the large hood scoop and the fat radial tires set it apart. Inside the cabin, Demon logos can be found on the dash and seats, with other tasty features like white dials and a more fancy steering wheel.

As the car is drag race optimized, the rear suspension is softer than in a regular Challenger Hellcat, with plenty of performance modes to choose from. It’s also lighter than a regular Challenger by a hundred kilos.

The eagle-eyed folk out there will have spotted the yellow stripe on the front splitter. This item is really only used for transportation purposes and should be taken off the car. But it does look rather cool left in place. Dodge officially advises taking the yellow thing off, for future reference.

Another thing that is rarely mentioned is the Dodge Demon’s practicality. Yes, it can in theory be used as a daily driver. The rear seats can squeeze in two average size males, and the trunk(boot in the UK) has a capacity of 459 L. The Demon may not be the best choice to take the family grocery shopping, but it’s also not a stripped to the bone dragster. The $1 upgrade adds in the rear seats and other goodies.

One thing that is no surprise to any muscle car fan is the way this car drinks fuel. In the accompanying video, they were averaging 6.1 mpg, which rivals the space shuttle for thirst. This is part of the norm. if you own a muscle car. But the fuel economy is paid off with a magnificent soundtrack. Like Matt says in the video, a supercharger has a sound and sensation like no other. The comments in the video sum it up, ‘the money on fuel is well spent as the car is such good fun.’

So what’s the ultimate conclusion for the Dodge Demon being worth buying in the UK? Matt concludes that for the price of $85,000 in the US, the Demon is definitely worth buying. In the UK, with plenty of money in your back burner, you have to really ‘get’ the concept to justify the large increase in price. But, with limited numbers produced, the Demon is also a collector’s item, which should see its worth increase over time.

The post A Dodge Demon Costs up to $200,000 In The UK appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Watching your favorite muscle car zip around a track from an external perspective is fine, but nowhere near as personal as an in-car viewpoint. Today’s video comes from the guys at APEX ONE who take a variety of cars around well-known courses. Each track being documented by well-known directors. In this video example, it’s a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat cruising around the ‘Twisted Sisters’ circuit in Texas, filmed by William Schultz of ‘Proving Grounds’ fame.

The Twisted Sisters Loop

Texas Heritage refers to the Twisted Sisters route as the windiest roads in Texas. The loop comprises of, ‘three farm-to-market roads that create a 100-mile loop through the heart of the Hill Country.’ There’s also plenty of twists and turns with low visibility, with one 15 mile stretch having more than 65 bendy bits. While most of Texas is as flat as a pancake, the Hill Country provides plenty of winding roads and fantastic viewpoints.

Image: texasheritageforliving.com

The course also seems to be a favorite for motorcycle types, but the course is not to be taken lightly. The video may show a leisurely cruise around this course, but when driven at speed, it can be as challenging as any other track out there.

The video itself shows front and rear views of the Charger SRT Hellcat, giving the viewer a chance to take in the driving experience and scenery. As the video is just over 45 minutes long, it’s worth having it play in the background on a large TV while you are unwinding after a long day. Sitting in a comfy chair drinking your favorite beverage and watching this video for at least 10 minutes is very cathartic.

Who would have thought a virtual drive in a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat could be this relaxing….

The post A Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Cruises The ‘Twisted Sisters’ In Texas appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

If there is one area where you need to give muscle car fans their dues, it’s the willingness to experiment. In this instance, Kyle and his 1995 Ford Mustang with an LS engine, has been treated to eight turbochargers. Currently, the car has been dyno and open road-tested, with a long-term aim of being raced with a single turbo setup.

There’s clearly a lot of complications involved with bolting eight turbochargers to a vehicle. Even so, the car still managed to squeeze out 737HP and 590 lb. ft. of torque on one dyno test. Testing also showed that there was a lot more work to be done and money spent to make the whole system more consistent. The last tweaks to the car involved improving the efficiency of the intercooler to beat the 33 PSI (2.27 Bar), to push more horsepower to the rear wheels.

The current plan for the Mustang is to take it back to a one turbo setup for this year’s racing season. Then the experiment can recommence next winter, where extra time and funds can improve the design.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post 1995 Ford Mustang LS-Swapped With 8 Turbos appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

If you own a high-powered vehicle such as a Dodge hellcat, it invariably invites competition. The Dodge Hellcat in either Challenger or Charger variants have 6.2-liter HEMI V8s with 707HP at their disposal. In the performance car arena, this is the same as waving a red flag at a bull when it comes to other car owners.

The two videos below show a Porsche 911 Turbo S and a C7 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 going toe to toe with both a Challenger and Charger Hellcat.

The first matchup is with a Porsche and shows a Modded Dodge Charger Hellcat with a E85 tune. The Porsche is no slouch with a 572 hp twin-turbo 3.8-liter engine and weighs in at 3,650 lbs. The Charger in this case is 800 lbs heavier, so it’s down to the usual formulation of can a lighter car with less horsepower beats a heavier car with more power?

Porsche 911 Turbo S vs Dodge Charger Hellcat Bolt Ons E85

The second race involves a Dodge Challenger Hellcat widebody up against a C7 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. In this scenario, the Hellcat has 717 hp with 656 lb-ft of torque, while the Corvette sports a 6.2-liter V8 with 650 hp. The Charger is still the heavier beast here, being 900 lbs heavier than the Hellcat. Who’d you think will win out of these two heavyweights?

Hellcat Manual vs Corvette C7 Z06 CAI Auto

Like all good drag races, it’s best to watch the footage to find out the eventual winner.

The post Dodge Hellcats Drag Racing The Competition appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

According to the great guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, less isn’t more, more is more. This is the same mindset for this Calvo Motorsports built, 2600WHP Sequential Twin Turbo Dodge Viper, which also kicks out 2000lb-ft. of torque.

The Dodge Viper in stock form already contains gobs of power. Equipped with an 8.4L V10 engine, a stock Viper can produce 645 horsepower and 600lb. ft. of torque, laying down a 3.5 second 0-60mph time and a top speed of 206 mph.

To produce the power levels on this custom Viper some serious upgrades were put in place. Starting with a 9L Stroker engine and a twin-turbo 8685 setup. For the fastest of gear changes, a PPG sequential transmission and Motec engine management were installed and then tuned by Ninjaneering. Forgeline wheels were used, with 18 inch wheels at the rear and carbon-ceramic brakes. Also, the whole engine and bracing is made from forged carbon fiber.

If you skip to roughly the 2.40 mark in the video, you can see the Viper taking on a McLaren and a 1200HP Mustang using a meager 1600HP. In both clips, the Viper is clearly out accelerating the other two vehicles. There’s even a bunch of high-powered motorbikes which the Viper zooms past. In the words of Ryan, the current owner of the Viper, the car hasn’t lost a race yet.

The reaction of the passenger at the seven minute mark sums things up. The car keeps heaping on the power with every gear change, progressively getting faster and faster.

Even if you’re not into the muscle car thing, this video is worth watching to see how engineering can push a vehicle to these power level heights.

The post 2,600 Horsepower Dodge Viper! appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

In a world where most car manufacturers are eyeing up their future electrical go-karts, it’s refreshing to see a Chevrolet Camaro pump out old-school horsepower. In the short video below, the guys from FuelTech USA push this dragster Twin Turbo Camaro to its power limits.

To reach the heady heights of 3,581 hp at 8169 RPM, the whole vehicle had been reworked from the ground up, with only the outer shell being original. While the video doesn’t give the full specs of the car, the description shows that the engine has been treated to a FuelTech FT600 EFI System, FTSPARK Ignition System, and new FuelTech FT Injectors. The owner of the car is listed as Scott Tidwell, with the driver being Paul Gargus, and the whole build is optimized for the limited drag radial class.

The whole twin-turbo setup can be heard in its full glory halfway through the video. Two dyno passes are documented in the video, producing ever-increasing horsepower numbers. The car also looks like a showcase piece for FuelTech’s product line. From the evidence in the video, the company has done a fine job on this front.

The post LDR Twin Turbo Camaro RS With 3600 HP appeared first on Muscle Car.

In this week’s Customer Build video, we take a step back from the late models, and dive into a New Edge build!

AM host, Justin Dugan, joins New Edge owner, Bradley Heinz, in a video call to share his build in a bit more detail. Brad’s build was among the top voted on AM’s customer builds feed, thus his nomination to share some more about his ride with us.

Check it out here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/ford-mustang-builds-profiles.html?imageid=376634&from=0

The post AmericanMuscle’s New Edge Customer Build Breakdown appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

There’s nothing like the regular dopamine or adrenaline hit of watching a drag race. In this case, the lineup is between a Ford Mustang Bullitt and a Lexus LC.

Both cars have a good wallop of power, starting with the Ford Mustang Bullitt, which is the 50th-anniversary vehicle to commemorate the iconic Steve McQueen movie. Power-wise, the Mustang comes with a 5 L V8, producing 459HP and 529Nm of torque, through a 6-speed manual transmission. In terms of weight, the Mustang comes in at 1851kg.

In the opposing corner is the Lexus LC500 which also has a 5 L V8 engine, with slightly more oomph at 464HP and 530Nm of torque. The Lexus also has a 10-speed automatic transmission and is also rear-wheel drive. The Lexus also weighs more than the Mustang, coming in at 1965kg.

What’s interesting about this test is that it’s carried out by two Brits on native soil. This makes the test interesting as it obviously never stops raining over there. Thus, making the drag race in the wet an additional test of traction and handling.

Both cars are also available in native hand drive in Europe and have been selling rather well. Both cars have made an impact, being viable alternatives to the usual fare of performance vehicles such as Porsche and BMW.

How these vehicles sell in nondomestic markets is also worth keeping an eye on. After the slump in 2020, sales abroad are more important than ever to keep a brand alive.

If you want see the results of the drag race you will have to watch the full video. It’s very Top Gear-esque in its presentation, but at least it gives a closer look at how these vehicles perform down a straight.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post Ford Mustang Bullitt vs Lexus LC 500 Drag Race appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

When it comes to receiving sound car advice, the information should come from those who have experience with the vehicle. The person should also be either a long time mechanic or hobbyist with plenty of hours under the hood. When I stumbled across the video, ‘Here’s Why I’ll Die Before I Buy a Shelby GT350’ it basically looks like someone with strong opinions and a definite message.

Reading through the short biog. with the video, it seems Scotty Kilmer has been an auto mechanic for 53 years. So, it’s more than likely that he’s worked on a few Mustangs in his time. Does that mean he has seen the full spectrum of good, bad, and indifferent Mustangs to come to a worthy conclusion? Maybe, maybe not, but it’s worth hearing out why a Shelby GT350 may not be a good fit if that is the case from a long-serving mechanic.

Although the video is only 10 minutes long, it packs in a lot of answers to general car queries. The video is more of a question and answer segment covering lots of cars and problems. The GT350 topic is answered from the top, from someone asking if they should buy a 2017 GT350 for something fun to drive. The basic answer is to buy a Mustang GT that still has a V8 engine and 5 or 6 speed transmission.

The reasoning to go for a basic Mustang GT is that it costs less, lower insurance costs and the standard V8 is a better match for the transmission. Then there’s the regular advice of buying a used racing car. With any performance vehicle, you don’t know how hard it’s been thrashed in the past. The rest of the video then answers questions about other vehicles and problems.

Should you buy a Shelby GT350?

Does this mean you should be entirely put off buying a Shelby GT 350? As with most answers in life, it depends. If you have the funds, it’s your ultimate car and you have had the vehicle thoroughly checked out, then possibly. Used vehicles bring more complications. An independent inspection is worth the money and should be performed with any high-end vehicle.

More than anything, Scotty’s channel is quick soundbites on general good and bad points about individual cars. It’s a bit like asking a long-serving mechanic friend what a car is actually like, no holds barred. It’s worth checking out a bunch of his videos and see if you agree with his approach. There are definitely some tasty tips in the mix, but I don’t think there’s enough discussion to dissuade an enthusiastic GT350 fan from buying their ultimate car. For those just looking for a fun American V8, then the Mustang GT may be a better option.

The post Should You Buy a Shelby GT350? appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The idea of taking a classic Dodge Charger from the late 1960s or early 1970s and building on the theme is nothing new. However, examples like the Speedkore 1970 Dodge Charger haven’t just had the aesthetics worked on, but are being continually improved in the powertrain department.

Before we even get to the latest power upgrades, this particular Charger was stripped down to the bone or more correctly the marrow. A custom ladder frame and aluminum floorpan was added to the chassis. Then heaps of carbon fiber and billet aluminum were added to the outer shell, with a custom roll cage for added strength. The interior is just as sumptuous as the external features, with plenty of attention to detail to the stitched leather and carbon fiber accents.

Now the Charger’s powertrain has been upgraded from the previous 966 horsepower 6.2-liter V8 with a Tremec T-56 six-speed manual transmission to that over-the-top limited edition 7.0-liter Hellephant V8 engine. In comparison, the Hellephant trumps out 1,000 hp and 950 lb/ft. of torque.

The Hellephant V8 in itself is an ultra-limited edition crate engine, which Mopar said was the first 1,000-HP crate engine available as an OEM product.

The video above may only give a brief glimpse into the basic sound levels of this new engine. Which by the way should be listened to on large speakers to fully appreciate that full low-end rumble. But at least it gives an initial glimpse of the Hellephant in a real-world vehicle.

Obviously custom builds with this much attention to detail doesn’t come cheap, with a starting price of $400k.

If you check out the Speedkore webpage for the 1970 Dodge Charger ‘Evolution,’ it provides more information on this custom build and how to order your own version.

The post Speedkore 1970 Dodge Charger Hellephant On The Dyno appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

There’s nothing like a spontaneous drag race for the sheer adrenaline rush. Mostly these affairs are between two completely different vehicles. This time around we have a pair of highly modified 2020 Shelby GT500s, pitting like-for-like.

These two 2020 Shelby GT500s have a lot in common in that they both develop 1,000 horsepower on drag slicks. But the silver pony also has 18-inch wheels in the rear and the green version of the GT500 has had its seats removed to reduce weight.

Prerace stats. are one thing for dialing in the right amount of force and for final tweaks. But it’s the final runs that count, no matter how well each car performed in the run-ups.

At first, both vehicles had some loss of traction, dropping in the 60-foot times to 1.8-seconds. Eventually, both vehicles hit a 9.9-second time, but there was one winner, by just a sliver. You will obviously have to watch the video to find out who eventually won.

Clearly, both vehicles are very capable on the strip. But what is the final conclusion from this little race? In our eyes, it shows that even with modifications, the latest GT500 is standardized enough to produce predictable outcomes. This means that you have a good idea within a few hundredths of a second what these vehicles are capable of in the real world.

Therefore, if you want to soup up your own GT500 with similar mods. (from the video description they have at least been treated to a ‘2020 GT500 Mods SPE Pulley’, ‘FOR PORTED BLOWER for 2020 GT500 from KONG Performance’ and ‘L&M Engines Cams’) you may get somewhere in the ballpark.

The post 1,000HP Shelby GT500s Drag Race appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Due to all this coronavirus malarkey, car shows have not been as prevalent as they once were. This doesn’t mean you can’t check out a whole heap of vintage muscle cars, as they are still available to view at your leisure at a wide variety of dealers. This will obviously mean more hunting and scouting about, but if you want to see these vehicles in the flesh, it’s one of the best ways in the current climate.

This particular rundown of classic muscle cars comes from Maplemotors in TN 37075, who has apparently been going for over 37 years. The range of cars goes from the 50s to present day, with some rather tasty examples shown from both in and outside the showroom. One of the initial standouts is a blue Mustang Boss 302, then a nice yellow Challenger with a modest 318ci. V8 under the hood, a purple 1971 SuperBee, and a 1970 yellow 440 Coronet.

At just under 15 minutes long, this video is a great overview of not just the inventory at Maplemotors, but also a brief glimpse into some of the wonderful shapes of yesteryear. If you want to find out more about the company, check out their website here.

The post Muscle Car Lot Walk Around appeared first on Muscle Car.

When we are in the situation of tasty new muscle cars not being released due to our virus ridden planet, it makes sense for people to start modding their cars. Home deliveries and sealed off garage areas have still been going full tilt, with plenty of engine swaps and upgrades being the order of the day.

Here we have a few examples of how you can get full tilt power from a Mopar, if you’re willing to roll your sleeves up and get stuck in.

Hellephant Swapped Challenger SRT Demon Dyno Test

First up is apparently the first recorded Hellephant engine swap into a Mopar. In this case the vehicle in question is a Challenger SRT Demon, which is the new home to the 426 Hellephant Engine V8. For the uninitiated, the ‘Hellephant’ was a limited run of crate engine kits, first revealed at SEMA 2018, producing 1,000 horsepower and 950 lb-ft of torque.

Unfortunately, the engine isn’t exactly road legal, but that hasn’t stopped the guys over at Demonology dropping it into a Dodge Demon. This is a bold move in itself, considering the Demon can throw out 808hp and 770 lb-ft torque on 91 octane gasoline without trying. But if you have the means, why not pop the most powerful Mopar engine into the highest ranked Dodge mobile.

Which begs the question how much power can the Hellephant produce? If you don’t want to run through the short video below then the answer is 944.82WHP and 877.46 lb-ft torque, running on a mix of E-40 fuel. Maybe with some detailed tweaking and fettling to certain engine components these figures can be increased slightly, but at least it gives a baseline reading for what the Hellephant can achieve in reality.

Don’t Mod Your 392/5.7L Hemi

This little video should be the spark for a whole slew of debate. The takeaway message here is, ‘You shouldn’t buy a car to build the motor.’ In other words, if you want to go as fast as a Hellcat, simply buy a Hellcat.

Ouch, since time immemorial people have been upgrading engines to eke out that extra bit of power. But we do get the point being given here. If its a 392 or an R/T you own, you may end up spending more money on the upgrades than just buying into a Hellcat. This makes sense if its just the power levels you are interested in.

Without getting into the intricacies of the pros and cons, simply watch the video and make up your own mind.

Dodge Challenger ‘Nitrous Nuke’

As a nice counter view to the argument above, what if owned had a Challenger 392, still wanted more power, but you’re not exactly enamored with forced induction? One possible solution is going down the nitrous route.

Along with a very cool body wrap, this Challenger has been treated to an Edelbrock-supplied Victor EFI intake manifold and a 100-shot of nitrous. Exterior features have also been added in the form of a new front splitter, carbon spoiler, universal air springs and an Air Lift Performance 3p digital management.

There doesn’t seem to be any power ratings for this hybrid setup, but if nothing else the body wrap, bagged stance and spoilers make for a very cool looking Mopar machine.

 

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Mopar Monday ?? ??- @ensooo_ #mopar #moparornocar #scatpack #truefiber #americanmuscle #baggedlife #edelbrock #wrappedcars #carporn #underglow #dodge #dodgeofficial #scatty

A post shared by Sergio (@chavez_scat92) on Sep 9, 2019 at 5:22pm PDT

1971 Plymouth GTX With Dodge Viper V10

Variety is the spice of life, so they say. Which means if new muscle cars with new engines or upgrades isn’t your thing, then why not go for a vintage vehicle with something equally as ridiculous under the hood. In this case it’s a 1971 Plymouth GTX with a rather tasty Dodge Viper V10 engine.

The whole project has been put together by Horsepower Northwest, Washington to be a driving machine. This meant upgrading everything along with the engine to Baer brakes, chassis upgrades, an 8.75 rear end, custom front and rear suspension and a wonderfully deep paint job.

 

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Man, it sure helps seeing these cars ahead of time to help the direction of the build. @abimelecdesign is one talented dude. GTX-R coming soon… #mopar #viperswap #plymouth #muscle #v10 #protouring #restomod #stocksucks #f8green #tagme

A post shared by Horsepower Northwest (@horsepower_northwest) on Nov 3, 2019 at 1:43pm PST

There’s clearly a million and one ways to upgrade any vehicle, with the deciding factor usually being how deep are your pockets. If money is never an issue, engines could be swapped out on a daily basis, with upgrades to your hearts content. However, most of us have to be more canny with our money, which means far more research and will our chosen bits provide the end results we expect.

Without thorough research, an endless journey of upgrades can not just hit the wallets, but also time and mental power. This is why a car for sale which has had endless modifications will rarely bring back the money ploughed into the thing. Hopefully, the examples above will give you a few ideas for modding or buying your own vehicle.

The post Muscle Car News: Modding Mopars appeared first on Muscle Car.

by Dave Ashton

While the majority of us have had to sit around twiddling our thumbs of late, at least the Dark Knight has been working on his car for the 2021 Batman reboot movie.

Apparently, the new movie will be based around Batman’s early days of crime-fighting, which calls for a less futuristic style Batmobile as seen in previous outings. Something more old school and not as sci-fi. looking, as per versions we’ve seen in previous films. As you can see from the image above, it’s almost a blend of Dodge Charger, Camaro and Mustang, with the pre-requisite Bat technology thrown into the mix.

This new Batmobile has a rear mounted engine (hopefully a large V8) with huge manifolds and side vented exhaust pipes. Other aspects of note are the red lighting around the car, which could be a callback to the color schemes of the Adam West Batmobile led TV shows of yesteryear.

Also of note are a few design changes to the Batmobile which are different than the first released teaser trailers from the new movie. The obvious standout is the lack of windshield wiper blades on this version, which means whatever we see in the teaser reals today, may at the least come out subtly different in the final movie.

One thing is for sure, the vehicle will be loaded up with all types of weaponry and hopefully the usual wealth of Bat gadgets. Let’s just hope though that the makers don’t follow the original Batman TV series of having to label everything in view with the precursor of ‘Bat’, e.g. Bat computer, Bat phone, Bat toilet.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post The New Batmobile Muscle Car appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

While it feels like most of the car industry is currently in cryo stasis, Dodge had been beavering away on the upcoming 2021 Dodge Durango Hellcat. Manufacturers such as General Motors has put the likes of the new Hummer on hold, as with Ford with a supposedly V8 Ranger Raptor Concept. But, Fiat Chrysler (FCA) has carried on in uncertain times, with a possible fall launch of the 707HP Dodge Durango Hellcat.

Reports from the likes of Mopar Insiders have stated that SRT engineers have been working from home with the renewed vehicle and as a top priority. With possible production starting on October 5, located at Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan.

As for a reveal date, there are no specifics, but most likely a reveal will come towards the end of 2020 as a live streaming event, before which we are surely going to be drip fed snippets of information and video.

Due to the uncertainty in the car industry in general, it makes sense for Dodge to focus on one of their more popular models. The Durango sold over 67,599 units last year, with 17,805 units being shifted in the first quarter of 2020.

Which begs the question, will this updated Durango Hellcat be just another powerful engine drop in or is there more to the story? Although information is currently thin on the ground, there should be stylistic changes along with interior improvements. Things like a 10.1 inch Uconnect infotainment system, but don’t expect a vast amount of difference as the current generation is in its ninth year. Plus, with past versions only lasting five years, a fourth-generation Durango could be coming as soon as 2022.

But, what of this newfangled Hellcat 707HP version? Power wise, it should be along the lines of the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. Which itself was capable of 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, a quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds and a limited top speed of 191mph. As the Durango is a touch heavier than the Trackhawk at 5,381 pounds, the Durango could be just a touch slower, but we will have to wait on this point. Plus, the Durango SRT Hellcat is going to be four-wheel-drive, which will be interesting to see how it lays down that power to each wheel.

Mixing up the popularity and might of the Hellcat engine along with the current fashion for SUVs makes total sense. Lets just hope they can make the seating 2 meters apart……..

The post 2021 Dodge Durango Hellcat 707HP Fall Muscle SUV appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The Chevrolet Camaro first went on sale in the fall of 1966 as a direct competitor to the Ford Mustang and has been scrapping it out ever since. Both muscle cars or more strictly pony cars have healthy V8 powerplants and are aimed at the same market segment, providing a nice balance between sporty performance, comfort and smaller dimensions than other full-sized muscle cars.

It was the Ford Mustang that essentially kicked off the pony car market in 1964 to great success. So much so that Chevrolet had to come up with their own pony car version. The Camaro also sold well, shifting 842,731 units in the first three years of production. Both companies also brought out their own high end versions of their vehicles, from the Ford side being the Shelby GT500 and GT350 and from Chevy the Camaro ZL1 in particular.

As each decade progressed from the 1960’s, the Camaro and the Mustang had their ups and downs like the rest of the muscle car market. With today’s models being more sports car focused, but still with that healthy V8 muscle under the hood. Mustangs have arguably the most global appeal, as they are available in the correct hand drive for many European markets. But, that hasn’t stopped the grassroots rivalry and it will probably always be that for both these vehicles being directly compared above others.

Which brings us to the video below which outlines the standout Camaros and Mustangs from each decade and how they line up against each other. This video is also a nice little overview of what each model provided in each decade, along with their individual features.

We’re not going to tell you which ultimately came out on top, you’ll have to watch the video yourself. But at the least, it will show why both vehicles having lasted for over 50 years, irrespective of which has the competitive edge.

For which car had the best attributes can be argued till the cows come home. And it’s usually the case that if you like a certain model, that’s all there is to it. Which is fine, as personal preferences are allowed. But, if you’re still on the fence for which one will be your next potent ride, then this little history lesson may help you decide. Not just with the new vehicles, but also if you want to buy into one of the older versions.

Either way, both companies have produced some standout motors across their lifespans and that on the whole, should be celebrated.

The post Mustang vs Camaro – Who won each decade? appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

While many vintage pony/muscle cars are retrieved from barns and fields, in this case a 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 was pulled from the bottom of a river, which had apparently been sat there for over 40 years.

The tipoff of the whereabouts of this particular Mustang came from a getaway driver, who mentioned that a few vehicles could be located at the Tualatin Boat Ramp, Oregon. The job was than on for scuba divers to salvage the car in question, with the aid of lift bags and a good deal of manpower.

As you can imagine, trying to hoist out a vehicle which has been sat at the bottom of a river gathering all types of sediment for decades has taken its toll on the bodywork. At 25 minutes into the video, you can see that the car is missing its engine and to be quite honest, is just about recognisable as a car, never mind as a 1973 Mustang.

Taking a total of two days to recover the car and with 8000 pounds of mud to be removed, it’s amazing the guys actually bothered with the project in the first place. What will be be most interesting from this point onwards is if anything can be done with the remains. It’s going to be a brave set of people who take on the challenge of any type of restoration. But, even if nothing becomes of this particular vehicle, it does show that in all the rivers and lakes, there could be valuable vehicles just waiting to be recovered.

The post 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Found 40 Years Later appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Like most people who are currently in the locked down lifestyle, I’m binge watching movies like they’re going out of fashion. Some new, some old, but what I couldn’t believe I’ve missed in the past, was the growling Dodge Charger from the Blade movies. The car isn’t exactly on screen for long, but it does make its presence felt with its deep down, growling V8 engine.

The car in question is a B-Body 1968 Charger R/T, which in the movie has a hood scoop, implying a 440 Six Pack V8 from an A12 1969 Road Runner, with chrome trim and Centerline aluminum wheels. Plus, inside are a bunch of custom toggle switches, shotgun holster and anti-vampire mechanisms such as UV lights and a spot of nitrous injection. There’s also extra lights behind the front grille, with traction bars also fitted to presumably plough through the legions of vampires.

The Dodge Charger can be seen the most in the first movie, mainly because Blade II was largely shot in Europe, where Mopar parts aren’t exactly ready to hand and muscle car mechanics short in supply. Apparently it was just the one car that was used in the first three Blade movies, with a 383 Magnum V8 under the hood, which was then sold in 2006 for $40,000.

There doesn’t seem to be any sign of the whereabouts of the vehicle since its sale, with the closest being this reproduction car https://peaklegends.ch/gallery-2/1968-dodge-charger-blade/ which at least gives us a closer look at the vampire killer.

With a remake of the movie in the works, could the Charger make a reappearance?

The post Blade’s 1968 Dodge Charger appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

While the majority of us are currently locked down with no place to go, we can always revel in this quick matchup between a Dodge Demon and a Lamborghini Aventador. This video comes from Series 25 of Top Gear where Matt LeBlanc provides mostly an overview of the drag monster that is the Dodge Demon. This, along with giving us a few surprises for the uninitiated of what exactly the Dodge Demon is capable of.

The usual specs. for the Demon are given, such as the 840hp, a 0-60mph time of 2.1 seconds and our own additions, a total weight of 4,280 lbs and a 1/4 mile time of 9.54 seconds at 140mph. A few other stats are thrown into the mix, along with how you can spend one dollar on the Demon crate and how the Demon is not exactly the most adept at cornering, at least compared to a supercar. But, the focus here is the matchup with the Lamborghini Aventador and how the two perform down the dragstrip.

We don’t care about spoilers here, with the point being the Aventador gets completely spanked in the Dodge Demon’s home territory. If this was around a winding track then the Aventador would definitely be the winner. But, that’s not the point here. The point is to show that the Dodge Demon is unapologetically optimized for straight-line speed. Plus, for the original asking price of $84,996, the Demon will happily put most supercars and hyper cars in their place on its home turf. Essentially, the Dodge Demon is using old school American principles where displacement is king and for straight-line speed, the formula still works today.

It’s almost a shame that the Demon was limited to only 3,300 units, but at the least the Challenger and Charger Redeye goes some way to match the criteria of the Demon.

The post Dodge Demon vs Lamborghini Aventador Drag Race appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

That’s right, a Mercury Comet Cyclone GT available for restoration at no cost, as long as you’re a young car enthusiast. The idea was born after watching Casey Putsch’s YouTube channel, which prompted the owner of the Cyclone GT to offer his car for free as inspiration for the younger types to get into the long tradition of restoring classic cars.

First a little back history about the story. Mike had a learning disability in school and it was the help of a seventh grade English teacher who spotted Mike’s mechanically inclined potential. The teacher provided Mike with the factory service manual to his own Mercury Cougar, from which he quickly went from failing pupil to A grades.

This is basically the starting point of Mike’s automotive career and now he wishes to pass on the same gesture. Basically, the Cyclone GT is available to a young car enthusiast who cannot afford a classic muscle car, but would love to work on one. Partnering with Casey Putsch of Genius Garage, they hope to find the right person to jump into this project.

As for the car itself, it is an all original, 1967 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT S-Code, with a 390ci. V8, originally producing 335HP and 427 lb.ft. of torque.

An amazing gesture and hopefully inspiration to others to provide the younger generation with donor vehicles. However, one of the major reasons why muscle cars are becoming less accessible, is just like other classic cars, their value is continually increasing. Which is making easy to work on cars less and less accessible. Vehicles which can be repaired with a basic toolkit rather than a laptop. Promoting basic mechanical skills and the sense of satisfaction when the project is complete.

It’s not just a skill set that is slowly dying out, but also the knock-on value and confidence of being able to repair basic mechanical items. There was a time when things were simply repaired to keep them going. Not thrown away or sold as soon as they break or get a little old. Which means this isn’t just about restoring an old muscle car, but also restoring a certain way of thinking. Maybe this will be inspiration for other vehicles to be accessible to the younger types to work on.

If you’re interested, then email GeniusGarage@Hotmail.com with the subject ‘musclecar.’ Explaining who you are, your plans for the car and why you are the ideal person. Deadlines for the email are March 31st 2020.

The post Mercury Comet Cyclone GT S code For Free! appeared first on Muscle Car.

When it comes to rowdy late-model Mustang builds, no one does it better than Justin Dugan at AmericanMuscle (AM). In AM’s latest Hot Lap episode, Justin takes the keys to AM employee Kylen’s 2017 Mustang GT to install an Air Lift suspension and VMP supercharger, among some other tasteful Mustang mods, before a trip to the dyno for some before and after power numbers.

From bags, to blowers, to GT350 bumpers and more, you won’t want to miss out on #allthemods!

Watch it here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/hotlap-march-2020.html

The post Bagged and Blown S550 Mustang Build Video appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

There’s nothing like a good old drag race, especially when it comes to rival makes of car. For those who don’t really get the drag race concept, it’s a bit like watching the 100m meters sprint final in the Olympics. On the surface it’s just a bunch of guys running for about nine seconds, but it’s the deciding event for who is potentially the fastest person in the world and the most popular event of the games. With drag racing, cars replace the humans and events can happen any time, anywhere. Not every four years with national TV coverage.

So, back to the events at hand. This little match up pits European performance ideologies against seemingly raw American muscle. ‘Raw’ in the sense that the McLaren 720S costs $350,000, while the Charger Hellcat comes in at $80,000. In this respect, you could almost by 3 1/2 Charger Hellcats for one McLaren 720S. Plus, the Charger is a four-door. Far more practical on a day-to-day basis. Plus, the McLaren is said to depreciate by $80,000 in less than two years.

Which brings us to the specs. of each vehicle. In the light blue corner, the McLaren 720S takes a very high-tech approach, chock-full of carbon fiber wrapped around a 4.0 Liter Twin Turbo V8 producing 710 HP, 568 lb/ft. of torque(now around 850HP) and weighs in at approximately 3200lbs. The video also mentions that the McLaren is running through a 7 speed dual clutch transmission, has had a tune up, on drag radials and may have catless downpipes.

In the dark blue corner, the Hellcat Charger sports a 6.2 Supercharged V8, producing 707 HP and 650 lb/ft of torque, through an 8 speed automatic transmission when stock. But this one has been tuned with a Pulley, Tune, E85 and Drag Radials, now produces 900 HP. This one weighing in at a more substantial 4400lbs.

Both vehicles represent their own individual ways of producing power and laying it down. The McLaren adopts the European view of squeezing the most power from the liters it has under the hood, while the Charger sticks to the ‘no replacement for displacement’ principle. You could also argue that this is a matchup between turbos versus superchargers, heavyweight versus lightweight and value for money versus prestige supercar.

We’re not going to give away any spoilers here, you’ll have to watch the short video. However, on launch, the Hellcat Charger gets the upper hand, thanks to the instant power of the supercharger, but the McLaren soon starts to make up ground.

Conclusion

Which brings us to the point of does this video draw any conclusions? Without even touching a road surface, the Dodge Charger Hellcat is far better value for money. Kind of irrelevant if you have the funds to afford a McLaren. If you are in the market for a performance vehicle, is relatively practical with a four-door layout and is sensibly priced, then the Dodge Charger is a good option.

Add to the fact that any upgrades performed on a Charger are going to be a hell of a lot cheaper and without the worry of something going wrong on a vehicle costing over a quarter of a million, like the McLaren.

I think perfectly summed up by one of the comments from the video, ‘Great race, only 2 tenths difference. The McLaren is an awesome car, but practical? The Dodge is bullet-proof, American made, has a trunk, and can carry 4 people. The McLaren, not so much. A ten-second daily driver street monster; what’s not to like?! Not to mention you can keep a whole pile of cash in your bank acct.’

The post 900HP Hellcat Charger vs. 850HP McLaren 720S Drag Race appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

There’s no denying that the latest Dodge Charger has got its money’s worth out of the current design. The latest model will be turning nine years old this year, with its 10th birthday coming up ever nearer. A remarkable feat for any car model, but just like the Dodge Challenger, fans are itching for a new design.

The problem is that sales of the Dodge Charger are ever more buoyant and there is a definite method of thinking, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ A redesigned Charger ‘may’ come out in the next few years(possibly 2023), but that hasn’t stopped a few designers, in particular Marouane Bembli aka ‘TheSketchMonkey’ coming up with their own ideas of how the new Charger should look. You can check out TheSketchMonkey’s design and methodology below.

Love or hate the design, the video at least gives the thought processes behind the changes made. In a nutshell, this interpretation has more square lights and generally a more squared off look. The front fascia also has a more busy design than the current model and although he says it’s more about the focus on power than styling, I think the softer lines of present look more appealing.

You’re going to get a better idea of the design differences with the image below. For me, the straight grille and lighting closures is reminiscent of older muscle cars. But, on the modern design, the slightly curved front end looks the better of the two. However, the longer, more chiseled sides of the new design look quite appealing, almost making the car appear longer than it actually is.

The iconic 1969 Dodge Charger

Okay, the Dodge Charger was birthed in 1966, but it’s arguably the second generation and roughly the 1968-1969 Dodge Charger designer that is the most iconic. The huge, split front grille, long smoothed out body and rounded rear taillights. It’s also the design that made it to the most movies and TV shows.

Dodge are hardly going to pump out a reproduction of this classic, but it will give you an idea after a few seconds of staring at the thing where some of the design principles of today come from.
Should Dodge make a modern version of this Charger or opt. for a completely new design?

Can the design be improved?

Which brings us to the official redesign of the Dodge Charger. When a concept design is measured up against the current model, it’s easy to see why the latest design has lasted so long. Not too out of place from modern sedans, but still having muscle car aesthetics. The more rounded lines of the current model simply look more bulbous and muscular. Fitting the original muscle car statement of being a medium-size sedan with that extra level of performance and power.

Whoever redesigns the next Dodge Charger is going to be rewarded with a large bonus if they can make everybody happy with the next version. Changing the look of something that’s worked for nearly a decade is a tough proposition. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was only minor changes to the current model, with most of the upgrades being under the skin.

Either way, we’re going to have to wait a good few years before we see any type of design change. In the meantime, revel in the success of a design which has hit the mark and not had to change for the sake of it. In this case, change may not always be for the better.

If you need any performance parts feel Dodge Charger, you may want to check out Spohn Performance

The post Could This Be The New Dodge Charger Design? appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

It’s hardly original staging a muscle car drag race and it’s not exactly the most scientific way to prove which car is best, but as Ford have decided to release a 2020 version of the Mustang Shelby GT500, it’s a pre-requisite to stage a line-up test.

Edmunds are the guys who have arranged this little side-by-side comparison, which features the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye and the Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE, up against the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500. All three vehicles have the pre-requisite pony/muscle car DNA, but also different mentalities. The Redeye is the most obvious full on muscle car, while the other two have more of a slants to the sports car market.

But, this is a straightforward drag race and no matter how well each of these vehicles can go around a corner, it’s how fast they can go from A to B that accounts.

For starters, the Dodge has the most power under the hood with 797HP and 707 pound-feet of torque, which is about 3 billion kW in new money or we would like to think so. The GT500 is the next most powerful with 760Hp and 625 lb-ft of torque, the Camaro coming last having 650HP and 650 lb-ft. of torque. So, the Dodge has the most initial umph, but it also has to shift the most weight at 4,527 pounds, with the Mustang coming second and the Camaro third in these stats.

It’s obviously best to watch the short video to see the outcome, but for those who can’t wait, each car started off the line with launch control enabled. Each vehicle looked a little jerky off the line, but once they got going, the GT500 was the one to start making up ground and eventually crossed the finishing line first. Then the Camaro, than the Challenger.

After a few runs, the results were the same. Does this mean the GT500 is the best of the three? That depends on if you want to judge the vehicles on just one drag race. Although the Redeye has the most power, it also weighs the most, but it was only a touch behind the other two. The Camaro is also a good performer, but it’s the GT500 that seems to be balancing the power to weight ratio the best.

These cars in reality are shaping up to be completely different beasts. You got to love the Red Eye for its simply outlandish performance and muscle car aesthetics, while the Camaro wants to be a full on sports car which just so happens to have a V8. You could argue the same for the GT500, but with the extra horsepower levels than the Camaro and lighter weight than the Dodge, it’s a good happy medium between the two.

Let us know your thoughts on this little drag race in the comments and does it prove anything or not.

The post Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 vs. Hellcat Redeye vs. Camaro ZL1 1LE Drag Race appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Dodge, over recent years have definitely been flying the flag high for the muscle car. Variants of the Hellcat, the limited edition Demon and even souped up SUVs have been causing a stir. 2020 looks like it’s going to follow similar proceedings. Maybe not with a groundbreaking new model, but more likely building on the current success. In other words, model variants and slight tweaks to what is currently available.

This little video by Automotive Territory gives an overview of potential models for 2020 from Dodge and some of the possible standouts. There’s even rumor-mongering about a 2020 Dodge Viper, a likely competitor to the mid-engine Corvette C8, but unless this is a very limited edition run, it’s hard to see a fully fledged Viper coming back so soon.

If you want a quick summary of the possible output from Dodge in 2020, then check out this video.

The post Dodge Automobiles For 2020 appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

There’s always something very sexy and appealing about a high-quality restomod build. The whole point of a restomod build is to take the classic looks from a vintage muscle car and then kit it out with the latest and greatest parts. Not just that, but also providing the car with the detail and finish to turn the heads of the most critical show judges.

In this regard, Sixtwelve Autoworx Have stuck to this principle, opting to migrate all the best bits from a modern Dodge Charger Hellcat into a classic 1969 Charger. The ultimate idea was to give classic looks, but also as it states at the beginning of the video, the feeling and drivability that you’d expect in a modern Hellcat Charger.

Making everything works seamlessly is the number one task which started with upgrading the suspension, a cold air intake and a Magna flow exhaust. Everything else was bone stock out of the Hellcat. Lining up everything so it fits, then making loads of parts from carbon fiber was the common theme here, with many tweaks needed to the original Charger body to make everything fit.

For example, the explanation of how they molded a new mirror enclosure to fit the workings of the Hellcat version, shows the level of detail put into this build.

You’re obviously going to have to dig deep into your funds to enjoy a ride such as this one. But, if you want the best of the best of marrying the old and the new, you can’t go far wrong with this build.

The post The 2019/1969 Dodge Charger Hellcat Concept appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

If you’ve not asked Santa for anything specific as yet, then this 2020 Ford GT With 1,000HP could be a nice little stocking filler. Lebanon Ford, Ohio who have release some tasty value packages in the past, have put together ‘project M’ which starts with a 300a Mustang GT, performance pack level 1 and a 10R80 automatic transmission.

To whip up the horsepower levels, customers have a range of choices, starting with either a Whipple 3.0 Gen 5 Supercharger or a D1X stage 2 Procharger. A Fore innovation double pump fuel system, Palm beach dyno Ngauge, 93/E85 custom tune and all the necessary bits to handle the power such as fuel injectors, front heat exchanger and cooler thermostat. If e85 is not your preference, then the car can be tweaked to run on 93 octane, which cuts the power down to 800HP. We all have to make sacrifices somewhere….

The other side benefit is that the dealership will also work with a regular manual Mustang GT, without the performance Pack, making the total package come in at $49,995. Without the performance Pack, you will have to address areas such as the brakes, to handle all that power. But, the dealership seems to have most bases covered, which means that additional items can be easily fitted. These also include upgraded billet oil pump gears, an improvement over the regular ones found in the Coyote V8 and an optional drag package which includes things like upgraded suspension, wheels/tires and a carbon fiber driveshaft.

There’s the obvious option of buying all the bits itself. But, at least with this route everything is put together by an authorized Ford dealer and although there isn’t a powertrain warranty due to the customised nature, the peace of mind with this route and the competitive price should be a winner.

You can check out more about the package and its intricacies from the link below.

Find out more information here.

The post 2020 Ford GT With 1,000HP For $54,995 appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The Dodge Omni is one of those vehicles which for muscle car fan, or at least Dodge fans, they would probably like to forget. The Dodge Omni was produced between 1977 and 1990, during the considered low point for muscle cars. By this meaning, compacts ruled and small European sized engines became the norm. Nothing like the huge, growling V8’s of old and their imposing size.

However, the model did have some high points such as the 1986 Shelby GLHS, which had a 2.2 L engine, producing 175 horsepower and a Turbo II setup. The car was also marketed to the Europeans in the form of the Chrysler or Talbot Horizon, which I actually owned back in the day. From my faltering memory, it was a solid runner, with the only downside being a synchromesh transmission, which meant you had to be at a complete stop before you could put in first gear for some reason. The only other problem was in its basic form, it was just a runaround, not exactly a performance vehicle. In all other respects happy memories and I can’t remember it breaking down once.

Which brings us onto this video, which shows in the right hands, you can turn any car into a mean machine. Proven by their impressive time of 9.99 seconds at 143mph. You’ll also notice that the skinny tires are at the back, with thicker slicks upfront as its front wheel drive here.

The engine in this one is a 2.5L, a GT 3582 turbo, with the transmission out of a Dodge Daytona Shelby Z. As the car completed almost a 1,000 miles, over four tracks during drag week without a hitch, shows that these little beasts still have reliability.

Goes to show, that looks can be deceiving and with the right tweaking, these not so obvious rides can be loads of fun.

The post A Turbo Dodge Omni GLH Hits 9.99 Secs. at 143mph appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

When it comes to giving an overview of all the fantastic performance vehicles at the 2019 SEMA show, there’s nothing like just sitting back and watching the SEMA cruise or even a bunch of highlights. The SEMA cruise lets you see the majority of vehicles coming in and out of the show in quick succession. No in-depth detail on each vehicle, but nevertheless, great eye candy.

In this regard, the below videos cover the SEMA cruise, along with an extended video of the cruise leading up to the Ignited after party.

Leaving SEMA cruise part one

Leaving SEMA cruise part two

SEMA cruise to Ignited after party

As for the latest and greatest American vehicles and muscle cars at the show, the 2020 C8 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible was on display. By convertible, that means a hardtop version, as the soft top version has been ditched. An LT2 6.2-liter V8 with a base level 495 horsepower will come from the now supercar and on initial impressions, this is one tasty number.

Another tasty offering from the bow tie guys, comes in the form of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8.R. This is the first proper mid-engined Corvette racer, which was displayed this year with a silver and yellow livery, inspired by the Aerovette and CERV of old.

Ford were also there showing off a few of their offerings in the form of the Ford and Webasto Lithium Mustang Prototype. Its stated to have an equivalent of 900 horsepower from a 800-volt Webasto battery system, but being fully electric, we’re burying our heads in the sand and pretending this one doesn’t exist.

Onto happier notes, California Pony Cars have souped up a 2019 GT Fastback, to create the ultimate GT. A Ford Performance supercharger kit has been added, along with a Borla exhaust system and custom panels.

There was also the Shelby GT500 Dragon Snake Concept, which is a step up from the Shelby GT500, which produces over 800 horsepower, with loads of upgrades and the standout feature being a gigantic rear wing.

Lots more to come from SEMA in the coming days, so stay tuned.

The post 2019 SEMA Cruise Highlights appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The annual Sema Show from Las Vegas is always going to be the perfect platform for launching the latest and greatest, when it comes to performance vehicles. This year was no different with the SpeedKore guys unveiling an all wheel drive, widebody Dodge Charger, which pumps out an eye watering 1,525HP. This one’s a custom build for the same guy who ordered a souped up Dodge Demon from the company. Meaning it’s not just the show car.

The video above goes into a lot of detail behind the car, but essentially everything is wrapped around a 6.2-liter V8 engine and 6466 ball-bearing billet turbochargers, with modifications from Gearhead Fabrications. Also include are custom Thitek heads, triple-pump fuel system, Boost Leash C02 progressive boost controller and 1,700cc injectors. There’s also a dual setup for both the track and the road via a valve-controlled MagnaFlow setup. A custom AWD transmission is put in place with Bogart Competition Series wheels and street-legal Mickey Thompson ET tires to finish off the equation.

SpeedKore seem to like their carbon fibre components and this car is no difference with the bumpers, bonnet and fenders all being made from the stuff. Obviously the power output is the biggest talking point, but this car is more about the overall package and the high build quality, which is apparent from the mechanicals to the overall look. Yep, some guys have all the luck.

If you want to check out the other specialist builds from the company, then check out their website here.

The post SpeedKore 1,525 Horsepower AWD Dodge Charger Debuts At SEMA appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The SEMA 2019 car show has now been and gone with the expected array of fantastic custom builds and jawdropping vehicles. As per usual, the show was cram packed with all types of muscle cars ranging from the vintage to the brand-new. Custom builds to the latest and greatest.

Chevy had a good turnout this year with plenty of first-gen Camaros, Novas and Chevelles, along with some odd creations such as the 1959 El Camino, known as ‘Hulk-Camino.’ Mr. Mike Finnegan from roadkill fame displayed his 1955 Chevy, called ‘Blasphemi’ which was displayed on the MotorTrend booth in the Central Hall, while their were more contemporary build such as Hennessey’s Camaro ZL1 ILE ‘Resurrection’ which sports a huge 1,200HP.

Other top mentions include the Ring Brothers Camaro ‘Valkyrja’ which won the Battle of the Builders competition as seen below. It’s apparently the most expensive build from the guys and sports a 416Ci. V8 and 2.9L Whipple Supercharger, through a Tremec six-speed manual and produces a whopping 890 horsepower.

As with all these things, it’s much better to check out some overview videos to get a flavor of the show. Thus, check out some of the videos below to get an idea of the range of vehicles that was on show this year. We’ll be bringing you more news as it drips in, so remember to check back regularly.

RingBrothers VALKYRJE walkaround

SEMA 2019 Race and Performance Hall

SEMA 2019 General Walk Around

The post 2019 SEMA Muscle Car Highlights appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Watching the ever growing wave of electric vehicles every year isn’t the most comforting news for muscle car fans. It’s work as usual at the moment with the ongoing V8 engine, but there’s going to be a time in the not too distant future when manufacturers are going to start to look to an electric alternative.

Luckily, there are designers and engineers already working on the problem and one such company is Electric GT from California, who are working on a crate engine which has all stylings of a classic V8, just within the electric format. The idea is to have a direct replacement for a traditional V8 engine, which can be dropped straight into a car without major modifications. This means that an existing transmission can be used and most of the present workings you would find in a traditional V8 vehicle.

The idea of the electric crate engine is for it to be modular. This means parts can be swapped out to fit personal requirements. At the moment this will include two crate engines in the lineup, with the most powerful being a 180 kilowatts (240 horsepower) version. The makers say that one of the main advantages will be extremely low maintenance ongoing, coupled with high performance.

If you want to track the progress of these guys, then you can visit their website for more information – https://www.electricgt.com/

Could this be the way to go for replacement V8 engines? It would be great to hear your thoughts on this matter, so please comment below.

The post Could Electric GT Provide The Ultimate Electic V8? appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

It’s not a surprise really that the hotly anticipated 2020 Shelby GT500 gets one of its first public showings from Jay Leno’s Garage. If you’ve missed the headlines, this latest GT500 will be sporting 760 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque. Enough umph to please the majority of muscle car fans and all the performance gadgets you would ever need for thrilling track performance.

In this video Jay is accompanied by Ford’s Dave Pericak, who doesn’t just go along for the ride, but also digs into some of the background of the car and why this time around it is so special.

One of the main talking points is the supercharged 5.2L cross plane crank V8, which has been tweaked in all sorts of manner, to produce their most potent powertrain. Other stand outs are the 16.5-inch front rotors, carbon-fiber wheels, magnesium strut tower braces and a rear wing that can cut through the air like an arrow.

One remark which kind of sums up the whole thing from Leno, ‘I think we’ve reached the point where original equipment is as good as it gets. There’s nothing really an aftermarket guy can do to this to make it faster than what it is now, without breaking emissions rules or something of that nature.’

At this point, the 2020 Shelby GT500 is shaping up to be something special from the big oval brand. Once official prices and release dates emerge, it’s going to be interesting how this performance vehicle shapes up against the rest of the market. If sales of the regular Mustang GT are anything to go by, the 2020 GT500 should sell like hotcakes.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post Ford’s 2020 Shelby GT500 Mustang From The Jay Leno Garage appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Most muscle car hunters on the lookout for stashed away gems, may have the mindset of always checking out fields, barns and little stored away garages and units. But as revealed here by Patrick Glenn Nichols, these things can crop up anywhere like in a bunch of tractor-trailers down in Kentucky.

The immediate signs are of a property holding a bunch of old trailers and the like. For example an old Mack firetruck and plenty of other vehicles, but once a few of the trailers are opened up, there is a plethora of vintage muscle cars hidden within. They mostly consist of old GM vehicles, like an old Chevelle, a Camaro Z/28 and a Pontiac Firebird.

Clearly, each of these vehicles will need to be verified for exactly what they are, but there’s definitely a lot of potential tucked away in this little hideaway.

It’s definitely worth checking out the full video to get the full rundown, but if anything, the big takeaway here is that vintage muscle cars can be stowed away in the most unlikely of places. So, next time you’re sailing down a little country road, keep your eyes peeled for tell-tale signs of cars being stored. You never know what you will find.

The post Tractor Trailers Found With Loads Of Vintage Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

It’s oh so pleasurable to see a muscle car prove its worth against not just modern sports cars, but also top-of-the-line supercars. Okay, supercars are more finely fettled machines, with a price tag to match. But, when they are up against a Dodge Challenger Demon on home territory, i.e. the dragstrip, things don’t always go their way.

In this video from Demonology, a bunch of the hottest supercars go up against the SRT Demon in a one-on-one drag race. In this environment, the far less costly Demon doesn’t care about the prestige or exclusivity of the rest. The Dodge Demon is optimized for this platform so the rest had better watch out.

if you’re unfamiliar with the Dodge Demon, it’s a limited edition run(3300) of the Dodge Challenger with some rather tasty goodies under the hood. That’s a 6.2L V8 engine with a 2.8 liter supercharger, pumping out 840HP on race gas, 770 lb-ft. of torque and a 0-60MPH time of 2.1 seconds and a quarter-mile in 9.54 seconds at 14MPH. The top speed being 203MPH.

It’s even in the Guinness book of Records as the first production car to have a trans brake and able to pop a wheelie on the start line. Prices on release started at $84,995, with prices now going from the mid $120k mark to $140k, depending on the options.

In comparison, the supercars featured in the video are the Porsche 911 Turbo at roughly $160k for a 2018 model, a Ferrari 488 GTB at $260k for a 2018 model, a Lamborghini Huracan at $270K and a McLaren 570S averaging at $180K.

In some respects, the Demon going up against cars that can cost nearly twice the price, should mean twice as good, right? Not exactly when it comes to straight-line speed.

Firstly, the Demon proves its point against the Porsche 911 Turbo, beating it twice easily. The Porsche is no slouch with 500HP+, but even against the heavyweight Demon, it can’t keep up. The Ferrari 488 GTB comes up next with a twin-turbocharged V8, producing 660HP. In fairness, the Ferrari wasn’t exactly quick off the mark, which was down to the driver, but you get the point.

Next up, the Lamborghini Huracan is the same story. This one is a 610HP, V10 with all wheel drive. Great for round a track and in bad conditions, but it just simply can’t keep up on the straight against the Demon. Lastly, the McLaren 570S is all supercar and has the looks to boot, but again it’s left in the tire smoke of the Demon.

So what’s the ultimate conclusion here? It’s no real surprise that the Dodge Demon performed as it did. It’s completely optimized for the drag strip and while the others may be able to dance around a track like a thoroughbred pony, the Demon shows that modern muscle cars are ever more capable.

You may already be thinking that the Dodge Demon is a limited edition model, thus extra zest added to the power. Wouldn’t it be more fare lining up something like the Dodge Challenger Redeye, which is a mainstream model. This one has 797HP and can the currently picked up for the mid. $80 mark. However, it’s still showing that even as a limited edition model, the Dodge Demon with all its extra goodies and still far cheaper than a supercar, can still produce the goods. The others could bring in limited edition models, but there would be an even bigger price gap and it’s more than likely that the results would be roughly the same.

This isn’t to say that the Dodge Demon or even the other top line muscle cars out there can trounce any supercar for a third of the money. No, it’s showing that modern muscle cars are clearly that, ‘modern’ and although still heavyweights, are still highly capable machines. So, next time you’re thinking of shopping for that high-end motor, maybe give the Dodge Demon a thought.

The post Watch The Dodge Challenger Demon Beat SuperCars At the Drag Strip appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

It only takes a few simple ingredients to make a modern muscle car spine tingly exciting. In reality, it’s a bit more complicated than that, but when you mix in a Dodge Challnger Hellcat with power levels that hit 5000bhp, then things get exciting. In this case, it’s with the ‘Vixen’ Hellcat, which is arguably one of the most potent muscle machines around.

Earlier in the year, after being finely tuned and fettled, the twin turbocharged Challenger popped down to Cecil County Dragstrip and put down a staggering three second range time over a 8th mile at 197 miles per hour. You can check out the video footage below. It’s definitely worth a few minutes of watching to see the initial burnouts and then an in car view of Rich Bruder blasting his way over the finish line.

So how did the guys behind the Vixen ramp up an already potent Hellcat to such ridiculous power levels? As you can probably guess, everything on this car has been fine tuned from the tube chassis to the inclusion of the 528ci. Hemi V8. The engine comes from DiSomma Racing, fitted with two Precision 98-millimeter turbochargers, cranking out 5000 brake horsepower and propelling the 3,050-pound of Detroit muscle to the superquick times, all running on methanol. Basically, 0-200mph in just under four seconds.

We wrote about all this earlier in the year, but like any high-powered offering, the car doesn’t stand still for long. Checking out the Vixen’s Facebook page there is a constant evolution to tweak as much power out of the thing and go faster than ever.

The next showing of the Vixen Hellcat will be at Palm Beach International Raceway, October 11-12 as part of the Street Outlaws, no Prep. Kings event. For other details about when the car will next show its face, check out their Facebook page from the link above.

The post 5000hp ‘Vixen’ Dodge Challenger Hellcat Still Flying appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The simple purity of a drag race never stops being appealing. Who’s the fastest or can one car beat another is the never-ending question. In this case its going through the motions of can a Dodge Hellcat matchup against a Drag Built 10 Speed Mustang.

Without giving away any spoilers, you get to see a good few runs and the story of slowly, tweaking and optimizing the cars to squeeze out those extra tenths of a second.

What was the final outcome? You’ll have to watch the full video to find out.

The post Hellcat Street Car Vs. Drag Built 10 Speed Mustang appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The Ford 2020 Shelby GT500 is going to be one hot topic when it hits the showrooms, especially with an impressive 760HP. The car will have plenty of features to appeal to not just the pony/muscle car world, but also performance fans in general. But, what are the newfangled upgrades that are going into the latest engine and how is it built?

Before getting into the usual description of the ‘bits’ and why they are so much better than before, one of the standout features of this engine is that it will be built by a single builder, with support from other assistants and computerization on a special assembly line called the Niche Line.

The Niche Line is where the best of the companies performance power plants are put together that has been on-going since 1996 to build the Four Valve 4.6L V8 for the Mustang Cobra. This is essentially a boutique line which is responsible for the supercharged 5.2-liter engine going into the Shelby GT500 and the engine plants for all the top Fords. A very personal way of working for such a large entity of a company.

As for the specifics of the new engine, it will be a supercharged 5.2L cross-plane crank V8 making 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque, mated to a a TREMEC seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission from the Ford GT and claim to do a quarter-mile in under 11.0 seconds, 0-to-60-mph in the mid-3-second range and a top speed which will be governed at 180 mph, redlining at 7,500 RPM the.

Each engine that goes into the 2020 Shelby GT500 will get its own personal plaque with a signature from the engine builder and dubbed, ‘“Hand-Built with Pride.’ Shelby fan or not, this video is worth watching to see how one of these modern V8’s is put together in a hands-on method, counter to what we usually expect from such a large car manufacturer.

The post How Niche Line Build The Ford 2020 Shelby GT500 760HP Predator appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Some people seem to have all the luck. The Barn Find Hunters from Hagerty seems to be one such bunch when they stumbled across this large clutch of desirable muscle cars outside of Lubbock, Texas. A wide expanse of land with loads of vintage vehicles baking away in the heat, with one car standing out in particular, a Pontiac GTO Judge.

At first glance, the Judges looks like it was parked recently and has just let the sun do its usual oxidizing on the paintwork. From the video commentary this is a Carousel Red Judge the paint being original, with a white interior, 400ci V8 4 barrel Ram Air III and a four speed. The odometer also reads 00002.4. Although they cannot pop the hood, the owner says he has driven the car, but doesn’t go into detail for when and for how long. In other words, this is a prime, classic muscle car, begging to be restored.

As for value, the on the spot appraisal was condition 4, which is fair, but above the condition of this car $38,900. Good $56,000 and in concours condition $127,000. unfortunately, the car is not for sale, bah. Rick doesn’t say in the video. If he has any plans for the Judge. he clearly doesn’t want to sell, but will it eventually be restored?

There’s plenty of other vehicles dotted around the land, which could possibly be for sale. But, if Rick ever parts with the Pontiac is another question. In any case, it’s worth watching the video in its entirety as there are loads of vehicles they inspect which are all very interesting in their own rights.

The post Pontiac GTO Judge Field Find appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Just when you thought all the vintage muscle cars in the world have been discovered and snapped up, along comes another bountiful Muscle Car Collection. In this case it’s a huge gathering of old GM muscle cars.

There are quite a few old GM classics in this muscle car collection. Pontiac GTOs, 442 Cutlasses, Hurst Oldsmobiles, a 1970 Buick GS Stage 1…the list goes on. There are also some rarities thrown into the mix like a special order GTO in rare Cardinal Red. Most are non-numbers matching and have been sat for over 15 years. Thankfully, in a temperature controlled environment, which means most of them should have metalwork in good condition. Obviously, that doesn’t take into account the condition they were first brought into the storage environment as some clearly have a few rust holes. There is a varied enough selection here to grab somebody’s interest for their next restoration project.

At this point the video should have whetted your appetite, but where are they, are they for sale, is there an inventory list to choose from, etc.? The bottom line – the collection is for sale and has been documented in the video by Auto Archaeology, who will put interested parties in touch with the owners of the collection. All the vehicles are waiting to be restored and are in a variety of conditions – some with engines, some without.

I can only think that the passing on of interested parties to the seller via email is to cut down on tire kickers. If you’re interested in buying anything that you seen the video or inquiring further, then email the Auto Archaeologist here.

The post Massive Muscle Car Collection In Factory Basement appeared first on Muscle Car.

Justin’s 2019 Mustang GT just got its first stage of mods from AmericanMuscle and the build video just went live—it’s sick!

IS THIS CHRISTMAS IN JULY?!? You bet your @SS it is!

Watch it here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/hotlap-july-2019.html

The post Justin’s 2019 Mustang GT Build Video appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Germany’s Nurburgring and Autobahns are almost a rite of passage for a performance vehicle. While the Nurburgring is a closed-circuit, the Autobahns or at least parts of them, is a no holds barred, go as fast as you like bunch of highways….within the realms of what is safe of course.

One vehicle to give the German tarmac a run is the Ford Mustang Bullitt limited edition. Based on the classic Steve McQueen Bullitt movie car, the 2019 version as shown in the video below is a good indication of what a modern Mustang can throw out on the open road.

Firstly, what’s under the hood? A slight increase in power from the regular Ford Mustang GT, with 480HP (20 more than standard) coming from a 5.0-liter V8. Manual transmission only, magnetic dampers, Brembo brakes and of course, the Highland Green paintjob. All wrapped up to be the fastest non-Shelby Mustang.

The Bullitt Mustang once on the main roads, has a rolling start and almost leisurely hits 162 mph (260 kmh) in fourth gear, leaving two gears left for leeway. When accelerating, it’s almost like the Mustang isn’t trying, easily hitting top speed. The exhaust note is hard to tell from from a video, but it definitely stands out the most when changing down gears, with some lovely V8 pops and gurgles.

Some comments of the video posed the question of why the low limit of 260 Km/h and the car can easily hit that in fourth gear making the other two gears more like overdrives. Like many leisurely road tests, it throws up more questions than answers, but the takeaway is to give you a general impression of what the Mustang Bullitt is like to drive.

So, here’s another video of the same Ford Mustang Bullitt, accelerating to 260 Km/h and back, just as another comparison test.

Overall – great car, great sound and plenty of performance for the majority of uses. Some have said that the Boss 302 can reach 290mph with the same 5.0 and 444 hp, implying they expect more. Understandable, but this is also a limited edition model. Performance and collect ability here, so I guess Ford don’t want users to be blowing up engines too soon, so better to be safe than sorry. Still, any type of Mustang Bullitt is a worthy car to buy still the best bang for the buck overall other performance vehicles.

The post Ford Mustang Bullitt Hits Top Speed On Autobahn appeared first on Muscle Car.

If you saw our AM2019 Recap video, you may have caught a glimpse of the unveiling of a certain 1983 Mustang Convertible build to a very deserving Make-A-Wish® recipient named Matthew.

You asked how, and today AM has published their highly anticipated build video for Matthew’s Gen-2 Coyote-Swapped Fox Body in their latest Hot Lap episode.

What happens when you cram a Coyote into a Fox?

Watch it here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/hotlap-maw-2019.html

The post Coyote-Swapped Fox Body Charity Build appeared first on Muscle Car.

If you couldn’t physically make it to the world’s largest one-day Mustang show, have no fear because the next best thing is AmericanMuscle’s Hot Lap Recap video for AM2019!

In this episode of AM’s Hot Lap, Adam and Justin bring you the sights and sounds from Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, including a preview of the Gen 2 Coyote-swapped ’83 Foxbody build that Justin and the AM team unveiled for Make-A-Wish® recipient Matthew.

Watch it here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/hotlap-carshow-2019.html

The post 11th Annual AM Mustang Show Recap Video appeared first on Muscle Car.

The 6th generation Camaro ZL1 is continuing to prove why it is the best production Camaro as yet. It’s not just in the power levels of having 650 horses under the hood, with owners easily hitting 11 seconds in the quarter-mile without modifications. Now, we have evidence of one getting into the 8’s with ease, as shown in the video.

The run was performed by Michael Talley in his 2018 Camaro ZL1 at Memphis International Raceway hitting a time of 8.992 and a 5.674 eighth mile at 127.23 miles per hour. What’s even more remarkable is the transmission decided to pack up at 1,100-foot before crossing the line, but the ZL1 still managed 116mph in the 8s. Me thinks an even faster time is on the cards in the near future.

Michael already set a record earlier in the year for the quickest stock-blower quarter mile in 9.57 seconds, with a few upgrades added this time around for this latest quickest time. Most of the upgraded have been under the hood with an Edelbrock 2650 supercharger and 3.0 upper pulley, 9.55 lower pulley, Kooks two-inch headers, a set of GPI cylinder heads, a GPI camshaft, a full Corsa exhaust system, a methanol injection system, Roto Fab Big Gulp intake and a C16 tune by Gwatney Performance. 15-inch rear brakes were added by Carlyle Racing, 28-inch drag radials on the rear and 18 Alumistars skinnies up front.

The video doesn’t really give justice to the power behind this run, being only 13 seconds long, but it’s high-quality enough to prove why the 6th generation ZL1 is such a mighty vehicle and this run is so significant.

The post The World’s First 8 Second 6th Gen. Camaro ZL1 appeared first on Muscle Car.

S197 Mustang panhard bars are the topic of discussion in today’s AmericanMuscle (AM) ‘Best of’ video. AM’s Justin Dugan selects his picks for 2005-2014 Mustang panhard bars featuring, “Good, Better, Best” format, and provides three options to fit anyone’s budget.

AM has also added this video as a resource to their technical guide on everything you need to know about Mustang panhard bars!

View it here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/everything-about-mustang-panhard-bars.html

The post Everything you need to know + Top 3 Panhard Bars appeared first on Muscle Car.

This short, but very well put together video by Ferrada Wheels shows off a customized 2018 Dodge Demon with all the trimmings, also with a bagged suspension.

The video’s primary goal is to show off the Ferrada USF Custom Forged Series wheels, which in this case follows the same Burnt Orange color scheme accents as on the rest of the car. The video shows some nice close-ups, the bagged suspension doing its thing and a burnout at the end for good measure. It’s definitely a quality video, which ramps up the drama for one of the finest muscle cars around.

There’s only a few details about the Demon’s setup with the video like it has 900+HP, the Ferrada USF02 3-Piece wheels and the Burnt Orange lips, but all the same, its worth the two minutes of viewing to see this rolling piece of art hit the streets.

The post 2018 Bagged Dodge Demon appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

If any vehicle is going to raise the stakes for record beating strip times, it going to be some permutation of a Dodge Challenger Hellcat. In this case its the Vixen Hellcat, which has recently proven itself with a 3.99 8th mile time at Cecil County Dragway. Basically, making this Dodge Challenger one of the quickest Mopars in the world.

As in the video above, the moment was captured in fine detail from trackside and inside the car. This at least gives some idea of how the power was laid down. So, what goes into a machine capable of these power levels and time?

Everything on this car has been purpose-built, which starts with an all tube chassis. Under the hood is with 528 cubic inches Hemi V8 from Disomma Racing, fitted out with a pair of 98-millimeter turbochargers. This produces an incredible 5000HP for the 3,000lb. machine which translates to the track in a 3.99 second time at 197 miles per hour.

If you wanted a bit more action from the Vixen Challenger, then check out the video below of the car showing the goods at no prep. racing.

The post Dodge Hellcat ‘Vixen’ 3.99 8th Mile appeared first on Muscle Car.

Challenger parts have been live on AmericanMuscle’s site for almost a year now and with that, we are proud to announce our first Challenger Hot Lap YouTube episode!

In this episode on AM’s Challenger Hot Lap YouTube series, Adam Maqboul selects his top 5 first mods for 2009-2014 Dodge Challengers, covering all the bases from appearance to performance and handling!

Watch it here: http://www.americanmuscle.com/hotlap-may2019-challenger.html

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post AmericanMuscle’s first-ever Challenger Hot Lap episode appeared first on Muscle Car.

Ford Motor Company flew AmericanMuscle’s Justin Dugan out to Pontiac, Michigan over the weekend so he could ‘have at it’ on the M1 Concourse racetrack with the new 2019 Shelby GT350.

What might be just ‘another day in the office’ for Justin allows you, as the viewer, to gain a first-hand look into the development and driving characteristics of this flat-plane crankshaft equipped road-legal race car.

Watch it here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/hotlap-may2019.html

The post 2019 GT350 Reviewed appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Muscle Cars At The Strip, Las Vegas took place this year on April 26-28 and previously a Mopar only event, it now incorporates GM and Ford Enthusiasts. The event is a bit of everything for the muscle car fan, including car shows, drag races, pony car wars, open autocross, swap meets and even concerts to round off the entertainment.

Now in its 17th year, the three-day event is one of the biggest gatherings of all things muscle car and attracts enthusiasts from all around the world. To get an idea of the full proceedings, check out some of the videos below kindly compiled by vegaslugnut.

Muscle Cars at the Strip Part I

Muscle Cars at the Strip Part II

Muscle Cars at the Strip Part III

Muscle Cars at the Strip Part IV

Find out more here or their Facebook page.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post Muscle Cars At The Strip, Las Vegas appeared first on Muscle Car.

In honor of National Mustang Day, AmericanMuscle’s Justin Dugan brings you his top 3 picks for S197 (2010-2014) Mustang GT front brake kits. With this ‘best of’ video, Justin shines light on a few options for budget minded Mustang owners to increase their stopping power without breaking the bank. Covering everything from a stock replacement to an aggressive compound and slotted/drilled rotor, Justin covers a wide range of kits for owners looking to improve their street driven or weekend warrior S197.

Watch it here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/2010-mustang-brakes.html

Additionally, this video has been added as a resource to AM’s Brake System Tech Guide.

View it here: https://www.americanmuscle.com/brake-system-tech-guide.html

The post Best of S197 Mustang Brakes appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Since the release of the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, it’s been lined up, compared and contrasted to a whole host of high-end sports and supercars. Quite rightly as one of the most potent production cars available. The Demon is a limited-edition beast, but its huge power output and HP for the money has it being compared to the best of the best in the performance world.

In this video the guys from V8TV measure up a Bugatti Veyron supercar against a Dodge Demon, mainly just for the fun of it.

Before going any further, here are some basic stats. on both vehicles –
Bugatti Veyron
Engine: 8.0 L/488c.i. quad-turbocharged W16, 1001 bhp
Transmission: 7-speed Direct Shift automatic
Top Speed: 254 mph
0 – 60 mph: 2.5 sec
weight: 1,888 kg / 4,162 lb
Cost: the price of a small country

Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
Engine: 6,2L, supercharged V8, 808 hp
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Top Speed: 203 mph
0 – 60 mph: 2.3 sec
weight: 1,941 kg / 4,279 lb
Cost: $84,995

This matchup isn’t any type of scientific test, more of a we have borrowed both of these cars for an afternoon, so lets see what they can do – scenario. There’s no spoilers here as you’ll have to watch the video, but more than anything, the Demon is showing everyone that you can have supercar levels of madness without the same eye watering prices. Plus, an oil change on a Demon doesn’t cost $20,000 like on a Veyron. Yes, you can have your cake and eat it with the Demon.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post 2018 Dodge Demon Vs. Bugatti Veyron appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Most of the time I say don’t compare old vehicles to the new. It’s simply an unfair comparison matching old technology with what we have today. But that’s aimed more towards comparing old muscle cars to newer brands of vehicles from other makers. Matching up same model muscle cars is more of a visual fest than in arguing about like-for-like statistics. So in that vein, this video does very nicely with a whole host of old and new muscle cars going head-to-head.

The match ups were ran at Mission Raceway Park, near Vancouver, Canada and feature 10 minutes of fantastic muscle car action. The action starts off with a Dodge Charger Hellcat loaded with a parachute against an early 70’s Challenger. A Demon then flies against a ’68 Charger, followed by Novas, Camaros, Chevelles, Darts and Mustangs.

Its a shame the individual stats. of each car aren’t listed. If they are all stock or not, but many of the classic muscle cars get the jump off the line the quickest, with the newer versions having the most high-end power. Even if you just watch this video for checking out nearly 50 years difference of muscle car technology, sounds and the cool designs, it’s worth the viewing time.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post Loads of Old Vs New Muscle Car Drag Racing appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

There’s nothing like watching some good old car chases, especially with some smashes and crashes along the way. New movies have arguably better choreographed scenes, but older movies chases, especially featuring muscle cars look more raw, adrenaline fueled and frankly more dangerous. Mainly due to the words health and safety not being invented back then.

This brings us onto the collection of car chase videos by Car Chase Wonderland. The guys have two YouTube channels which are a collection of some of the best vintage muscle car chases from TV and film. It’s not an exhaustive list, but it almost feels that way with hours worth of footage from the obvious to the obscure.

The video above is just one compilation from their two channels. The rest of the videos feature either individual scenes or compilations, giving a fantastic nostalgia trip, but also a reminder of just how many muscle car chase scenes there have been over the years. Hopefully, the clips will give you inspiration to hunt down the original TV shows or movies, showing exactly how we used to smash up cars for the pleasure of the viewer.

Check out both were video channels here –
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY1-8Nv_lRwIVEPMtokY87w/videos
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIIId-1WdjTPyaBsxeUHAlg/videos

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post Every Muscle Car Chase In One Place appeared first on Muscle Car.

by Dave Ashton

The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon has had many accolades as the most potent modern muscle car with also a proposed top speed of 168 mph (270 km/h). That top speed has now been smashed with a new record set for the Demon. With everything set up correctly and the optional Demon Crate goodies added in, the Demon hit a new high of 211.227 mph (339.937 km/h) at the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds, Florida over a 2.7-mile (4.3-km) straight.

The Demon contains a 6.2L V8 with a 2.7L Supercharger producing 840HP and 770lb.ft. of torque through an eight speed 8HP90 automatic transmission and weighing in at 4,280lbs. The guys at JBPG didn’t use the skinny front tires as in the crate package optimized for the dragstrip, but the Demon still pulled 0.2 g during its accelerated launch and the 211MPH top speed was done in under one minute and hit 170MPH in less than 30 seconds.

To put this into perspective, the top speed is on a par with the Ferrari 812 Superfast, Porsche 911 GT2 RS and the McLaren Senna.

The test didn’t just prove a new top speed for the Demon, but also as per the video description, ‘After many tests with this car though, we have found it to be much more than just a 1/4 mile dragster. Its power was shown all the way through the 2.7 mile traps and beyond! Also something to note was how stable the Demon was at such a high rate of speed.’

Those hungry for the stats. of the testing conditions on the day can see the full breakdown in the video above at 0.37 seconds or further down in the video description page. The test was also verified with Garmin and GoPro cameras inside the car and the external speed and time monitored by the International Mile Racing Association (IMRA) used by many associations such as the Guinness Book of World Records.

The Demon is also capable of a quarter-mile time of 9.65 seconds and a 0-60 mph time of 2.3 seconds. It’s also a heavy breather, taking in 1,150 cubic-feet of air every minute and due to the trans-brake, can pop a wheelie at the starting line. For the just over 3,000 lucky people who got their hands on one of these vehicles, this should be very pleasant news all round.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Flies At 211 MPH appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The 1971 movie Two Lane Blacktop is a road movie which isn’t just a look at vintage muscle cars in their historical settings, but also 102 minutes of how Route 66 used to look before the Interstate Highway era. The movie centers around mechanic (Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys), driver (James Taylor) and their 1955 Chevy 210 two-door. The movie also stars Laurie Bird(the girl), Warren Oates(GTO) and directed by Monte Hellman.

Without giving away the plot, the guys go from town to town earning their way through drag races with lots of moody interplay, reminiscent of the times. The film wasn’t a commercial success, but it’s definitely up there with similar classic road movies like Vanishing Point and Easy Rider. Esquire magazine were impressed enough with the movie, naming it ‘The Film of the Year.’ Having the strapline, ‘their lives begin at 140 mph’ still sounds extremely impressive in 2019. Filming took place from California to Tennessee, over a two-month period and was quite a low-budget film for its time. ‘Blacktop’ by the way means asphalt roads.

As you’d expect with an American road movie featuring lots of drag races from the early 70s, there’s plenty of muscle car eye candy along the way. The main stand out vehicle is a 1970 Pontiac GTO 455-ci. Mark IV Ram-Air in Orbit Orange, with Rally II” stripes and spoiler options(not the ‘Judge’ version) driven by Warren Oates(GTO). Two GTO’s were use during filming, been described by screenplay writer Rudy Wurlitzer as, ‘The GTO is the consumer car par excellence, a metaphor for the consumer culture. It’s absurd, but in a great way.’ The 1955 Chevy 210 on the other hand, was described as, ‘The Chevy is the artist’s car, made and created by people who are in love with the process of building a car.’

In no particular order, there are also two 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Super Sports, a red 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle, a 1969 AMC Javelin, 1970 Chevrolet El Camino, 1969 Chevrolet Impala, 1969 Chevrolet Nova, 1970 Dodge Charger, 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, 1968 Dodge Coronet, 1967 Mercury Cougar, 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass S, 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda, 1966 Plymouth Barracuda, 1969 Plymouth Barracuda, 1970 Plymouth Duster, 1967 Plymouth Fury, 1969 Plymouth Fury and a 1966 and 1967 Pontiac GTO. Basically, a bit of everything vintage muscle car wise thrown into this film.

Many reviews say the movie is understated, mostly sparse with minimal dialogue, but this is also a reflection of the open landscapes and the much slower pace of movies from this era, rather than the short, quick editing we are used to in present-day. As a fan of vintage muscle cars this film should definitely be on your watchlist.

Here’s a link to the film on online 
Available on Amazon 

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post 1971 Two Lane Blacktop Movie: Muscle Cars Galore appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Most drag race matchups we see featuring the Challenger SRT Demon or Challenger SRT Hellcat are usually up against competing brands. It’s not hard to see why, as these modern muscle cars have to constantly prove they not only have the power but also the performance in a modern automotive landscape.

But what about a direct matchup? For those familiar with both vehicles, the message from the video states what we are all thinking, ‘We already know how the story ends, but I still wanted to see it from my own eyes.’ Power levels are completely different on both vehicles, but let’s see what each of them has to offer.

The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat has a 6.2-liter V8 engine and 2.4-liter supercharger, producing 707hp and 650 lb.ft. of torque. This equates to a 0-60mph time of 3.6 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 10.85 seconds at 126.18 mph. The Dodge Demon has the same basic 6.2-liter V8 engine at its heart but with a 2.7L supercharger, producing 808 hp and 770 lb.ft. of torque on 91 octane gasoline and 840 hp on 100 octane gasoline. 0-60mph times for the Demon are 2.3 seconds and the quarter mile in 9.65 seconds. The Demon also weighs less than the Hellcat by 215 lbs at 4,254 lbs. The race was over a half mile on an un-prep’ed airfield, with both cars being automatics.

Spoilers here, but they are all worth mentioning. The Hellcat ran the half mile at 156.35mph and the Demon at 164.23mph. 8 mph difference may not seem much as the presenter points out, but this is theoretically faster than the Lamborghini Aventador, Huracan and Ferrari 458 for example. Ok, those supercars may have more abilities in other area, but as pointed out, it’s still great figures for a car costing quarter of the price. The Demon is a limited edition model, but you can get close with the new Challenger Redeye.

The takeaway message from this video reiterates the point that the Demon, Hellcat and the Redeye are more than anything value for money, something rarely spoke about at these performance levels. There are faster cars, more agile vehicles, but you are also paying a lot more money for them along with their exclusivity. So, the Dodge Challenger may sometimes be called up for sticking to its muscle car ways with its engineering, but that also includes the muscle car ethos of producing power and performance which is accessible to the average guy and that can’t be beat.

More Muscle Cars For Sale – http://fastmusclecar.com/muscle-car-for-sale/

The post Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Vs SRT Hellcat Drag Race appeared first on Muscle Car.