While American muscle cars usually command the spotlight in terms of V8 vehicles, Australia also has its fair share of classics. We will delve into five of these classic vehicles which have stood the test of time. All of these vehicles are being shortlisted from a balance of collectability, performance, and general reputation.

1. Holden Monaro

The Holden Monaro is a legendary nameplate in the world of Australian muscle cars. Originally introduced in 1968, the Monaro quickly gained a reputation for its sleek design and formidable performance on the road and the racetrack. With powerful V8 engines under the hood and a timeless coupe silhouette, the Monaro captured the hearts of car enthusiasts across generations. Its iconic status was cemented with the release of modern iterations, including the Monaro VZ and the limited-edition Monaro CV8-Z.

2. Ford Falcon GT

The Ford Falcon GT is possibly the first Australian muscle car, depending on who you ask. The initial XR GT performance version housed a 4.7-liter, 289 ci V8 engine, with 68 and 71 eras having a 5.8-liter, 351 Cleveland V8 producing 300-350hp. The first Aussie-made version was the 1972 XA Falcon which came as a two-door coupe, with a top speed of 142 mph and a 0-60 time of 6.4 seconds.
Over the years, the Falcon GT has evolved to become a symbol of Australian performance engineering, with each new generation pushing the boundaries of power and innovation. Models like the Falcon GT-HO Phase III have achieved legendary status among collectors and enthusiasts, Adding to the Falcon GT’s status.

3. Chrysler Valiant Charger

The Chrysler Valiant Charger was based on the Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant, but entirely Australian-made. With its long hood, short deck, and aggressive styling cues, the Valiant Charger stood out from the crowd and became a symbol of rebellion and freedom on the open road.
Standout versions include the RT model with a 4.3-liter, 265 ci Hemi 6, producing 302 hp, with a 0 to 60 time of 6 seconds. For those wanting more luxury, the Charger 770 SE came with a 5.6-liter, 340-ci V8 and 275hp,
Today, well-preserved Charger models are highly sought after by collectors, with the early 70s models being the most desirable.

4. HSV GTSR W1

Developed by Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), the HSV GTSR W1 is a limited-edition super sedan that pays homage to the classic muscle cars of yesteryear while incorporating the latest in automotive technology. With a supercharged V8 engine producing over 600 horsepower, advanced aerodynamics, and track-tuned suspension, the GTSR W1 is capable of tearing up the track with ease. Its aggressive styling and menacing presence make it an instant classic, destined to be remembered as one of the greatest Australian muscle cars.

5. Holden Sandman

American Australia had similar problems in the early 1970s. Huge distances to cover, while needing a vehicle to haul a decent amount of daily items. America solved a problem with the Chevrolet El Camino and the Ford Ranchero, while Australia came up with the ‘Ute.’ A regular muscle car upfront with a van at the back.
The top version of the Sandman came with a 5.0-liter 308 engine, with a top speed of 125 mph. Standout features include the radial tuned suspension – leaf springs in the rear, coil springs for the front wheels to address the radial tires.

The post 5 Of The Best Australian Muscle Cars Ever Built appeared first on Muscle Car.

This 1 of 100 1970 AMC Javelin SST Trans Am Edition is set to be auctioned at Mecum on September 12, 2023, with a possible worth of $140,000. This car is a true classic, with its iconic hood scoop and bold styling, produced in arguably the best year for vintage muscle cars.

The 1970 Javelin stood out in its time, becoming an instant hit with racers and enthusiasts alike. The Trans Am Edition was the top-of-the-line model and featured a host of performance upgrades. It was powered by a 390 cubic inch V8 mated to a closed ratio four-speed automatic transmission, with a hefty 343 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque going to the rear wheels. In addition to the powerful engine, the Trans Am Edition came with an array of stylish touches to differentiate it from other models. The obvious red, white and blue color scheme to celebrate the Peter Revson Trans Am racer, the ‘Go Package’, 3.91 gears, handling package, and power front disc brakes and power steering.

The 1970 Javelin is an incredibly desirable vehicle from the golden age of muscle cars. It has gained its fair share of attention, especially due to its rarity and collectability. In fact, only a handful of these cars are still in existence.

The 1970 Javelin has become an iconic vehicle from the muscle car era. It has gained a cult following over the years, and its presence on the auction block will surely draw a crowd. Additionally, its connection to the Trans Am series of racing adds an extra layer of desirability.

Initially, AMC were a contender with the big three makers, scoring racing wins in 1972, and selling well in the showrooms. But, as the 1970s rolled on, the company couldn’t reproduce the success of previous years. Thus, in 1987 the company was taken over by Chrysler in 1987.

The AMC Javelin is a reminder of a past age when high-performance cars had a direct connection between the driver and the wheels.

Mecum Auction details for the 1970 AMC Javelin SST Trans Am Edition – https://www.mecum.com/lots/1096729/1970-amc-javelin-sst-trans-am-edition/

The post 1970 AMC Javelin SST Trans Am Edition Auction Details appeared first on Muscle Car.

When it comes to cars that make your heart race and your palms sweat, nothing quite compares to the raw power and unmistakable rev of a muscle car. These iconic vehicles are far more than just a means of transportation—if anything, that is what they are least famous for! They are a statement of attitude, style, and a connection to the 1920s and beyond era of American automobile history.

If you are new to the world of muscle cars and want to see what it’s all about, buckle up as this piece takes you on a journey through the basics of these sought-after machines.

What Exactly is a Muscle Car Anyway?

A muscle car is essentially a high-performance vehicle, typically a two-door coupe with an iconic V8 engine under the hood. These cars were born in the 1960s and 1970s and were designed specifically to deliver exceptional speed and power that had only been dreamt of previously. While other cars were about getting from A to B, these bad boys were all about the horsepower and impressive acceleration—despite the fact that everyone had to adhere to the same speed limit.

Features of Muscle Cars

Muscle cars can be identified by certain distinguishing features, including the following:

Engines that Pack a Punch

The defining feature of a muscle car is undoubtedly its engine; for it is not just any engine—it is a V8 powerhouse that produces an impressive amount of energy. These engines are all about displacement, meaning the bigger the engine, the more power it can churn out; and power, in a muscle car, is everything (which will most likely come as no surprise to car enthusiasts).

In certain models of supercars such as Chryslers, an engine’s power can also be influenced by Dodge Whipple Superchargers—an induction system that can help the engine burn more fuel with compressed air.

Iconic Design and Style

Muscle cars have a distinctive, classic design that’s hard to miss. Long hoods, aggressive front grilles, and wide stances—they will catch people’s attention wherever they go. The designs are often a tribute back to the “golden age” of muscle cars, making them a nostalgic ride even for those who didn’t live through that era; and the combination of both power and style are key reasons why muscle cars have remained timeless vehicles that are still purchased in the modern day.

The Community and Culture

Owning a muscle car isn’t just about driving a high-powered vehicle—it is also about becoming part of a passionate and welcoming community. Car enthusiasts from all over the world come together to celebrate their love for them and do so with anything from car shows and cruises to online forums and social media groups. You will be able to find endless opportunities to connect with fellow muscle car lovers and share your passion with them.

Muscle cars are often seen as a hobby and passion, and because of this, you are able to connect with other like-minded people and enjoy your ride safely. Just don’t forget to look after it in between journeys!

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

For many car enthusiasts, the question of what was the first muscle car ever created divides opinion, and it is often argued that it was the 1964 Pontiac GTO that truly kicked off the era. However, two years prior to this, the 1962 Plymouth Fury Max Wedge had already been built, with a larger engine, higher horsepower and a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission – so why does the answer for the era’s starting point rarely seem to include this car?

The styling for the 1962 Plymouth Fury Max Wedge looked to be a transitional step between the 1950s designs and the later 1960s models, and Elwood Engel’s efforts can be seen all over the car. The infamous Pontiac GTO of 1964 had a base price of around $2,491 – the Plymouth Fury Max Wedge in contrast cost $3,308. Despite the power and quality of the Max Wedge, just 298 cars were built (all models) in comparison to Pontiac’s 32,540 – over 100 times more. As such, it seems that the popularity of the GTO gave it an far bigger spotlight to be seen as the original template.

The Max Wedge formula actually began back in 1958, when Chrysler’s powertrain planning team developed the lightweight “B” series V8 big-block with a wedge-shaped combustion chamber, used in engine sizes of both 350 and 361 cubic inches. This provided the necessary quench area for improved performance, and the ‘RB’ version was released in 1959, with the 413ci RB-series engine eventually finding its way into the original Max Wedge cars. With its specification of a 410/420 horsepower engine, these cars were only available for use in competitions, and many argue that this is why the GTO has been widely considered as the first muscle car.

It is also worth noting that the Max Wedge included a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, which offered flawless shifting. GM would not get the TH400 until 1965, and Ford would not get its own three-speed automatic until 1966 – highlighting that Chrysler had a complete transmission dominance for three years. The development of the Max Wedge continued in 1964 with the 426ci engine, but it was suspended when the Hemi engine began production.

The platforms for chassis and engine combinations like the Max Wedge and GTO began on body-on-frame designs from Chrysler (Plymouth and Dodge) and Ford (Fairlane). And though the availability time period was different, the fundamental idea of putting large-displacement engines into lightweight production vehicles remained the same. This gave rise to performance-grade road cars where drivers could feel the power of the engine, and the chases we now associate with muscle cars began.

The Max Wedge continued to be a successful platform in 1964. Although the 426ci engine was discontinued in mid-1964, the Max Wedge still remained incredibly powerful. In fact, the Max Wedge engine held the record for power output from an American production engine until the introduction of the legendary 426 Hemi in 1966.

The Max Wedge was also a pioneer in terms of race-spec performance parts. Chrysler offered lightweight aluminium parts for their stock Max Wedge cars, including special valve covers, intake and exhaust manifolds. These parts, combined with the high-compression heads and dual four-barrel carburettors, helped to make the Max Wedge one of the most powerful production cars at the time.

The debate about the importance of the Pontiac GTO or the Max Wedge will probably never end. But it should be noted that the Max Wedge’s influence is still widely felt today in the higher valuations and the nostalgia that goes along with it. So while the Pontiac might have been a commercial success, the heavily-modified Max Wedge cars stand as a testament to the beginnings of the muscle car era. Tune in to MotorTrend TV and MotorTrend+ to find out more about Max Wedge and other classic vehicles.

The post The Debate Continues: Was the Max Wedge or the GTO the First Muscle Car? 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.

When it comes to classic cars, it’s often hard to think that they could get a second chance after being parked in a junkyard and left to rust away. But luckily, this 1970 Plymouth Road Runner had the luck of getting pulled out for a full restoration. It seems like Rick Pattee, the car’s current owner, made a great decision back in 1979 when he saved it from its doomed future.

Rick sourced the unique Viper Yellow shade for the classic muscle car which wasn’t included in the original Plymouth Road Runner palette. It’s impossible to tell whether it was a mistake or not, but it definitely turns heads whenever Rick puts it on display. To make it look even better, the convertible has air shocks mounted in the back, though that stance might not be to everyone’s taste.

Sitting inside the engine bay is one of Chrysler’s most famous V8s — the 383 cubic-inch (6.3-liter) B-block mill. Rated at 335 horsepower and 425 pound-feet (576 Nm) of torque, it has enough grunt to get the Road Runner down the quarter-mile in less than 15 seconds and reach a top speed of more than 125 mph (201 kph). Not bad for a classic muscle car from the 70s!

This vehicle is truly unique due to its limited production. The 1970 Plymouth Road Runner was already a rare car with only 36,861 models sold, but this specific drop-top convertible takes rarity to a whole new level. Out of the entire production, only 429 models of the 383-powered automatic variant were manufactured that year. It’s highly unlikely to spot many of these at car shows!

The 1970 Plymouth Road Runner convertible has been fully restored by Rick, who put in a lot of hard work to bring it back to its former glory. The end result is truly stunning and it’s now ready to shine at any Concours event.

The post Rescued from Oblivion: 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Convertible appeared first on Muscle Car.

From drag strips to car shows, American muscle cars have been a beloved part of the automotive landscape for years. Throughout the golden era of muscle cars, these powerful machines made an indelible mark in history due to their giant torque-rich engines and unique styling. With awesome-looking cars like the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Plymouth Barracuda, and Baldwin-Motion Phase III GT Corvette, it’s no wonder why these cars remain so iconic today.

If you’re a classic car enthusiast or collector, American muscle cars are certainly worth considering. While it’s certainly possible to find affordable models (like a 1966 Plymouth Barracuda for $5,500), some of the rarer ones can fetch an impressive amount at auction. For example, a 1967 L88 Corvette Convertible, 1971 Hemi Cuda Convertible 4-Speed, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 2-Door Coupe, and a 1962 Shelby Cobra CSX2000 sold for $3.2 million, $3.5 million, $3.85 million, and a whopping $13.75 million, respectively.

However, even though emissions standards and other regulations tamed muscle cars in the 1980s, many of these cars are still filled with stories and badass power. So, without further ado, here’s a list of some of the most badass American muscle cars ever made.

2019 Dodge Challenger Redeye

For the modern muscle car enthusiast, the Challenger Redeye is definitely worth checking out. Even though it’s a hefty 4,514 pounds, it’s powered by a 797-hp engine under the hood. Not only that, but with its classic muscle car looks, it also features all of the modern amenities and features we’ve come to appreciate.

1966 Plymouth Barracuda

At first glance, the ’66 Barracuda looks like a low-slung muscle car with a massive rear window that gives it a distinctive look. It’s also one of the more affordable muscle cars on this list, since they’re relatively easy to find.

Barracudas are also noteworthy for being serious high-performance machines right out of the box. Despite this, some buyers felt like the cars were overly expensive, which is probably why Shelby made some features like adjustable Koni shocks, a fiberglass hood, and a Detroit Locker Rear Differential optional.

1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

The Mustang Shelby GT500 is among the most desirable cars for Mustang purists. The 1965 and 1966 GT 350s had a lightweight design, perfect for racing on the track. But the later 1967 and 1968 models were the ones to own if you wanted to win drag races.

With significantly more power and torque than earlier models, these cars could hit 60mph in the mid-to-low 14 second range, thanks to 428 cu in V8 engine. The Shelby Mustangs also featured more scoops and flashier styling than older models, making them even cooler.

Ford Mustang Boss 429

The 1969 Boss 429 was an incredibly limited edition muscle car from Ford. It featured an impressive 375 horsepower engine and could reach a top speed of 126 mph. Despite the underside of the hood being cramped and the fuel economy being appalling, the Boss still stands as one of the most desirable muscle cars ever made.

1969 ½ Dodge Super Bee A12

The Dodge Super Bee A12 was a muscle car with a bold hood and huge forward-facing scoop. It also featured a 440 Magnum engine and Edelbrock intakes. After the engines received regular production status, Chrysler-cast aluminium intakes were fitted at the plant.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454

The Chevelle SS 454 was a force to be reckoned with. With its massive 454 cu in V8, the car could pump out up to 450 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, was capable of achieving a top speed of nearly 140 mph. This powerful engine was mated to a heavy-duty three-speed manual transmission and a limited slip differential, allowing the Chevelle SS 454 to achieve 0-60 times of 6.3 seconds.

1984 Chevy Corvette

The C4 Corvette was highly anticipated before its launch, with some speculating that it would feature a mid-engine chassis like a European exotic. In the end, the 1984 Corvette featured a transverse-mounted engine, along with other performance upgrades.

Designed to win races on the superspeedways, the car was lightened up and featured modifications to its body to reduce drag. This included a huge rear wing that was designed to allow the trunk lid to open fully.

1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda

When it comes to muscle cars, the Plymouth Hemi Cuda is undeniably one of the most revered and sought-after cars ever made. It was designed to compete with and beat the Corvette Stingray on the drag strip, and with its 425 horsepower V8 engine, it certainly delivered. The 440 and 426 Hemi V8s packed quite a punch and gave the car some serious acceleration.

1971 Pontiac GTO Judge

The 1971 Pontiac GTO Judge was one of the most iconic muscle cars of its time. From its racy design to its impressive performance, this car was a force to be reckoned with. It was equipped with a 455 cubic inch V8 engine that put out 370 horsepower, and combined with its lightweight body and responsive handling, the GTO Judge was a formidable adversary on the drag strip.

1969-1971 Baldwin-Motion Phase III GT Corvette

With legendary status among muscle car lovers, Baldwin-Motion Corvettes were delivered from a dealer in Baldwin, New York to Motion Performance speed shop down the road. Joel Rosen wanted to create a fast, functional all-American GT that fused Italian and American workmanship, resulting in a 3,300-pound sports car.

Powered by an AMC 390-cid V8, the Phase III GT Corvette was capable of 340 hp, making it quite a beast in its day. The cars were so popular that more than 25 went into production, with one fetching nearly $900,000 at an auction in 2017.

1968 Ford Torino GT

The Torino GT was Ford’s answer to the mid-size muscle car market in 1968. It featured a 390 cubic inch V8 that put out 335 horsepower, giving the car enough power to keep up with its competitors. In addition to its potent engine, the Torino GT also boasted an attractive design and generous list of features, making it a great car for cruising and racing alike.

1969 Dodge Charger RT

The 1969 Dodge Charger RT is one of the most iconic American muscle cars ever made. It was powered by a 375 horsepower 440 Magnum V8 engine, making it one of the fastest vehicles on the street. The Charger RT is also known for its signature cosmetics, including its menacing grille, aggressive hood scoop, and sleek bodylines.

1970 Buick GSX Stage I

The Buick GSX was a powerful, yet luxurious muscle car released in 1970. It featured Buick’s biggest engine — a 455 cubic inch V8 — that put out 360 horsepower. It also had plenty of other performance goodies, like a Hurst four-speed transmission, a Quick Response Suspension package, and an optional air induction system.

1973 Pontiac Trans Am SD-455

The 1973 SD-455 Trans Am was Pontiac’s last hurrah before emissions standards started strangling performance. This car was equipped with an incredible high-output 455 cubic inch V8 engine that generated 290 horsepower. The grand finale was the legendary Super Duty option, which added an additional 10 horsepower and an aluminum intake manifold.

1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

The 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am represented the pinnacle of Pontiac performance. It was powered by a 400 cubic inch V8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor and Ram Air induction, giving it a whopping 220 horsepower. The car also featured a stiff suspension, a fist-shifting four-speed manual transmission, and four-wheel disc brakes.

1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

The Monte Carlo SS was a classic boulevard cruiser, but it was also capable of handling the occasional track day. It was powered by a 5.0 liter V8 engine that produced 180 horsepower and a hefty 275 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with its light weight, the Monte Carlo was one of the most well-rounded muscle cars of its time.

Conclusion

Throughout the golden era of muscle cars, American automakers created some awesome vehicles that remain popular and powerful today. From drag strips to collector cars, muscle cars offer plenty of fun, power, and style. With iconic cars like the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Plymouth Barracuda, and Baldwin-Motion Phase III GT Corvette, these badasses remind us why they’re still so beloved.

The post Highly Regarded American Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

The world of electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly growing. To meet this growing demand for performance EVs, Dodge has developed the upcoming Dodge EV Muscle car: designed to deliver an exhilarating driving experience with its powerful electric motor.

The Dodge EV Muscle car is an all-electric sports car set to revolutionize the world of electrics. It promises to be the most powerful EV ever, offering customers an unbeatable combination of performance, style and sustainability.

In this blog, we’ll investigate the various features of the upcoming Dodge EV Muscle car. We’ll take a close look at its design, powertrain, advanced technology and pricing.

In August 2022, Dodge introduced the Charger Daytona Banshee concept car as an important milestone in the world of electric cars. This concept car demonstrated the potential of an electric muscle car and provided performance car enthusiasts with a glimpse of what performance cars could look like in the future.

The Charger Daytona Banshee concept is an eye-catching vehicle that seamlessly merges classic muscle car design with modern electric technology. Its sleek lines, aggressive stance, and bold styling will surely turn heads wherever it goes. Plus, its aerodynamic body, sport-tuned suspension, and high-performance brakes make it a true driver’s car.

One of the standout features of an electric muscle car is its R-Wing, a front aerodynamic wing that preserves Dodge’s iconic profile while offering impressive aerodynamic efficiency. Furthermore, they introduced Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust–an industry first for electric vehicles–which delivers performance sound equal to or surpasses that of an SRT Hellcat.

Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust is an innovative feature of electric vehicles (EVs) that amplifies motor noise and transforms it into an “exhaust” sound.

This feature is completely unnecessary from a functional standpoint, but it appeals to muscle car enthusiasts who insist that their vehicle must be loud. The Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust can reach up to 126 decibels, providing an exciting and thrilling driving experience.

For a true Dodge driving experience, the car will come equipped with the eRupt, an electro-mechanical multi-speed transmission designed to deliver thrilling acceleration that is synonymous with their brand.

The Charger Daytona SRT Concept will be powered by the 800V Banshee propulsion system, expected to deliver exceptional performance and range. Its futuristic look pays homage to Dodge’s muscle car heritage while offering a modern take on BEV design.

Battery Production:

As the automotive industry transitions towards electrification, demand for electric vehicle batteries is rapidly rising. Market.us recently published a report that states “The Global Lithium Ion Battery Market was valued at USD 59.8 billion in 2022 and it’s projected to reach USD 307.8 billion by 2032, representing an annual compound growth rate of 18.3%.”

Stellantis’ decision to build its next electric vehicle battery factory in Kokomo, Indiana marks an important milestone in the auto industry’s transition towards electrification. As parent company to Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler, Stellantis is teaming up with South Korea’s Samsung SDI – a leading EV battery maker – to construct this plant.

Stellantis plans to expand its battery manufacturing capacity in order to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles. This move is essential in fulfilling their electrification strategy, which seeks to have 40% or more of U.S. sales made up of electrified models by 2030.

Stellantis had previously announced plans to build a $4.1 billion electric vehicle battery plant with LG Energy Solution in Windsor, Ontario. Their selection of Kokomo, Indiana as the site for their next battery factory demonstrates their dedication to expanding their North American battery manufacturing capacities.

Pricing of the EV Muscle Car:

The Dodge EV Muscle car is expected to be priced at around $50,000. It will come in three trim levels – base, mid-range and high-end models; pricing for each will be announced at a later date. With so much on offer, the Dodge EV Muscle car promises to be an instant hit among both electric vehicle (EV) enthusiasts and muscle car fans alike.

The post The Future of Muscle Cars: EVs and the Changing Automotive Landscape appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The first 1970 Plymouth Barracuda produced with a Hemi V8 engine has popped up for sale with a cool asking price of $2,200,000. The ‘Cuda was launched in 1964, but had to wait until 1970 to reach muscle car status via the 426 Hemi V8.

While the output of the ‘Cuda with 425hp and 490 lb-ft of torque may seem average these days, in 1970 these levels of power were a big deal. Fast forward to today and the combination of the Hemi engine, 4-speed manual transmission, the third ‘Cuda vehicle built that year, and being 1 of 284 vehicles reflects the asking price.

The 1970 ‘Cuda was released as the sports version of the E-body platform developed by Chrysler. As per all pony and muscle cars of the time, there were a plethora of engine options starting with the 340 V8. This example was built on August 1st, 1969 with a VIN number of BS23R0B100003. This example has an exterior color of Alpine White with an all-black interior. Other notable features include the stripe and Tac delete, an overhead console and fancy trim.

The car itself has lived at the NATMUS Museum since 1983, only clocking up 17,755 miles, and being repainted once in its life. The car was also officially authenticated in 2005 by Galen Govier as being the very first 1970 Hemi Cuda.

Interesting factory option details below:
currently for sale at https://motorvault.com/1970-hemi-cuda

D21 – A833 Manual Four Speed
E74 – R-Code 426 CI V-8 Engine
EW1 – Alpine White exterior paint
X9 – Black interior
M85 – Front & rear bumper guards
PRX9 – Leather & vinyl bucket seats
P – Premium Trim
R22 – AM/with stereo 8 Track player
R31 – Rear Speakers
V68 – Sport Stripes DELETE
B41 – Front disc & drum rear brakes
B51 – Power brakes
N96 – Shaker Hood
C26 – Overhead Console
A33 – Track Pack 3.54 Rear Gears

The post The Very First Hemi 1970 Plymouth Barracuda For Sale appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Since the official news that Dodge will be moving forward with EV muscle cars, one big question concerns the aftermarket tuning of these EV models. Basically, future Dodge EV muscle cars can have aftermarket tuning, it just has to be done through Dodge.

Tim Kuniskis, head of Dodge stated in an interview with Muscle Cars and Trucks, ‘We don’t want to lock the cars and say you can’t modify them. We just want to lock them and say modify them through us so that we know it’s done right.’

Muscle cars and aftermarket tuning have gone hand-in-hand up to this point in time. Therefore, the fan base expects there to be scope to make the fast even faster.

At this point, plans are to provide upgrades or ‘crystals’ to future vehicles via the Dodge Direct Connection and Power Broker program. Upgrades will essentially be linked to the individual cars via the VIN number and ECM, allowing future owners to benefit from the upgrades. For example, the 340kW base model can be upgraded to 370kW or 400 kW to 470kw or 500kW.

A new type of vehicle also requires a new type of platform. For the new upcoming Dodge muscle cars, this will be the ‘STLA Large Architecture,’ shared with the likes of Alfa Romeo, Chrysler and Jeep. The interesting point about the new platform is that it is designed as a ‘multi-energy platform.’ This means in theory an ICE engine could be dropped in future models. The reality is there are no plans for a pure ICE in future Dodge vehicles. That’s until a future biofuel can be concocted which is sustainable, eco-friendly and everybody agrees with it.

However, it does mean reading between the lines, another type of fuel source and engine design could be used. This opens up the possibility for future hybrids, hydrogen or gas-powered vehicles.

The post Dodge Will Lock Out Future EV Tuning appeared first on Muscle Car.

Have you ever pondered which American states have the largest majority of car fans, collectors, etc.? Chrysler Capital has collated all this information for us into easy-to-digest info. graphics showing the states with the largest amount of car enthusiasts.

While the information is generic, factoring in all car types, the data shows a healthy interest in the scene in general.

Snapshot takeaway:

• Delaware ranks as the best state for car enthusiasts
• Florida plays host to the most racetracks in America
• With 149 car clubs, Texas ranks best for car meet and greets

Chrysler Capital has taken a number of metrics to work out which states are the best for car enthusiasts to visit. These metrics include the number of people per vehicle, square miles per race track, square miles per car club, square miles per every car event, and square miles per every race track experience.

Here’s what they found:

Delaware ranks as the best state for car enthusiasts

Interestingly, most of the best states for car enthusiasts are found on the East Coast. The very best state was found to be Delaware, which has an overall Car Enthusiast Score of 99.2/100.

Partly due to the compact size of the state, car enthusiasts can find a car club every 100 square miles, so they won’t have to drive far to meet up with like-minded friends. There’s also a car event every 311 square miles, a racetrack and racetrack experience every 1,244 square miles, and just 2.4 people for every vehicle in the state.

Florida plays host to the most racetracks

When it comes to the greatest number of racetracks, you can’t beat sunny Florida which has an impressive total of 24 tracks. If you’re a fan of NASCAR, the Homestead-Miami Speedway is well worth a visit. Another great option to consider is a trip to the Palm Beach International Raceway, which offers a range of tracks including a quarter mile drag strip, a two-mile road course, plus kart and mud racing tracks.

States with the most car clubs

For more information on the study, see here: https://chryslercapital.com/blog/best-states-for-car-enthusiasts

The post Study Reveals the Best States for Car Enthusiasts to Visit appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The automotive wizards over at SpeedKore Performance Group have meticulously built a custom 1968 Charger for Stellantis Design Chief Ralph Gilles, titled, the ‘SpeedKore Hellucination.’ This vehicle is no ordinary custom build, being lavished in carbon fiber, while the engine comes in the form of the 1,000HP Hellephant V8.

The ‘Hellephant V8‘ is a limited run, crate engine setup released back in 2018/19. Along with the 426ci/7L aluminum block capacity, the engine can also produce 950 pound-feet of torque, linked to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. Stopping power comes from Brembo 6 piston brakes up front and dual four-piston brakes at the back.

The bodywork has been treated to perimeter reinforcements along with a roll cage. Plus, the carbon fiber parts come in the form of floor pans, wheel tubs, and the hood. The interior was also designed by SpeedKore with Gabe’s Custom Interior seats, Race Quip four-point harnesses, and RestoMod Air/SpeedKore Custom controls.

Reading between the lines, a custom-built Dodge Charger for the new design chief of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Maserati, and Fiat Latin America is a positive sign. Favoring a classic Dodge Charger above all other classic vehicles by the design chief could be an indication of future Dodge models being prioritized. We hope this is the case over at our end.

Check out the full specs. of the Charger here – https://speedkore.com/helllucination/

The post 1968 Hellephant Charger Built By Speedcore for Stellantis Design Chief appeared first on Muscle Car.

by Dave Ashton

The upcoming Glendale Mecum auction, March 16-19, has a rather tasty 1970 Dodge Charger R/T in B3 Blue on offer. The only known 1970 example in this color scheme. To give you an idea of worth, the estimated final price could be within $175,000 – $225,000.

The body styling of this example slots into the second generation of Dodge Chargers from 1968-1970. This particular example was built in the St. Louis Chrysler plant, October 1969.
The Charger rolled out to the factory with a genuine 426/425 HP V8 Hemi engine, TorqueFlite automatic transmission, dual 4-barrel carburetors, and the A36 Performance Axle Package with 3.55 gears.

Noting just the engine, the Charger is 1 of only 124 Hemi Chargers made in 1970, but the addition of the B3 Light Blue Metallic color, makes it 1 of 1. The blue color scheme is accented with a white bumble bee tail stripe, accompanied by a black interior and the very vintage-looking wood dash. The car also sports those 1970 only accompaniments such as the R/T door scoops, and C-pillar logos.

The listing also mentions the car has been treated to a full rotisserie restoration, but doesn’t mention anything else about its back history. However, the car does come with two broadcast sheets and the original window sticker. The Charger is also numbers matching and is clearly in concour-like condition.

Worth

According to conceptcarz.com valuation tool, a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T hardtop with a Hemi engine sold in 2022, can fetch at its lowest $132,000 and at the highest $330,000. Not too shabby a price increase considering a 1970 Dodge Charger originally sold for around $3,000-$3,710, depending on individual features.

However, the final price once the car has gone under the hammer, can vary widely from online predictions. One thing is for sure, the Dodge Charger is one of the better-known muscle cars, which will continue to increase in value. With this in mind, this particular example of a Dodge Charger is well worth a second look.

The post 1 of 1 1970 Dodge Charger R/T in B3 Blue Heads To Auction appeared first on Muscle Car.

by Dave Ashton

Many superlatives could be used to describe the Dodge Viper. However, a few short words are not enough to sum up its 30-year history. Officially lasting from 1992-2017, the Dodge Viper was over-the-top in every single way, while also being nearly completely American-made.

A Bit of History

Going all the way back to 1988, Chrysler wanted a modern-day Cobra(hence the snake-derived name the Viper), so the Chrysler Advanced Design Studio sculpted a clay model, then a sheet metal version for the 1989 North American International Auto Show to gauge reaction. One of the first public appearances was as a pace car at the 1991 Indianapolis 500.
All the positive feedback gave rise to Lamborghini making an aluminum prototype, which then went on to the first orders being shipped at the beginning of 1992.

From the off, the Dodge Viper was designed for performance. This meant stripping back all non-essential items like door handles, air-con, and adding vinyl windows. At the very least there was a radio/cassette player, a clock, and just adequate amounts of interior carpeting. The original roadster also left out the likes of traction control, ABS, and airbags. No wonder the Viper originally had a reputation for being an unruly drive.

Lamborghini also had a hand in designing the V10 engine, overseen by Dick Winkles. As in all American muscle cars, the Viper had to follow the rules of there is no replacement for displacement. This meant through its production run, an 8-8.4L cylinder capacity, originally rated at 400HP and weighing 323 kg (712 lb). The total curb weight of the Dodge Viper was 1,490 kg (3,280 lb). the total package resulted in a 0–62 mph time of 4.2 seconds, and a quarter-mile time of 12.6 seconds at 113.8 mph.

One of the early standouts features of the Dodge Viper was its external exhaust pipes which ran down the side of the vehicle. These pipes looked fantastic visually but tended to give a few leg burns getting in and out. Thus, these became more conventional in later models.

Feedback from the early years of production led to the second generation from 1996-2002, which resulted in a rear exhaust, and increasing torque to 488 lb-ft., a hardtop, and aluminum rather than steel suspension. A Viper GTS model was also introduced, with an increase in power to 450 HP, and niceties such as power windows, air-con, and door locks.

As the Viper was designed as a performance vehicle, The GTS-R was the version to enter competition, built by Oreca, France. Titles snapped up around this time included the 1997 and 1998 FIA GT Championship the national championship in Europe and North America. To celebrate the wins, a GT2 Champion Edition was created with 460 HP.

Various road and track versions of the Viper came out over the years such as the SR II, ZB I, ZB II, VX, GTC, GT2, and the Viper ACR-X. One of the most insane versions was the 2000 Viper GTS-R Concept car. This version kept the V10 engine, but up’ed the power to 500 HP and 500 lb-ft (678 N-m) of torque. The body was made from complete carbon fiber, with a lowered suspension and three inches adding to the wheelbase. However, the Viper had to batter itself with the 2003 SRT-10 Carbon, which pumped out 625 HP, shown at the 2003 SEMA show.

World Records

If you’re going to design a car that is as badass as the Dodge Viper, you might as well have a go at setting some world records. In a highly modified 2nd Gen. Dodge Viper(The Juggernaut), Will Dugas performed a 6.8-second quarter-mile at the Hail Mary Derby. This makes the car the world’s fastest Dodge Viper.

The 2016 Dodge Viper ACR also had a point to prove, racking up 13 top track times, then holding more track records than any other production car in the world.

Although the lap time of the Dodge Viper at the Nürburgring is now 15th place, in 2017 when the time was set, it was still in the top 6. Not bad considering this is the hallowed circuit for every car manufacturer on the planet to test its speed since the dawn of time.

Conclusion

If you wanted to pick up a Dodge Viper of your own today, they generally range in price from $50k-200k+. The earliest models drive like an untamed horse, but they will provide one of the rawest driving sensations around.

If you have plenty of cash to splash, there is the option of things like the 2016 Dodge Viper ACR Extreme, which we found on eBay going for an eye-watering $274,995.00. We also found a 2005 Dodge Viper SRT-10 with 2000WHP going for $129,800.00. The cheapest version was a 2003 Dodge Viper, with 45,000 miles on the clock for $43,000.00.

The post The Dodge Viper Hits 30 Years Young appeared first on Muscle Car.

If you are keen on cars, you definitely cannot ignore the Ford Mustang. The public first got access to this vehicle in the 1960s.

The production of the Mustang was led by Lee Lacocca, who conceived the idea, and was responsible for early development. It started the movement of people using muscle cars.

Moreover, the price was also reasonable. At the same time, it was also the most used muscle car model globally at that time.

However, many people still have different opinions about this product’s name, category, and form. Let’s learn the history and why the Mustang is so successful.

History of Formation And Development

• 1962: Ford designs the concept car. It has a design using a mid-body engine with two seats. However, the designer still has the classic pony car style for this model with a long bonnet. Furthermore, it has a short rear end and distinctive textured side panels.
• 1963: John Najjar designed the Ford Mustang II with four spacious seats. Enterprise launched it in October in New York, a day before the US Grand Prix.
• 1964: The brand debuted its first commercial vehicle at the World’s Fair. At the same time, it appeared in the James Bond film, Goldfinger.
• 1967: The Mustang had the most drastic change with a long nose, and a larger and more efficient radiator.
• Major brands that competed with the Mustang – include GM, AMC, and Chrysler.
• 1975: The modern version of the Ford II is born. Some argue that it is no longer as powerful as the old design.
• 1979: The 3rd design. The car has four seats and is distinguished by unique headlights.
• 1984: Despite the decline in sales, the company introduces the SVO Ford Mustang.
• 1993: Ford’s change in tactics brought mixed opinions to this year’s design.
• 1994: The 4th generation of the car was released.
• 2000: The company launched newer car models, facing solid competitors in the market.
• 2005: The nostalgic version of this model appeared. It is also the 5th generation.
• 2013: The 6th generation officially appeared.
• Over 50 years of development and the many changes in appearance, the business achieved remarkable success. Moreover, in 2014, the 10 millionth car was sold.
• 2017: This model has an automatic transmission version co-developed by Ford and GM.

Origin of the “Mustang”

The designers were passionate about World War II P-51 fighter planes and suggested the name.

In addition, some people defend the view that it comes from wild horses that live in North America, i.e. when Marketing Manager Robert J. Eggert was reading Frank Dobie’s The Mustang.

An interesting point in using the Mustang name in Germany. Krupp is the truck line in this country. At the same time, it is protected.

At this time, the car’s name was Ford T-5 until 1978, it was called Ford Mustang in Germany.

The brand considered several names before coming to a final opinion, including Panther, Torino, even Cougar.

The Mustang has appeared in movies, and TV shows more than 3,300 times.

For example, Goldfinger in 1964. It was the first time the Mustang appeared in the movies. Then came the movie Bullitt.

Furthermore, the 1976 Shelby GT was in the 2000 film Gone in Sixty Seconds. At the same time, it also appeared in many movies, TV shows and numbered 3,300 times.

This Mustang station wagon never got past the clay model stage.

India and Europe get the first-ever right-hand drive variant.

Created for the Indian and UK markets, modified to suit the traffic of these respective countries.

Why is the Ford Mustang the Muscle car of choice? 

Ford has made many improvements in this model’s design, quality, and engine over the years. They listened to the public and constantly improved the design.

More than 50 years of development.

In particular, the brand is constantly upgrading the performance of this product. The 2018 version uses a Coyote V8 engine with 460 horsepower.

The speed is not inferior to some supercars on the market, enough to put many other supercars to shame when wearing ultra-high-performance tires. The product’s design retains the original ethos and purpose as a sports car.

Prices on the market start from $25,000, reasonable for what it offers the customer.

The Ford Mustang is constantly developing and moving with the times.

Conclusion

After more than 50 years, the Ford Mustang is still a prominent sports car, depicting the North American horse. Not only does it represent power, but also a retro look and value for money.

The post Ford Mustang: America’s Famous Muscle Car appeared first on Muscle Car.

by Dave Ashton

Dodge recently announced the reintroduction of its Direct Connection program. Enthusiasts were first treated to this concept by Chrysler in 1974, with the same type of offerings today, everything from powertrains to the nuts and bolts.

The first set of parts are available for Challenger models, as long as your car is not older than a 2015 model. Currently, there are 14 kits available for the Challenger model, and 13 kits for the Mopar Drag Pak dragstrip special. The most potent of these kits is the ‘Stage II kit’ for the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye, taking power levels from 807 HP and 717 lb-ft. to 885 HP and 787 lb-ft. of torque via the challenger’s 6.2L supercharged V8.

This kit has all the mod. cons. to exactly dial in the power and performance you need. A digital controller and touchscreen display allows you to tweak power levels, along with a 3.17-inch engine pulley lifted from the Hellephant engine.

Those out there directly interested in crate engines will have available to them the 1,000 HP Hellephant crate engine, along with other Dodge power plants which include the Hellcat Redeye V8, the standard Hellcat 717 HP V8, the 382 Hemi V8, and the 345 Hemi V8.
There’s even a complete car body available, and NHRA Factory Stock approved engines with all the trimmings. It’s good to note that all these upgrades are still within emission regulations, as long as they are fitted via the Dodge Power Brokers dealer network. These dealers and locations will be made available by the Dodge website in 2022.

If you want to whet your appetite with all the goodies available, the Direct Connection catalog can be viewed online here. A hardcopy version should be available in spring 2022.

The Next Generation Please.

Up until the recent past, the next generation of muscle cars meant ever more power and refinement from the internal combustion engine. Now, carmakers have the double problem of not just having to slowly morph into the EV world, but also attracting millennials and the like to the wonderful world of muscle cars.

Ford is acutely aware of this dilemma, with the average age of Mustang owners going up every year. This is why they introduced the ‘Mustang Millennial Club.’ But, what are Chevrolet and Dodge doing to please both the old and the new?

In the next year or two, we are going to hear plenty about Dodge and Chevy’s electric program. Mainly because they have to swim with the times, but also with the plan to snag the interest of the next generation.

Gm are likely to announce their electric crate motor program in 2022, with Lingenfelter Performance Engineering having already dropped a version of the electric crate motor into their ‘eCOPO Camaro drag racer.’ This one first appeared at the 2018 SEMA show, apparently clocking a 9.84 second quarter-mile time. Ford also has an electric crate motor coming called the ‘Eliminator,’ borrowed heavily from the Mustang Mach-E GT.

Dodge has already announced their EV intentions, with fully electric vehicles coming in the next few years. The shift to completely electric will be slow and steady, most likely gaining new fans, but also losing a few along the way. This is inevitable, just like your favorite singer leaving your favorite band. The new guy or girl may be better looking and a better singer, but to some, it’s just not the same.

The post Dodge Push The Hellcat to 885HP Via Direct Connection appeared first on Muscle Car.

by Dave Ashton

Dodge is currently in the process of solidifying their performance credentials within Stellantis. The new two-year plan, titled ‘Never Lift’ will see more than one major product announcement every three months, kicking off with the return of the ‘Direct Connection performance parts’ program.

The ‘Direct Connection performance parts’ program has been in and out of vogue since Chrysler first introduced the idea in 1974. The initial concept was to offer upgraded parts for Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth vehicles. The concept eventually morphed into what we know today as Mopar, but has also reared its head in the past via the 2018 SRT Demon, with the option of a Direct Connection powertrain controller.

A network of specialist dealerships titled the ‘powerbrokers network of specialist dealerships’ will handle all the parts and advice-giving if you want to use your machine on either the track or the street. The trackside of things will be well catered for, with platforms available to build your own drag racer. For example, tuning kits are available to boost a Hellcat by 100hp.

The new scheme will take over from where Mopar performance parts left off, but the Mopar brand will still be used as part of the Jeep performance parts arena.

As per the title of this post, the main carrot dangler here is to find a likely candidate who will be paid $150,000 to drive a Hellcat for a year and become a brand ambassador. Dodge will also be giving away 25 vehicles, involving celebrity types to help promote the brand.
You
The new program hopes to start hitting the shelves by December 15, 2021, with full brand ambassador details hitting the shelves by January 12.

The post Dodge To Pay $150,000 To A Hellcat Driver Thru. The Performance Parts Program appeared first on Muscle Car.

If the human body has lungs and kidneys, then a car has filters. These components are designed to remove contaminants that can cause damage to parts like the engine, transmission, and ventilation. Filters are also essential in ensuring your car’s top-notch performance.

As such, you should be aware of the different kinds of filters in your vehicle and what they do. It’s also a good idea to know when they should be cleaned or replaced, as well as have a reliable auto parts supplier (like this store, for Chryslers, Dodges, and Jeeps) to ensure you’re getting quality parts.

That said, here’s a list of the five main types of filters you can find in your car and some important things you need to know:

Engine Air Filter

Usually housed in a black box beside or on top of the engine compartment, the engine air filter has one major role: to prevent dust, leaves, insects, and all sorts of other debris and particles from getting into the engine.

With clean air flowing into the engine, you’ll have the ideal fuel-air mixture for better, more efficient combustion. It also greatly improves fuel economy. Finally, the air filter—as long as it’s in good shape—can help minimize harmful exhaust emissions.

Air filters can either be circular, cylindrical, or rectangular/panel style, depending on the model of the vehicle. They can be either dry or oiled, and the filter itself may be made from either cotton, foam, or synthetic materials.

The ideal schedule for changing the engine air filter is indicated in your owner’s manual. Most experts recommend replacing it every 20,000 to 25,000 kilometers, but it could be much earlier if you drive more often or have a turbocharged engine.

Engine Oil Filter

The engine oil filter, as its name implies, filters the engine oil to remove contaminants. This is a particularly important process because the engine oil lubricates several engine components. If the oil is full of debris, it can result in poor performance, frequent overheats, and engine damage.

Fortunately, most auto shops will automatically replace the oil filter when you get the engine oil changed so you don’t have to keep track of multiple dates. Most modern car models have an oil change schedule of every 15,000 to 16,000 kilometers.

Cabin Air Filter

The cabin air filter ensures that the air entering the cabin is free from dust, pollen, exhaust fumes, and other pollutants. Without this filter, your car’s HVAC system will be less efficient; you and your passengers will also be inhaling dirty air, which can trigger allergies and/or worsen respiratory issues.

You may also be surprised to know that the cabin air filter can affect driving visibility. This is because a dirty cabin filter can block airflow into the cabin, which can present problems when you need to defog the windshield and windows.

Unlike the engine air filter which has a fixed location, the cabin air filter can be under the hood, under the dashboard, or behind the glovebox. Thus, it can be a little more complicated to replace. Bring your car to your trusted mechanic once every 25,000 to 50,000 kilometers to have the cabin filter cleaned or changed.

Fuel Filter

You can find your car’s fuel filter, which often looks like a cylindrical cartridge, inside the fuel line. This filter removes impurities like dust and rust from the fuel, protecting the pump and injector from damage. Debris-free fuel also ensures the smooth performance of your car.

Depending on how often you drive, you should change your vehicle’s filter every 2 to 5 years. The ideal schedule will also be printed in the owner’s manual. Do note that older-model cars have shorter recommended intervals between fuel filter changes.

Your car will also exhibit warning signs that it’s time to replace the fuel filter. These include:

• “jerky” engine idling
• difficulties in starting the car
• poor acceleration
• struggling at slow speeds
• stalling

Transmission Fluid Filter

Your car’s transmission system transfers speed and torque from the engine to the wheels. Essentially, it makes your car move. The transmission fluid ensures that the components of the transmission system are properly lubricated, ensuring the smooth transfer (or transmission) of energy.

The transmission fluid filter, therefore, ensures that the transmission fluid is free from debris. It prevents the accumulation of dirt and gunk in the gears, ensuring smooth performance and prolonging the life of the transmission system.

Much like the other filters mentioned on this list, the ideal schedule for changing the transmission fluid filter will be indicated in the owner’s manual. If you can’t find your copy for some reason, a good estimate is about 2 years.

Some cars also have positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valves, which remove pollutants from the engine crankcase. It’s not strictly a filter, but it acts like one and works together with the breather filter to ensure proper airflow and intake vacuum pressure.

Remember that your car’s performance doesn’t depend on the engine alone. There are also components like the above-mentioned filters that ensure efficiency and safety. Keep these details in mind so you can keep your vehicle running smoothly for years.

The post 5 Types of Filters in Your Muscle Car and Their Role In Automotive Performance appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

It’s now official. Dodge will release some form of electric muscle car in 2024.
Dodge kept their latest news low-key until announcement day. But that didn’t stop everyone from trying to second guess all the whys and wherefores.

Most predicted some form of roadmap for electric muscle cars moving forward, and they were mostly correct. Stellantis, the parent company to Dodge, labeled their announcements under the heading ‘EV Day.’ All the information was presented by Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis, accompanied by a bunch of teaser videos(see below), and the seismic news of the first electric muscle car in 2024.

What We Do Know…

While the information in the presentation was sparse, easter eggs abound. There may be four different EV platforms, with one being assigned to future Dodge muscle cars. There are also two new slogans, ‘Dodge will not sell electric cars, it will sell eMuscle,’ and ‘Tear up the streets…Not the planet.’

The comment by Tim Kuniskis, ‘charger making a Charger quicker’ was also quite revealing. A 1968 Hemi Charger accompanied this stage of the presentation with what looks like the outlines of a mid-nineteen sixties Dodge Charger, for the future design. This gently points out the Charger being the possible first all-electric eMuscle car. All four wheels are spinning on the teased concept car in the video, implying four-wheel drive.

The presentation also revealed that RAM will get a full-electric battery makeover by 2024. At this point, the predictions are that low emission vehicles will make up 40% of US sales by 2030. These vehicles could also include hybrids and plug-in hybrids, along with fully electric vehicles.

Something Electric Is Coming Our Way…

Most muscle car fans have been speculating how Dodge will enter the electric vehicle arms race. The previous parent company of Dodge, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), had no official roadmap for electrification. However, in the new hands of Stellantis, it now seems full steam ahead, just without the steam.

Tim Kuniskis said, “we are reaching a practical limit of what we can squeeze from internal-combustion innovation,” which could imply future muscle cars being even more powerful than the Dodge Demon. But the latest news also echoes the fact that Dodge doesn’t want to be left behind in what will be the next chapter of the muscle car story.

As with other industries that went through a monumental change in technology, it’s better to flow with the changes. The camera industry going from film to digital has plenty of examples of those that weathered the changes, and those that didn’t.

The feedback…

Change is inevitable, but large changes are always uncomfortable. The move from V8 power to electric motors is going to have mixed blessings across the board.

Sifting through some of the comments from other news outlets, many are still firmly on the side of ICE engines. Some say a fast hybrid would be a better option. Others see the way this is all going and are just waiting for the final results.

One thing’s for sure, Dodge isn’t going to produce a wimpy, around town, grocery-getter vehicle. Be it some form of Charger or Challenger, the first all-electric muscle car should be ridiculously powerful. We have a few years to wait, but the end results are sure to impress.

The post Dodge Tease EV Muscle Car For 2024 appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The 2018 Dodge Challenger Demon was limited to only 3,300 units, quickly selling out in showrooms. However, Huntington Beach, a Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership, still has 16 examples in their inventory.

Back in the distant past of 2018, the 808HP muscle car sold like hotcakes, with only low mileage examples now available as near as brand-new. Apparently, the dealership has been sitting on these 16 Demons since they were first released, now allowing them to be sold until now.

Originally, the Dodge Demon retailed for $84,995. Some sources say that the dealership is asking around $200,000 for each vehicle. None of the listings say if you get the Demon Crate as extra or any other type of goodies with each car. But it does look like each of the 16 has the rear seats in place, rather than being like stripped-out dragsters.

The asking price of around $200,000 for an untouched Dodge Demon may seem excessive. But a completely brand-new, untouched Demon may be the exact recipe for some potential owners. However, very low mileage examples, from 6-265 miles on the clock can easily be found online on eBay, with prices ranging from $120k-189k.

However, being the exclusive first owner of a Dodge Demon, with all the guarantees of a brand-new vehicle, may be worth the extra asking price.

Find out more about the Dodge Demons currently for sale here.

The post Car Dealer With 16 New Dodge Demons Still In Stock appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

This magnificent 1969 Dodge Daytona beast, driven by country music star and NASCAR driver Marty Robbins, will be coming up for auction at Mecum in Orlando this July. The Daytona owns all the attributes of a bona fides race car, with a 426 Race Hemi V8 engine, custom components, plenty of period photos, and documentation.

If you not familiar with Marty Robbins and his achievements, you can check out his Wikipedia page for a full rundown. Suffice to say, Mr. Robbins competed regularly at Talladega and Daytona International Speedway, with plenty of top 10 finishes, along with being a highly successful recording artist. This particular vehicle ran at the National 500, Charlotte in 1970.

Components Of The Dodge Daytona

There’s a good deal of information with this listing on the Mecum website. There are only brief details about the Daytona’s ownership after the Charlotte race in 1970. The Allisons converted the Daytona to a ’68 Charger to get around the 1971 Aero warrior rules of 1971, then sold the car to Butch Nelson. Neil Bonnett drove the car as a re-bodied 1974 Charger, but the car was crashed in late 1973. After which the listing just says, ‘discovered in 2005.’ At this point, full rotisserie restoration was performed on the car by Ray Evernham’s Big Iron Garage, North Carolina.

Standout features of the car include:
– Ray Barton iron 426 Race Hemi V8 with a factory single 4-barrel intake.
– Rare Holley Dominator carburetor.
– A833 4-speed manual transmission.
– Reinforced Chrysler 8 3/4 floating rear end.
– Nichels chassis with GM-based front suspension.
– Vintage Nichels NASCAR wheels.
– Driver-controlled torsion bar adjuster.

The car was also converted from a Charger 500 to a Daytona for the Charlotte event, converted by Bobby and Eddie Allison.

The Daytona’s paint job is finished in Magenta and Chartreuse(yellow for everyone else), with the number ’42’ commonly used by Mr. Robbins.

As for public appearances, the Daytona was shown in 2019, at the 50th Anniversary of the Daytona, Talladega. Along with being exhibited at the 2019 MCACN show.

Irrespective of the car’s back history, a Hemi Dodge Daytona can fetch a good $250k, even on a bad day. Add in the custom components and celebrity status, and this vehicle could fetch a hefty sum. The car looks in great shape, with a stripped-out racing interior and period-correct engine bay.

Find out more about the 1969 Dodge Daytona NASCAR Driven by Country Music Legend Marty Robbins here.

If you want to handle on current Dodge Daytona, classic.com has a good overview of current trends and recent Daytona sales. As of June 2021 the average sale price of a Dodge Daytona is $253,900, with the lowest sale being $165,000 and the highest at $577,500.

The post 1969 Dodge Daytona NASCAR Driven by Country Music Legend Marty Robbins appeared first on Muscle Car.

American muscle cars are among the most prolific cars ever invented. They were originally birthed during the ’60s and ’70s and quickly became the apple of every car lover’s eye.

These heavyweight champions are the ideal companion for anybody who enjoys a variety of car specs and has an eye for vintage detail. If you’re a car enthusiast who just finished an upgrade on their modern car and wants a restoration challenge, or a collector looking to buy a new vehicle, then one of these might be perfect for you!

Let’s have a look at some of the most iconic muscle cars known for their unique qualities, astonishing horsepower, and classic style.

1.    1966 Plymouth Barracuda

This is a first-generation Barracuda created by Plymouth. Its design is based on the Chrysler A-body and it has two doors, heavy-duty suspensions, and rear axles with large mounted tires. The two-door 1966 Plymouth Barracuda is hard to miss, and also boasts one of the most world-renowned muscle car logos.

1966 Plymouth Barracuda specs:

• Engine: 273 V8 (HEMI Block)
• Power: 180 BHP @ 4200 RPM
• 0-60MPH: Approx. 12.4 secs
• Torque: 280 ft-lb

2.    1968 Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500

Manufactured by Ford, the anticipated release of this ultimate muscle car was a huge success. Its rare design has an abundance of special features, including a Tremec seven-speed dual-clutch. This car goes down in history as one of the most legendary American muscle cars, with a sophisticated design and powerful engine.

• Engine: 428cu V8 (Pushrod Small-Block)
• Horsepower: 335 BHP @ 5600 RPM
• 0-60MPH: Approx. 6.5 secs
• Torque: 420 lb-ft

3.    Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye

This Dodge car is iconic. It’s versatile enough to be both a powerful muscle car and a comfy American coupe. Adjust the style of this car to suit your mood: feel the thrill of speed with the Hellcat’s high torque, or sit in sport mode and keep your throttle gentle for a relaxed drive.

• Engine: 378cu V8 (HEMI Block)
• Horsepower: 797 BHP @ 6300 RPM
• 0-60MPH: Approx. 3.7 secs
• Torque: 707 lb-ft

4.    1969 AMX/3

The sleek 1969 AMX/3 is one of the most awe-inspiring muscle cars ever created. Its features and performance caught the attention of many. However, there’s only a handful of these classic cars left in the world — making them even more valuable for the aspiring collector.

• Engine: 390cu V8 (Medium-Block)
• Horsepower: 340 BHP @ 5100 RPM
• 0-60MPH: Approx. 6.5 secs
• Torque: 430 lb-ft

5.    1984 Chevy Corvette

This fourth-generation classic is the fastest American muscle car on our list, with the ability to reach impressive speeds of 140 MPH. Its impeccable design is historical, and it’s by far one of our favorites.

• Engine: 350cu V8 (Small Block)
• Horsepower: 205 BHP @ 4300 RPM
• 0-60MPH: Approx. 6.4 secs
• Torque: 290 lb-ft

Last Words on Unforgettable Muscle Cars

These majestic beasts have paved the way for the cars of today, with their astonishing horsepower and eye-catching style. Owning one of these legendary cars is a dream come true for anybody with a need for speed, a passion for power, and an appreciation for classic car features.

The post Top 5 Legendary Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

Muscle cars each have their own distinct look, but if you get a bunch of similar-looking models in a line, how do you tell them apart at first glance? You check the logo.

Manufacturer logos are as unique as the cars they sell, and each has a rich and varied history. Let’s take a look at the stories behind some of your favorite muscle car logos.

1. Plymouth

The Plymouth Barracuda is one of America’s favorite muscle cars, but how did the brand develop its signature sailboat logo? Plymouth started as a way for Chrysler to compete with the lower-priced models Ford and Chevy had already saturated the market with. The name spoke to the country’s patriotic streak, harkening back to Plymouth Rock, where the Pilgrims first landed in the 1600s.

Plymouth didn’t get its first official logo until nearly two decades after it launched. It featured the Mayflower, and you can still see it on models that came out between 1949 and 1958. After that, it switched to model-specific logos. When Crysler tried to bring the brand back in the 1990s, it exchanged the big ship for a smaller sailboat, though the vaguely suggestive sail design didn’t do anything to endear the brand to fans.

2. Chevy

Chevy dates back to 1911 and, while founded by William Durant, was named after a famous race car driver named Louis Chevrolet. The first Chevy truck rolled off the assembly lines in 1917, and the rest is history. The funny thing about the Chevy logo isn’t its simplicity but the fact that it really hasn’t changed in the last 100 years.

The most popular story behind the gold or silver cross logo is that Durant saw the pattern on the wallpaper in a hotel room and liked it so much he tore off a piece to take home with him. It premiered in 1913 as a silver bow tie and changed to gold in 2004.

3. Dodge

Dodge is known for muscle cars and powerful trucks, but the logo that first debuted more than a century ago doesn’t look anything like the Ram we know and love today. The first Dodge logo was a six-pointed star with the letters D and B intertwined in the center. The star had a circle around it with the words “Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicles” encompassing the logo. The brand dropped this in the 1930s, replacing it with the first incarnation of the leaping ram hood ornament.

The ram adorned hoods until the 1950s, when it lost its head — or rather, its body. The ram’s head appeared on the logo until 1955, when Dodge dropped it entirely. From the 1940s to the early 1980s, you could also see a crest logo similar to a coat of arms that would pop up from time to time. This wasn’t terribly popular, but you could still find it here and there.

The crest was retired in 1981, and Dodge switched to the Pentastar logo that it shared with Chrysler and Plymouth. It changed the color to red to differentiate it from the other two brands. Dodge and Ram eventually separated, so you’ll find the iconic Ram logo on its trucks and a simple shield with the Dodge name in the middle for the rest of its vehicles.

4. Pontiac

Who doesn’t love a classic Pontiac Firebird? This brand started as the Oakland Motor Car Co., which had a shield logo with the Oakland name written diagonally across it. It eventually dropped this name, and the first Pontiac logo featured the brand name as well as a Native American wearing a headdress. It used various emblems that depicted the same man wearing a headdress in multiple shapes and designs through the decades.

In 1959, Pontiac introduced the Dart, an arrowhead pointing downward with a four-pointed star in the middle. The brand never gave official reasoning for switching to the Dart logo, though some believe it’s because the star and the color red were both prominent in Native American art.

5. Ford

Ford’s blue oval logo is another one that hasn’t changed much through the decades, after its first incarnation in the early 1900s that featured an art nouveau border and a black background. By 1907, the brand had switched to the first signature-based logo, though it didn’t have the oval surrounding it that we know and love today. This made its first appearance in 1912, and the iconic blue oval appeared in 1927.

The rest is history. The only thing that’s changed over the years is that as technology advances, we’ve seen the logo become more 3D — something that wasn’t possible with the manufacturing techniques of the time. Contrary to popular belief, the logo is not Henry Ford’s signature, though it’s neat to think of his John Hancock adorning every car that ever bore his name.

Muscle Forever

As much as muscle car logos change over time, these iconic vehicles are destined to last forever.

The post The Stories Behind Your Favorite Muscle Car Logos appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The American Motors Corporation or AMC, may not be front of mind when it comes to priced muscle cars. But in the golden age of high displacement vehicles, AMC made some outstanding vehicles like this AMC 1969 AMX California 500 Special.

For a bit of back history, AMC was born in 1954 from the Nash and Hudson company. The merger joined the other big 3 carmakers, Chrysler, Ford and GM, pumping out general roadgoing vehicles like the Nash Metropolitan and Rambler American. It wasn’t until the mid to late 1960s that the most commonly known muscle car variations were produced. These included the likes of the AMC Marlin, AMX, 390, Javelin, The Machine, Javelin AMX 401, and the Hornet SC 360. Renault took over the reins of the company in 1979, and eventually merged into the Chrysler brand in 1990.

The AMX popped into existence in 1968, scrapping it out in the pony car market with the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang. At the time it was the only US produced 2 seater sports car, along with the Chevrolet Corvette. The AMX(American Motors eXperimental) stood out for its short wheelbase at 97 inches, and cost less than a Corvette at $3,250.

Under the Hood

The AMX California 500 Special was sold through the Southern California American Motors Dealer Association to acknowledge the 1969 Riverside International Raceway. As the pace car that season was a Big Bad Green AMX with a 390 ci V8, the roadgoing versions were given the same treatment, with a saddle leather interior, and an engine producing 315 hp and 425 ft lbs of torque.

Only 23 of the 283 Big Bad Green AMX models became California 500 Specials. As this example is in such pristine condition, it’s expected to fetch between $100,000 – $120,000 USD at RM Sothebys at the end of April.

The post AMC 1969 AMX California 500 Special Auction appeared first on Muscle Car.

Keeping your muscle car in top shape can be quite the challenge, after all, we are talking about your Ford, Holden, Chrysler, and so on built in the 1900s. As much as we appreciate the paintwork of that vintage finish, we often forget to give the interior of the car equal attention. In fact, this is probably one of the most neglected areas of the car, your interior car roof lining. At this age, many muscle cars undergo roof lining that has become worn out and contaminated. In fact, according to Schmicko, roof lining replacement and cleaning is one of the most popular requests they receive from customers looking to detail their muscle and vintage cars.

It is difficult to imagine how a car’s roof liner can collect dirt. However, splashes from liquids, or dirt left behind when the roof liner was touched by people’s hands, can leave the car roof lining appearing old and unpresentable. Luckily, the roof liner is relatively simple to clean compared to other parts of the car. With the right preparation, patience, and attention to the unique characteristics of a car’s roof lining, your roof liner should appear almost as good as new once you have properly cleaned it. Now time to bring your pride and joy to looking its best again, starting with the roof liner.

Important points to bear in mind

The first point to understand before you start is that car roof liner have a few unique characteristics. Some of the materials that a car roof liner could be made of include fabric, leather, and vinyl. This material is glued to the foam or cloth that is hidden behind it and it is this material that partially acts as the car’s insulation. If the effect of the adhesive is compromised during the cleaning process, the cover may detach itself from the ceiling and begin to sag. Applying too much pressure with the brush or the cloth could also damage the roof liner and leave it needing a full restoration. So, please do proceed with caution.

Equipment that you will need

Fortunately, the equipment that is required is affordable and easy to find. You will first need an upholstery cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner that is safe to use on your car’s roof liner. It is important that you read the instructions on the bottle and ask the store staff to ensure that this is the case. You will also need a clean microfiber cloth. Finally, you will need two clean brushes. One of the brushes should be small for removing smaller, lighter stains, and one should be slightly larger for cleaning the larger stains. You can purchase specialized cleaning brushes that are suited to the task in auto repair stores.

Spray the auto upholstery cleaner

Begin by spraying the cleaner onto the brush or the stained area, if on the stained area, start with a lesser amount as you do not need to saturate the roof. The advantage of spraying the cleaner onto the brush first is that the cleaner will not be sprayed onto other parts of the car (overspray). It also reduces the amount that is directly applied to the roof liner, allowing for a more cautious approach. If you do spray the cleaner onto the material, do not spray the entirety of the car roof lining and do not apply too much liquid. Should you require more cleaning power, a stronger dilution can be used since upholstery cleaners will need to be diluted with water, to begin with.

Lightly brush the material

Lightly brush the area in a circular motion and wait for the cleaner to form a foam. Remember to brush gently so that you do not damage the covering material or weaken the roof liner’s adhesive. Watch how the stain reacts to the cleaner at this stage to make sure that the cleaning process is working before you proceed to the next area.

Wipe away the dirt

Use your clean microfiber cloth to carefully wipe away the foam and the dirt in a circular motion. Once the area is clean, make sure you also remove any remaining excess cleaner. Repeat the process until all the stains have been removed and you have a clean car roof lining.

Need extra help?

If stains persist, we always recommend performing this process multiple times across different time periods. This allows you to reduce your chances of overloading the roof liner to too much pressure and shampoo and therefore less likely to create that saggy roof appearance.

What if my roof is way too dirty?

If your car roof lining is in a state that is very dirty and you are getting very little progress with this procedure, we would highly recommend a replacement of the liner material. Besides, this is your opportunity to change material or even color to your liking for a fresher look. Should you wish to have it replaced, one secret hack we would recommend is applying for interior fabric protection onto the liner material. Also known as a Ceramic Coating, you can find one designed for leather, vinyl or fabric textures. Apply this generously onto your liner material, obeying the instructions of course of the product manual, to provide you with a hydrophobic barrier making it less prone to stains in future and super easy to clean/maintain.

Well, there you have it, your simple guide to restoring and maintaining your car roof lining for any muscle car.

The post Your Simple Guide on How to Keep the Roof Lining of Your Muscle Car in Top Shape and Flawless appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

With any large corporate merger or shakeup, there will always be winners and losers. Fiat Chrysler and the PSA Group recently merged to form the new company Stellantis. During a recent media roundup, Carlos Tavares, Stellantis chief executive officer announced Dodge and its performance vehicles will have a future along with Chrysler. Also, via a released statement, the SRT division will be ‘integrated’ into the global Stellantis brand.

Dodge and Chrysler Continue

The Dodge and Chrysler brands may be only a small portion of the 14 total carmakers in the group. But Chrysler, Fiat, and Peugeot have been earmarked to go the distance. While full plans for each brand will be announced in the coming months, Chrysler and Dodge are due to have a good shakeup. The Peugeot brand has also been announced to cease production in North America.

One of the possible directions for Chrysler is to showcase emerging automotive technologies. The new direction could include EV minivans and a new line of autonomous vehicles.

Dodge on the other hand has more specific criteria. Dodge and muscle cars are the most identifiable mix, but Stellantis are well aware that large displacement V8 engines will not meet emission standards forever. However, as echoed in a recent statement by Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis, the long-term future of muscle cars is to go electric, while providing the same amount of performance and torque.

Peak performance and torque levels are within reach to replicate a V8 engine. However, the V8 sound and subtleties of the platform are yet to be addressed. Therefore, the long-lasting V8 engine isn’t going away anytime soon. Which gives the company time to perfect the design for the inevitable EV future.

Dodge SRT Division

According to the website stellpower.com, the Dodge SRT division has been integrated into the various branches of the new company. The statement from the spokesperson from Stellantis as below:

‘In February 2021, all of the core elements of the SRT performance engineering team were integrated into Stellantis’ global engineering organization.

This action will have the two-way benefit of ensuring that our brands’ SRT and performance-focused product offerings continue to meet the highest quality standards and expectations while delivering key learnings from motorsports and other high-performance-technology applications across a wider mix of our company’s product lines.

These products have delighted enthusiasts for nearly two decades, and Stellantis will continue to sell and develop the next generation of Dodge SRT-branded vehicles, as well as Jeep and Ram vehicles that utilize high-performance SRT technology.’

The team members at the SRT division have been split between the Dodge, Jeep, and Ram groups. While the division itself will not exist anymore, the knowledge and expertise are still within the whole company.

The post Stellantis Commits to Dodge But SRT Future is Unclear appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The ubiquitous muscle car represents more than just a huge engine and stocky design. Back in the golden age of muscle cars, from the late 1960s to the early 1970s, these vehicles coincided with the space race and the height of rock ‘n’ roll. We were going to the moon baby, and we had the soundtrack to match. Add in some of the most powerful vehicles on the planet at the time, such as the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454, and you end up with a heady mix. There were lots of vehicles to choose from back then, but what are the most popular muscle cars worldwide today, and how are muscle cars faring in today’s market?

Back in the nineteen sixties, the big three (Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors) owned 89.6% of the market. These guys still produce the most popular muscle cars as we will come onto later. But the automotive scene is far different than in the mid to late last century. Today we will go through the most popular muscle cars worldwide and the possible future for our beloved muscle cars.

The Muscle Car Formula

A vehicle needs a specific set of criteria to be classed as a muscle car. The ideal recipe needs an American-made vehicle, a bass-rich V8 engine, two doors, rear-wheel drive, and two seats upfront and in the back. There are variations on the theme, along with the ‘Pony car’ sector, which is more strictly the Ford Mustang and Camaro. More loosely, the Chevy Corvette is a two-seater sports car and the Shelby Cobra was originally a British body with an American V8.

Back in the late 1960s when muscle car makers ruled, there were a plethora of brands to choose from. Many have gone the way of the Dodo, but living examples are very much rare collectible classics. Muscle car brands of the day included – AMC, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Pontiac, and Shelby. Many of the designs were quite similar, but it was what was under the hood that counted.

Muscle Car Engines

The outer shell and even the interior of a car may leave you drooling, but it’s nothing without a potent engine. These original drag racers became more ‘plush’ as time went on, but the space race for the most power was equally as important. By roughly 1969, the no replacement for displacement concept had almost been pushed to its limits.

Ford had the Boss 429 V8, Chevrolet with the 454Ci. V8, and Mopars with the legendary 426 Hemi engine. Nostalgia shouldn’t be underestimated in the car world, which is why modern interpretations follow the same theme. Huge displacement V8 engines, but now with almost twice the horsepower. Owning a car in 1970 with 425HP or the Plymouth Superbird going round the NASCAR track at 200mph+, is still impressive today.

The Most Popular Muscle Cars Sold In The US

Tracking down the most popular muscle cars sold in the US from the current breed was the easiest task. It’s no surprise that Ford sells the most with the Mustang, followed by the Dodge Challenger and the Chevy Camaro. However, according to Goodcarbadcar.net the Dodge Challenger outsold the Ford Mustang with 5,631 units sold compared to 4,935 sold by Ford in December 2020.

Most Popular Muscle Cars Sold Worldwide

Tracking down non-US muscle car sales, along with the used market is a much harder proposition. Taking into account private sales is harder to quantify. However, auction websites and international shippers provide some data.

International muscle car sales are more important than ever to raise awareness of the breed and to keep the current inventory going. According to hagerty.com, 30,000 classic cars were shipped from American ports to European destinations in 2018.

Many of these American classics go to Sweden and Finland, with Australia, the UK, New Zealand, and France also been strong contenders. Many vehicles also go to the Netherlands and Germany, where they are distributed to surrounding countries. Popular types include muscle cars, pony cars, and classics from the 1950s and 1960s. One of the apparent reasons for so many exports is that the climate in the US is far better than in Europe. Thus, more solid examples are available from the US.

There’s also the fact that there are more variety and supply of vehicles in the US. The shipping costs are also very reasonable, making the US rich pickings for classic vehicles.

According to wcshipping.com, the Ford Mustang is the most popular vehicle to be exported to the likes of Europe, Australia, and Asia. 2nd is the Chevrolet Corvette, with the Chevrolet Camaro coming in 3rd and the Dodge Charger in 6th place.

For solely modern muscle cars, the Ford Mustang is romping ahead with sales in 140 countries. The Ford Mustang has done especially well in Europe being available in native hand drive. The Mustang has also been a big seller in China, being one of the best selling sports cars.

Popular Muscle Car Selling Websites

If you want to own your own muscle car, what are the most popular muscle car selling websites? These websites can be arguably split into specific and generic. Some websites specialize in buying and selling classic vehicles, while others sell a bit of everything. Both types have their pros and cons. Dedicated classic car websites generally list the more expensive examples, but also have the best aftermarket service and checks. Generic car websites are where you can find a bargain, but there is also less reassurance if anything goes wrong.

Dyler – This website is the newest of the bunch, but also a good port of call for overseas car buyers.

Mecum – Some of the rarest and most valuable muscle cars pass through this auction house.

Barrett-Jackson – Another auction house that specializes in ultra-rare and expensive muscle cars.

Hemmings – There are plenty of classic cars for sale on this website, being one of the most popular in the US.

ClassicCars.com – This website lists plenty of reasonable value vehicles, with a huge inventory.

Ebay Motors – For the sheer variety and size of the audience, you can’t beat eBay motors. You can search country centric versions of the website, and if you land on your feet, you can snag a very good value bargain.

Autotrader Classics – back in the days before the Internet, Auto Trader was the number 1 spot to find used vehicles. It was especially popular in the UK and Europe and is still one of the most respected in the US.

Conclusion

No matter if you want that one-off pristine classic or a beat-up restoration project, there is a muscle car out there for you. Muscle car prices have steadily increased over the years, making them a worthwhile investment for the future.

The post The Most Popular Muscle Cars Worldwide appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The very distinctive looking Plymouth Superbird is no ordinary car. Built to blast around the NASCAR circuit at 200 mph+ in 1970, the ‘aero warrior’ was built for the track. But the roadgoing versions were just a little bit too distinctive for most people’s tastes of the time. Little did people know at the time that the Superbird would turn into a high-value classic. Now, a FE5 Rallye Red Plymouth Superbird has been uncovered as possibly the only example in this color.

With only around 1,935 examples of the Superbird being built at the time, this made the car an instant rarity. The guys over at Classic Car Cowboy, a Texas-based outfit, had the car checked out on behalf of the owner. David Wise of MMC Detroit, was the Mopar expert in charge of the task, who had to sift through the faded serial numbers. After lots of careful consideration, the car was deemed genuine and the only Superbird to be given a FE5 Rallye Red paint job.

The FE5 Rallye Red color may have been a popular choice on the likes of a Roadrunner or Barracuda, but on a Superbird it’s quite the rarity. The full specifications of the car would have been interesting to know from the video. But any other rare options are bound to come out in due course.

Restoration

The next stage in the process is to perform a full powertrain restoration. The Superbird will then be hopefully displayed at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals in July. After which the full restoration process can commence bringing the car back to its former glory.

The thing to note in the very short video below is the ask for donations is presented as a joke. The clue is in the title of the video where they state, ‘ joke, joke, not asking for money.’ This is worth mentioning as it’s easy to misconstrued their intentions. It’s also worth mentioning as it could save you some time commenting on this point on their video page.

No matter your thoughts on the presentation of the Superbird in the video, the car is a one-off classic that is sure to fetch big numbers at auction.

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

The post The Only Example of a FE5 Rallye Red Plymouth Superbird Discovered appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The elephant in the room for most muscle car fans is a slow onslaught of electric vehicles. If we recognize the fact or not, anybody with a passing interest in muscle car is wondering how the mighty V8 engine will fit into this new world. Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis has recently addressed this issue in an interview with CNBC https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/26/dodge-boss-says-evs-can-save-americas-new-golden-age-of-muscle-cars.html stating, ‘The days of an iron block supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 are numbered.’ But he continues to say, ‘They’re absolutely numbered because of all the compliance costs. But the performance that those vehicles generate is not numbered.’

Mr. Kuniskis continues by turning a negative into a positive showing that the ‘golden age of muscle cars’ can be saved by either all-electric or hybrid vehicles. This he calls ‘Performance 2.0.’ Basically, once the cost of EV technology starts to drop, performance-based vehicles will emerge.

The Current Lineup

The latest comments from Mr. Kuniskis may surprise some, especially when the Dodge Charger and Challenger are still selling in droves. According to Mr. Kuniskis, 50,000 Hellcats have been sold over the last 5 years. This means that we are not going to see any drastic changes over the next few years. However, the discussion point is more about what’s lurking over the horizon.

Most of the thought process comes from looking back at the original golden age of muscle cars from the late 1960s and early 1970s. The original performance muscle cars were popularized by blue-collar types. Eventually, the vehicles succumbed to national regulations, producing what was supposedly more fuel-friendly vehicles. Those fuel-friendly cruisers also changed their body design, which most would argue was a shadow of their former selves.

The same scenario seems to be looming for current muscle cars. In 1972 huge displacement engines got hit on all sides. Safety parameters increased, as with insurance costs and overall standards of emissions. While there were standout examples of muscle cars along the way, it still took a good few decades for those vehicles to hit a sweet spot. Therefore, planning for the future seems to be the wisest move at this point. As Mr. Kuniskis further states, ‘Without that technology, without electrification. This is 1972 right now, this thing is going to end.’

The Way Forward for EV Muscle Cars

Now Fiat Chrysler has become the conglomerate of Stellantis(linking up with French automakers PSA), shared platforms, ideas and technology are sure to emerge.

Dodge doesn’t currently offer any type of electric vehicle, but that is sure to change over the coming years. Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares recently said that new vehicles up to 2025 will be offered with an electric equivalent.

Ford to go Electric by 2028

The video above at 4:30 from Autoline Daily shows that Ford and the Mustang may be gearing up to go all-electric. The video prediction is a 2028 timeframe for an all-electric Mustang. But that doesn’t consider the reports of the S650 Mustang which could see the light of day by 2023. Some have said that the life-cycle of the S650 Mustang will clash with a 2028 all-electric Mustang release. This may push the Mustang EV forward to the end of the decade.

Ford has already shown glimmers of what could be in store for the future. The Mustang Lithium Concept was first shown at SEMA 2019, along with the Mustang Mach-E 1400. However, at this stage of the game, these designs are almost sealed units, without the ability to tune up as per the regular upgrades. It’s not like you can quickly add a new supercharger or strap on a turbo.

There is also talk of Ford releasing a 415cu/6.8L pushrod V8 into the Mustang. If this is true, the internal combustion engine still has many years ahead. The Coyote, Predator, and Voodoo V8 engines still have plenty of life left in them.

General Motors EV’s

At this point, it’s anybody’s guess if the 6th generation Chevrolet Camaro or further will turn electric or not. The next few years will see downtime for the sprightly pony car. However, the current Camaro’s home base of Lansing Grand River, which also makes the Cadillac CT4 and CT5 could be the center point. It would be no surprise if the Camaro emerges as a hybrid or full electric vehicle.

Conclusion

It’s clear at this stage that all the muscle car manufacturers are beavering away in the background working out how to take the best elements of a V8. The tricky balancing act of pushing the technology, while also respecting the past will be interesting to see emerge.

It’s likely that the introduction of a full-blown electric muscle car will be done in tentative steps. Gauging user feedback, with hopefully the ability to tune the engine. How the side benefits of the V8 engine will be addressed will also be interesting. The low-end rumble, tone, and as the Beachboys put it, good vibrations, will all need consideration.

The post Dodge CEO States EVs Could Save The Modern Muscle Car appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

As of 16 January 2021, the FCA and Groupe PSA have merged to create the by volume, fourth largest vehicle manufacturer. This will also make the newly formed company the third largest revenue manufacturer. The new collaboration will be called Stellantis, which is derived from the Latin word, ‘stello’ roughly translating ‘to brighten with stars.’ Also, the Chrysler Corporation has changed hands via mergers four times within the last 23 years.

Back in 1998, the Chrysler Corporation joined forces with Daimler-Benz, with Daimler then selling 80.1% of Chrysler to a private equity firm in 2007. In 2009, Chrysler filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with all assets being sold to the Chrysler Group LLC, under the guidance of the FIAT group. by January 21, 2014, FIAT acquired the last shares of Chrysler, renaming the brands to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

The 14 brands which make up the new conglomerate include, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS, FIAT, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, RAM, and Vauxhall. The head office will now be based in Amsterdam Netherlands, and there’s now a Stellantis Wikipedia page to find future updates.

The merger is seen to be a big advantage for both organisations. The PSA will be introduced to all American markets, while the FCA can make use of the newly developed PSA electric platforms.

This merger thing seems to be the way forward for most car companies. The FCA linked up with Tesla in April 2019 to control CO2 emissions to better comply with EU standards. While Ford have also linked up with Volkswagen for their electric car platform which should begin production in 2023.

For the Dodge muscle car fans out there, this merger most likely means future designs and platforms can be shared. Keep an eye on this space for future updates.

The post FCA and Peugeot S.A. Merger Becomes Stellantis appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The first and last vehicle of any kind usually gains interest from collectors and enthusiasts alike. In today’s world, the last vehicle that rolls off an assembly line is photographed, videoed, and documented to the nth degree. But in the early years of muscle cars, meticulous documentation wasn’t always the priority. Which is why the last Hemi ever built it’s not so much of a cut and dry story.

Initially, we thought the process would be straightforward. A quick Google search popped up a well-publicized example of the restoration of the supposedly last Hemi. But on further research, it seems that one or two vehicles are also claiming the title.

In reality, there had to be one vehicle with a 426 Hemi dropped in it which was the last one officially produced. But with differences between scheduled and production dates, VIN numbers, and what was officially documented, leads to a few vehicles claiming the title.

Hemi Background

The 426 Hemi hit the Charger R/T in 1966 coming from NASCAR heritage with cast iron heads instead of the racing aluminum versions, low compression ratios, better valve timings, and upgraded exhaust and intake manifolds to achieve the 425HP and 490 lb. ft. of torque. However, by 1971 federal emissions put a halt to these huge engine types. The Hemi engine name lives on in present-day vehicles, but it’s the original design and configuration which still holds up today.

The ‘White’ 1971 Dodge Charger R/T

The fuss about the white 1971 Dodge Charger R/T seems to start in 2013 when the vehicle was acquired by renowned Charlotte-North Carolina muscle car experts RK Motors. The vehicle had finished an extensive restoration and was to be shown for the first time at the Food Lion AutoFair, Charlotte Motor Speedway that year. According to a Hemmings article, the vehicle was ‘1 of 33’ cars produced in 1971 with the 426 Hemi engine and a TorqueFlite automatic transmission.

The car was originally sold in Ohio with the original owner being told by the people at Glavic Dodge, Wickliffe, Ohio that it was unlikely the car would ever be built. The vehicle was subsequently produced at the Lynch Road plant, Detroit, on June 18, 1971. This apparently was two weeks later than a previously documented vehicle.

In the early 1990s, the R/T was bought by Joe Angelucci who originally spotted the vehicle years earlier. It wasn’t until the original owner fell ill that the car was agreed to be sold to Joe. From which the car was left in its original state until it was restored by RK Motors.

The Last HEMI – Segment 1- The Journey Begins

The ‘Blue’ Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda

Zipping over the description from a 2018 Barrett Jackson auction, this particular Hemi-Cuda was ‘one of 59’ known HEMI Cudas built-in 1971′(contrary to the above 33), which has also had a full restoration and only 23,772 original miles on the clock.

It has an original four-speed manual transmission, Dana 60 rear end, A34-code Super Trak Pak, A34-code Super Trak Pak, and comes with the original broadcast sheet.

Which is the original last Hemi-ever built?

If you care to wade through the comments from the Hemmings article link above, it adds more fuel to the fire rather than a decisive conclusion. Some say up to 60 US-spec Hemis were built for the R/T, not including Canadian built vehicles.

One of the most conclusive articles on this topic is from moparconnectionmagazine.com. Basically, the article wraps around Tim Wellborn and his employment of the ‘Prove It’ firm to track down the originality of the last Hemi vehicle.

The team eventually uncovered the fact that there were four plants producing Hemi vehicles in 1971. As assembly lines regularly produced vehicles beyond their assigned build date, there was no way to accurately date the last Chrysler Hemi assigned car. The report produced by the firm says that the white Charger, therefore, couldn’t be the last Hemi-version.

The ‘yellow’ 1971 Dodge Charger R/T owned by Tim Wellborn as seen below had a scheduled production date of June 11, but rolled out on July 30 (according to the Fender tag and window sticker), which was the last day of production for Chrysler vehicles in 1971.

It would be great to hear comments and feedback about this topic for which vehicle you think is the last Hemi powered vehicle from the golden era of muscle cars.

The post The Last Hemi: Which one is it? appeared first on Muscle Car.

If you’ve always wanted the power and performance of a topline muscle car but don’t want to part with your own cherished vehicle, there are options. The ubiquitous crate engine has been a long-standing route to drop any engine into most any car, delivered straight to your doorstep.

To make sure a muscle car crate engine is fitted properly, you will also have to make sure that your doorstep is surrounded by a fully kitted out garage, winches, and a Snap-on socket set to rival those of an overly enthusiastic drag racing team. Both Dodge and Ford currently supply crate engines for their top-line vehicles. This means if you have always fancied dropping a hefty V8 from one of the latest and greatest muscle cars into your own vehicle, then read on.

The 807 Horsepower Hellcat Redeye Crate Engine

The route to the Redeye crate engine production was quite simple. Those who couldn’t lay their hands on a Dodge Demon were then given the option of buying the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye or the Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye. The price point for both of these vehicles is amazing considering the output power of both. But if you already had your own tasty vehicle and wouldn’t mind the zest of the Redeye powerplant, the crate engine option was born.

Essentially, the 6.2L supercharged Hellcat Redeye V8 is now available at a starting price of $21,807. This engine has the same specifications as the production vehicles, producing 807 hp and 717lb. ft. of torque when it’s run on 91-octane fuel. The supercharger comes in at 2.7 L, with 14.5 psi of boost and a red line top limit of 6,500 rpm. These basic specifications are a definite increase over what is available in the ‘Hellcrate’ engine, which comes straight from the Hellcat, which you can also buy as an alternative.

The engine itself comes supplied with the basics of the supercharger, water pump, oil pan, throttle body, flex plate, front-sump, fuel injectors, and coil packs. If you need things like an alternator, pulleys and belts, mounting hardware, and power steering pump, then there is an optional front end accessory drive kit available.

If the Redeye crate engine doesn’t take your fancy, then Dodge supply variations of the 5.7L and 6.4L V8’s available in other Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles.

Shelby GT500 Crate Engine

For Mustang and Ford fans out there, the Shelby GT500 is one of those bucket list vehicles to own. Coming very soon, the 5.2L supercharged Predator V8 from the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will be available as a crate engine.

Although at the time of writing the launch time and price of the engine is unconfirmed. It will have the same 760 hp and 625 pound-feet of torque from the production GT500. Our completely unsubstantiated guess at the production price will be something like the price of the Hellcat crate engine to stay competitive, but time will tell.

The Predator crate engine will join the likes of the 5.0L Coyote V8 and the beastly 7.3L Godzilla big-block V8 as crate options.

As for General Motors, they are dabbling in the electric side of things, with the possible launch of an electric crate motor, based on the Chevrolet Bolt EV. For this conversion, you should be good with a soldering iron and a couple of lithium-ion batteries before your good to go…ahem.

The post Muscle Car Crate Engines appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The year 2020 may not have seen a deluge of muscle cars hitting the market, but at least the top players have some vehicles in the pipeline to look forward to.

More Dodge Chargers and Challengers

Even though the Dodge Challenger has been with us since 2008 and the Dodge Charger birthed in 2011, the template still stands up. There are no specifics about what will be released apart but there will be three new variants in the lineup. Fiat Chrysler automobiles are clearly serious about the ongoing future of the vehicles as they are investing $1.2 billion and creating 2000 new jobs, with the Brampton Assembly plant being the center for the Challenger and Charger operations.

Loving the mid-engined Corvette

The C8 Corvette certainly raised eyebrows when it was announced in the mid-engine format. Although the design still looks ‘Vette-like in appearance, the mid-engined layout is there to take on the supercar fraternity at much more affordable price points.

We can throw specifications at you all day long, but it’s how the car drives and feels in the real world that counts. The rather meticulous guys over at businessinsider.com have put the C8 Vette through its paces and to see what the vehicle is like and to live with on a daily basis.

Without giving away the final outcome as it’s best to read the full article, the results will depend on your own back history. For those who are fans of the original ‘Vettes up until the C7, the C8 is clearly a fine piece of craftsmanship but will take some getting used to. For those eyeing up this machine as an alternative to the general run-of-the-mill sports car or even supercar, the C8 is value for money and has the performance to boot.

The post Muscle Car News: Dodge and Corvettes appeared first on Muscle Car.

People buy classic cars for various reasons — from using them as a daily driver to tricking them out and taking them to the track. One of the most popular reasons for buying a classic car is to restore it and show it off at local, national or international car shows. If this is your goal, what do you need to do to get your favorite classic car show-ready?

Learn the Rules

There are as many different types of car shows as there are car owners. You won’t be the perfect fit for every kind. Some focus on modded muscle cars, while others showcase perfectly restored classics that look like they just drove off the showroom floor.

Take some time to learn the rules and expectations of the different car shows you’re interested in before applying.

Do a Deep Clean

Regardless of the focus of the show, you don’t want to present a dirty car. If the showrunners let you onto the floor, make sure your ride is polished and scrubbed. No one comes to these events to see the same grimy engine compartment or dirty floorboards they can see in their own vehicles.

Give your car a deep clean and detail before you head to the show. That includes cleaning under the hood, beneath the undercarriage and in all the nooks and crannies of your interior. If this is a competitive show, the judges will be looking at everything.

Inspect the Exterior

It doesn’t take much to start losing a lot of points when you’re under the eyes of the judges at one of these car shows. Little things that you might overlook during a cursory inspection, like dings, scratches, swirls in the wax or unsightly bird droppings you picked up during your commute, will reflect poorly on you. These issues will likely impact your final score and leaderboard placement.

Inspect your vehicle’s exterior before you head to the judging and ensure everything looks precisely the way you want it to.

Make Sure It Starts

Nothing is more embarrassing than showcasing your favorite classic muscle car, only to have it sputter and stall when you try to start it. In many cases, it doesn’t matter how good your car looks. If it doesn’t start, you might as well go back to the drawing board. Make sure your show car starts easily every single time.

This isn’t as much of an issue for a classic that you use as a daily driver. But, if you’re displaying a show car that you only start every other month to keep your gasoline from turning to varnish, make sure it starts.

Wait to Wax

You’ll probably be tempted to jump right from the washing and detailing step into waxing, but hold off for a while. Make sure you’ve cleaned the entire vehicle and removed anything that could negatively impact your finish. That could be dirt, dust, grease, grime or whatever else might cling to the exterior of your show car.

Once you’re 100% sure that everything is perfect, apply your wax and polish. Then bring your cleaning supplies along to the show with you. Even if your car is flawless when it hits the showroom floor, there’s always the possibility that someone will touch your perfectly clean exterior with sticky hands or trip and spill their soda all over your fender. Be prepared for anything.

Enjoy the Show

A lot goes into turning your favorite classic car into a show-worthy piece, but if you like being in the spotlight and want to showcase all of your hard work, it’s absolutely worth the effort. Sit back and enjoy the show!

Martin Banks is a writer who covers the world of cars, gear, tech and more at Modded.

The post How to Get Your Classic Car Ready for a Car Show 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

Unless you have been literally living under a rock for the last few weeks, a worldwide social clampdown is quickly being enforced. The COVID-19 coronavirus spread doesn’t just mean social isolation for individuals, but the usual car shows, meets, socializing and interpersonal sharing of the muscle car hobby has ground to a halt.

As the clampdown has been so quick, there’s an immediate shortage of personal protection equipment. To help get all the needed equipment out as soon as possible, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have started to produce medical equipment.

GM recently announced working with Ventec Life, Seattle to build ventilators, while most of its North American facilities have been suspended. Most likely the equipment will be made at GM’s Kokomo facility. FCA on the other hand, will be donating and producing facemasks in one of their China facilities, as the quickest means to get face masks produced and shipped to the US. The FCA are also working with Siare Engineering International Group, Italy, which is one of the worst hit spots for the virus.

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

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In our current somber times, it may be our love of muscle cars that brings a ray of light to our current isolated existence. If you’re lucky enough to own a muscle car, either old or new, now could be a great time to work on those outstanding jobs which we didn’t have time for in the past. If you’re working from home or currently have time off, then I would almost suggest finding someone with a muscle car and helping them out, that’s not exactly advisable in our locked down environments.

Dodge Charger Redeye Widebody

Images | S.Baldauf/S.B.Medien

At least Dodge have some happy news coming through the pipeline in the form of an upcoming Dodge Charger Redeye Widebody. The Dodge Challenger was the first to be treated to the wide-body option, Redeye power of 797hp and Demon like characteristics. Now it’s time for the Charger to get the same treatment.

Up to now, it’s only test vehicles that have been spotted in the wild, which means some of the design may be tweaked by the time it hits production. Such as air intakes on the hood and the usual range of loud Dodge color schemes. Launch time is expected to be in 2021, which could also indicate a slight design refresh, meaning the possibility of added equipment and/or a new grille design. Also, as the Charger is a four-door, it’s going to be a more practical Redeye than the Challenger.

An upcoming Dodge Hornet?

The rumor mill is always hot with which classic muscle car is going to be brought back into existence, with the compass firmly pointing towards a Dodge Hornet currently. Fiat Chrysler have recently filed a trademark application for the terms ‘Hornet‘ and ‘Dodge Hornet’ in the US, Mexico and Canada according to Motor Trend.

The Hornet was originally an AMC model, most famous for being featured in the 1974, Bond movie, ‘The Man With the Golden Gun.’ That amazing car stunt which was apparently the first to use any type of computer simulation to get the real stunt spot-on. As Chrysler took over the AMC brand in 1987, the Hornet name has only appeared since on a preproduction 2006 subcompact crossover.

However, with crossovers being so popular these days, the name could be easily slapped on one of these boxy units. But it will be far cooler if some type of muscle car could be derived from the name.

The post Dodge Muscle Car News appeared first on Muscle Car.

It’s important to note that not all muscle car dealerships are created equal. Keep reading for 7 key things to look for in a muscle car dealership.

Are you thinking about buying a muscle car from a dealership? Everyone loves muscle cars, even ex-President Obama, who looked cool getting behind the wheel in Washington.

Buying from a dealership can be a great option for buying a car but you need to think through carefully what kind of car you want and how good the deals they are offering are.

Be sure to do your research beforehand and ask all the right questions so that you get a deal for your car. Here is everything you need to know about where to buy the best muscle cars.

1. Latest Models

First of all, you need to decide if the dealership is up to date. Do they have the latest models of the cars you are looking to purchase? Or the classic muscle car from the year you are looking for? Many car manufacturers bring out a new model of their cars each year which includes a bunch of gadgets and performance improvements that you might want to pay extra for.

One good example of new tech that newer models of cars include is Apple CarPlay. This allows you to use your phone and access some of the apps from your dashboard rather than having to play with your actual phone while you are driving. It also has Siri inbuilt so you don’t even have to touch the screen.

2. Good Stock

It’s no use buying the best new muscle car from a dealership if they don’t have what you’re looking for in stock. If they are a relatively small dealership then it could be the case that once their batch of cars are sold it will be a while before they get any more delivered.

Delivering cars is an expensive business and can take weeks as they are shipped across America by lorry or imported.

Before you set your heart on a particular car, be sure to ask your dealer if they have what you are looking for in-stock and how many they have left.

Conversely, don’t allow them to use the fact their stock is running out for pressuring you into buying. A good car dealer, like a dodge dealership, will have great availability.

3. Warranty

If you are buying a new or a second-hand car then it is important to ask about warranty. How long does your warranty last and more importantly, what does it cover? Ask for a detailed warranty document before you purchase your cars and compare this to other dealerships.

There are many rouge car dealerships out there that could sell you what appears to be a great-looking, perfectly working car only for it to break down all of the time, with warranty that doesn’t cover you for most of the issues.

If you are buying new you also need to consider the cost of upgrading versus the cost of having the current model fixed, even if it’s under warranty. For example, if you buy a brand new car with a warranty of 6 years, the car could soon need major repairs in its seventh year.

Yet it’s value could have depleted so much you are better to sell it after 3 or 4 years and get a new one so that you don’t lose too much money.

4. Good Deals on Finance

Another key issue to look into is whether the dealership has a good policy on loans to cover the cost of the car. Many dealerships will allow you to finance the car interest-free for a whole year. You could then pay off the car in monthly installments over the course of a year.

Be sure to read the small print to find out all the details of the finance. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you realize the interest is too high and you can’t afford to make the payments each month. Don’t be pressured into taking out a loan you don’t be swayed into buying a better can than you can really afford because of good finance options. Always think about the options you are presented with and budget carefully in detail before proceeding.

5. Extras

What kind of extras will the dealership throw it to sweeten the deal? If you have young children will they give you free car seats and install an entertainment system on the backseats for long journeys? Imagine having WiFi installed in some of the most popular muscle cars.

Will they offer to upgrade your car every year or will they offer to give you a good deal if one of your friends or relatives also buys the best new muscle car from the dealership. Remember if you are buying older muscle cars they might not have the same safety features as modern-day cars so be sure to ask if these can be upgraded for free?

Always remember the age-old art of haggling. As the saying goes, if you don’t ask you won’t get.

Buying a Muscle Car From a Dealership

Buying a muscle car from a dealership can be great. There are some great deals available but like buying from anywhere, you need to be aware of some of the pitfalls. Be sure to check that the dealership has a good stock of all the models you want and be sure to ask how long it will take to have them delivered.

Always check the warranty and make sure it covers you for all eventualities and ask whether you can get a good deal on finance. But be sure to avoid being pressured into buying something you can’t afford because of a good deal on finance.

If you are interested in reading more about the best muscle cars or the best dealership to purchase them be sure to check out the rest of our site.

The post 5 Key Things to Look for in a Muscle Car Dealership appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The next installment of the Batman movie franchise should be hitting screens in the middle of 2021. A new movie means a new Batmobile and with Robert Pattinson taking up the role this time around, the Batmobile is taking on a more muscle car demeanor.

Images of the new Batmobile surfaced recently on Twitter, via director of the new film Matt Reeves, showing a more conventional car build, at least compared to the Batmobiles we have currently been used to. The snaps shots of the new car show a possible V8 or V10 at the rear, with twin turbos. All wrapped around a bat roll cage and bat bodywork(using the original TV convention of sticking the word ‘bat’ before everything.)

As the new vehicle has definite muscle car DNA, the speculation mill is at full tilt guessing the possible platform the car is built upon. Some are pointing towards a 1970-ish Plymouth Barracuda ala a type of Chrysler E-body. As this latest flick is chronicling the early years of Batman, it stands to sense that Mr. Batman would be using a touch of Detroit muscle as the basis for the Batmobile. It’s not much of a stretch of the imagination to think this could also be customized GT40, at least from the back and it’s low stance, but not so much from the front(Batman could own a chop shop…)

In any case, the new movie promises to be more raw and visceral than previous outings. Plus, from preview images a healthy soundtrack of potential Detroit muscle running through the whole story line. Only a brief teaser videos have been released up to now on the new movie( as above), so we will have to wait over the coming months for a closer look at Batty’s new ride.

???? #TheBatman pic.twitter.com/qJFNprk1ut

— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) March 4, 2020

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

The post The Next BatMobile Is a Muscle Car! appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

After six decades of production, the Chevrolet Impala will have its last dance, with the last models rolling off the production line in the next week or so. First introduced in 1958, there were gaps in production in the 1980’s and 1990’s, but over its life over 16.8 million vehicles were produced.

The reasons for the cherished nameplate going into retirement mainly point to the current popularity of pickups, SUV’s and crossovers. The huge Impalas of the past, eventually turned into regular sized sedans and in today’s climate, the market is swamped with these type of vehicles.

A Sign of Things to Come

The Impalas of the 50’s and 60’s were the ideal platform to ‘pimp my ride,’ being some of the longest and widest vehicles known to man. There is no missing the distinctive squinted eyed rear of a 1959 Impala, but a name plate has to keep up with the times. This was evident when General Motors put the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant on the closure list in late 2018. Impala US sales had also dropped in 2018 by 25.5% to 56,556, falling further to 4,978 in 2019. With the general decline of sedan sales as a whole, other makers have been following suit, such as the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200, with Ford also dropping the Taurus, Fiesta, C-Max and Focus.

From the late 1950’s through to the 1960’s the Impala was a huge hit, selling 440,000 in 1959 and more than 1 million in 1965. Affordable and a mark of the spirit of the time, the success was continued until GM discontinued the model 1985, to be brought back in 1994 as an ‘SS’ model.

What’s next?

The popularity of SUVs and such may have ceased production of the Impala as we currently know it, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the story. With such a well-known name, it’s entirely possible that the name may come back in the future under a different guise. Ford have crow barred the Mustang and Mach name into an electric SUV, so it’s entirely possible that the same could happen with the Impala. As the name is about as American as apple pie, don’t think this is the last you have heard of the legendary Impala….

The post The Chevrolet Impala Ceases Production appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Engine: 426CI. V8 Hemi/425 HP
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Color: F8 Dark Green Metallic

As far as muscle car rarities go, this 1970 Dodge Hemi Coronet R/T is up there with the best. Coming up for auction at Mecum, May 12-17, this example is one of 13 Hemi Coronet R/T’s produced in 1970 and only one of four with a hardtop and four speed manual transmission.

The Coronet was first released in 1949 as a full-sized vehicle, eventually transforming into the muscle car we know today in 1968. The 1970 model removed the flat looking front end, to be replaced by a dual oval grille, known as ‘bumble bee wings.’ But, it didn’t exactly help sales, especially with 1970 being such a hot year for classic muscle car production.

Poor sales equal future rarities, which we have in this case, originally a California car having 426 cubic-inch Hemi V8 going to a 9¾ inch Dana 60 rear end, which was restored and re-built by renowned drag racer Dick Landy in 2000. The engine was given a complete overhaul with a freshly bored engine block, new valve guides, balanced connecting rods, high-performance valves and Magnafluxing and micro-polishing of the crankshaft. The rest of the car was treated to all factory or NOS parts in 2014. Additional engine items include a Carter AFB 4-barrel carburetor, dual-plane aluminum intake manifold, Black crinkle-finish valve covers. All resulting in the 3,400-pound of mass hitting 60 mph in 5.3 seconds.

The exterior of the car comes in F8 Dark Green Metallic paint, with a black vinyl interior, Hurst Pistol-Grip shifter and very 1970’s wood rimmed steering wheel. The Coronet tail stripe was deleted on this example, with no center console, but it does have the Tic-Toc-Tach, along with a R22 AM/8-Track tape, tinted glass, Protection group and the Light Group ordered interior lighting in the trunk, glovebox and ashtray.

The Numbers matching car comes with ‘extensive documentation’ which includes the broadcast sheet, receipts, photos of the restoration process and a Chrysler Registry report.

As for how much this Dodge Coronet is worth, a 1 of 14 1970 Dodge Hemi Coronet R/T sold for $305,000 back in 2014. Hmmm, that one looks mighty similar I thought and checking out the original Mecum auction listing for the vehicle, it’s the same car(Dick Landy Restoration, 1 of four 4-speeds, Woodgrain steering wheel, V88 transverse stripe delete, Chrysler Registry report). Which means six years later, it will be very interesting to see what the final bid price will come in at.

One things for sure, whoever lands this prize rarity, will not only have a fine example of the breed, but also a vehicle that will steadily increase in value over the years.

Find out more here.

The post 1970 Dodge Hemi Coronet R/T: 1 of 4 And Up For Auction appeared first on Muscle Car.

The Ford Mustang dominated muscle car sales last year, with a total of 72,489 sold. 2020 is a brand new year, and you have options. While the Ford Mustang is impressive, Chevy and Dodge have stepped their game up.

Check out this list of the best muscle cars on the market for 2020. 

1. Chevrolet Camaro

The Camaro is thrilling to drive with excellent handling and a comfortable ride. It comes with several engine options, comfy front seats, and an intuitive infotainment system.

New for the 2020 models is an LT1 trim and an optional 10-speed automatic transmission for the V6 engine.

Performance 

The Camaro isn’t short on power with the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that comes standard. It produces 275 horsepower. If this isn’t enough, there are three available engines.

1. 335-horsepower V6
2. 455-horsepower V8
3. 455-horsepower V8

If you’re concerned about fuel economy, then you’ll want to opt for the standard engine. The mpg goes down as you go up in engine size.

Interior 

While the interior isn’t as luxurious as other muscle cars on this list, it’s still impressive. It seats four, though there’s distinctly more room in the front than the back.

When it comes to technology, there’s an intuitive 7-inch touchscreen that lets you navigate the Infotainment 3 system. There are plenty of features to keep you comfortable.

• Six-speaker audio system
• Wi-Fi hot spot
• Two USB ports
• Bluetooth
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Models 

There are two body styles and eight different trims to choose from 1LS, 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, LT1, 1SS, 2SS, and ZL1. All trims come in the coupe body style, but you can upgrade all except the base model to the convertible body style.

If you’re struggling to pick a trim level, it helps to choose your engine first. This will narrow down your trim level options.

2. Ford Mustang 

Not resting on their laurels, Ford is adding a Shelby GT500 model, optional high-performance package, EcoBoost Handling package, and FordPass Connect standard. The Mustang is so popular because of the wide variety of engine options, exciting handling, and quality materials in the cabin.

Performance 

Four engines come in the Mustang. The base model comes with a turbocharged 2.3-liter engine. It only gives you 310 horsepower. For more performance, go with the 5-liter V8 that produces 460 horsepower.

Then there are the specialty models, the Bullitt with 480 hp, Shelby GT350 with 526 hp, and the Shelby GT500 with 760 hp.

Interior 

Ford configures the interior of the Mustang to stay true to its roots with its 2+2 configuration for the seats. The two front seats have plenty of room, while the back seats are small and cramped.

When it comes to features, you’ll need to choose a higher level trim. The base model lacks with just the SYNC system and a small display that come standard.

Models 

There are four main trim levels for you to choose from; EcoBoost (or base), EcoBoost Premium, GT, and GT Premium. Then you can also choose between the fastback coupe and convertible body styles.

If performance is your priority, then check out the Bullitt, GT500, and the GT 350. These models have the V8 engine and are designed to perform at the top of its class.

3. Dodge Challenger 

The 2020 dodge challenger has a new offerings for 2020 with new interior and exterior styling options. These new looks are paired with a large trunk, spacious interior, and powerful engines.

Performance 

There are five different engines to choose from for your Challenger, which is almost too many. They range from the 305 horsepower V6 to the 797 horsepower V8. While the fuel economy ratings aren’t out yet for the Challenger, it’s safe to say that the larger and faster options aren’t going to deliver on fuel economy.

Interior 

Unlike other coupes, the Challenger has spacious front seats and plenty of legroom for the rear seats. The materials Dodge used are respectable, though not top of the line.

You’ll have plenty of features with the 7-inch touchscreen and UConnect 4 infotainment system. It comes with several other modern features.

• Six-speaker audio system
• Bluetooth
• Two USB ports
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Models 

There are six different trim models for you to choose from, the SXT, GT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, SRT Hellcat, and SRT Hellcat Redeye. If you’re looking for serious performance, then you need to start at the R/T trim levels for a V8 engine. For some serious performance, though, Choose one of the Hellcat trims that have track level performance specs.

4. Dodge Charger 

If you’re looking for refined handling, a powerful engine, and user-friendly technology, then the Charger is the muscle car for you. The V6 and V8 engines are sure to impress while the interior is comfortable and roomy.

Keep an eye out for the Scat Pack and Widebody SRT Hellcat models as they are new this year.

Performance 

Standard under the Charger hood is a 3.6-liter V6 engine that pumps out 300 horsepower. If this isn’t enough, consider the V8 option that jumps the horsepower up to 370. Then there’s the Scat Pack engine that’s a mind-blowing 6.4-liter V8 that produces a head-spinning 485 horsepower.

If even that isn’t enough, then you need the Hellcat. Aptly named, it’s 6.2-liter V8 pumps out 707 horsepower. Prepare to go from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds.

Interior 

This muscle car has room for everyone with five spacious seats. While other vehicles on this list focus on the front passengers, three adults can comfortably sit in the back seat of the Charger.

While the interior is comfortable, it isn’t the most modern or luxurious feeling. It can even feel a bit dated.

You won’t be disappointed by the included technology. There’s a 7-inch touchscreen that lets you navigate Dodge’s Uconnect infotainment system. Plus, there are plenty of other standard features.

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Six speaker stereo
• Satellite radio
• Bluetooth
• Two USB ports

Models 

There are seven different trim levels for you to choose from, including the SXT, GT, R/T, Scat Pack, Scat Pack Widebody, SRT Hellcat Widebody, and Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition. If you’re craving performance, then look at the R/T trim level or higher.

If you’re looking for an everyday driver with comfort, then the GT or SXT models are the smarter choices.

Buy Only the Best Muscle Cars

So which one of the best muscle cars speaks to your inner speed demon? American muscle cars have been around for decades, but the new 2020 models prove that they are anything but old.

Get your own muscle car this year and get your blood pumping as you experience the impressive performance that is an American muscle car.

Check out our muscle cars for sale section and find your next ride.

The post The 4 Best Muscle Cars of 2020 appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

One recent chunk of news that has got Dodge Demon fans a touch more excited than usual is the emergence of a convertible version, which is currently for sale. At first we thought, is this one of the 3300 that we have missed and went under the radar as a convertible? Nope, this is a Professional conversion done by Droptop Customs, High Springs, Florida.

Nevertheless, chopping the top off an 840HP, limited edition monster is a bold move, but the results do look very tasty. The car is currently on its second owner and currently on sale at Cape Coral for $145,995.

The conversion was said to be done with strategic reinforcements of the body, adding extra metal where it counted to improve the stability with a lack of roof and to handle all that horsepower. Things like the frame rails were reinforced, with metal all-round to counter any chassis twist, supports to the trunk front edge, shock towers being reinforced and the long doors made structurally tougher. In other words, all the structural integrity should be just as good as when the top was originally fitted.

Many other aspects of the car have had additional metal inserted for strength, which has allowed the three layer top to be seamlessly fitted with manual latches, hydraulic motor and even a heated rear window. For safety’s sake, the top should be raised and lowered while the car is stationary and takes roughly 20 seconds to lock into place. The mechanical side of the car seems to be stock, with only 172 miles on the clock, but the listing doesn’t say if it comes with the Demon crate or not.

Obviously the asking price is on the high end of what is currently being asked for a Demon, but we’re guessing that’s including the conversion work and its special one-of-a-kind nature. In any case, this is a very interesting build and although it’s not an all factory original, it is currently the only convertible Dodge Demon and definitely comes with individual bragging rights.

The post A 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Convertible for Sale appeared first on Muscle Car.

Classic muscle cars are probably the most enduring legacy of the golden age of American automobiles. The high-powered, high-performance sports cars running on a mighty 8-cylinder engine gained its iconic status almost immediately after their introduction in the early ’60s.

Sadly their dominance wouldn’t last, with the gas crunch, rising insurance costs and new pollution standards seeing them mostly phased out in the following years. But having been built to last, many of the American originals can still be found out on the roads.

In their honor, here is our countdown of the top classic muscle cars of all time.

10. Chevrolet Corvette

Before there were muscle cars, there was the Corvette. Though more of a sleek cruiser than a genuine muscle car, the Corvette would be the first mass-production car to deliver one horsepower per cubic inch.

When the Corvette really came into the muscle category proper was with the introduction of C2 in 1963. These second-generation cars packed four-wheel disc brakes, a big block 6.5-liter V8, and optional side exhaust pipes.

9. Shelby Cobra

The Shelby Cobra is one of the very first muscle cars introduced. First marketed in its native Britain as the AC Cobra, the AC car company collaborated with Shelby and Ford for its introduction to the United States.

The result was the Cobra 417, manufactured in Detroit with a Ford V8 engine and a newer, larger chassis.

8. Chevrolet Camaro

The Camaro has consistently been one of the most popular muscle cars ever built. In the United States, it’s ranked third in all-time sales and popularity.

Originally developed in 1966, the Camaro was built with the intention of challenging the Ford Mustang’s dominance. The first generation came with three six-cylinder options and four V8s. Now on its seventh generation, the tradition of including a wealth of engine options has continued, with each generation being more powerful than the last.

7. Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is the single most popular muscle car ever produced in the United States. Introduced in 1964, I don’t think even Ford was prepared for the hugely popular reception that their new pony car would receive.

The Mustangs’ first-generation saw its power creep up steadily. Originally they were only able to get 101hp from the six-cylinder engine and 164hp from the V8. But the addition of a more powerful V8 would see the horsepower rise to a more respectable 290.

The Mustang also has the distinction of being one of the few classic muscle cars to survive the ’70s oil crisis with the introduction of the Mustang II. Though enthusiasts were largely dismissive, this smaller and more efficient car was able to weather the influx of Japanese compacts and helped ensure the model’s continuation.

6. Plymouth Road Runner

The Road Runner was conceived as a more economical alternative to some of the other muscle cars on the market, with fewer features and basic trim. But if anyone minded, it didn’t seem to harm the sales figures, as the Road Runner enjoyed 12 years in production.

Though lacking in amenities, the Road Runner was available in a full range of big-block engines, ensuring that it would live up to the speed of its namesake.

5. Dodge Daytona/Plymouth Superbird

Though technically two different vehicles, these cars share enough features and an entwined history for them to be placed together.

Both of these audacious-looking vehicles were limited production specials meant to legalize them for NASCAR racing. Packing a 426 Hemi and a 440 Wedge respectively, the certainly had the power to live up to the task. Combined with their iconic silhouette, these are among the most distinctive muscle cars ever conceived.

4. Plymouth Barracuda

The first production run of the Barracuda was nothing special. It shared the same chassis as the four-dour valiant, had minimal styling, and limited engine options with a V8 maxing out at 180 horsepower. Faced with the continued dominance of the Mustang, Plymouth realized that the Barracuda needed a push.

So with the second generation, they rolled out a longer, more aggressive car with improved handling and big-block V8s. Still not satisfied, the Barracuda achieved its perfected form with the third generation in 1970.

The new Barracuda no longer shared a platform with a sedan, and instead had a new, long and low profile. Most notably, this generation also saw the introduction of the famous “Hemi Cuda”, outfitted with a 426ci Hemi engine.

This addition virtually cemented the Barracuda’s legendary status.

3. Chevrolet Chevelle SS

The Chevelle is among the most iconic American muscle cars. Just look at its film appearances. It’s John Wick’s vehicle of choice, and its presence in Dazed and Confused perfectly dates the period pice to the waning days of American muscle.

But beyond its iconic design, the Chevelle stood up as a serious competitor on the drag racing scene, backed up by either Chevy’s 396 or 454 big-blocks under the hood.

2. Pontiac GTO

The original GTO maxed out at a 326 cubic-inch V8 making with an output of up to 280hp. While that doesn’t make it the most powerful car on this list, its impact can’t be understated.

The GTO was among the very first true muscle cars and inspired competitors like Ford, Chevy, and Chrysler to prioritize building there own affordable, high-output cars. As such, its importance cannot be overlooked.

Sadly, Pontiac’s attempts to revive the name were mostly unsuccessful and foreshadowed the company’s eventual demise. But though they may be gone, the GTO’s reputation lives on.

1. Dodge Charger

The Charge is quite possibly the most iconic muscle car ever built, a status that is reflected in pop culture. From The Dukes of Hazard to Bullitt, to The Fast and the Furious, the classic Charger seems as popular now as ever.

Originally introduced as a show car, the Charger’s popularity quickly grew along with its reputation as one of the fastest things on four wheels. And you can still find them on the roads today.

Like many classics, the Charger is starting to show its age. In particular, the Charger has always been known to have body roll issues. Fortunately, with the right parts, it’s correctable, and with resources like these manuals available, it’s an easy fix for a hobby mechanic.

Classic Muscle Cars Are Still the Kings of the Road

Though their heyday has come and gone, classic muscle cars still manage to stick in our collective memory. And while it’s unclear if we’ll ever see a muscle car renaissance, many of these originals can still be found in good shape.

The post The Top 10 Classic Muscle Cars of All Time appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

If you have been shopping around for a Dodge Challenger Demon recently, you’ll have seen quite a few examples on the market. One example which recently popped up at Platinum Motorcars, Detroit, belongs to Ralph Gilles, design chief of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and has the VIN number ending in 004.

This example is finished in Octane Red Pearlcoat and has an asking price of $139,995. Basically, hitting the top range of current prices.
The car is said to have 1,032 miles on the clock, which seem to be leisurely miles, none of these clocked up at the dragstrip. It may seem strange that the chief designer has decided to part ways with his Demon so soon, but in an Instagram post Gilles stated that he is making room for ‘another equally devilish project.’ No more details and a very ambiguous statement, but it does get the mind racing to the possibilities of what this means.

In any case, this Demon has the usual specs. A 6.2-liter supercharged V8 pushing out 840hp and comes with a factory warranty. It also has the bragging rights of being owned by the design chief and has a VIN of 004. What’s not to like.

find out more here.

The post FCA Design Chief Selling Dodge Demon 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

Currently, there’s been no better time for the muscle car. Each of the big Detroit makers have great offerings which can dance with the rest and have gobs of horsepower. Brands such as Dodge with the Hellcat and the Demon are proving V8’s have never gone out of fashion. However, there is a big ‘but’ coming, according to an interview with Tim Kuniskis, head of passenger cars at Fiat Chrysler stated over at AutomotiveNews, Ev’s are the ‘absolute future for these cars.’

The talk was obviously around the potential future of the Dodge lineup, with no specifics, but an indication of the future path. ‘That persona shouldn’t change anytime soon, but the source of its trademark performance could evolve with the addition of electrified powertrains.’ Tim says that this future could be anything from battery electrics to hybrids or any number of electric technologies. But, the main takeaway is from the statement, ‘I am a firm believer that electrification will be the key to high performance in the future.’

Transmission makers ZF have signed a deal with Fiat Chrysler to supply hybrid type transmissions, which is one indication to the future. The company are also eyeing up how other performance makers such as Ferrari, Porsche and Tesla have improved performance with electric while adding to fuel efficiency.

One of the main hurdles at the moment is the overall cost as electric components cost more than an internal combustion engine. This is counter to Dodge’s current mantra of getting the most performance for your dollars. ‘We don’t have the price points of the batteries down to a place where, quite honestly, it’s a mainstream proposition,’ said Tim Kuniskis. ‘You do see it in the upper end. You see it in the new Ferrari that just came out, you saw it in the LaFerrari before that, you saw it in the 918, you saw it in the NSX. So there’s absolutely a performance advantage to it, it’s just a question of when the consumer acceptance is going to be for that. And I think it’s going to be as soon as the price points come down, it becomes a mainstream viable option.’

Hmmm, lots to mull over for the average muscle car fan. But as it stands, the landscape isn’t going to change overnight and it’s most likely going to be a slow integration, testing public acceptance, rather than here’s a Hellcat EV, take it or leave it.

Obviously, any mention of electrification for the lovers of muscle cars and V8’s isn’t exactly happy news. But, as discussed a few times on our little website, to keep the muscle car charge going, vehicles have to keep with the times, rather than be left behind. Traditional muscle cars will always have a niche, but trying to stay positive, electrification will also bring high torque levels and as long as muscle cars of the future blow away the rest, this will sit better than simply going electric for the sake of it.

The next few years are going to be interesting to see what the first true EV muscle car will shape up to be. With such a rich history behind the vehicles, none of the makers seem to be rushing into providing an immediate solution. So, until they have a design which everyone accepts, it looks like tentative moves towards electric for the foreseeable future.

The post Dodge Point To An Electric Future For Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

The sales of today’s muscle cars continue to drop. Not only does this raise questions about the future of muscle cars, but it also stunts an entire culture that is still fascinated with the high-horsepower, nostalgic feeling of getting behind the wheel of one of these beasts.

Despite the lack of popularity, there are still plenty of reasons to love modern muscle cars. Let’s review five of the top excuses you should be behind the wheel of a muscle car.

What are Muscle Cars?

An American muscle car features plenty of performance and is typically rear-wheel drive. Most models have been outfitted with a larger, powerful V8 engine. The term was originally used in the 1960s to describe some mass-produced cars that were meant for drag racing.

From the Shelby GT 500KR to the Chevrolet Chevelle SS/LS, there has never been a lack of muscle cars to buy.

With all the excitement and thrill surrounding muscle cars, why the drop in popularity? For many people, the models simply aren’t practical and certainly not fuel-efficient. Another reason is that the Baby Boomer generation was the leading purchaser of these vehicles. Now that the majority of them are in their 50s, they no longer have a desire to drive the lightest muscle car.

Despite their lack of interest in muscle cars, we appeal that there are enough excuses to love muscle cars in today’s day and age.

Reason #1: Storied History

There’s no question that muscle cars are iconic. The history behind the models is interesting, to say the least. If muscle cars aren’t made anymore, a part of American heritage will be taken away from us.

The first full-size muscle car is thought to be the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. It was the first time that a potent V8 engine was placed into a lighter, smaller vehicle. With the original Rocket, the engine was a 5.0-liter taken from a larger Oldsmobile 98. In total, this Oldsmobile pumped out 135 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. During the 1950 NASCAR racing season, this Oldsmobile won eight of the ten races.

Then, in 1955, the Chrysler C-300 was born. It contained 300 horsepower from a 5.4-liter V8 engine. It was quickly hailed as “America’s Most Powerful Car.” Chrysler was on a roll at the time, because they also produced the beloved 300.

As 1956 came to pass, the Studebaker Golden Hawk hit the scene. This American muscle car was equipped with a 5.8-liter Packard V8 engine that pumped out 275 horsepower. In 1957, AMC introduced the Rambler Rebel. This mid-sized car was the first to have a big-block V8 motor under the hood. These early cars paved the way for the Camaros, Mustangs and Challengers.

While these are simply the beginnings, there have been many firsts along the road. To get rid of muscle cars means losing this piece of history that every auto enthusiast should know about.

Want to skyrocket your car sales Automotive Dealer Marketing is a great resource for auto dealers.

Reason #2: Unique Personality

What’s not to love about the personality of a muscle car? It’s not the soccer mom SUV or stuffy luxury car; it’s meant to go fast and create hype. All muscle cars are fast, aggressive and usually loud. That’s what makes them fun.

Another benefit to most muscle cars is how tail-happy they can be. When you get behind the wheel of one of the best muscle cars, it’s hard not to start drifting or sliding. Let’s see you do that in a minivan.

Reason #3: Simple Design

While all other types of cars need to keep upgrading their style to remain fresh and relevant, muscle cars are timeless. Sure, the designs might be simple, but no one wants anything else. It’s these classic, sleek bodies that continue to bring auto enthusiasts back for more.

It doesn’t matter what era of cars you look at; you will notice the same thing. From the beginning until now, all muscle cars look raw and mean.

Reason #4: Fun to Drive

If you aren’t interested in having fun on the road, buy a compact car with a four-cylinder engine. If excitement and thrills are on your agenda, then driving a muscle car is the way to go. With big engines and plenty of horsepower, these beasts are made to be driven fast.

Sure, you could purchase a sports car if power was all you wanted, but it isn’t. Driving the tail-happy muscle car is far more fun. Yes, you might do better in a sports car if you want to race, but then you would miss the excitement of swinging around the corners.

Reason #5: Harmonious Sounds

Finally, there’s one more important reason to love muscle cars. With the V8 engine under the hood, it knows how to make a glorious sound. This tone is unique to this lineup of vehicles. When a muscle car revs and redlines at 7,000 RPM, the sound that comes from it is unlike anything else you’ve ever heard.

What’s even better is when you get a group of these vehicles together, creating the noise. It’s like a symphony of Camaros, Mustangs and Hellcats. Where else can you experience the thrill?

Modern Muscle Cars

As manufacturers focus their attention on automotive marketing, there’s a battle raging for the top spot. The Ford Mustang continues to lead the pack, but the Challenger sales recently surpassed those of the Camaro. It’s anyone’s guess who will be the champion by the end of this year, but it sure has been a fun race to watch.

Whether you decide to drive a modern muscle car or you prefer the classics, you are part of a culture that can’t be silenced. You can love muscle cars because of the history or because of the speed; it really doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you help to create another 60 years of history with the new lineup of vehicles included. Our children and their children deserve to experience the same thrill and raw power that we’ve had the chance to feel.

What is your favorite muscle car and why do you love it. Let us know your thoughts.

Read more about The Best Muscle Cars For 2020

The post 5 Reasons For Loving Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

VIN: BS23U0F132594
Engine: 440cid V8, 375hp
Transmission: 3 speed 727 Torqueflite Automatic
Mileage: 16354
Color: B5 Blue
Price: $85,000.00

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

At this time of year muscle car owners are usually packing away their prized possessions for the winter months. But, this doesn’t mean there isn’t a bunch of prime examples up for sale. This example is a rather fine looking ‘U’ Code, numbers matching 1970 Plymouth Barracuda 440, dressed in B5 Blue, with a blue interior. It’s not exactly a bargain, but it is a numbers matching car, its in the Chrysler Registry and its biggest claims is that it is #1 of 1 with its options.

Apparently, the ‘one of’ comes from the 1 of 618 that has the rare combo of a 440ci. high performance engine, 4 barrel and a 727 Torqueflite transmission. Built on February 20th, 1970, its also #34 of 46 produced at the Los Angeles, CA plant and #8 of 13 equipped with factory air.

It seems like it’s had a complete restoration, both inside and out and even has the original Mopar glass windshield. It also has a Dana 60 Sure Grip rear with 3.54 gears, bucket seats, push-button radio, factory power steering, power disc brakes and Rallye wheels with correct Polyglas GT F-60-15 tires.

There’s no mention of any paperwork, but the listing does say the car has the original fender tag, cowl stamp, radiator support stamp, engine stamp, transmission stamp and door stamp. It’s also a one owner car prior to the restoration.

The car is clearly in excellent condition and is said to have the Galen Govier stamp of approval. It would have been nice to see some images of the paperwork to show its authenticity, but that will be down to any interested parties asking for those upfront before you start the bargaining process. 1970 Cudas can reach three figure sums with the right combo of options, which means ideally, this car would need some third-party verification before you part with any money.

If all things checkout, this is a mighty fine example of a Cuda and if it is truly 1 of 1, it could be a nice little investment piece for the future.

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

The post 1970 Plymouth Barracuda 440: 1 of 1 appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

As a quick upfront disclaimer about this article, it’s not stock market advice, as we know nothing about these things over here. However, it’s interesting to look at this side of the story, as it could have some bearing on what vehicles we see in the future.

Yep, our objective is to convince the world that everybody should buy some sort of muscle car, even if it’s just for the sheer hell of it. It’s the job of websites like the Motleyfool.com, to give out investment advice which is also the port of call for discussing if the big muscle car manufacturers are worth investing in. In this article, the guys discuss if the likes of Fiat Chrysler automobiles are still worth the investment.

It’s a worthy article to read in its entirety to give you a handle on not just the top muscle car makers, but also compared to some of the other big players such as Honda and Nissan. Currently it seems that General Motors and Fiat Chrysler are generally up in sales this quarter. However, the US vehicle market is generally losing traction and the FCA are banking their success on only a few products.

For the stock market types who are more interested in sheer profitability, the news is more tentative with these type of stocks, but for us muscle car fans, it’s business as usual. Ever since the mid-2000s, modern muscle cars have had a limited lineup. Not as extensive as the golden era of the late 1960’s and early 70’s, but there is a strong legion of fans, with younger fans coming in all time.

How muscle car maker stocks will react in the future is up to the experts, but what is definite is that muscle cars how a strong allegiance of fans and although this is a small slice compared to the overall market, they are usually lifelong devotees. It’s a bit like rock fans. Once in the genre, there are usually in it for life. Meaning it’s a small group, but dedicated followers.

Obviously, stocks in the companies that make muscle cars also include the rest of the lineup, which will have more of a bearing on price fluctuations, but as for the future car sales, there will probably be consistent, but small compared to the rest. If you’re interested in these sorts of things, check out the article link above and see what the FCA report for their next quarter earnings.

The post Are Muscle Car Stocks Worth The Investment? appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The Hemi line of muscle car engines has been in the public consciousness for many decades. Synonymous with power and performance, it’s no wonder this large displacement engine has found a use from street to top drag racers. The origins of the hemispherical cylinder head go back to World War II, but it was in 1964 that Chrysler decided that the 426ci. (7.0 L) engine needed proper performance applications.

Nicknamed the ‘elephant engine’, the original was aimed at NASCAR racing, being dropped into the Dodge Dart and Plymouth Fury in 1965 and a street version going into things like the Dodge Coronet from 1966 onwards. These are often referred to as the 2G or Gen 2 Hemis. A modern, limited edition version of the elephant engine was also recently produced by Mopar.

So, what goes into one of these huge brutes of an engine, going from the basic engine block to the final build? This video from Nick’s garage covers the rebuild of one of these huge engines and testing. As for power levels, the engine produces 500HP and the dyno test produced torque ranges from 490.4lb. ft. to 493.1lb. ft. at 4500-4600rpm.

If you’re at all fascinated with how one of these engines ticks, than the video below is definitely worth checking out.

The post Amazing 426 HEMI Engine Build appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

In many ways, it’s surprising that a feature film hasn’t been made about John DeLorean up to now. To the wider populous, DeLorean is most famous for making the DeLorean time travelling car in the movie ‘Back to the Future’ and his headlines as an Icarus style rise to car fame and fall. For others, DeLorean was one of the key components of the classic muscle car era. Good guy, bad guy, pioneer, nonconformist, jetsetting car company head to tarnished businessman charged with cocaine trafficking. DeLorean’s life sparks interest even if you’re not a car fan.

Now, after years of failed attempts, a movie by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce about DeLorean has emerged with Alec Baldwin playing DeLorean. The film mixes storytelling with vintage clips from key moments from the extraordinary life of the man.
Firstly, there are caveats to such a screening. You can only cram so much life story into 1hr 49mins., while still covering high drama levels to both entertain both car and non-car fans.

Overview of the man
DeLorean is important to remember for a number of reasons. His autobiography documents most of his standout moments, but in a nutshell after graduating from the Chrysler Institute he joined the Chrysler engineering team, then moved to the Packard Motor Company in 1953. In 1956 he moved to GM working most notably on the Pontiac GTO as the first muscle car for launch in 1964.
Then onto heading up GM and Chevrolet, DeLorean celebrated more of the high life than the usual stoic face of car execs. of the time. Always battling the status quo on both the engineering and management fronts, he went on to form the DeLorean Motor Company and the iconic DMC DeLorean. A meteoric constant rise on the surface, but by 1999 DeLorean had declared himself bankrupt, mostly down to the lack of success of the DeLorean Motor Company. A cocaine sting in 1982 from which he was found not guilty didn’t help matters, but by then his reputation had taken an irreversible hit. Pioneering vehicles, rockstar lifestyle and ultimate fall from grace, what’s not to like.

Whats its all about?
Coming from the muscle car perspective, I would have been almost happy with a straightforward documentary as the video at the foot of the page. A little background of the man’s personal life, but the main focus being on the influence DeLorean had on each car company and the groundbreaking vehicles. The problem with that approach is that it really limits the audience to the petrol heads out there.
So, a more general approach is needed. A bit TV drama mixed with just enough factual information to get the point across to appeal to the wider masses. Probably why vintage clips had been included in the movie. Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce are class A documentarians, so a completely dramatized version of DeLorean’s life was unlikely, but on the same note Alec Baldwin is hardly going to recite the full story in a linear fashion as a voice-over. So has the fine line between pure documentary and a dramatized Hollywood movie been met?

Movie Trailer

(note the cool eyebrows….)

On the drama side of things, the anticipation is ramped up with most of the film focusing on his arrest and trial. But the original footage of DeLorean’s arrest brings home the painful reality of how the mighty had fallen. Other cast members like Jason Sudeikis, Lee Pace, Judy Greer and Morena Baccarin prop up the story, but you cannot help but want for either a full documentary or full stage play at points.

You do get some background to the man. His influence on the Pontiac GTO, classic era muscle cars in general, the youngest division head at GM, showboating and shenanigans, a man who wanted it all and more. Glamour and pathos make you want to love and hate the character in equal measures at times, especially from the perspective of people who worked with the man at the time. The ill fated DeLorean car company helped Catholics and Protestants work together in Northern Ireland and interspersed interviews show how decisions to protect the workers came at a cost to the company. Good guy, bad guy. Like us all, a bit of both.

For those unfamiliar with John DeLorean’s story the film is definitely worth a watch, even if it’s just to get an overview of the man and his wild ride. Clearly I have a biased opinion as a muscle car fan as any morsels of information that adds to the story are worth a watch. As a pure muscle car fan aware of the man, you will always be left wanting for more information. It’s the nature of the beast with these type of films. For the non-car fan, the movie is an entertaining overview of the DeLorean story which hopefully will lead to further reading and hopefully some appreciation of those early vehicles and how they pioneered what came next.

It can be easy to criticize the balance of a movie like this one. Is it a drama, is it a documentary? Pleasing all men all of the time is always going to be hard work, so at least give this film a watch. You won’t be disappointed.

The DeLorean Story Documentary

Worthwhile links
IMDB page on the film.
Currently on limited release in theaters.

The post Framing John DeLorean Movie Review: The Highs And Lows Of Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

While doing the usual endless amounts of scrolling on Facebook, I came across what I initially thought were unusual photos of a Ford Shelby GT350R. Strange, they looked just like a model. And that’s exactly what they were. An extremely detailed model of a Ford Shelby GT350R shot from multiple angles.

There are of course loads of scale models out there of Fords and other vehicles, but the list gets far smaller when you want something ultra detailed. This seems to be the case with the AUTOArt series of cars from which the GT350R images came from.

A quick online search later and I found the AUTOArt websites, listing all the scale models they produce. When it comes to muscle cars, they only have Fords and Chevys, with one Australian Chrysler Charger E49, A ‘Mad Max’ Ford XB Falcon, one 1967 Shelby and a few Hennessy Venoms. Plenty of other European makes, if that’s your thing.

Sticking with the model photographed by Jessie V. Johal, the AutoArt webpage for the GT350R says the model is a composite die cast and weighs 1kg, pretty heavyweight in itself for a scale model. There are loads of close-up shots of each model and it’s clear AUTOArt have done a very good job in the detailing. If you wasn’t for some small giveaway model like details, you’d almost swear it was the real thing from the exterior shots.

The interior also looks fantastic. The dash, console and pedals are there. Not a generic lump of plastic, actually looking like a scaled-down versions of the real thing. Same for the engine bay. The engine itself, looks like…well, a Ford engine bay. Probably as detailed as you can get without building a mini working engine in their for the price. The trunk even has carpeting, very nice.

And that comes onto the crux of the matter. How much are these things? The red GT350R as shown here comes in at $190. There are a few other models on the website a bit more expensive, but the average price seems to be around $180. Not cheap for a scale model, but if you factor in these are some of the most detailed versions around, then they are definitely worth the money. There doesn’t seem to be any custom options, so you buy what you see, but there’s enough models on the website to get a near ideal vehicle.

There’s obviously nothing like owning the real thing, but a nice second-best is having a very detailed version model. Plus, they cost less to maintain.

AUTOArt’s Ford page

Thank you to Jessie V. Johal for his fine pics of the GT350R.

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

The post AUTOArt Ford Shelby GT350R Model appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Its a weird time for the makers of modern muscle cars, as the big three makers of Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford could have their parent companies merged together if the rumors are correct. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles who own Dodge, could merge with Renault to create the third-largest carmaker, while the rumors continue with a possible merger between Ford and GM.

Most of the current information about the possible mergers are coming from stock market news, where big mergers decide if stock investors should offload or buy into the new homogenized stocks. On the muscle car fan side of things it’s more emotional, it’s a bit like hearing rumors that your favorite football team is joining forces with the one you hated the most for years. (friendly rivalry, but it still stings…)

Very strange times, but the inter car rivalry is the bottom of the list when big mergers are involved. Firstly, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merging with Groupe Renault would bring together all Renaults vehicles which include stakes in Nissan, Daimler AG, the truck end of things and even rallying, Formula 1 and Formula E. The FCA hold Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, and Ram Trucks. This merger on the surface, doesn’t seem too bad as the European influence on the FCA has been there for years and has had a big influence on the current success of the Dodge Charger and Challenger variations.

Ford and GM as one big company seems a lot more weird. Ford hold the luxury brand Lincoln and bits of Aston Martin, while it seems they are phasing out their North American automobile models and just leaving the Mustang while concentrating on trucks and SUVs. GM on the other hand hold Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and Holden as muscle related brands. Since day 1, Ford and GM muscle/pony cars, mostly the Camaro and the Mustang, have had let’s say friendly rivalry.

If you want to read more about the intricacies of these possible mergers from a shares and companies perspective, then financial articles such as this one is the way to go. However, the ins and outs of market share and so on isn’t the focus here, but what it could possibly mean for future muscle cars.

As shown by Ford, limiting its vehicle inventory to only the Mustang shows that pony and muscle cars are ‘halo’ vehicles which drive sales to the rest of the line. It’s unlikely these are going to go away and it’s entirely possible some old names will come back, just like Buick possibly bringing out new models which they could round up with old school muscle car names of the past…well, at least hoping….

Dodge have been part of GM since 1928, so it feels that association has been there forever, along with not so obvious connections like with Mitsubishi since the 1970s. So, seemingly unrelated car companies have always had a hand together. What’s most important is that the latest range of muscle cars and hopefully future versions keep on coming, without the usual boardroom cutting of vehicle lines.

Modern muscle cars are always going to be a small slice of the whole Corporation pie. They have too much embedded and loved history to mess with the formula and it’s proven by the Mustang outselling many other performance vehicles in Europe as they are available in native hand drive, meaning the sector has very positive interest moving forward.

It’s still going to be one weird state of affairs if Ford and GM do merge and it’s highly unlikely on opening the hood on a future Camaro there will be a Ford powerplant. So, muscle and pony cars of today will most likely stay and we can just watch as the rest of the story plays out….

The post Muscle Car Merger Rumors For The Big Three appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

April 26th or ‘4-26’ is National Hemi Day and helping with the celebrations is the release of the monster Hellephant Hemi engine. The 426c.i. crate engine produces 1,000 horsepower and 950 lb-ft of torque and is now available for preorder.

A little history…
The hemispherical cylinder head(Hemi and trademarked by Chrysler) was first experimented with in 1945, in the Republic P47 Thunderbolt airplane. The first overhead valve V8s in vehicles were named ‘FirePower’ by Chrysler, with Dodge having a version called the ‘Red Ram’ and pushed forward versions up to 1957. It wasn’t until the second generation of Hemi’s in 1964 with the 426 Hemi, where things started to get interesting. Produced to hit NASCAR hard, production versions had to be produced to officailly compete in racing which were dropped into the Dodge Dart, Plymouth Fury and Dodge Coronet. The ‘Street’ Hemi was introduced in 1966 to enter the 1966 NASCAR season.

The third generation of Hemis started production in 2003 with a 5.7 L Hemi and then the 6.1L/ 369.7ci. V8, 6.4L / 392 Apache, 6.2L Hellcat and 6.2L Demon engines.

The Hellephant
The ‘Hellephant’ engine was first announced at the 2018 SEMA show, inspired by the 1964 426 elephant engine and joins the other Mopar madness of the 707-horsepower ‘Hellcrate’ engine, unveiled at the 2017 SEMA Show. The Hellephant is only available for pre-1976 muscle car vehicles due to emission laws in certain states. States without the inspection or emission clamps can happily drop this engine into any car you like, but needing the pre-requisite upgrades.

Hemi day itself will celebrate the debut 50 years ago of the mighty 426 HEMI engine. Mopar will post content through social media channels throughout the day. you want to help spread the word just simply add the hashtags #Hellephant and #HEMIday.

‘The reaction when we revealed the ‘Hellephant’ engine at the SEMA Show was just amazing, and the momentum continued after the show, with close to 1,000 people expressing interest in buying this engine,’ said Steve Beahm, Head of Parts & Service (Mopar) and Passenger Car Brands, FCA.

The Hellephant Hemi engine, part number P5160194 is priced at $29,995, with the Hellephant Engine Kit (part number 77072500,) costing $2,265 which allows plug and play installation of the whole setup. The engine kit comprises of an accelerator pedal, charge air temperature sensors, CAN bus interface device, chassis harness, fuel pump control module, ground jumper, engine wiring harness, powertrain control module (PCM), power distribution center and oxygen sensors. There are also other engine bay kits available from Mopar such as the Exhaust Manifold Kit and Rear Sump Oil Pan Kit which should make installation of the whole setup that bit easier.

The supercharged 426ci/7L Hellephant Hemi engine uses a number of factors to hit its power levels, which include 4 inches of stroke and a bore of 4.125 inches.
The supercharger has a high-efficiency rotor set mounted on an aluminium block, beefing everything up to the max 1,000HP.

Pre-ordered through www.cratehemi.com

The post 1,000-horsepower ‘Hellephant’ Helps Celebrates HEMI Day appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The Dodge Challenger has won over journalists at the 2019 Texas Auto Roundup, voting it the best car out of 29 contenders. A wide variety of cars were in the mix, but it was the Challenger which won overall. Voted ‘Car of Texas’, along with taking the title as the ‘Performance Car of Texas’ and the official ‘Performance Coupe of Texas’ for 2019.

The Texas Auto Writers Association said the marvelous Mopar came in first as, ‘driving enthusiasts in Texas love horsepower, and the Dodge Challenger’s classic muscular lines and monumental power won over our voters.’

Other Fiat Chrysler contenders which won out on the day included the Chrysler Pacifica as the official Family Car of Texas for 2019.

If you want a pure modern muscle car, then the 2019 Challenger will definitely fit the bill. There’s plenty of variety in the lineup to fit all tastes. The base model SXT 3.6-liter V6 has plenty of grunt with 305HP and 268 lb-ft of torque. The GT model, then the R/T 375HP 5.7L Hemi V8, R/T Scat Pack with a 392 Hemi V8 Engine with 485 HP and 485lb. ft. of torque, then the Hellcat and newest Hellcat Redeye boasting a Supercharged 6.2L Hemi Hellcat High Output V8 with 797HP and 707lb. ft. of torque. Basically, plenty of fun for all the family.

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

The post Dodge Challenger Is the 2019 Official Car of Texas appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Rare options are the name of the game with classic muscle cars. If the original buyer decided to tick a few extra goodies on the options list those extra dollars back then can turn into a nice little investment today. One great example is this 1971 Dodge Charger R/T which is the highest optioned Hemi Charger and the most expensive from Chrysler of the era. Currently owned by the Wellborn Musclecar Museum, the two videos below give you an overview of this highly optioned car with some nice and tasty close-ups.

Lots of options means a long list, which for the original buyer must have been like a teacher ticking an exam paper. One of 63 built in 1971, 1 of 33 Automatic Charger R/Ts with a 426ci Hemi built for the American market and only one of 30 with the M51 power sunroof option. So, here are the standout features.

426/425 HP Hemi V8, Two 4-barrel carbs.
Floor shifted Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission

Rare M51 Power Sunroof option
Hi-Impact Hemi Orange with White top and interior
Color keyed elastomeric bumpers and racing mirrors
Rallye wheels with Goodyear polyglas tires

Power steering, brakes and windows
Bucket seats with console
Air Grabber hood, front and rear spoilers
Light group and driver aid group
Rear window defogger, 6-way adjustable seat
AM/FM Radio with 8-Track and Dictaphone
Rallye gauges and wood-rimmed sport steering wheel
Rare, rear shoulder belts (no belt assembly)
A34 Super Track Pack
Broadcast sheet
35,638 original miles
Original MSRP was $6,304.60, base price $3,223

Th R/T package features stand out with the blacked out hood dome, side tape stripes and vertical door tape stripes. The contrast between the Hemi Orange and the white roof and interior are a prime example of the loud and proud muscle cars produced in just a few years.

Tim and Pam Wellborn bought the car in 2005 for the Wellborn Musclecar Museum. Previously, the Charger was bought in 1988 by Mopar specialist Steve Segal(not the actor and martial arts dude) who rebuilt the engine, repainted the car and replace the vinyl roof. As for how much the car is worth, the first video at one minute 58 shows a window sticker from Mecum showing $375,000. If you check out the Mecum auction listings from 2015 the estimate is between $450,000 and $550,000. You may think that’s quite pricey for a 1971 Charger, but it is one of the rarest around.

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

The post 1971 Dodge Charger R/T: The Highest Optioned Example appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Dodge rolled out this week new versions of the 2019 Challenger and Charger with a Stars & Stripes Edition honoring the armed forces. The upgrade package will be on the GT, R/T and Scat Pack models with a host of extra refinements. The new package will first be shown at the 2019 New York International Auto Show with ordering starting in May.

The exterior feature a satin center stripe running the length of the car, a fender U.S. flag decal, black badging, 20-inch gloss black wheels and bronze finished 4-piston Brembo designed brakes. The interior of the cars will feature black trim, gloss black accents, bronze stitching with a rather cool bronze star on the headrests.

If you want this package, it will cost an additional $1,995, with a $500 saving under the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Honoring Those Who Serve program for those eligible.

The 2019 SRT Hellcat will also get an optional upgrade with a Satin Black Appearance Package, costing $3,495. This will include satin black finish body panels as offered on the 2018 SRT Demon.

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

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It seems that fans have been doing the design work for the manufacturers with what could be a future Plymouth Barracuda as you can see from the attached renders from Igor Alekseev at Artstation. DaimlerChrysler stopped the Plymouth brand in 2001, but it hasn’t stopped enthusiasts wishing for a modern version of the ‘Cuda, first entering production in 1964.

This render is probably one of the closest interpretations which could work in the real world, heavily influenced by the current Dodge Challenger. Cuda styled taillights, a small rear spoiler reminiscent of the AAR ‘Cuda, shaker hood and fender vents are all reminiscent of the heyday of Cudas.

Could the design make it into reality? Fiat Chrysler Automobiles renewed its trademark on the term ‘Cuda in the United States in 2017, previously in 2010 and then in 2015. Unfortunately, there is currently no news of a new ‘Cuda coming to light in the near future. However, if the powers that be see a viable design such as this one, it may just spur them into action.

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

The post Plymouth Barracuda Fan Render: Nearest to a Real Thing? appeared first on Muscle Car.

VIN: RS23L8A253040
Engine: Super Commando 440ci./375HP
Transmission: Automatic
Exterior Color: Black velvet
Rear end: 3.23:1 sure grip
Mileage: 33266
Price: $49,000.00

BUY NOW ON EBAY

The Plymouth GTX was first introduced in 1967 as the Plymouth Belvedere GTX. Apart from a blacked out grille, nonworking fibreglass hood scopes, tachometer on the dash and few other visual treats, it was mostly a Belvedere muscle car with a high trim level. Engine options were the 440ci V8 and the 426 Hemi V8.

1968 saw the classic muscle car design come in on the Plymouth B-body with ‘Coke bottle’ styling and a complete redesign. The hardtops had no B-pillar, with dual stripes on each side and added more luxury above the lower-priced Roadrunner. Roadrunners sold more than double the GTX in 1968 as people wanted the performance and lower price of the Roadrunner, rather than the extra trim of the GTX. The Roadrunner was also lighter by 100 pounds.

This example of a 1968 Plymouth GTX is in beautiful condition, having been completely restored in 2009. Said to be numbers matching with a 440 V8 and rare white and blue interior, front buddy seat, with side peacock blue stripes and red stripe tires. The car also features a column shifter, power steering, power disc brakes and is registered in the Chrysler registry by Galen V Govier.

Interior shots of the car only show it halfway through the restoration process. Hopefully you get the rest of the interior on the final sale, but a few completed interior image shots would have helped.

It would have been nice if the listing showed the production numbers or images of any paperwork to back up any rarity claims. But in any case, this is a beautiful example of a 1968 Plymouth GTX. Not looking overt or overdone, but more like a fine example of a classic vehicle.
The price point isn’t the most expensive, nor the cheapest, but if everything checks out this GTX, it would make a very nice long term proposition.

BUY NOW ON EBAY

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

The post 1968 Plymouth GTX 440 V8 Fully restored appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

We have written a number of times about the two words that are very hard to mention together, electric and muscle cars. Both terms seem to be the antithesis of each other, raw and snarling muscle cars, quiet and gentrified electric vehicles. However, since the patent for a Ford hybrid engine with a V8 which recently came to light and Dodge possibly making a hybrid, electric is definitely coming the way of muscle cars in the next 10 years in one shape or form.

The question is in what forms and will an electrified muscle car still retain its character? A post on the Detroit Free Press interviewing Chrysler CEO Mike Manley and other muscle car aficionados, gives a good indication of the coming years and what we want from future muscle cars.

Electricity creeps onto the horizon
It’s clear that the powers that be aren’t going to throw away the mighty V8 in favor of a fully electric powertrain anytime soon. Manley commented recently at the the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, ‘I think that electrification … can certainly be part of the formula that says what is American muscle in the future. What it can’t be is the dominant part. If it becomes the dominant part of American muscle then you would say, ‘Why isn’t Tesla known as … American muscle now?’

For example, the 2019 Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye with 797HP isn’t going to be a hybrid anytime soon. It’s selling point and street cred. comes from its snarling, traditional roots, along with the sensory overload a traditional muscle car provides. And this is where the problem lies. Replicating the exact experience of driving a muscle car is nigh on impossible with an electric. Engine sounds can be pumped into the cabin, the vibrations of a V8 engine can be somewhat replicated, but it’s not the real thing.

‘With an electric car you get a long, high-pitched whine,’, said Frank Pascoe, Board member of the Michigan Mopar Muscle Car Club. Further, ‘I want the tire-smoking, motor-belching noise, the whole thing that goes with a muscle car.’ ‘The purist’s definition of a muscle car, if you go back to the ’60s, is an intermediate-size car with a big-block motor. A Pontiac GTO is the perfect example of a muscle car,” Pascoe said. “I know a Tesla goes fast, I just don’t think it fits the definition unless they want to change the definition.’

Dodge for instance, may have a platform now first introduced in 2006 with the Charger and the Challenger in 2009, but the interest levels have been high because of their horsepower output. The Hellcat and Demon may be able to drain the equivalent of a swimming pool of fuel in 11 minutes, but they have definitely boosted sales of the entire lineup.

It’s not just the sound…
It’s highlighted in the press release that a major part of the experience of muscle cars is the sound. ‘It’s a throaty, traditional V8 (that) can be heard from blocks away. You know when they’re coming down the road. That’s part of what defines these vehicles for what they are. You don’t just see them, you hear them,’ said Ivan Drury, senior manager of industry analysis for Edmunds.

Independent marketing strategist Rebecca Lindland commented, ‘An American muscle car has great proportions — high belt line, muscular shoulders, a wide, masculine stance, beefy tires, and a deep, rumbling, charismatic exhaust note, which is the biggest challenge facing electrification. It’s like when you meet a handsome man and he has a Mickey Mouse voice. The face may be great, but the voice doesn’t match and the appeal of high cheekbones and a dashing jawline are compromised.’

It we play devils advocate for a moment, what will be the reaction if one of the big muscle car makers released their top end model with a fully electric powertrain equivalent of 1000HP, with no V8 engine in sight, maybe even branded as E-muscle?!? Personally, my heart would sink and unless it was loads cheaper than a Tesla, it would feel like one just in different clothing. It’s a bit like watching your favorite band on video or live in concert. The video is exciting, but will never replicate the real experience.

Its clearly the concern at the moment that future muscle cars may have the looks, but the worry of a gentrified electric engine. The big muscle car makers are aware of the importance and history of the V8, but electrified versions in the lineup are inevitable, either hybrids or eventually fully electric. The V8 isn’t going away any time soon, but we still need to keep an eye on the integrity of muscle car and what has made them great.

Please comment below with what you think will be the future of muscle cars.

The post FCA Ceo Says Electrification Can Boost Dodge Muscle Cars appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The Dodge Challenger has been flying the flag for the muscle car many a year now. More popular than ever it sold 66,716 models in 2018, but now the platform is due for an update, probably around the mid 2020s. As part of the new design of vehicles they may even be a hybrid version.

As reported by the Detroit News in an interview with CEO Mike Manley, it was stated that the new platform will incorporate lightweight technologies, giving scope for an electric model. The likelihood is that a 2L four-cylinder engine would be used alongside an electric powertrain. The electric model would probably slot into the lineup around the base models at a similar pricing.

Bob Gritzinger, propulsion analyst for Ward’s Intelligence proposed that a twin-turbo V6 would most likely be mated to an electric motor.

Mike Manley went on to say, ‘The reality is those platforms and that technology we used does need to move on. They can’t exist as you get into the middle-2020s,’ ‘New technology is going to drive a load of weight out, so we can think of the powertrains in a different way. And we can use electrification to really supplement those vehicles.’ ‘Electrification will certainly be part of the formula that says what is American muscle in the future.’

One of the standout statements giving a hint of the future, ‘I think that electrification will certainly be part of the formula that says what is American muscle in the future,’ said Manley.

Electric variations are definitely coming and from all the big three makers. Ford are planning an electric SUV and a possible hybrid for the Mustang. The Corvette will get a mid-engined hybrid ‘Zora’ possibly producing up to a 1,000 horsepower.

However, the good news for muscle car purists is that a fully electric muscle car from Dodge is probably a long way off. Manley further says, ‘electrification can’t be the dominant part (of a muscle car). Electrification deployed to increase the performance of the vehicle as its primary goal – with the added benefits of fuel economy – is very different, instead of the other way around.’

Kelley Blue Book’s Karl Brauer also commented on the future of electrification of muscle cars stating, ‘There’s a long-standing rule about what constitutes American muscle, but electrification is not part of it,” he said. “I need something that gets my blood pumping.’

Lessons come from the past when Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca of the late 70’s moved the mighty V8 to front wheel drive V6 variations, losing traction in sales until 40 years later when the V8 is now more popular than ever. In other words,the powers that be are well aware what makes an American muscle car and although electric powertrains are coming, they won’t take over the full muscle car line up.

It’s clear that the mighty V8 is not going to be phased out any time soon, but hybrids are definitely on the horizon in one shape or form.

Original source – Detroit News

The post Could The Next Dodge Challenger Be Electric?? appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

There’s a definite shift in the automotive force oh Padawan learners, where we are seeing the slow introduction of electric vehicles and many carmakers starting to cull their least efficient models. The Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 have been shelved, Ford are scrapping the Fiesta and Fusion, while GM will drop the Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Impala amongst others.

An article over at Bloomberg states how the long-standing muscle car will keep on going into the foreseeable future while others fall by the way side, best said by Tim Kuniskis, previous head of the Dodge brand Fiat Chrysler, stating muscle cars ‘have a really well-defined personality and positioning.’

In today’s market muscle car such as the Challenger has roughly sold the same amount this year as it did in 2015, with around 65,000 units. This is respectable compared to large passenger cars which have dropped 21% in 2018. In comparison Mustang sales only dropped 3.6% in the past month. They also keep their value with the average price for a Dodge Challenger being $36,000.

Muscle cars also have a personality and that is proving effective with the next generation of drivers. The Hellcat, Demon and Redeye from Dodge are popular names with young drivers, seeing loads of burnout videos and images on the likes of Instagram goes a long way promoting the breed, along with the odd cameo in movies such as the Fast and the Furious and Transformers franchise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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????The #Demon puts on the best #smoke #show It’s #MoparOrNoCar ?????? @Chop has several #dodgedemon left. #DM us for details??Owner: @srt_mythology #dodge #burnout #srt #hellcat #scatpack #sideshow

 

A post shared by Towbin Automotive (@towbinauto) on Dec 12, 2018 at 7:42am PST

Muscle cars may in the long term become more electrified or even hybrid versions, morphing into the technologies and legislations of the future, but they have no sign of going away. Steve Beahm, head of Fiat Chrysler’s passenger brands says that the likes of the Challenger aren’t going away as they set the tone for the whole Dodge brand. I’m not going to tell you it’s going to grow,” Beahm said. “But it’s going to dramatically buck the trend in regards to where passenger cars have gone lately and where they’re going to go in the next couple of years.”

Muscle cars in general have some unique properties that no other car brands possesses. They may be seen as retro or holding on to past glories, but where they really are is taking the best of the old and new and packaging them up into vehicles which still appeals to a young and older audience. This method seems to work and outlast the more homogenized, aero tunnel dictated designs which we will soon slowly see dropped. It worked for other car makes like the Fiat 500 and the Mini. Mix the best of the old and new to come up with something everyone can relate to.

Muscle cars are very much like heavy rock music. From the outside, they may just seem like a small section of the whole, something the masses cannot relate to, but for those who get it, are fans for life and support the brands like their favorite football team. The solid elements that will help the modern muscle car were born into the next few decades.

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

The post Muscle Cars To Outlive Sedans appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

What better way to take a look at the upcoming 2019 Dodge Hellcat Redeye than with Jay Leno’s Garage. The video takes a walk through the car with Steve Bahm, head of passenger car brands at Fiat Chrysler given the lies and wherefores of the car.

The video opens with a brief introduction into the performance lineup of Challengers with the Scat pak, hellcat(now 717hp and 8 speed) and Redeye with 797hp. The Redeye has most of the DNA from the Demon, being essentially a roadgoing version of that car. After the explanations there is a little roadtest, probably a good thing or regular road as in reality this is where the Redeye will spend most of its day.

It’s clear Mr Leno is a big fan of the Hellcat, owning one himself. the question is will he be swayed enough by this experience to buy into the Redeye? As the new top performer in the Challenger lineup this is definitely a possibility.

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

The post Jay Leno Tests The 2019 Dodge Hellcat Redeye Muscle Car appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

If you’ve ever wondered what type of rear axle and/or differential you have on your Mopar or even what one is in the first place, then this illustration may go along way to help.

The illustration shows the most common rear axles you can find on a Mopar from a 7 1/4 found on smaller V8 bodies, 8 1/4, 8 3/4, 9 1/4 and 9 3/4 Dana 60 found in the heavyweight Hemis, 440 Magnum, 440 six pack, 1 ton pickups and 1 ton vans. The illustration is simple and straight to the point. A good jump off point start doing some further reading.

If you want to start digging into the mechanicals of the rear axle, the different types of differential, ratios and where each are used, then we There are some great resources online. A good old explanation never fails, like the video below from 1937. A great explanation on how a basic car differential works in practice. We have also produced a few articles in the past on the basic definitions of how a differential works which you can find here.

If you want an extensive rundown of all the different types of rear axles found in Chryslers and alternatives, then try this link over at Hemmings.com. Another article at Hemmings goes through the 8 3/4 inch rear end and all its details and this article on the 8 1/4 inch rear end.

How a car’s drive shaft transfers power through the rear axle to the rear wheels can be as in-depth a topic as all the different aspects of a car engine or transmission. Hopefully, these few resources and link should give you a good start point.

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

The post Mopar Rear Axle/Differential Guide appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

It seems that all the elephant type innuendos seen in the last few teaser videos from Mopar were correct. At this years SEMA show Mopar unveiled a staggering 1,000-HP create engine named the Hellephant, (get it…hellcat….elephant..) available early next year.

The naming structure clearly comes from the ubiquitous modern Hellcat engine crossed with Chryslers famous 1964 426ci. V8 named the ‘elephant engine.’ The original engine was a huge power plant that only went into 11,000 original Chrysler vehicles including the Dodge Coronet, Dodge Dart and Plymouth Fury, mainly due to its cost of build.

As well as the 1,000 horsepower the 426ci/7L supercharged engine will produce 950 pound-feet of torque, coming as a kit specifically for pre-1976 vehicles. The whole kit is designed to be as plug and play as possible with everything you will need from a powertrain control module, sensors, fuel pump control module, water pump, front sump oil pan, fuel injectors, coil packs and the like. You can also buy a Mopar front end accessory kit which has an alternator, power steering pump, pulleys and belts included. Mopar will clearly have every accessory you will need to get this colossus engine running smoothly.

Clearly the design is in part from the Hellcat, but has 4.0 inches of stroke with a 4.125 inch bore. Also a full aluminium block for weight saving, valve covers from the upcoming Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye and valves, locks and valve trains coming straight from the Dodge Demon. In other words, you’re getting a bit of everything from the top end of the Dodge line thrown into this mix here with the added wallop of power.

To debut the engine at this years SEMA show, Mopar elected to not just show off the engine by itself, but also in a custom 1968 Dodge Charger. The ‘Super Charger’ concept was there to show the potential kind of vehicle this new engine would eventually go into. The Super Charger features the Hellephant with a six speed manual transmission and other internals coming from the current Charger SRT Hellcat. The body itself has been customised with a wide body, front wheels 2 inches forward and a wheelbase increased from 117 inches to 119 inches.

To increase the stance, the body has been dropped by 2.5 inches at the back and 3.5 inches upfront, with six piston Brembo brakes all-round behind 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the back. The interior has also been customised with some nicely placed Hellephant logos such as on the steering wheel and glow blue dials on the dash. The whole car package represents the ultimate in what you could expect from a customised Dodge Charger.

The engine will hopefully be available in the first quarter of 2019 with prices to be released.

Mopar SEMA press Conference (the engine stuff started at 11 mins.)

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By Dave Ashton

Mopar have just released a teaser video ahead of the 2018 SEMA show titled, ‘Something Big Is Coming.’ That ‘something big’ could have something to do with the first generation Dodge Charger as featured in the video clip.

The video starts off with what looks like two fiery cat paw prints, which then seem to be stood on by what looks like two elephant imprints or at least that’s what it looks like to me. A first-generation Dodge Charger then comes into view and then the ubiquitous Mopar logo, with a link to crateHemi.com. Could this be a reference to Chrysler’s old 426ci. Hemi V8 which was nicknamed the ‘elephant engine’ which only found its way into the Dodge Coronet, Dart and Plymouth Fury.

At this point, if you visit the crateHemi.com website it gives away nothing more than the teaser video with text saying that all will be revealed at this years SEMA show. No giveaways there.

Therefore, it may be likely that a 426 Hemi V8 maybe a new offering from Mopar, especially with SEMA being a hotbed for after markets customised vehicles. Having the cat-like paw prints show on the bottom of the elephant prints may mean this new engine is based on the hellcat engine, at the least taking most of its DNA. Very likely with the popularity of the engine.

With the SEMA show fast approaching on October 30th, we don’t have long to wait before all is revealed.

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By Dave Ashton

Finding vital statistics on any muscle car has never been easier since the birth of the Internet. Before that, people had to wade through countless magazines, a limited supply of books and still some of the information may not be verified. We’ve got a much easier time today, but it’s still a good idea to have a few bookmarks of ways you can start an investigation for any type of muscle car at your fingertips.

Generic knowledge sites like Wikipedia are a good starting point, but its specialist websites that usually have the best nitty-gritty bits of information that are missed elsewhere. Below a breakdown of some of the resources you can start with when researching your own makes and models. We’ve also added links to our own website for each make. Another port of call is social media groups. Joining a few on the likes of Facebook for your particular make and model and asking a few questions, may not just uncover the information you need, but also get you involved with many like-minded people.

As another general plug on one of our past posts, you could try out our ultimate list of American muscle cars which gives a link to the majority of the main types of muscle cars.

AMC
For AMC vehicles TheAMCForum.com is a great place to stop for any AMC car from 1968 to 1974. Although a lot of the forum still has participation, many people have moved over to social media for discussion. Making things like Facebook groups a good stop off point. The forum still has tons of information which wont go out of date.

Buick
From young to old, you can find a lot of things on Buicks at the Sloan Museum.  It’s mainly a centre for Buick information, but you can find other stuff for vehicles produced in Flint, Michigan. You’re going to have to pay for the information, but that should also mean more accurate research. Individual car listings are also quite good these days in giving you production numbers and engine starts, basically as it verifies how much a car is worth.

Chevrolet
Chevy and GM have a lot of information to wade through, but one first stop could be the GM Heritage Center. The National Corvette Restorers Society is also good for production numbers. Being such a big carmaker there is also plenty of museums – the Chevrolet Hall of Fame, the Corvette Museum and the California Automobile Museum.

Mopar
The Mopar name is everything from the Fiat Chrysler group. An all-inclusive name for Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Imperial and DeSoto vehicles. Galen Govier is one of the foremost experts. Darrell Davis series of books is good for Dodge and Plymouths. Mymopar.com is not as maintained as it used to be, but its still got lots of old threads of information as a start point. You also have Allpar.com which has literally tons of information on Mopars.

Ford and Mercury
You can find lots of examples of Fords and Cougars(the cars, not the…….) or anything in general by Mercury to wade through. Marti Reports are the top paid service for anything Ford, also standard for official verification for selling a Ford vehicle.

Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile comes under the GM banner, as with Buick, Chevrolet and Pontiac, but better to seek out info. for the individual models. The GM Heritage Center have levels of records for a fee, but there are some free documents as here on the 442. Like most of the vehicles listed on our website we try to get as much information as possible, from engine sizes to production stats., so supplement this information, with social media user groups.

Pontiac
There are quite a few resources online for Pontiacs. Jim Mattison’s PHS Automotive Services is again a paid for service but will give you everything for your particular model. The GM Heritage Center is again a the port of call, as is the Pontiac-Oakland Museum.

Like all these resources above, its a good idea to double check the information on a few different websites before concluding your search. Paid for services should be the most accurate and should give you the stamp of approval when selling a car, but free resources can be as good for your own research. The lists of information is growing all the time, so hopefully the ones above will give you good start point.

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By Dave Ashton

The Alan Rietz Mopar collection has been one of those hot topics in recent months concerning a whole host of Mopar vehicles and parts coming up for auction. The actual auction itself took place on June 9, 2018, but it’s not always promoted what the vehicles and parts went for after the event.

You can find out some of the background to the collection in the videos below, but the main talking points are the example vehicles and the eventual selling prices. The whole collection centres around Dodge cars, Dodge pickups, Plymouths, Chrysler Imperial’s, Corvettes, tons of Mopar parts and a bunch of motorcycles. Vanderbrink auctions.com who handled the auction have a PDF on thier website with the full rundown of auction listings and final selling prices.

Examples a 1970 Dodge Challenger SE 2dr HT JH29N0B150852 sold – $15500.00, 1970 Plymouth Cuda 2dr HT BS23U0E137284 sold – $13500.00, 1970 Dodge Super Bee 440 6 Pack 2dr HT 42250.00, 1970 Road Runner 2dr HT RM23N0E101183 sold – $20000.00, 1970 Dodge Dart GT 2dr HT LH23C0R2364872 $350.00, 1972 Dodge Demon 2dr HT LL29C2B145062 sold – $2250.00.

With over 100 vehicles this was quite the Mopar auction and hopefully some of the sale prices will give you an idea, in one nice list of what some of these vehicles can currently sell for.

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By Dave Ashton

Think of an alternative car universe where the V8 engine didn’t exist and we had turbine engines instead. This could have been reality if the 1962-1964 Chrysler Turbine Car had been a working success.

Built and designed at a time when everybody was thinking about sci-fi and futuristic concepts, every modern design seemed possible. Designed by Italian studio Ghia with a A-831 fourth-generation turbine engine, the benefits included running on various fuel types from diesel to jet fuel, even vegetable oils, required less maintenance than a regular car and had a better cold start than piston engines. The downside was they were quite expensive to produce. Never disclosed exactly how expensive to produce.

50 examples were produced, with 45 eventually being crushed at the scrapyard. The turbine engine was eventually seen as having less than good fuel economy and got no further in development, but it still showed an interesting alternative to the piston engine. The surviving cars are owned by Chrysler, various museums around the US and private collectors. One being owned by Jay Leno as you can see in the video below.

The Chrysler Turbine Car is a great example from an age where everyone was forward-looking and futuristic designs were all the rage. Shame they didn’t get round to developing a workable hover car……..

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Engine: 1967 chrysler 440ci. V8/550 hp
Transmission: 727 B chrysler automatic
Mopar 8 3\4 narrowed rear end
355 sure grip posi. differential
Price:US $60,000.00

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

A 1986 Dodge Daytona may not be the first vehicle you think of when turning into a full-blown pro Street, but this one has been given all the lavish treatment you would expect from a top end conversion. Amazingly, the car is street legal and has won numerous shows.

Everything on this car has been reworked, replaced or modified. At its heart is a 1967 chrysler 440ci. V8 with a 727 B Chrysler automatic transmission. Alston chassis, one piece tilt front end, full tilt hydraulic body with fully functioning doors. The exterior is painted with PPG Deltron black base coat and finished in violet pearl. The interior is fully customised by Gabe in California with Auto meter gauges.

An incredible amount of work has gone into this vehicle and its definitely a showstopper. Putting a price on its head will always be difficult for a customised car. It’s a very niche market, specialised and as this is a 1986 Dodge Daytona, it’s probably going to appeal to somebody who want something completely out of the ordinary or a fan of 80’s body shapes.

One very cool vehicle, but highly specialised to a niche market. The two videos below will give you a close-up view of its body shell movements.

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

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By Dave Ashton

I’m guessing many of you will have to doubletake the supplied image. Its a……., no its not, its a……..part Mustang, part Dodge Daytona, this is the ‘Daytona Hemi Stang’ which should have Ford and Mopar people reacting like they’ve just been plugged into the mains supply.

Dan Dhondt has owned the car for 38 years making it into the creation you see here. An original 1966 1/2 Mustang fastback with a 1 of 50 Fiberfab front-end (Fiberfab made kit car parts), 1956 354-inch Hemi V8, Chrysler two-speed push button PowerFlite transmission and factory 8 inch Ford rear end, original leaf springs in the rear, parallel leaf springs up front and factory drum brakes.

When I found the car posted on Facebook, as you can imagine it triggered a slew of polarised comments from purists all round (link below). Firstly, the initial comments will give you an idea of what people thought of the original Dodge Daytona and the Plymouth Superbird when it first came out, back in the day. The looks were too extreme and it didn’t sell very well. It’s only in hindsight people appreciate what it was. however, mixing brands together in a hobby where owners support their brands and models harder than their favourite sports team is a very brave move.

Take a step back, forget about makes and models and just look at the design alone. It actually makes the overall design more sleek and elegant. No matter your opinion on this vehicle, it’s a very brave build. Find out more about the car from the links below.

Read more here – https://www.facebook.com/MoparStyleTheVisualArt/posts/1130811957066782
http://www.hemistang.com/

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By Dave Ashton

Like most things in life, there’s going to be hick-ups and stumbling blocks along the way. This seems to be the case at the moment for the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon as a cruise control defect has resulted in a recall.

Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles will be sending out notifications to Demon owners at the end of August. The recall is due to the possibility of the cruise control not being able to be deactivated, which comes from a possible problem with the powertrain control module (PCM) causing a short circuit in its wiring. Non-deactivation of Cruise control by pressing the brake pedal would mean the vehicle would just carry on at its cruising speed.

There doesn’t seem to be any reports of this happening, so the recall is completely precautionary. However, owners are advised to avoid using Cruise control until the fault has been rectified.

The recall also includes some Challengers, Chargers, Chrysler 300s, Mopar Stage 1 Kit Performance packages. The FCA said the fault is limited to 1,930 vehicles. The FCA will update or replace the PCM free of charge, along with any possible software updates.

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By Dave Ashton

If you want a short and concise history of a certain muscle car, sometimes there’s nothing like a video to sum things up. This video from Donut Media does exactly this with the wonderful Plymouth Superbird and Dodge Daytona winged warriors.

The two cars were built specifically to win at NASCAR and that’s exactly what they did. Strange looking beasts, they did not sell well at the time as they were just too strange looking for most, they are now super rare and expensive, especially with the Hemi engine. This video gives you a great overview of both winged warrior’s history which were doing 200 mph back in 1970. in the days of analogue, a huge nose cone and just a rear wing.

The video also gives you a few little snippets of information, you may not find elsewhere. For example, did you know that Chrysler ordered the car is not to be tested over 190mph. This was due to Ford flying spy planes over the Chrysler test track at the time. I didn’t know Ford built spy planes or cars…joke, ahem!

If you want a quick knowledge blast on these two cars, this video is a great start point.

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By Dave Ashton

The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat has been one successful platform for Dodge, so it’s no surprise that the influence now spread to their race cars in the form of the latest Funny Car from Dodge. The car will debut at the Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals, Bandimere Speedway July 20-22 2018 where the 10,000-plus-horsepower will be unleashed.

This video gives you a short and sweet overview of the car and some background behind its development and new features.

Along with absolutely tons of carbon fibre, new features include the new splitter at the front, deeper scallops on the side and new panels. The idea is to transfer the best of the street cars into the race cars and vice versa. Before the graphics are applied, the car in full naked carbon fibre looks like something that Batman would be proud of. With full graphics, the Charger front end is more evident along with other cues from the street car version of the Charger.

If you want more detail about the vehicle, check out the official press release from Dodge below –

New 2019 Mopar Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat NHRA Funny Car body to make competition debut this weekend
New body will be unveiled later today at the Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals Powered by Mopar pre-race press conference
Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) driver Matt Hagan will race new 10,000-plus-horsepower Funny Car at Bandimere Speedway
New body imports visual cues from production Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat while hitting race-specific Funny Car performance targets
New front splitter inspired by production vehicle increases downforce
Deeper bodyside scallops mimic production look and feel while assisting in exhaust header positioning
Burst panel relocated over engine compartment to release energy more efficiently
DSR drivers have wheeled current Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car to 50 event wins and one NHRA Funny Car World Championship

A new, wickedly quick, Mopar-powered National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Funny Car version of the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat has been let loose and is coming soon to a drag strip near you.

The new 2019 Mopar Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat NHRA Funny Car body will make its competition debut this weekend at the Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals Powered by Mopar at Bandimere Speedway near Denver, July 20-22. The Mopar and Dodge//SRT brands will show the new body for the first time this afternoon during a pre-race press conference.

“Our job at Mopar is to put the best race car underneath our drivers and keep them winning. We know this new body, developed in collaboration with the Dodge//SRT brand and Don Schumacher Racing, will do just that,” said Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA. “The changes made to this new Funny Car body will improve on-track performance and help us carry on the Mopar brand’s long tradition of success at the dragstrip.”

“The Dodge//SRT brand is all about performance, and the introduction of the Mopar Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat NHRA Funny Car body showcases our commitment to performance and excellence at the dragstrip,” said Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge//SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America. “We are looking forward to celebrating our brand’s first year as title sponsor of the Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals Powered by Mopar by treating fans to the competition debut of the new Charger SRT Hellcat NHRA Funny Car.”

Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) Funny Car driver Matt Hagan will be the first to harness the new 10,000-plus-horsepower beast. The two-time Funny Car World champion will debut his Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat at the Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals Powered by Mopar. Hagan’s DSR teammates, Jack Beckman, Ron Capps and Tommy Johnson Jr., will make the transition to the new Funny Car body during the 2018 season.

“This new Funny Car body is something that Mopar and Dodge//SRT have put a lot of work and support behind, from R&D to wind tunnel testing,” said Hagan, who has spent all 10 years of his drag-racing career behind the wheel of a Mopar-powered Dodge Charger. “We improved on the body design. It was already a great design, a great body. But now, we’re going to have a little more downforce, a little more traction on these racetracks and it will be a huge performance advantage. We will be able to press harder with more downforce on the nose, which translates into huge amounts of downforce on the run.”

The new 2019 Mopar Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat NHRA Funny Car pushes the envelope in importing as many visual cues and characteristics from the supercharged, 707-horsepower production Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, the quickest, fastest and most powerful sedan in the world, while still hitting the demanding performance targets of a race car that reaches 330-plus mph and covers 1,000 ft. in less than four seconds.

The new body features major design changes in three key areas: the front end, bodysides and burst panel placement.

At the front, the shape of the nose has been tweaked and a new splitter, built of carbon fiber and Kevlar like the rest of the Funny Car body, has been added. The splitter substantially mimics the look and shape of the production vehicle’s splitter while generating greater downforce to help plant the Funny Car to the track.

The bodyside scallops have been redesigned to more closely identify with the production Hellcat while also enhancing on-track function and performance. The deeper character lines provide greater visual ties to the street version of the Hellcat, while also helping to mitigate the “body burn” common on all Funny Cars due to the close positioning of the exhaust headers.

The location of the burst panel on the hood has also been reworked. The panel is now centered over the top of the engine to more efficiently release energy and pressure in the event of engine issues, a common occurrence in race cars that are pushed to the razor’s edge of performance.

A production Charger SRT Hellcat was used as a template to create the unique vehicle graphics. Front end graphics recreate the distinctive Hellcat grille and badging, and decal markers also call out the air extractors and hood scoop of the production model.

The birth of the Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car body featured a process that began more than a year ago, and stretched from the race shops of DSR and Don Schumacher Motorsports (DSM) in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the research and development facilities at FCA US headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, to a drag strip in Ohio.

Mopar and Dodge//SRT engineers worked in unison with the DSR team at each and every step of the process, from creation of the original body mold to wind tunnel testing to on-track vetting. The NHRA was also closely involved in the process, with Mopar, Dodge//SRT and DSR working with the sanctioning body to ensure the new Funny Car was in compliance with all specifications and guidelines.

“We are really excited to run the new Mopar Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat body in competition, both in qualifying and the race itself at Denver,” said Don Schumacher, owner of the DSR team and a former Dodge Charger Funny Car driver himself in the 1960s. “It’s been a great project, working together with Mopar, Dodge//SRT, DSR and DSM to get the whole project finished and done in this period of time. We are really looking forward to how it’s going to change our program.”

The new Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car body replaces the current generation Mopar Dodge Charger R/T race car. First introduced at the dragstrip in 2015, Mopar Dodge//SRT drivers have raced the Charger R/T to 50 wins to date — including back-to-back wins by Hagan leading into the Dodge Mile-High NHRA Nationals Powered by Mopar — and 42 runner-up finishes, as well as 40 No. 1 qualifier spots. Ron Capps claimed his 2016 NHRA Funny Car World Championship in the current Charger R/T body.

Initial plans were to restrict the new body to just one or two qualifying sessions in its debut this weekend at Bandimere Speedway, due to the unique atmospheric challenges presented by the Mile-High venue. However, after a promising test session in late June following the NHRA event in Norwalk, Ohio, the call was made by Hagan’s Mopar Express Lane crew chief Dickie Venables to let the Hellcat prowl for all of qualifying and race day as well.

“We made four good, solid runs in testing at Norwalk,” said Hagan. “We put the body through a lot of different things and were really, really pleased with it. I really think it’s going to translate over to performance on the race track, and hopefully more win lights in the future.”

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By Dave Ashton

Have you ever wondered where the rivalry between car brands comes from? Since the birth of the automobile one vehicle has naturally been compared to another, but fuel to the fire has also been added from the car makers and dealers since day one. Proof in point is this 1971 dealer promo film where the 1971 Plymouth Barracuda is compared to the Mustang.

‘I like Mustang. I bought my first in ’65 and again ’68.’ Initially sounds promising for the Mustang commentary, but then the voice-over goes on to say, ‘Mustang just isn’t Mustang anymore. A name’s not enough.’ Uh oh, rivalry time….

The great thing about this video is that it names direct comparisons between Cuda and Mustang features. In many ways this is a great way to find out the many details built into each car of the year for your own knowledge. The video is quite thorough comparing side-by-side everything from engines, exteriors, interiors and even small details like the Mustang’s ‘peculiar rear seat hump.’

From the outset you know which way this video is going from the ‘1970 Chrysler Corporation’ text at the bottom of video. However, the video does a really good job going into nearly every detail about each car and in hindsight is a great way to get a summary of each vehicle in one go. If you want to know the details of what makes up a 1971 Cuda or Mustang this ironically is a great video. Plus, if you did agree with the video and then went out and bought a 1971 Hemi Cuda at the time, you would now have one expensive and priced vehicle on your hands.

One person commented in the video that at the time the Mustang was a “chick magnet” but was never a muscle car. The ‘Cuda was ‘better and alot faster’ than a Mustang and a proper muscle car. Which would you choose??

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The post 1971 Plymouth Barracuda vs. Ford Mustang Dealer Promo. appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Ask any Mopar fan what’s the best engine and unusually the reply will be a Hemi. The hemispherical cylinder head engine has its roots in WWII fighter aircraft in the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, which was re-engineered at first under the name ‘FirePower’ for Chrysler car engines for the 1951 model year. Desoto vehicles had their own called the Fire Dome, while Dodge went with the name Red Ram.

The hemispherical cylinder head design gave a very efficient combustion chamber and featured two valves per cylinder in a crossflow design, a domed piston and the spark plug near the centre of the combustion chamber.

The original 1951 Chrysler Hemi had 331ci. (5.4 L) producing 180 bhp. Not a mind blowing amount of power, but the potential for the engine design was there and over its three generations, the powerplant has woven itself into muscle car history. It was the second generation Hemi started in 1964 that really cemented its name. Huge size, huge power with aq 426ci. displacement was originally put into a Plymouth Belvedere to see how it fared in NASCAR. To compete in NASCAR they had to have a street version of the Hemi, which had 425 bhp. From here the engine’s reputation continued to grow and now original classic vehicles from that era with a 426 Hemi engine can reach the millions.

The two videos below give you a quick overview of the Hemi’s history, with the second giving a rundown of how the engine works, explained in the unique style only available from Engineering Explained. Although todays 5.7L and 6.2L Hemi engine designs are a far departure from the original with far better efficiency in fuel economy and having variable valve timing and coil on plug distributorless ignition amoungst other features.

The Hemi name is still the calling card for ultimate power when it comes to a Mopar and looks like it will continue it’s reign as shown in the recent Dodge Demon with its 840 horsepower rating. With such a long history and so many variations, the third video below will give you an idea of how one version of the Hemi compares to another, basically old versus new.

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The post The Story Of The Hemi Engine appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Anybody who’s taking at least a passing glance at the Plymouth Superbird and the Dodge Daytona may think that nose cone and rear wing were slapped on for vanities sake, not having any practical use. On top of that, the cars really only raced and produced in the ’70 NASCAR season, as the rules were changed in 1971, banning wing cars. These videos hope to rectify these points giving insight into the car’s aerodynamics and potential ‘what if’ models as they may have been for the 1971 season.

These cars were built ‘based upon results from a secret wind tunnel test report Chrysler had conducted in early 1970 on the new 71 Dodge and Plymouth B-bodies.’ This along with Chryslers notes and data from the 3/8 model tests from the Wing Warriors Car Club by Chrysler producing hypothetical 1971 models of both the Superbird and Daytona. After being built they were tested at the AeroDyn & A2 windtunnel with Gary Romberg, one of the original aerodynamicists who worked on the wing cars at Chrysler.

The video is fascinating to watch for anybody who has even a slight interest in how these winged warriors actually worked aerodynamically.
The second video shows a test with the ‘air grabber’ open on the hood, with the other videos showing the airstream over the complete body and the rear wing. No wonder these cars are designed to run at 200 mph.

In some ways, it’s a shame all this information wasn’t available back in the day to the public. Winged Warrior sales were dreadful back in the day, being seen as way to out of the norm. even for the most ardent muscle car fan of the day. If we only knew how well the cars worked and their future worth, they would have been snapped up far quicker rather than being the oddities of the car sales lot.

Wind Tunnel Test: “43” 1971 Petty Superbird

71 Superbird concept car

1971 Dodge Daytona Tribute Car Wind Tunnel Test

You can find out more about the cars here – http://www.71wingcars.com/

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The post 1971 Plymouth Superbird and Dodge Daytona Wind Tunnel Tests appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

We keep worrying that we are overly featuring the Dodge Demon and Hellcat on our websites, but why not as they represent two of the truest muscle cars around today. This video shows not just the raw horsepower levels of the Jeep TrackHawk & Dodge HellCat, but why sticking to the old muscle car principles still works and appeals to the masses.

As stated at the beginning of the video, Ford and Chevy always had carefully thought out strategies to gain better sales. Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth thought differently, kept it simple and just stuffed the biggest engine into the smallest car. Voilà, power on tap in an affordable package.

Worked then, so why not today? Even better, why not crowbar one of those Hellcat engines into an SUV, thus the TrackHawk. This way of thinking in a complex, modern car industry could have easily been a flop, but the sales figures prove otherwise.

Refined, planted, sophisticated and many other objectives are used for modern performance vehicles, but the real cool factor comes from just a raw, plain power rating. But it’s 2018 and most people want at least a bit of sophistication and creature comforts, which you get in both the Hellcat and Trackhawk. Supercar power without having to take yoga classes previously to get in and drive the thing like some of the rest.

Just sit back and enjoy a bit of Murica spirit wrapped up in 9,618lbs. of solid metal. Trackhawk = 5,364lbs, Hellcat= 4,254 lb. Heavy, but reassuringly so.

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The post 1750 Horsepower Combined! Jeep TrackHawk & Dodge HellCat appeared first on Muscle Car.

The first glimpses I can ever remember of a car production line was in the 1965 Marther and the Vandellas ‘Nowhere to Run’ music video at the Ford Mustang plant as shown below. Health and safety rules let’s say were a little more relaxed back then, like the bits where the girls are walking past the guys spray-painting up some panels or ducking under a few on the production line. It’s almost hilarious to watch by today’s standards.

Things have moved on a little in 2018 and these two videos show how Dodge and especially the recent Demon are put together on a modern production run. Although automation rules the car building world, it still needs a humans’ dextrous fingers and evaluation to put many parts together. The first video shows the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon assembly-line from FCA US Brampton Assembly Plant, Ontario, Canada giving a good insight in how the car is made start to finish.

The second video is almost more interested as the vehicles go from the sheet metal stamping to final production of the 2017 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. If you want to know how your car is built or just an insight into modern car production, these videos are definitely worth a watch. It will also be interesting to see how these 2018 car production videos compare to methods in another 50 years. Maybe we need a girl group making their next music video in a car plant just for historical purposes……………..

2017 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger Production

Marther and the Vandellas “Nowhere to Run” – Ford Mustang Plant

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By Dave Ashton

VIN: WM23M9A290931
Engine: 440 SIX PAC
Transmission: 4 Speed Manual
Exterior Color: Hemi Orange
Mileage: 8,795
Price: $129,900.00

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

You can actually pick up a 1969 Dodge Coronet Superbee in prime condition for around $45k, but like any vintage muscle car it only needs those few rarely options to skyrocket the price. In this case it’s the A12 which is 1 of 69 with the 440 Six Pack Engine Package (Chrysler’s package for street legal drag racing) and 1 of 53 hard tops with a four speed and Hemi orange. Basically, rare as rocking horse…….

This one is clearly extremely rare and valuable, but it’s also the most expensive one for sale at the moment. The next being a Butterscotch version going for $119,900 from a renowned dealer https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1969/dodge/coronet/100858639 but doesn’t state the mileage. Expensive, but it only takes 1 or 2 to be sold at this price level for that to be the new standard. Then in a few years $129k may even seem quite reasonable a price.

This one has very low mileage, said to have all its original sheet metal and it’s original paint job up until a few months ago. It also comes with a Dave Wise report, listed in the A12 registry, full owner history and all original paperwork. For this price point, everything should be original and meticulous as it clearly is. The listing does give examples of its original parts even down to the H code wheels, but you will need a full rundown for any potential buyers.

There’s no mention of its had a restoration done in the past, but the new paint job imply something along these lines, which will need more detail. Clearly this is a magnificent time capsule with the A12 version being one of the most sought-after. It’s obviously the top end of the price point, but it’s also the lowest mileage example for sale at the moment. Do you think it’s worth the money?

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

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By Dave Ashton

We reported at the tail end of last week that the Chrysler brand was rumored to be announced by Company head Sergio Marchionne to end its days aas part of the latest FCA Five Year plan. The rumors and now to be unfounded and the reality is that the main focus will be on global brands. 25% of future investment going to Chrysler and Dodge, with 75% going to Jeep, Ram, Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

There will also be new Jeep models coming out in 2022, along with a Ram 1500 Hemi Hellcat. Shutting down such a long-standing company such as Chrysler seemed hard to fathom and the reality proves this point, but the focus on SUVs and even hybrids and self driving vehicles seems to be evident.

With Alfa and Maserati being the focus, it’s been rumoured that the Charger and Challenger will be refreshed on these platforms. However, in a recent statement from Marchionne, “The problem with Giorgio is from size and capability standpoint it reflects much more of a European performance requirement than it does the American heritage of Dodge.” Basically, meaning that large Hemi V8s platforms are not suited to smaller, turbocharged engines. Good news with Dodge at least feeling like future muscle cars will be more or less American from the ground up as they should be.

As for the Chrysler 300 the future is not so clear, as Waymo and self-driving vehicles will be the focus.

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

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By Dave Ashton

One of America’s oldest carmakers could come to an end this Friday as rumors report that CEO Sergio Marchionne will hold an investors meeting on Friday, June 1, Balocco, Italy, to possibly end the brand. Basically, turning the FCA into the FA (invent your own acronyms here). The announcement could also include plans to pull Fiat out of the United States and China, with more focus on Europe, Brazil and other upcoming markets. Jeep would also become a bigger focus being its most profitable brand.

SUV’s and trucks are the biggest sellers, with clear focus on Dodge, Jeep and Ram in recent years. Alfa Romeo and Maserati may also be merged into one division. From a muscle car points of view it’s still happy days as Dodge will carry forward, but it’s unlikely that any vehicle from now on will feature the famous Chrysler Pentastar logo.

Chrysler automobiles was founded by Walter Chrysler in 1925, with many standout vehicles along the way, but the brand itself now only produces the 300 sedan and the Pacifica minivan. Mostly known as a more luxurious brand, but now the most basic models have a high level of creature comforts and luxury making it harder than ever to have this as a separate category. No matter the economics, it’s always sad to see a long-standing car brand or company eventually to just to become paperwork especially one with such a long, rich history.

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

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By Dave Ashton

Just like when Superman was first killed off, everyone thought that’s the end of that only to be resurrected a few editions later, the same is apparently happening to the Dodge Viper. Just like the man of steel, the Dodge Viper was first seen as an immensely powerful and potent entity, but needed to go away for a bit for everyone to realize how great it originally was and hopefully come back stronger than ever.

If the Viper resurrection is going to turn into reality is still more in the rumor mill than anything, but according to some more verified outlets Fiat Chrysler may bring the snake back to match up against the Chevrolet Corvette and are very interested in the idea. The idea is to have a vehicle that covers the whole range, with a base model matching up to a basic Corvette, the top end to match the previous ACR and have a track car that can compete in the likes of the Le Man. Basically, a car that you use every day up to full-blown racer.

The front engine, rear wheel drive setup will stay with plenty of aluminium and carbon fiber just without the past V10 engine, along with a more up-to-date independent suspension system. If a full range of Vipers is going to be on offer, the power output may well go from a base 550 hp to a 426ci. supercharged 700 hp+. As the next generation of hellcat engine may very well have forced-induction, this could also be on the cards for the Viper. Manual or automatic transmissions maybe both an option. The raw driving experience of the latter-day Viper will be replaced with a more refined, up-to-date driving experience.

There are predictions that the new Viper could be first presented at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, marking the 30th anniversary of the Dodge Viper first hatching, with a possible release date of 2020 or 2021.

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

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By Dave Ashton

Hennessey Performance Engineering have been successfully touting their Camaro-based Exorcist as a Dodge Demon killer to good effect, but now it seems they have a package for the Demon itself in the shape of the HPE1000. The car can produce an incredible 1,035HP at the crank and 880 at the wheels, producing a 9.14-second quarter-mile time at 152 mph, quicker than the Demon itself in stock form at 9.65 seconds with 840HP.

To produce the extra power, Hennessey have added to the Demons 6.2-liter supercharged V8 long tube headers, upgraded pulleys, tweaked engine management system, along with Hennessey badging. The company can also give you more power if needed in the form of a HPE1200 package which can give you a whopping 1,500HP along with a roll cage and ‘chute to make sure it complies with NHRA ruling.

The 1st video gives you a quick snapshot of what the upgrade package can do on the dragstrip, showing you the 9.14 sec. time from multiple views. Each view shows you just how brutal this machine sounds, with the end of the video giving you a snapshot of the time slip with some pretty impressive figures.

If you’re interested in one of these upgraded Demons, they will be making only 50 units, which can be ordered via Hennessey directly or through an authorized Hennessey Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership. It makes me think that if the Exorcist is a Dodge Demon killer, then the HPE1000 and HPE1200 must be a Dodge Demon enhancer?? Either way, simply Hennessey will take an already superfast machine and try and make it even faster.

Power:
• 880 Rear Wheel HP (1,035 engine hp) @ 6,500 rpm on race gas tune
• 806 Rear Wheel lb-ft Torque (948 engine torque) @ 4,200 rpm

Includes:
• 4.5L Supercharger
• Supercharger pulley upgrade
• Throttle body upgrade
• Stainless steel long tube headers
• High-flow catalytic converters
• High-flow supercharger bypass valve
• Upgraded high-flow fuel injectors
• Boost-a-pump upgrade
• HPE calibration upgrade
• High-flow air induction system
• Professional installation
• All necessary gaskets & fluids
• Chassis dyno testing
• Road testing (up to 200 miles)
• Hennessey exterior badges
• HPE1000 badges
• Serial numbered plaques
• Hennessey premium floor mats
• 1 Year /12,000 mile limited warranty

Find out more here – http://hennesseyperformance.com/vehicles/dodge/2018-dodge-challenger-srt-demon/hpe1000/

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

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By Mark Weisseg

This book review was so much fun. I have so many memories of this car and I will share them later with you.

First, the author of the book is Geoff Stunkard, a very well known expert regarding Mopar. He, along with guys like Dave Wise are legendary when documenting the Mopar legends.

The book is from our friends at cartechbooks.com. This book is 96 pages of certifiable fun. Packed with 120 color photos along with information to make your head spin. The author starts the journey for the reader at the beginning. And then takes you step by step. From why the Superbird was built with the large wing on the back to its racing heritage and then to its street creds. Like any good author Geoff takes you step by step so you can follow the “bird” from beginning to its end in chronological order.

I don’t want to give away the money shots in the book but let’s touch on a few interesting topics. The Superbird was a descendent of the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona. Why is that important? Well, you can send a note of thanks to the King- Richard Petty. Petty was a second generation stock car driver. He raced for Plymouth and won many races. Now, King Richard as we know him today saw what the Charger Daytona and the Ford Talledega was doing on the track and wanted something from Plymouth to compete. Plymouth had nothing so the King jumped to Ford. Well, that got the Plymouth folks mighty worried that they had lost the face of there racing program. Hence, Plymouth built the Superbird as they called it. The King returned and drove this monster to the winners circle. And it was just not Richard Petty. Pete Hamilton drove the 70 Bird to the winners circle at the Daytona 500 and many other drivers followed.

Well, Plymouth could only use the Superbird on the track as long as they built a minimum of 500 for street use. This is were the author really accelerates his story. And it’s the point where I can finally add my own recollections of the Superbird.

I can remember going to the local Chrysler Plymouth dealerships with my Father. He was a big Mopar guy his whole life. He and I would attend car shows and browse car lots on Sundays when the dealerships were closed. I recall making a comment that the Superbird was a Road Runner with a wing on the back. Dad knew better and told me the dirty little secret. Yes, it was a 70 Road Runner but it had front fenders from a Dodge Coronet! And the nose cone was added on at a separate plant outside the Lynch Road plant in Detroit.

The author provides in depth detail of this true story. The author also delves into what engine, transmission, rear end and what paint schemes were used. Mr Stunkard also provides a dictionary account of how to read a fender tag, a VIN tag, where the numbers are stamped on the block, and how to match them up. This is done so a buyer can really make sure it’s a numbers matching car. The author provides insight on what to look out for if you are going to buy one. They only made 2000 Superbirds so he warns you to watch our for replicas or fakes. With knowledge from the book you can note why they all had vinyl tops, why only two engines such as the 440 and the 426 were used. The book just hits the mark for anyone who wants to admire a Bird or really wants to own one. You better hit the lottery or get a big inheritance if you want one. Rarity drives prices up and this bird is no exception.

I have a friend who has a 1970 original Bird. He has a 440 with a 727 transmission. It’s a survivor with less than six thousand miles. When he brings it to shows people swarm the car. Old guys like me smile because back in the day the dealers could not sell them. I mean who wants to drive a car to the grocery store that has a big wing on the back? Dad and I would see these birds on dealer lots as late as 1973. They parked them way in the back like they were embarrassed about having these strange cars on the lots. In the eighties another friend of mine had one. He rarely drove the car. When asked why he replied “ people laugh at me”. He sold it in a year. Ouch.

I encourage you to buy this book. It’s a fun read, yet informative. You will learn all the things that went into the build of this now master piece. Cartechbooks.com has this book as well as hundreds of other books for your reading pleasure.

https://www.cartechbooks.com/1970-plymouth-superbird-muscle-cars-in-detail-no-11.html

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

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By Dave Ashton

The last ever Dodge Viper and Challenger SRT Demon to be ever built will go to auction as a bundle at Barrett-Jackson Northeast, June 20-23 2018 in Mohegan Sun Resort, Uncasville, Connecticut with proceeds going to the United Way charity organization. The red (paint code LRN) with black Alcantara interior 2017 Viper GTS and same makeup red Demon mark the end for two incredible muscle machines and arguably the start of the next generation of what’s to come in the muscle car world.

The last Demon is yet to be built, but both vehicles have exclusive badging and specific VIN documentation with one-off memorabilia to come with both vehicles. The vehicles come together as a package with a total of 1,485 horsepower, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon’s 6.2L Hemi 840 hp supercharged V8 and the Viper with a 8.4L V10 at 645 hp. As a package both vehicles represent landmarks in American automotive achievement with the Viper having a 25 year track record, breaking numerous track records and the Demon being the only factory street legal production drag car and representing the pinnacle of modern muscle cars.

‘An avid collector could search a lifetime to try to put two vehicles of this pedigree together and never find it, it’s that elusive,’ – Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Car Brands, Dodge/SRT, Chrysler,FIAT, FCA North America. ‘Pairing the last Dodge Challenger SRT Demon and the Dodge Viper production cars – two of America’s most sought-after vehicles – under the roof of Barrett-Jackson gives someone the ‘last’ chance to own this unique piece of automotive history, and Dodge//SRT the opportunity to raise money for a cause close to our hearts.’

The Challenger SRT Demon is limited to 3,300 units, 3000 to the US and 300 to Canada for one production year. The Demon will include an exclusive Viper Red exterior color along with other standouts including Rear seat delete, Trunk carpet kit, Custom Demon car cover, VIN instrument panel badge, Demon Authentication package (build sheets and Certicard) and Demon Crate. The Viper is the last one of production from the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, Detroit in fall 2017 and is styled after the first-generation Dodge Viper RT/10 (VIN ending in 731948) in 1992 with exterior carbon fiber accents, black Alcantara leather seats and exclusive VIN instrument panel badge and kit.

In 2015, the first Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat VIN0001 helped to raise $1.65 Million for charity, the most in Barrett-Jackson history, which means this Dodge bundle “The Ultimate Last Chance” will surely gain lots of attention not just for its exclusive package, but also for how much it can raise for a worthwhile charity.

Registration is open until May 28th 2018 for these two fine specimens.

Find out more about the auction here – https://www.dodgegarage.com/ , http://www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.
The United Way – https://www.unitedway.org/

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

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By Dave Ashton

This is going to be one exciting auction on 3rd June 2018. Bonhams will be auctioning Carroll Shelby’s personal car collection in Greenwich CT 06830 and as you can imagine, will feature some delectable dishes totalling 24 vehicles which will include cars and trucks. Carroll Shelby is arguably one of the pioneers of muscle cars and this auction is not to be missed.

The vehicles on offer will feature both Fords and Mopars representing his association with both ends of the car spectrum. Their worth is not just being owned by Carroll himself, but limited number vehicles, prototypes and ones associated with the rich and famous. A 1969 Shelby GT 500 from Jackie Cooper Jr., a 1935 Chrysler Airflow Sedan from Steve McQueen. The classics will include 2 1969 Shelby GT 500s, 1968 Shelby GT350, a 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 Continuation and a 1967 Lincoln Continental.

From the many more modern rarities are included – 1999 Shelby 1 Series chassis 0001, a 2011 Shelby Cobra CSX 8027, 1982 Dodge Shelby Charger Prototype, 1983 Dodge/Shelby pickup concept, 1987 Dodge CSX no. 1, 1987 Shelby Charger GLH-S no. 1, 1987 Dodge Shelby Lancer no. 1, 1988 Dodge Shelby Dakota Prototype, 1989 Dodge CSX VNT no. 1, a 2008 Shelby GT500 KR and a 2011 Shelby GT500 Super Snake. An Oldsmobile-powered 1999 Series 1 from Shelby American being chassis 0001 is also available.

Vehicles that don’t clearly fit into the other slots include 2 De Tomasos, a 1987 GT5-S, a 1983 Pantera and a 1955 DeSoto. All vehicles have no reserve price. You can find out more details on the Bonhams website link below, but suffice to say that this is probably going to be the auction of the year.

Find out more here at the Bonhams website – https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24810/preview_lot/5160269/

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By Dave Ashton

If you own a Mopar which includes any Charger, Challenger variation, Chrysler 300, Ram Truck or Jeep built after 2005, you know have a chance to race at a NMCA HEMI Shootout in 2018. The offer is open to the first 75 Mopar people who reserve a place at their website http://www.nmcadigital.com/hemi/ . The events will also be streamed live at http://www.speedvideo.com/

Official Press Release

March 6, 2018, Auburn Hills, Michigan – The Dodge//SRT and Mopar brands are teaming up with the National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) to offer complimentary customer drag racing experiences exclusively at NMCA race events for the 2018 season. Mopar-powered competitors in model year 2005 and newer FCA US LLC vehicles will receive complimentary entry to battle it out in the NMCA Dodge/Mopar HEMI® Shootout category, giving owners the opportunity to race their vehicles in a sanctioned and secure drag strip environment.

Dodge/Mopar HEMI Shootout fields are expected to draw a unique mix of modern-day FCA US vehicle nameplates, such as Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles in a variety of models, including the 485-horsepower Dodge Challenger and Charger Scat Pack models, 707-horsepower Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat models, the 840-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, as well as Chrysler 300, Ram truck and Jeep® vehicles.

The NMCA season kicks off with the 16th Annual NMCA Muscle Car Mayhem at Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida, March 8-11, 2018.

“The National Muscle Car Association series is an excellent venue for Dodge//SRT and Mopar to give owners of our modern-day FCA US LLC vehicles, including the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger, the opportunity to drag race in a sanctioned, controlled environment,” said Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Cars, Dodge//SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA North America. “We’re continuing our efforts to take racing off the street and put it where it belongs — the drag strip — by providing complimentary entry into the Dodge/Mopar HEMI Shootout category.”

“Together, the Mopar and Dodge brands share a long and respected legacy in the world of drag racing, and we’re proud to add another chapter to that tradition with this new initiative in the NMCA,” said Pietro Gorlier, Head of Parts and Service (Mopar), FCA. “Mopar is about providing owners with the tools they need to not only be fast on the strip, but also secure on the streets, and this new program helps us push forward to reaching those goals.”

Dodge/Mopar HEMI Shootout: The Facts

Vehicles entered in the Dodge/Mopar HEMI Shootout must be licensed, insured and street driven, on street-legal tires and must be model year 2005 or newer FCA US vehicles (Viper models permitted). While geared toward Gen III HEMI-engine-powered machines, vehicles with alternate Mopar engines will also be eligible for complimentary entry.

The Dodge/Mopar HEMI Shootout class is open to the first 75 vehicle owners to register for each NMCA event, with each complimentary entry — valued up to $175 — good for one car/driver participant credential. Vehicle owners can register online at www.NMCAdigital.com/hemi for the Dodge/Mopar HEMI Shootout, which will be featured at all six races on the 2018 NMCA national event schedule. NMCA membership not required to participate.

NMCA will offer Dodge/Mopar HEMI Shootout competitors an easy and fun experience, with personalized, step-by-step instruction available. The Dodge/Mopar HEMI Shootout will take place on Saturday at each NMCA event, but all participants are welcome to arrive on Thursday and/or Friday of race weekend for early registration, instruction and test-and-tune passes down the dragstrip. Competitors are encouraged to race at their own pace, depending on each participant’s comfort level.

Although competitors will stage side-by-side for runs down the quarter-mile, drivers will not race head-to-head. Participants will compete against the clock and will be measured in elapsed time (ET) down the track, taking reaction time off the starting line out of the equation.

Participants will be allowed three passes down the drag strip. NMCA staff will average the three passes by each competitor, with the quickest averages in seven different ET categories — from the nine to 15 second ET range — earning an award and $100 cash courtesy of NMCA. The overall ET runner-up will also receive $100 and an award, with the quickest overall ET winner taking home $250 and the NMCA Victor award.

Each Dodge/Mopar HEMI Shootout participant will also receive a free collectible license plate. As an added bonus, participants who would like to extend their racing experience will also receive complimentary entry into the Sunday Bracket 3/Street class at each NMCA event.

Dodge/Mopar HEMI Shootout Coverage

Event coverage can be viewed on NMCA’s SpeedVideo.com live feed, RacePagesDigital.com and in Fastest Street Car magazine.

Coverage can also be found on the new one-stop destination for Dodge and Mopar drag racing news — Dodge Garage (http://www.dodgegarage.com). Dodge Garage is a digital content hub and premier destination for Dodge and Mopar drag racing and muscle car enthusiasts.

For complete rules and entry guidelines as well as registration information on the NMCA Dodge/Mopar HEMI Shootout, visit www.NMCAdigital.com/hemi.

2018 NMCA Event Schedule

16th Annual NMCA Muscle Car Mayhem

Bradenton Motorsports Park – Bradenton, Florida

March 8-11, 2018

10th Annual NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals

Atlanta Dragway – Commerce, Georgia

April 5-8, 2018

17th Annual NMCA Bluegrass Nationals

Beech Bend Raceway – Bowling Green, Kentucky

May 17-20, 2018

13th Annual NMRA/NMCA Super Bowl of Street-Legal Drag Racing

Route 66 Raceway – Joliet, Illinois

July 26-29, 2018

17th Annual NMCA All-American Nationals

Summit Motorsports Park – Norwalk, OH

August 23-26, 2018

17th Annual NMCA World Street Finals

Lucas Oil Raceway – Indianapolis, IN

September 20-23, 2018

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

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By Dave Ashton

We are lucky to live in a time where we can just jump on our computers and find out information about more or less anything to do with muscle cars. The problem however is finding those sweet spots online which seem to have all the information in one place. The websites below are a good addition and starting point to find any information you need to do with muscle cars which will complement our site.

General Motors stuff
GM started on September 16th, 1908 in Flint, Michigan and eventually rose to be one of the biggest automakers in the world. Like many carmakers they have had their ups and downs over the years, but there is no denying they made some the best muscle cars to ever burn rubber. If you check out the GM Heritage Center’s reference collection you will find over 250,000 documents relating to everything built by GM over years from the likes of Chevrolet to Oldsmobiles. For those interested in Buick vehicles, check out sloanlongway.org.

Old Car Manuals and Brochures
Old car manuals and brochures are getting harder to find, especially sites which holds them all in one place. This website set up by Hans Tore Tangerud – Love to Accelerate has hundreds of brochures from vintage muscle cars from all makers. You don’t just have a wide variety of muscle car information here, but also Canadian and European vehicles if that is to your liking. It’s a great start off point for doing your own research.

Mopar
Mopar is strictly the parts division for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, but is more commonly termed to associate with any vehicle from the groups Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Imperial, DeSoto or Dodge Trucks/Ram. Depending on what information you’re after, a good bounce off point is mymopar.com and allpar.com, which has loads of information, particularly about Dodge.
Hamtramck-historical.com contains loads of dealership books, advertising and everything inbetween which Mopar built in Hamtramck and Los Angeles. Check out the virtual library and vintage advertising page for simply loads of information.

Ford and Mustangs
If mustangs are your thing, then Mustangtek.com is a great start point for all types of vintage Ford muscle cars. You can find loads of Ford and Shelby publications here aswell as tech. books, service handbooks and past magazine articles which should keep any Ford fan ongoing for some time.

Historical car documents
If you regret throwing away any past car manuals, brochures or any other type of printed material, you may just find it here at the Automotive History Preservation Society. The website is dedicated to the collection of all printed automotive materials and has everything from press releases, brochures, magazine articles and everything in between. Everything is in high quality and can be downloaded. Its a great historical record, which is ever-growing, so keep your eye on this one.

Paint database
PaintRef.com has an extensive list of all automotive paints from 1922 to present day. That’s over 35,000 pages of information. There are also tons of car brochures which you cannot find anywhere else, giving you a glimpse into the design and sales techniques from back in the day. As an aside, vintage guitar lovers can find their favorite paint colors from back in the day here, as most used vintage car paints for their instruments, especially Fender.

Remember to also use our site search facility, under ‘search muscle cars’ to find the information you want. I hope the sites above can give you a good jumping off point for starting your own research into this wonderful world of muscle cars.

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

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VIN: RM23J9A136401
Engine: 426ci. Hemi
Transmission: Automatic column shift
Exterior Color: Sunfire Yellow
Mileage: 55,935
Price: $119,888.00

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

Bargain finds are great in the muscle car world, but it’s also good to look at the other end of the market to see the potential prices these vintage cars can raise. This 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner is probably top of the Plymouth stack with its 426ci.(7L) hemi V8 engine.

At top asking price you’d expect everything to be as good as it can get and this car has apparently been fully covered by a Galen Govier report, is in the Chrysler registry and has had full rotisserie restoration. The Sunfire Yellow actually adds to the vintage look of the car and with the bench seats and column shifter, this is definitely a top-notch product of its time.

At these type of prices you can be as picky as you like with features. This listing doesn’t have a lot of detail. It also labels the engine as a 427ci. rather than a 426ci. It’s only a small detail, but when you’re paying this type of price you want everything in order. The 426ci. Hemi came with a two 4-barrel carburettor, 10.25:1 compression with 425Hp and 490 Torque (lbs-ft.) in this car’s case, it’s probably a good idea to ask for a copy of the Galen Govier report to verify everything.

If everything is in order with this car and being a vintage Hemi, its value should steadily increase over the years, but as with any vehicle at this price you need to do your due diligence before buying in.

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

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

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By Dave Ashton

If you have ever been envious of the hellcat engine and wish you had one in your ride, now you have the chance as Mopar will now offer the 6.2L 707hp engine for sale on its own, titled the “Hellcrate.” The news was announced at this years 2017 SEMA show.

Mopar have been busy building loads of their vehicles, so it’s only now they have been able to offer the engine on its own. The 6.2-liter supercharged Crate Hemi engine kit which can produce 707 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque was shown at the 15,345-square-foot Mopar SEMA stand. The engine kit is the first ever supercharged crate engine and aims to be a complete “plug and play” solution which will include a powertrain control module(PCM), engine wiring harness, power distribution center, accelerator pedal, chassis harness, oxygen sensors, ground jumper, fuel pump control module and charge air temperature sensors.

The engine works best with a manual transmission, the Tremec Magnum transmission kit being recommended and the PCM is unlocked and calibrated for its 707 horsepower. Additional accessories are available which include a Front End Accessory Drive (FEAD) Kit, alternator, power steering pump and all the belts and always which is highly recommended to be bought with the kit.

The complete Hellcrate kit (Part Number 68303089AA) is available for (MSRP) of $19,530, with the accessory kit (Part Number 77072452AB) for sale at MSRP of $2,195.

If you want to find out more about incredible engine, visit the website here.

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The post The Hellcrate, Mopar Release Crate Engine Package appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

Not to be confused with the Dodge Daytona that was produced from 1984 to 1993, the classic Dodge Charger Daytona was one of the original Aero cars there was produced from 1969 to 1970. The Dodge Charger was already a classic and with its racing additions these winged warriors are now the most collectable muscle cars on the planet.

The Daytona was originally designed to compete and win at NASCAR, taking over the reins from the 1969 Dodge Charger 500. The Daytona was sold to the public in limited numbers and is now one of the most collectable muscle cars around. Engines available came in the 440ci. or 426 hemi V8. Standout features are the 18 inch fibreglass nose extension which reduce drag and increases downforce and the 23 inch rear deck wing. Other aerodynamic features included recess to rear backlights, cover recess to rear window, upgraded suspension and brakes. Trim specifications were based on the Dodge Charger R/T.

Street versions of the Dodge Daytona weighed 300 pounds more than a conventional Charger, but it was the unconventional shape that put off many buyers of the time.

Engines:
426 V8 Hemi 425 bhp, 490 lb-ft.
440 V8 375 bhp, 480 lb-ft.

Performance:
426: 0-60 – 6.6 seconds.
1/4 mile in 13.92 seconds at 104.1 mph.

Wheelbase 117 in. (2,972 mm)
Chrysler B platform

Production numbers
2 dr fastop, amount – 503
426ci 8bbl amount – 70
4 spd manual amount – 22
automatic amount – 48
426ci 8 bbl amount – 4
440ci 4 bbl amount – 433
4 spd manual amount – 139
VIN: XX29L9B – automatic amount – 294
VIN: XX29L9B – 440ci 4 bbl amount – 35
VIN: XX29L9B – amount – 7
VIN: XX29L9B – amount – 2
Price – US $3,993

The Daytona was the first car to break the 200 mph barrier in 1970 at Talladega by Buddy Baker. The cars racing days did not last long, winning two races in 1969 and four in 1970. Bobby Isaac also hit a top speed of 217 mph at Bonneville.

The Dodge Daytona name has been brought back a few times, but it’s always the original 1969 version that is the most classic.

Below are just a few examples videos to check out this wonderful beast of a car.

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The post Spotlight: The Dodge Charger Daytona appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

1968 was a great year for Grumpy Jenkins. He had already proving his worth in stock car racing, along with building some of the greatest engines around. in 1968. It was is time to defend the Chrysler end of things in the form of a Chevy II (Nova) and the Camaro.

This video gives you a brief glimpse of the 1968 NHRA National Drags, some of the other vehicles involved, and why he became such huge name in the racing and engine building world. Like any video of the period. It’s a great little insight into the world in car culture of its time.

Definitely a great little video to watch for any car fan.

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The post Grumpy Jenkins At The 1968 US NHRA Drag Nationals Overview appeared first on Muscle Car.

The tops of Muscle car engine picks speak to a supposition in view of the accompanying criteria. They constructed the motor in sufficiently expansive numbers so the normal authority can get their hands on one. The horsepower could deliver more strength than its physical removal, either from the production line or with little alterations. Deliberately, the topic is discussed to overview the super efficiency of car engines ever build. The Car Rentals Abu Dhabi inquire professionals for the quality specifications of a strong engines so here is the answer of questions arouse. Matching these specs with today’s car manufactured lets us know the difference and rate of improvement in auto manufacturing industry.

The 409 Chevy Big Block

It took them a whole of four years from 1961-1965 to build this marvelous piece. General Motors called this original enormous piece the W arrangement. They appraised the mid-1960s rendition with a solitary four-barrel carburetor at 340 HP. With the muscle auto wars quick moving toward GM overhauled the motor with a high lift camshaft and strong lifters. Additionally, the compression was expanded the pressure proportion to 11.25:1 and rushed on a couple of vast Carter AFB four-barrel square bore carburetors. The motor was moderately appraised at 425 HP in 1963. This could push huge autos like the 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS sufficiently quick to motivate the Beach Boy’s to compose a melody about it. The motor was supplanted by the second era of huge pieces called the Mark IV arrangement. This incorporated the 396 and in the long run the 454.

The 440 Big Block Mopar V8

With 2 four-barrel carburetor’s it drawn out 380 HP. They expanded the removal in 1965 and the 440 was conceived. They constructed this engine from 1965 through 1978 making it the longest keep running of any huge piece delivered from the huge three. Not exclusively is the motor promptly accessible on account of the sheer numbers created, the quantity of execution parts accessible really appreciable The Mopar parts division gives motor remaking units that incorporate formulas to take the 440 well over the 450 HP rating. A couple of years after the 440 appeared discharge principles expanded, fuel costs expanded, octane evaluations diminished with the expulsion of lead from gas. Chrysler began lessening the pressure proportion which was the most effortless approach to manage every one of these issues. This constantly thumped pull down year over year. Muscle auto fans can turn around this by expanding the pressure proportions with alteration.

The Epic 426 Hemi

The Hemi choice cost two or three hundred dollars additional. This update had a notoriety for conveying a troublesome and wasteful operation to your garage. The 440 gave a bigger dislodging, demonstrated dependability and effective conveyance of nearly a similar measure of torque. At the point when Dodge fans advanced toward nearby dealerships to purchase a moment era Dodge charger with a major motor most went for the 440. The majority of this additional to the collectability of a vehicle that originated from the industrial facility with a 426 Hemi.Mopar V8’s the primary motor that strikes a chord is the 426 Hemi. Worked from 1964 through 1971 the engine was minimalistically evaluated at 425 HP for protection reasons. Vehicles conveying the engine are viewed as uncommon and elusive. One of the primary explanations behind this is a direct result of the 440 V-8 specified previously.

350 Small Block Chevy

It made its presentation in 1967 in the all-new Camaro. In 1969 they raised the pressure to 11:1, introduced some superior barrel heads and the motor created 350 HP yet required high-octane fuel. The normal variant of the motor with the pressure proportion of 10.5:1 runs pleasantly on pump gas and delivers around 300 HP. By 1970 they slid this into Chevrolet’s whole product offering including the original of the Monte Carlo. High-execution parts for the little square Chevy are accessible at sensible costs from legitimate providers including Summit Racing, Jegs, and Edelbrock. Minor changes like the ​installation of elite fumes headers in conjunction with an aluminum execution admission complex and a Holly carburetor can deliver shabby torque in wealth.

The 302 Ford V8

Portage propelled a 300 HP high pressure, superior form of the Boss 302 Mustang in 1969. The motor gives a decent establishment to execution overhauls, on account of its four jolt fundamental development. This alludes to the principle bearing tops that hold the crankshaft set up. It additionally gives Ford fans a strong stage to battle back against the little square Chevy 350. the Boss 302 Mustang in 1969. The motor gives a decent establishment to execution redesigns, on account of its four jolt primary development. This alludes to the principle bearing tops that hold the crankshaft set up. It likewise gives Ford fans a strong stage to battle back against the little square Chevy 350. ​

Author Bio: John Alex is a freelance writer, experienced blogger and a professional social media coach.Furthermore, John assists in business creation and control social media content planning. You can follow him on Gplus,Twitter,Pinterest.

The post Top 5 Muscle Car Engines appeared first on Muscle Car.

By Dave Ashton

The history Channel have premiered a new three episode miniseries entitled ‘The Cars That Made America’ on Sunday, August 13 2017 at 8 p.m, hosted by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Each two-hour episode looks in detail at vehicles that change the American automotive landscape with the main people who influenced each car.

Such icons such as Henry Ford, the Dodge Bros and Walter Chrysler are highlighted with archive footage and great close-up looks at each vehicle. We are obviously interested in the muscle/pony car sections, but the interesting thing is how muscle/pony cars were a natural progression from what came before, driven by the wants and needs of automotive fans. Those vehicles influencing and impacting what came after.

The icons of the muscle/pony car times are covered such as the 1964½ Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvair, Shelby Cobra and the Pontiac GTO. If you want a quick overview of all these vehicles, you can check out this link on the History Channel website.

It’s enough to say that this short series is definitely worth checking out for any automotive fan if you like American vehicles or not.

The latest episode https://www.history.com/shows/the-cars-that-made-america/season-1/episode-2

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The post The Cars That Made America History Channel Special appeared first on Muscle Car.

Engine: 426 HEMI V8
Transmission: A727 Torqueflite 3 Speed Automatic
Price: $84,900.00

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

This is a genuine, factory-produced RM21 Road Runner, finished in the highly desirable high-impact color of F6 Rallye Green with special blacked-out hood treatment and black vinyl top. The power is supplied from an upgraded Chrysler 426 HEMI dual- quad engine backed to a numbers matching 727 automatic transmission. The chrome and stainless pop when rolling on 15×7″ chrome Magnum 500 wheels and correct Polyglas red line tires. The white and black interior is in excellent condition and compliments the green exterior well. The undercarriage is also in excellent condition; finished with a light undercoating and detailed to resemble the topside. Take a look at over 100 photos and an in-depth video of this rare Road Runner!

Mechanics:

426ci HEMI V8 (#:2468330-2)
Twin Edelbrock 4-Barrel Carbs
-600 CFM
Components:
-Power Steering
-Aftermarket Driveshaft
-Factory Appearing Distributor
-Mopar Battery
-New Alternator
-Chrysler Radiator
Cosmetics:
-Firewall & Inner Fenders Are Nicely Painted
-Inner Wheel Housings Are Solid
-Chrysler Wiring & Hoses Look Great
-Painted Bottom Side of Hood
Numbers Matching A727 Torqueflite 3-Speed Automatic Transmission
-(#:2892093L2563 7343)
Front Torsion Bar Suspension
-Rebuilt
-Sway Bar
Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
-New Shocks
Mopar 8 Rear End
-Ratio: 3.23:1
-Sure-Grip
-489 Case
Brakes:
-Front Drum Brakes
-Rear Drum Brakes
-New Flex Liens
-New Master Cylinder
Exhaust:
-New Dual Exhaust w/ FlowMaster Mufflers

Body:

Green Paint Finish w/ Matte Black Racing Stripes
Chrome and Stainless Trim Work are In Great Condition
Bumpers Look Great
Hood Fits Flush w/ Fenders
Doors Fit Nicely w/ Fenders
Door Lips & Jambs Are In Great Shape
New Weather Stripping
Inside Trunk Is Clean
-Trunk Floor Is Solid
-Inner Wheel Housings Are Clean And Solid
-Protective Coating
-Decklid Lips and Jambs Are Clean
Undercarriage Is In Great Condition
-Light Undercoating
-Floor Pans Are Solid
-Drop Downs Look Great
-Wheel Wells Are Solid
-Frame Is Straight
New Wheels: 15″ Magnum 500’s
New Tires: Firestone Redline Bias Ply G70X15

Interior:

White & Black Interior
-Upholstery Is Clean
-Carpeting Is Clean
-Package Tray Is In Great Condition
-Headliner Is Clean and Tight
Bench Seat
Column Shifter
Dashboard & Dash Pad Are In Great Condition
Gauge Lenses Are Clean

BUY NOW ON EBAY.

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The post Find Of The Day: 1969 Plymouth Road Runner 426ci HEMI appeared first on Muscle Car.

American muscle and sports cars are still some of the most renowned on the planet. Some may say they are big, bold and brash but this is also one of their main selling points. Here we have some standout vehicles which defined the American muscle and Sports car world.

1953 Chevrolet C1 Corvette

The fibreglass bodied Chevrolet Corvette was rushed into production, intended to compete against the likes of the Nash Healey. The first Corvettes had a straight six engine with 150 HP. Today, still revered as a classic American vehicle.

1962 Oldsmobile F-85 Turbo Jetfire

The first turbo powered vehicle may be seen by many as the 1973 BMW 2002 Turbo, but General Motors were actually the first. The car had a 3.52L/215cu. turbo V8 with water and methanol injection. It was early days for the turbo car and only 4000 were sold. GM may have put turbos on hold for another 10 years, but it didn’t stop everyone else being influenced by the setup.

1964 Pontiac GTO

The 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 and the Chrysler 300-C are often cited as the original American muscle cars, but it’s really the 1964 Pontiac GTO that takes the crown for having a large displacement V8 engine, two-door, affordable price and the ability to easily hot rod. The GTO had a 389-cubic inch (6.4-litre) V8 with 325hp, three speed manual transmission and was offered in various options which included a Tri-Power carburettor increasing power to 350HP.

1966 Ford GT40 Mk2

The GT40 was born out of the initial letdown of Enzo Ferrari not so selling out to Ford, so the GT 40 was born to win at the Le Mans 24 Hours race.
Armed with a 427cu./7 litre V8 engine and developed with Carroll Shelby, the car went onto win at Le Mans in 1966 and three more times, cementing the car in racing history. It’s maybe a good thing Ferrari didn’t sell in the end.

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona

Along with the Plymouth Superbird, the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona was built for NASCAR racing and although they didn’t sell well on the street, they performed as designed on the track. The cars had 23 inch tall rear wings, powered by a 426cu. V8 Hemi engine, with street versions also having a 440 engine. These cars are highly collectable today.

1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda

The Plymouth Barracuda is still one of the most iconic muscle cars from its golden era of the late 60s and early 70s. Most collectable today is arguably the ’71 version with a 440cu. (7.2-litre) Hemi V8.
Rare options of the vehicle, which include color schemes such as Vitamin C orange fetch the most money today.

1996 Dodge Viper GTS

There wasn’t much happening in the world of muscle cars in the mid-90s and although it’s a sports car, the Dodge Viper brought attention back to American cars in general due to it’s amazing looks and power.
The huge 8L 10 cylinder engine made 450hp and 490lb-ft of torque with all the attention back to American vehicles in one foul swoop.

2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang

The Ford Mustang has been produced consistently since 1964, but it’s not until recent years that it along with the other muscle car fraternity has started to make a comeback. The GT350 and variations have equal merit, but it is the fifth generation GT 500 that hit the 200 mph mark with its 5.8-litre supercharged V8 engine and 662hp and 631lb-ft of torque that made a mark.

The Mustang is now back stronger than ever and now with versions available in Europe and beyond, it looks like the Mustang shows no signs of slowing down, literally.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and Demon

The Dodge Challenger SRT hellcat and the upcoming Demon are both as near as back to the old muscle car ways as possible.
The Hellcat came out first with its 707hp supercharged V8 engine, but it’s now the Dodge Demon that is causing all the fuss with its huge 840HP Power output, along with having firsts in many categories, not just for muscle cars. It will be the world’s fastest production car, 0 to 60 mph in 2.3 seconds, the world’s fastest quarter-mile production car in 9.65 seconds and the first production vehicle to build to lift its front wheels on takeoff.
The car will be limited to only 3300 vehicles, but it will show the world how the American muscle car has completely evolved.

Not to forget other standout American cars such as the Camaro and its variations, the American muscle on pony car now is not just a straight line monster, but equally viable on the track.

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The post Star-spangled American Muscle Cars That Set The standard appeared first on Muscle Car.

Americans are known around the world for having a closer relationship with cars than any other country. We own more cars, we drive more, and we are more passionate about our vehicles. Many Americans have a soft spot for a special vehicle—their first car, their parent’s family car, or a car they always dreamed of having—which is why classic auto auctions are so successful.

The American auto companies recognize this and often try to tempt buyers with a modern remake of a classic favorite. While many of these retro models are just as beloved as the originals, there have been some, through the years, that have just fallen flat. We’ll take a look at some of our favorite retro failures.

What Makes a Retro Car?

To define a retro remake, we first have to define a classic car. While the exact definition varies depending on whom you ask, or even where you are, there is a Classic Car Club of America that gives a good explanation. They even keep a list of cars that are eligible for “classic” status as long as they are preserved in their original, unmodified state. They define a classic car as a fine or distinctive automobile produced between 1915 and 1948.

While many American favorites were built after 1948, the terms “fine” and “distinctive” can apply to plenty of vehicles produced in later years. Popular opinion factors into the equation as well. The cars that people still want to buy are elevated to classic, collector status. That leaves us to define retro. If you’re a dictionary purist, retro means “imitative of a style from the recent past.”

So, anything that makes you feel a little nostalgic or revives an old style can be retro. These cars on our list definitely aimed for that goal but missed their marks by more than just a little.

Ford Thunderbird

Probably the most widely recognizable retro remake failure, the Ford Thunderbird draws looks of horror from every classic car enthusiast. The rounded styling fails to evoke the iconic mid-century look that made the Thunderbird a true American icon. That rounded look didn’t age very well, leaving it sitting on used car lots and headed to junkyards far before other early 2000s models.

The lackluster performance doesn’t help, either. Ford went the comfortable route, turning the candy-colored T-bird into a beach cruiser rather than a drag racer. The first model year in 2002 had relatively strong sales, but it dropped off steeply after the die-hard Thunderbird fans had all bought their rides. Ford put the revived bird out of its misery after just three years of production.

Dodge Charger

The Charger may be a commercial success, but, in the eyes of anyone who loves classic cars, it is an epic failure. But it really is not the fault of the car itself. The styling is appropriately retro—evocative of the classic muscle car without being a re-creation. The performance packages are even up to expectations.

The stumbling blocks of this vehicle are twofold: the underwhelming performance in the base models and its adoption by police forces around the country. The spirit of American muscle cars is somehow outside the law, breaking the rules. So, the last thing the Charger needs is to be adopted as the vehicle of choice by thousands of police officers. These cars are still rolling out of the factories and being bought up by the boys and girls in blue, but not by many others.

Chevrolet SSR

If you blinked in the early 2000s, you probably missed this short-lived Chevy flop. The concept really made sense. Chevy is known for creating the iconic American truck, so why wouldn’t a retro version be a best seller? Unfortunately, the designers tried to go in a few too many directions when they conceived the SSR. The classic truck styling is great, but the addition of a convertible top leaves us mystified.

The chassis is a conundrum as well. They placed that heavy truck body on their lightweight Trailblazer chassis, and the performance just wasn’t there. The price tag might have been the nail in the coffin. Classic car enthusiasts just didn’t want to drop $50,000 on a sluggish, lumbering toy. Chevy pushed these oddball trucks through three model years—and then dropped them right off the assembly line.

Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler

The Prowler leaves us scratching our heads. This has the sleek looks and classic styling that should have made it a success! Maybe because it was the last new Plymouth model before the death of the brand, but this excellent vehicle design just never got the attention it deserved for the designers and engineers.

As unimaginable as it seems, this sleek machine was only ever built with a V6 under the hood with an automatic transmission that never topped 260 horsepower. It wasn’t a comfortable ride, either, with a rough suspension that prevented anyone from using the convenient cup holders. While the unique design was definitely eye-catching, it was nowhere near practical. Chrysler recognized the absurdly small trunk space and tried to compensate by offering a $5,000 option to purchase the vehicle with a matching trailer. Like we said—a true head-scratcher.

Chevrolet HHR

You may be surprised to know that HHR does not, in fact, stand for “Humongous Heap of Rubbish” because that’s really what it seems to be. That’s before you realize that Chevy’s worst crime is that it tried to copy the horribly successful Chrysler PT Cruiser.

The Chevy Heritage High Roof (yes, that’s the real name) was even designed by the same person as the PT Cruiser. The strange SUV-wagon hybrid actually made better-than-mediocre sales in its first couple of years, but it never achieved the success for which the company was hoping.

It became a popular choice among handymen and plumbers—not the retro icon they were aiming to create. The cult following never developed, even after staggering through six years of production.

Final Thoughts

If you own and love one of these classic car remakes, we sincerely apologize for bashing your ride. But, honestly, you have to admit the car companies did not put their best effort forward on these less-than-outstanding retro models. Whether the shortcoming was the styling, performance, or just a combination of underwhelming features, these well-intentioned retro models are consigned to cautionary tales of automotive failures.

These five models are, by no means, the only missteps in retro remakes, but we feel they are some of the most visible disasters that everyone loves to hate. But the companies can take heart—none of these flops are quite as notorious as the fabled Ford Edsel.

The post Retro Muscle Car Failures appeared first on Muscle Car.