By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Last week I wrote a short blog on the K&N Challenger. So check out what turned up in the mail a few days later. How cool is that?

Continue reading "Thanks K&N!" »

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

There were a lot of beautiful engine-bay treatments at the show this year, and I don’t know why, but this all-aluminum 572 cu. in. V8 by World Products just jumped out and bit me. Maybe it was the velocity stacks, the carbon-fiber valve covers with the photographic flames (neither of which are things I’m generally a fan of), or the contrast-color plug wires (I’ve got a similar setup on my Escort). The overall effect is a little gaudy, but somehow it just did it for me. It’s got a Hilborn Injection system by Mr. Norm as well as Flowmaster exhaust components. And wait’ll you see the ’71 ‘Cuda convertible it was sitting inside of. One thing that’s likely to make the purists mad: the 572 is a Chevy big-block, and the crate-motor equivalent is listed on the World Products site as such. Still, there is a 572 Hemi crate motor in existence. So does this Mopar-powered-by-Chevy constitute cleverly-disguised sacrilege?

Continue reading "What Was The Prettiest Engine At SEMA?" »

By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

Everything about this ’71 Hemi ‘Cuda was huge. Like the 654 c.i. big block. And the tall-and-badass intake. And the 4" exhaust plumbed through dual Dynomax Ultra Flo’s. Just huge! How I fit the whole thing inside my camera is still kind of a mystery. The ‘Cuda was built by Darren Tedder, makes 957 hp, and won first place in the All Motor class of Dynomax’s Power To The Wheels dyno competition this year—here’s a video of the winning pull, and check out more views of the ‘Cuda at SEMA after the jump.

Continue reading "Tall And Scary" »

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

I saw a few Challengers at SEMA with ‘Cuda styling cues—like the grill on this Mr. Norms car, and the billboards on the CDC Group 2 Challenger. Honestly, I’m not sure I approve of this. Are we going to see Camaros with Firebird cues next year? 

Continue reading "'Cuda Cues on a Challenger?" »

I saw this ‘Cuda on eBay last week. Bidding was at $300k with reserve not met (the auction has since ended). I e-mailed my buddy Scott, who is a true expert when it comes to Mopar values (he also happens to own a 440-6 ‘Cuda) and asked him what he thought the car was worth in the current market. Here’s what he wrote back:

Keeping in mind that it’s a buyer’s market……

Negatives:
Engine #’s don’t  match
No broadcast sheet
Color is only middle-of-the-road popular
HEAVILY overshadowed by Hemi ‘Cuda convertibles in popularity and value
Overshadowed in desirability and price by other numbers-matching examples

Positives:
Real car based on what’s described, one of 29 total built, one of 17 4-speeds
Real Shaker Hood car (rare)
It’s NOT army green!
Not many in any condition for sale right now
Next to a Hemi ‘Cuda convertible it’s the rarest/baddest ‘Cuda convertible you could own, and for a lot less money
My selling price guess: $175-$200K
Insurance value estimate: $250-$275K

BTW, the current bid of 300K is most likely fake/wishful thinking

More pics after the jump!

Continue reading "WIW? 4 Speed 440-6 'Cuda Convertible on eBay" »

Some of you may remember the modern ‘Cuda in the Chrysler booth at SEMA last year. The one-off concept was based on a new Charger, and was built by Metalcrafters of Fountain Valley, California. Well, this weekend at Spring Fling, a convertible version was spotted with Metalcrafters badging. I’m not sure I’m that crazy about it, but it definitely makes me eager to see a new Challenger convertible.

After going to the Chicago Auto Show last week, Scott flew out to Connecticut to check out a few rare muscle cars. The first was this white 1970 Hemi ‘Cuda with only 9800 documented miles. The car is wearing its original paint and has a nice, all original interior. And of course the numbers matching engine, VIN, fender tag, body stampings, etc., etc. I’ve got a ton of pics of this beautiful Mopar after the jump. And be sure to watch Scott’s videos of the ‘Cuda.

Continue reading "9800 Mile Hemi 'Cuda" »

Left Lane News is reporting that the ‘Cuda we spotted in the Mopar booth at SEMA is going to be auctioned off at Barrett Jackson in January. Somehow I’m guessing the owner of the car won’t recoup his costs on this one–a rather spendy one-off with a body made entirely of carbon fiber. Hope he had fun!

By Rob

Editor-in-Chief

Last night I got the straight scoop on the ‘Cuda from my buddy Scott Smith, who wrote last year’s Power Tour story for us. The Cuda was not built or designed by Mopar, it was built by a company in California and is owned by a private individual. The car started life as an SRT8 Charger and was converted to what you see in the pics. The wheelbase is 116 inches and it is running the stock 6.1 Hemi. There is a ton of carbon fiber in this thing and the car was crazy expensive to build. At this time Mopar has no plans to produce the car. I’d heard about it last week cause it had been spotted at the Playboy Mansion.

I guess artist Richard Prince likes Mopars, especially E-bodies. The "installation" below features a 1973 Barracuda parked in front of a house covered with insulation, and was acquired by the Guggenheim Museum two years ago. Recently, Prince purchased a restomod 1970 Challenger from XV Engineering, which will be displayed in an art exhibit in London later this month. So if you leave a car rotting in the weeds, is it art? If you write a check for a nicely updated muscle car and put it in a museum, is it art? You can read more about Prince in the New York Times article and decide for yourself.