BangShift member Stage1Scott tipped us to this amazing video of a Super Stock Hemi Dart running an 8.29, 160 mph record setting pass. The SS/AH cars are the most amazing Super Stocks, and this one is driven by Jim Daniels, a many time record setter and winner of the Hemi Classic events with hia Ray Barton 438ci SS motor. He’s a dentist!

Check this out, and watch the fiberglass hood scoop get bent out of shape at 160!

What started out as a terrible weekend, ended up as a not so terrible weekend. A friend of mine’s uncle had passed away and I had known him for many years. So I would be attending his funeral on Sunday, November 9th. I planned on spending the weekend out there, so I knew I couldn’t help the family in Saturday, why not go out and hunt for cars… Oh boy did that thought snowball.

I made a post about me heading to Bloomington, IL on www.moparts.com forums. Two members from down there, Shad and Scott both told me that they would like to meet up and show me some of the stuff they knew about lying around. They didn’t get into specifics, though.

I drove down Friday night, so I could meet up with the guys on Saturday. That was a long drive at night. The Challenger did fine, and I got on the girl a bit. But still I was glad to plunker down in my hotel room for the night.

Continue reading after the jump!

Continue reading "Daytona in the Barn, and Two Hemi Chargers, and One V Code 70 Charger: Barn One" »

I was just surfing eBay looking for some cars for Wednesday’s eBay Motors Showdown and came across this wild 70s concoction. Wow. More pics at eBay

Well the journey is finally over, it’s been over one month since I started my hunt for a new car and it finally came to an end this weekend. It’s been a long harsh road filled with a host of automotive ups and downs. If you recall I started my search during the “Cash for Clunkers” program, but alas, it yielded nothing but annoying dealer confrontations. Then I tried the “certified used” route but this too was met with more aggravation due to inept dealers. I finally settled on a low mileage, privately owned vehicle that fit my needs and wants and honestly feel that it was the best way to go.

Continue reading after the jump!

Continue reading "Buying a New Car: The Purchase, The Review, The End" »

So I’ll forever be impressed with the big motor/little car modifications, and at last Thursday’s Hemmings Cruise In in Bennington Vermont I saw the one of the coolest of them all. I mean I’ve seen big block Vegas and even a 472 caddy engine in a Nash Metropolitan, but I haven’t seen this. You are looking at a creation that should be named Frankenstein, because it’s bound to draw and angry mob of diehard Mopar fans with pitchforks ready to kill it because they just don’t understand why it was created. The Mini’s real name however is Maxe, and it was not created by Dr. Frankenstein but rather Larry Audette of Westford, Vermont. Amazingly Larry was able to stuff a 392 twin plug Hemi into the front of this puny machine, and then had enough cojones to strap a blower to it. I say bravo sir, job well done. If you interested in some more rare rides that showed up at the Hemmings Cruise in check out the Hemmings blog.

I had the pleasure of the first drive of the ultimate Challengers, Mr. Norm’s Challenger and ‘Cuda ragtop versions of Dodge’s reincarnated muscle car. Based on the highly regarded Challenger SRT-8, the Mr. Norm’s 426 Hemi Challenger and 426 Hemi ‘Cuda convertibles do what Chrysler should have done right from the start, offer a ragtop version of its retro iconic muscle car thus opening a new and open air chapter in the Challenger’s storied history that now spans nearly 40 years.

Mr. Norm’s Garage isn’t some backyard car company. All the Mr. Norm’s Challengers and ‘Cudas are built in a state-of-the-art, 26,000 square foot facility located in Hudson, Florida, where design, prototyping and turnkey Mr. Norm’s performance vehicles are built. Working directly with Mr. Norm, who made Grand Spaulding Dodge in Chicago the Mecca for ultimate Mopar muscle cars during the golden age of high performance, Mr. Norm’s Garage continues this proud legacy by offering a comprehensive line of award winning modern and vintage Mr. Norm’s vehicles, parts and accessories. Read more at Automotive Traveler.

Last weekend I joined a club run held by my local Chrysler club. One of the members that I met mentioned that his next project was going to be a Plymouth GTX. My immediate question was if the car was going to have a Hemi. Sadly the answer was no, as the cost of a Hemi is just to prohibitive. It was only later that I remembered being told about a set of heads manufactured by Stage V that will turn a 440 block into a Hemi. I decided to do some research to see if this is really a viable option. So far I have only heard good things about using this approach. According to Car Craft you can build a Hemi for a Chevy price. I have always lusted after a Hemi and like the idea so much I am considering making it one of my ’side’ projects. I would probably buy the various parts over a few years before putting it all together. Personally for me this has a lot more appeal than simply buying a crate motor. Then of course when I am done I will have to find a car for the motor–sounds good to me. Now what car would I put the Hemi into…

Chicago’s “Mr. Norm” Krause has not lost his verve for hopping up Mopars. Back in the 1960s his Grand Spaulding Dodge dealership was a performance leader. Guys nationwide were members of The Mr. Norm’s Sport Club. The good news is that he’s still at it.

The newest thing to roll from his shop is a blown, Hemi-powered, convertible 2009 Challenger. This is cool stuff as Chrysler does not manufacture a “new” Challenger convertible model, nor does it equip any with Kenne-Bell blowers off of the assembly line. Check out more pics and read the press release after the jump.

Continue reading "Mr. Norm is Building 2009 Challenger Convertibles, and They’ve Got Kenne-Bell Blown Hemis" »

If money was no object and I had an old Mopar that I didn’t care about  in terms of maintaining its originality, I’d probably do something like this (no wing though). Freakin’ awesome. Check out the eBay auction for all the details and tons of pics.

Continue reading "Triple Black 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda 6.1 SRT8 5 Speed on eBay" »

The F.A.S.T. Racing Hemi Road Runner gets taken out for one last run through the gears before being put up for sale.

I just dug up a pair of videos that we posted links to more than three years ago. They still remain favorites of mine. One more after the jump. Enjoy!

Continue reading "Endos and Hemis, Revisited" »

Welcome to the CarDomain Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot, a regular feature which aims to expand the notion of what a muscle car is, and to try to have some fun in the process. 1956 saw the advent of some true performance bargains. Powerful V8s were no longer exclusive to the expensive cars such as Buick, Cadillac, or Chrysler. They were now showing up in everything from Ramblers to Chevrolets. Not to be left out, the Dodge division of Chrysler had an ace up its sleeve, and unlike the Chrysler 300 Series, or the newly introduced Plymouth Fury, you could get the most powerful engine available in a Dodge for almost every body style. Introducing the Dodge D-500.

Continue reading after the jump!

Continue reading "CarDomain Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot: the 1956 – 61 Dodge D-500" »

Through the years, I’ve driven all manner of Jeep. From the old 80’s Cherokee Chiefs and Wagoneers to the 90’s Sports and Wranglers to the new generation of Liberties and Patriots–I’ve put down a lot of miles in these things, and why not? They’re great vehicles. Hell, my brother has a 1999 Wrangler 5-speed with 152k on the clock and the thing has never missed a beat.

As you know, in the past few weeks I’ve sampled a few of Chrysler’s new hot rods like the Challenger R/T and SRT-8. So when they asked me if I would like to give the new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 a try, there was no argument on my end. It rolled up to my driveway just as you see here–a big silver box with chrome wheels and a body kit. Hmmm, not really my cup of tea, but what the hell, it’s my job, so I grabbed the little key fob thingy and hit the road.

Continue reading "Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8: One Fast Box" »

Yep, that’s right! This weekend I am rolling with another one of Chrysler’s big guns–this time, a Jeep Cherokee SRT-8. And let me say that right out of the box, this is one fast 4X4. Tune in early next week for a full review!

These past two weekends have been pretty damn good. You see, last weekend I was given a 2009 Challenger R/T to review, and this weekend I got hold of its bigger, burlier brother, the SRT-8. If you read my review on the R/T you’ll know that I loved that car. It’s a big, brash, in-your-face kinda ride that is simply a riot to drive. The ride, interior room and sheer presence of the car garners looks and respect and makes one feel like they’re 18 again. I did however have a few little gripes about the R/T and even made some comments that I (dare I say it) must retract…

The main differences between the R/T and SRT are the brakes, the suspension, and of course the SRT’s 6.1L HEMI that pumps out 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft of torque–that’s 50 hp more than the R/T. Now, is the extra muscle, bigger binders, and ride worth the extra coin? Well… yes and no. And let me tell you why.

Continue reading "Challenger SRT-8: The R/Ts Big Brother." »