By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Welcome to the CarDomain Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot, where I research unusual cars of the past which might fall under the Muscle Car banner, and then try to convince you that they belong in the Parking Lot. In this edition, we have a trifecta of Chrysler-produced two doors. Remember, this was a time in which Chrysler was trying to sell anything to generate cash flow, and the best way to sell a “new” vehicle is to introduce special editions, or new names on existing bodies. Which brings me to these three offerings from the late 70′s. They were all produced from the Chrysler Cordoba: let’s discover the Dodge Charger Daytona, the Dodge Magnum, and the Chrysler 300 from the late 70′s.

Continue reading "The CarDomain Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot: 1977 Dodge Charger Daytona, 1978 – 79 Dodge Magnum and 1979 Chrysler 300" »

By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Welcome to another edition of the CarDomian Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot, in which I highlight a car that I think is a Muscle Car, and then try and convince you that it belongs in the Parking Lot. Performance cars were waning in the late 70′s due to emission regulations and two fuel embargoes, but Chrysler still tried to create a performance image for the “F” body cars, known as the Plymouth Volare and Dodge Aspen. These cars had an ever-growing reputation for poor quality, and numerous recalls, so Chrysler was eager to spruce up their image any way they could. So, are these high performance coupes worthy of the Parking Lot? Let’s explore the Plymouth Volare Road Runner, and the Dodge Aspen R/T.

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By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Welcome to another edition of the CarDomain Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot, where I find Obscure Cars that should be considered Muscle Cars, and then try and convince you that they belong in the Parking Lot. Chrysler Corporation was at the forefront of the muscle car era, offering iconic high-performance machines such as the Road Runner, the Charger, the Super Bee, the Plymouth GTX, the Baracuda, and even the Chrysler 300. There is one division within the company, Imperial, that produced more of an understated luxurious automobile. However, by 1969, Imperial shared most of its body, chassis, engine, and even its dimensions with its Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth stablemates. With this in mind, one could purchase a coupe version of the Imperial, equipped with a 440 CID V-8, and have almost as much performance as either the Dodge Polara, or Plymouth Fury GT, in a more refined package. So, is the Imperial an Obscure Muscle Car? Let’s find out.

Continue reading "The CarDomain Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot: The 1969 – 73 Imperial Coupe" »

By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Welcome to another edition of the CarDomain Obscure Muscle Car Parking Lot, where we discover cars that were never really thought of as Muscle Cars, and change your mind about them. It’s time to rev up the old Wayback Machine, and return to a time when the muscle car was just about to be discovered. The Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors is credited with creating the classification in 1964, with the introduction of the GTO. But what you may not know is that Pontiac actually created a number of high performance cars before the GTO ever saw the light of day. There were fuel-injected Bonnevilles, Catalina Super Duties, and this gem, the 1963 Pontiac LeMans with the 326 V-8.

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By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Today marked the official introduction of the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX and STi, effectively raising the bar on all sport compacts. So what’s new about the WRX and STi? Read on…

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By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Infiniti’s new full-size QX SUV, unveiled yesterday, is possibly the ugliest SUV ever produced. The Infiniti design paradigm really went offtrack with this redesign, with an extra wide grill that only a fish would recognize and a peculiar reverse slant to the D-pillar. The inside is quite inviting, and it’s the best place to be if you’re sickened with the looks of this thing.

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By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Last year’s concept, the Toyota iQ with a Scion Badge, will be sold as a Scion here in the states this fall. Toyota claimed that the premium subcompact is “Mini-er” and “Smart-er” than the competition. They’re also calling the iQ a four-seater, but think of the rear seat as just a storage area for luggage. The concept version of the iQ on display was hot looking! Expect to see more than a few Scion iQ’s at this year’s SEMA.

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By Jim Brennan

UDMan

One of the most amazing things about Kia is they way they have shed their crapbox image in the matter of a couple of years. More and more, they are now producing vehicles that people actually want, rather than settle for because of their budget. Some examples include the redesigned Sportage, the brand new Forte 5-Door, and the star of the Kia Line, the all new Optima.

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By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Hyundai introduced the North American version of its full-size Equus. It’s very nice and all, but they did away with the home market hood ornament. More pics below the jump…

Continue reading "NYIAS: Hyundai Equus–The Budget Executive Limousine" »

By Jim Brennan

UDMan

Wandering the floor of the New York International Auto Show, I found myself at the Ford Trucks booth. There were two Raptors, a few Super Duty Trucks, a gaggle of Transit Connects, even a Lone Ranger. However, here is a truck I didn’t even know about, and I pride myself on knowing all things Truck: The Ford Explorer Sport Trac Adrenalin!

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