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Mopar Muscle

Five decades of Hemi thunder

When Chrysler Corporation fans think about power, the first thing that comes to mind is the Hemi. Which is a pity, really, since Chrysler has made dozens of great engines without those famed hemispherical combustion chambers. But the Hemi is the engine that started it all, way back in 1951, and whose demise would signal the end of the musclecar era.

Motor Sans Car

First introduced in 331-inch form with 180 horses, it was the most powerful V-8 in America. Unfortunately, Chrysler didn't have an appropriate car to stuff it into until 1955 when the 300 was introduced. With 300 wild ponies, the 300 and its 300B successor ruled the roost in the fledgling NASCAR series, winning 49 of 101 events held in 1956.

Although the 300 series continued to be produced, it evolved into a luxury tourer rather than a stoplight racer. By the 1960s, though, a new breed of cat was appearing on the streets: the American musclecar. Starting out as typical sedans, these heavyweight haulers were fitted with the biggest and baddest engines that Detroit could design.

In 1963 Ford was whipping up sizzling, lightweight 427-powered Galaxies to compete with Chevy's red-hot 409 Z11 Impala. These cars appealed to younger drivers, and once again, Chrysler was caught in the position of not having suitable clothing for their excellent running gear. Although the 413 Wedge engine and a rejuvinated 425-hp Hemi were stuffed into Plymouth and Dodge mid-range models, the uninspired styling of the Savoys and Darts meant they were more successful on the dragstrips than in the showrooms. This would all change in 1964, however.

Charger Ahead

The first inkling of what Chrysler had in store for the future was introduced in 1964, when the Plymouth Barracuda beat the new Mustang to the showrooms by a matter of weeks. Sporting an optional 235-horse 273, this restyled Valiant was quick and sporty but not a ground-pounder.

The following year Plymouth sedans got a major makeover with sporty lines and a quicker Satellite model. The 1965 Satellites had impressive 426-inch "Wedge" engines (non-Hemis) with up to 425 horses. The Hemi had been re-introduced in 1964 in 426-inch form and serious racers usually ordered this expensive option in the lighter Belvedere body. It was so potent that NASCAR temporarily banned it from racing in 1965!

In 1966, 844 Hemi-powered Sattellites were built. Drag Satellites were turning quarter miles in the mid-elevens and Richard Petty began mopping up the Fords with his newly re-legalized Hemi NASCAR racers. Although Dodge was stuffing the Hemi into Coronet sedans, the big news was the 1966 Charger. Basically a fastback top on a Coronet body, the transformation from grocery-getter to supercar was instantaneous! This sporty number was the perfect home for the Hemi and it has become one of the classic musclecars of all times.

New Challenger

The Charger was also offered with the 375-hp 440 Magnum engine, which was a remarkable engine in its own right. Not only was it cheaper than a Hemi, it was also easier to keep in tune. Lightly modified 440s (particularly with "Six-Pack" 3x2-bbl carbs) held their own against Hemis at stoplights across America.

The mid-1960s saw explosive growth in the performance car market. Chevrolet emerged as the principal opposition on the streets, with their potent 396, 427 and 454 engines crammed into lightweight Camaro, Nova and Malibu SS models. In 1967 Plymouth revamped the Barracuda with a clean, modern body and an optional 383-inch engine. This was a more potent engine than the 390 that Ford was spooning into the tamer Mustang, but not up to the nasty 396 Camaro.

Plymouth contracted with Hurst to build a short run of 426 Hemi-powered Barracudas and Darts for the 1968 model year. These dominated their class at the drags, but only around 150 of both models were made. The Barracuda never caught on like the Mustang and Camaro, even with another major cosmetic revamp in 1970. The new 'Cuda even got the Hemi, but in 1974 Plymouth pulled the plug.

Modern Muscle

Dodge also tried getting a piece of the ponycar market with the 1970 Challenger. Bigger than a Barracuda, it offered the same engine range, including the excellent 340, 383 and 440 Wedges and miraculous Hemi. Unfortunately, emission regulations and gas mileage were becoming the Holy Grail for Detroit, and the Hemi was axed after 1971. The Challenger soldiered on through 1974, and although it outsold the Barracuda, it never challenged the Mustang or the Camaro.

Throughout the musclecar era, the Dodge Dart and Plymouth Duster provided entry-level performance cars for buyers on a budget. Not only were they inexpensive, they could be insured like an economy car and so were ideal for young buyers. Equipped with a sturdy, powerful 340-inch engine they were capable of running with any small-block pony car, regardless of make. The Duster/Dart outlived many of their glorious cousins, surviving through the 1975 model year.

Muscle Truck

Of all the fabulous muscle machines of the golden age of Mopar power, none is as fondly remembered (or sought after) as the 1970 Plymouth Road Runner SuperBird and its cousin the Dodge Charger Daytona. These were "homologation specials" intended to legalize pointed, low-drag noses and tall tail spoilers for NASCAR competition. They are ultra-rare, with only 503 Daytonas and 1,971 Super Birds built. Most had 440 Magnums, although some were fitted with the 426 Hemi. The SuperBird was developed from the Road Runner, which was a sporty Belvedere that had been in production since 1968. Alas, NASCAR soon banned all winged cars and the Super Bird and Daytona immediately started to accelerate in value.

Although Chrysler Corporation made some half-hearted performance cars after 1974, the wind went out of their sails with the demise of the Hemi. Chrysler was in for some hard times in the 1980s, having ignored the signs that slow, sloppy luxo-barges were not the wave of the future. After a near-death experience, they bounced back with the 1992 Viper, which signaled a return to performance for the former "Big Three" manufacturer. To celebrate their new alliance with Mercedes, Chrysler has now brought back the beloved Hemi engine both in original form (for resto and hot rod projects) and in redesigned form for its truck and SUV line. And we'll likely be seeing this updated Hemi in other models as well in the near future. Stay tuned for more Mopar muscle.