DODGE & PLYMOUTH: UNSUNG MUSCLECAR HEROES

Posted on February 28, 2025 by MartynL

While Pontiac unquestionably first exploited the youth market with a targeted high-performance car—the GTO—starting in 1964, credit must also be given to DODGE & PLYMOUTH: UNSUNG MUSCLECAR HEROES for its efforts starting in 1957! Not long after Ford pulled out of the 1957 AMA “agreement”, Chrysler followed suit. But Chrysler did not have Chevrolet and Ford’s racing heritage, nor their budgets and “supported” brand-name racers. They also didn’t have the right image cars to compete wi...

PACERS’ TASMANIAN DEVIL

Posted on February 22, 2025February 22, 2025 by MartynL

The original 1960s PACERS’ TASMANIAN DEVIL has been found and restored by a team led by Scott Snizek, son of the driver – George Snizek – of the NHRA national-record-holding, Hemi-powered AA/Altered. My relationship with Pacers Auto, Charlie Dodge, George Snizek, and TAZ - the PACERS’ TASMANIAN DEVIL AA/A - dates back to 1963 and 1964 when I was covering the NHRA Indy Nationals for CUSTOM RODDER and CARS magazines. That’s when and where I first met Charlie & George. Late in 1964, we...

1969 MERCURY CYCLONE & SPOILER

Posted on February 13, 2025February 13, 2025 by MartynL

Packed with 428 CJ power, the 1969 MERCURY CYCLONE & SPOILER delivered maximum performance and head-turning styling. It was a banner year for Ford Bosses: Boss 302, Boss 429, and Bunkie Knudsen, the new boss of bosses. His passion for racing—and racing what dealers could sell—supported the Boss 429 program, which helped impact Mustang sales. More importantly, it helped move mainstream Mercury Montego/Cyclone/Spoiler and Ford Fairlane/Torino models like those that dominated NASCAR, U...

1970 PONTIAC GTO – MUSCLECAR MAGIC FROM MOTOWN!

Posted on February 1, 2025 by MartynL

The new year ushered in bigger, more powerful engines, and a slicker, more sophisticated 1970 PONTIAC GTO – MUSCLECAR MAGIC FROM MOTOWN! In many ways, 1970 was the storm before the calm. The war in Southeast Asia continued casting a pall over a much-divided country and thinning the ranks of young enthusiasts. Carmakers’ racing budgets were being drastically cut and engineering resources were reassigned to prepare for restrictive emissions and safety legislation. Ponycar sales had been p...

‘67 CAMARO: PONYCAR WITH MAJOR MUSCLE

Posted on January 21, 2025January 21, 2025 by MartynL

Chevrolet was three years late to the Ponycar Party, but the long-hood, short-deck ‘67 CAMARO: PONYCAR WITH MAJOR MUSCLE made up for lost time! When revealed to the public in the fall of 1966, the all-new Camaro could be ordered with engines up to and including the 350 cubic inch small-block V-8. Soon after the Camaro’s public introduction, there appeared a potent 302-inch small-block in Z28 trim and big-block 396 engines with up to 375 horsepower. And, if that wasn’t enough power, Bald...

SUBURBAN SHIELD ASUV: ARMORED SECURITY UTILITY VEHICLE

Posted on January 19, 2025 by MartynL

GM Defense builds the SUBURBAN SHIELD ASUV: ARMORED SECURITY UTILITY VEHICLE for diplomatic security and VIP transport. GM Defense has completed production of the first vehicles in support of the Diplomatic Security Service’s Heavy-Duty armored Sport Utility Vehicle (HD SUV) program. DSS is the law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Department of State. GM marked the milestone event with Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security Gentry Smith and other key stakeholders at GM ...

DAN GURNEY’S REAL-FINE CHEVY 409

Posted on January 11, 2025 by MartynL

DAN GURNEY’S REAL-FINE CHEVY 409 will Pace the Dan Gurney Saloon Car Trophy Race at the upcoming Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion! Few would call American racing hero Dan Gurney subtle when he entered a slightly modified stock ‘61 Chevy Impala to race against smaller displacement cars at the British Saloon Car Championship at Silverstone 63 years ago. Now, under the rightful ownership of his son Justin Gurney, this original Impala will be driven by Justin as the pace car for the Dan G...

’67 CORVETTE STING RAY

Posted on January 2, 2025 by MartynL

For the ’67 CORVETTE STING RAY, Chevrolet saved the last of the C2 Series for the best, especially regarding power options! OVER-DRIVE Magazine covers the last Sting Ray. The ‘67 CORVETTE STING RAY was the last C2 Corvette. It is said that the ’67 was meant to be the first of the new-design cars, but the C3 Stingray was found to have aerodynamic inconsistencies. GM decided that more time in the wind tunnel would be required before it went into production. Thus, while the 1967 was a carryover, i...

’70 OLDS W30 4-4-2 ROAD WARRIOR

Posted on December 27, 2024December 27, 2024 by MartynL

Few midsize Musclecars from the 1970s can match the road and track creds of the ’70 OLDS W30 4-4-2 ROAD WARRIOR. In many ways, 1970 was the storm before the calm. The war in Southeast Asia continued casting a pall over a much-divided country and thinning the ranks of young enthusiasts. Carmakers’ racing budgets were being drastically cut and engineering resources reassigned to prepare for restrictive emissions and safety legislation. And, Ponycar sales had been plummeting and would regi...

1969 DODGE MAXIMUM MUSCLECARS

Posted on December 21, 2024December 21, 2024 by MartynL

1969 DODGE MAXIMUM MUSCLECARS included the Six-Pack Super Bee, Charger 500, and the winged Charger Daytona, all available with the 426 Street Hemi! For the 1969 model year, Dodge carried over most of its high-performance models, and 340, 383, 440 and 426 Street Hemi engines. For increased durability on drag strips, “A33 Track Pack” and “A34 Super Track Pack” options with 9 ¾-inch Dana Sure-Grip rears were available for four-speed high-performance cars without AC. The highest-profile ...