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...

’64 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA: FIRST PONYCAR

Posted on August 2, 2024August 2, 2024 by MartynL

Contrary to popular belief, the first Ponycar was not a Mustang. Plymouth beat Ford, introducing its compact sporty car - ’64 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA: FIRST PONYCAR - a couple of weeks earlier! Plymouth introduced its Valiant-based, fastback ’64 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA: FIRST PONYCAR on April 1st, 1964, edging out Ford’s Mustang reveal on April 17th. A few months later in August, Ford showed its competitive 2+2 fastback. Plymouth may have beaten Ford to the marketplace, but it barely dented Ford’s owners...

1967 DODGE & PLYMOUTH MUSCLECARS

Posted on July 19, 2024July 19, 2024 by MartynL

Dodge and Plymouth freshened their midsize models for 1967 and increased high-performance options. Big-Block 440 and 426 Street Hemis powered the hottest 1967 DODGE & PLYMOUTH MUSCLECARS. The top-dog 426/425 Street Hemi was carried over and joined by a 440/375 Wedge ideally suited for the street and track. New 440 four-barrel models were much cheaper to buy, insure, and live with than Street Hemis. Mopar Hemi race engines continued to distinguish themselves in competition. Richard P...