MuscleCarOfTheWeek

Loyal viewers have seen this ‘72 Gremlin X before, but today, we’re driving it. We first featured this purple 1972 AMC Gremlin X in our Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals show coverage, so you’re not seeing double. There are times when we’ve featured cars from The Brothers Collection at events when we couldn’t shoot them in motion, so when we had the chance to wheel this little 304 V8 powered X-box around a bit, we decided to have some fun with it. This car generated a lot of commentary for sure. While there were some who didn’t think the stock 304 was worthy of a “Muscle” title, many pointed out the performance potential of this quirky little car. Just because this Gremlin has a 304-cube V8, the timing was all wrong for this one. By ‘72, AMC’s little troublemaker had the life sucked out of the 304, now reduced to 8.4:1 compression and gasping through a little 2-barrel carb. So it’s only good for 150 HP… does that mean it’s not a fun ride? Not hardly. The interior is super basic, but it does have a 3-speed manual on the floor. And even though it’s got a light curb weight of 2900 lbs., it still only equates to about 1 horsepower per 20 pounds of Gremlin. Which means 16.80s in the quarter. A street racer it isn’t… at least not stock. Gremlins were designed and built to be economical and practical cars, but it’s interesting to see how AMC added muscle-car elements to the car… like silver rally wheels wrapped with raised white letter Goodyears, disc brakes, a traction-bar rear end, and cool gold stripes. Driving the X is fun, but it makes us wonder what this car could have been if it was born just a few years earlier, and was powered by the Hurst SC/Rambler 390, for example… now THAT would have been a sleeper! You can learn more about this little monster in Episode 285 of Muscle Car Of The Week. A well rounded collection benefits from a wide variety of cars, and cars like this one add some fun to The Brothers Collection. It’s not the fastest in the bunch, but is sure turns heads. What do you think? #Gremlin #AMC #musclecaroftheweek SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com

Top 5 Episodes By Play Count - Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 326 In this video, we are taking a look at some of the most popular videos by play count as found on our Muscle Car Of The Week YouTube channel. Keep in mind that these might not be the most popular muscle cars, but rather, videos that have been watched and shared by our viewers resulting in high play counts. Which one is your favorite? You can see more of these great cars from The Brothers Collection at http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com or by subscribing to this channel. Thanks for watching! 5. Muscle Car Of The Week Video #21: 1970 Dodge Super Bee 440 6-Pack This 1970 Dodge Super Bee is not the car you want to drive if you don't like attention. This Top Banana Yellow example from the Brothers Collection is not only visibly noticeable thanks to the bright color and white interior and stripes, but the 440 6-Pack Pistol Grip under the hood causes a stir on the street anywhere you go! 4. Muscle Car Of The Week Video #69: 1969 Hurst / Olds Back before 1970, GM had a mandate that limited the engine cubic inch displacements in midsize "A" body cars like the Chevelle, GTO, and Cutlass 442 to 400 cubic inches. However, George Hurst and Doc Watson were able to create a special version of the Olds 442 that broke the mold, and allowed for an Olds 455 to be installed and sold through Oldsmobile dealers. Called the Hurst / Olds, these cars came to be in 1968, and by 1969, they were widely known for their outlandish styling, fully-loaded option list, and excellent performance. This example from the Brothers Collection is an unrestored survivor, an original car that was driven often... the way Hurst would have wanted! 3. 1969 Camaro Vs. 1969 Mustang: Muscle Car Of The Week Episode 266 V8TV Which would you pick, the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS396 with the 375 HP L89 aluminum head big-block and a 4-speed Muncie transmission, or the 335 HP 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 428 Super Cobra Jet 4-speed? Tough choices for sure, especially with these two fine examples from The Brothers Collection! 2. 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R: Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 229 V8TV The original GT350 hit the streets… and tracks… in 1965 and is still regarded as one of the most capable American performance cars ever built. The ‘65 was a no-nonsense purpose built street legal racer in a Mustang 2+2 body comprised of hand-picked parts and smart modifications made by the Shelby team in Venice, CA. It was light, nimble, and basic, and it rocked on the street or track. The Shelby name has since been applied to just about everything you can think of, and there is no doubt that some Shelbys remained more true to the original concept than others, but the 2016 GT350R is one hundred percent deserving of the snake and stripes. From The Brothers Collection. 1. Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode # 179: 1967 Shelby GT500 427 Side Oiler The ‘65 and ‘66 Shelby Mustangs were very successful cars, but Shelby upped the stakes for ‘67 by introducing a big-block version of the GT cars with the GT500. However, this one takes it up another notch with a 427 "side-oiler" V8. From The Brothers Collection. #Top5Episodes #musclecaroftheweek SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com Top 5 Episodes By Play Count - Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 326 V8TV,Muscle Car,Muscle Cars,Muscle Car Of The Week,The Brothers Collection, 1967 GT500, Shelby GT500, Shelby GT350R, 1969 Camaro, 1969 Mustang, 1970 Super Bee

Ford hit a home-run when they launched the ranchero back in 1957, and the popular car / truck became a staple for businesses and individuals alike. We think it’s cool that some seriously high performance versions slipped out, like this ‘70 built with a 429 Super Cobra Jet and a Drag Pack! What was intended to be a utilitarian, personalized pick-em-up truck, sometimes ended up being the hottest car on the street. And while high-performance Rancheros were nothing new in 1970, as evidenced by the factory 312 supercharged ‘57 Ranchburner we showed in episode 15, or the blue ‘68 Cobra Jet from episode 79, this one is probably the highest of the hi-po Rancheros. 1970 Rancheros are largely similar to Torinos, save for the bed box in place of a set of doors or a fastback roofline. Up front, they all share the same sheet metal and suspension, so it only makes sense that the hottest Torino performance engines fits right in. In this case, we’re looking at the 385 series 429 Super Cobra Jet, in all of it’s Ram Air and Drag Pak glory. The “super” part of the package actually starts out back, with a 3.91 or 4.30 rear gear. These cogs ended up spinning the engine faster at high speed, so Ford beefed up those versions with a 4-bolt block, forged 11.3:1 compression pistons, bigger valves, a solid-lifter camshaft, and a Holley carb breathing through the functional Cobra Jet shaker scoop. The giveaway is the finned oil cooler mounted on the radiator core support, which helped keep 429s guts happy at high RPM. The result is a factory rating of 375 HP and 450 lbs. ft. of torque, all going through the toploader 4 speed and up in tire smoke out back. The 429 Super Cobra Jet engine is one of the coolest looking plants of the era, with aluminum finned valve covers and the sinister finned shaker scoop, and it all plays into the sharp styling of the ‘70 Ranchero GT. Ours is dipped in Dark Ivy Green and the full-width eggcrate grille awakens to reveal hidden headlights. The lines are crisp, with a set of gills on the lower quarters just below GT emblems, and a discreet 429 badge down low on the fender. Styled steel wheels wrapped in raised white letter tires provide contact for the GT suspension, which added performance springs, shocks, and sway bar. Front power disc brakes and power steering make it easier to handle for the driver. You’d better have your load strapped down tightly if you’re hauling the goods in this Super Cobra Jet Ranchero… or maybe wait until after work to go mop the streets with the competition. Thanks for hanging out with us here in The Brothers Collection, we’ll try to find another cool car to share next time, on Muscle Car Of The Week. #Ford #Ranchero #musclecaroftheweek SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com 1970 Ford Ranchero 429 Super Cobra Jet - Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 325

2 seats, 6 speeds, 10 cylinders, 645 HP, and one big - - wing can only mean one thing… the Dodge Viper GTC / ACR American Club Racer edition. Yeah, the 2017 Dodge Viper is a sports car and not a Muscle Car, but we hope you don’t mind going along for the ride on this one. 2017 marked the end of a 25 year run for the 2-seat, 10 cylinder super coupe, even though it took a few years off along the way. But Dodge didn’t just let the Viper slither off into obscurity when it came time to wrap up the program. No, the 2017 models pack the most venom of any of the earlier snakes, spitting out 645 HP and 600 lb-ft. of twist from 512 cubic inches of aluminum V10. Viper GTC / ACRs are highly capable track cars, and a 2017 model holds the record with the fastest American street legal lap time on the Nurburgring in Germany, with a time of 7:01.3. The ACR cars were built to be ready-to-race, and they lacked some of the accessories of their streetier counterparts, like no air conditioning or radio to save weight. Body panels are carbon fibre, and the functional spoilers and splitters of the Extreme Aero package help generate 2000 lbs of downforce at speed. This reduced the top speed to 177 MPH from 190 and change, but enhanced stickiness and stability like crazy. The GTC / ACR rides on a 4-wheel short / long arm suspension design suspended by coil springs and Bilstein 10-way adjustable shock absorbers. ACR rear spring rates are more than double the regular Viper at 1300 lbs, the fronts are triple at 600 lbs. Kumho Ecsta V720 P295/25R19 and 355/30ZR19 tires glue the Viper ACR to the streets. Stopping is a serious ordeal with Brembo carbon ceramic matrix rotors grabbed by 6 and 4 piston calipers. It all results in 0-60 times in the mid 3s, ¼ mile in the mid 11s, and 60-0 in just 101 feet. We’ve talked about the “glory days” of Muscle Cars when you could special order just about anything to end up with a “1 of 1” car of your own. Well believe it or not, that philosophy applies to the GTC / ACR, with 8000 color choices, 16 interior trims, 10 wheel choices, and 24000 stripe options, you could totally spec your own. In fact, once a buyer chose the color, stripe, and option combination for their new ACR, that specific design was made exclusive, and no other Viper would be built the same way. One of the car review websites gave these awesome bullet points on the ACR: Ride quality is very stiff Outward visibility is poor Firm seats can be uncomfortable after time Entry/exit is extremely difficult for drivers and passengers Poor fuel economy, even for a high-performance sports car Sounds about perfect to us. Sadly, this 2017 Viper GTC / ACR represendts the last of the breed, but we’re happy it landed here in The Brothers Collection. And not just because we got to play with it! We hope you enjoyed this episode as much as we did, and we’ll see you next time on Muscle Car Of The Week!

10 Top Traits of Mighty Mopar Muscle - Muscle Car Of The Week Episode 322 We’ve compiled an unofficial top 10 list of Top Traits of Mighty Mopar Muscle… elements found on Dodge, Chrysler, and Plymouth Muscle Cars that make these cars super-cool. From The Brothers Collection. 10. 1971 Road Runner Head in Grille 9. Pistol Grip Shifter 8. 6 pack intake 7. Exhaust Bright Tips 6. Billboard Stripes 5. 426 Hemi Engine 4. TorqueFlite 727 Transmission 3. Tic Toc Tach 2. Air Grabber Hood 1. AAR Strobe Stripe #Mopar #Hemi #musclecaroftheweek SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com 10 Top Traits of Mighty Mopar Muscle - Muscle Car Of The Week Episode 322

It’s loaded with hot performance parts, but it’s a factory built Mustang Racer! The 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R is not just regular Mustang with a wing and a set of wheels. Oh no, buddy. The Cobra R was completely engineered with hand picked parts to be a great performer on the street or track. While the stock Mustang GT was powered by a 4.6 liter V8 and remained true to the same basic formula since it’s introduction, the 2000 SVT Cobra R represented the closest factory-built racer ever. It used a special 5.4 liter V8 engine, a 6-speed manual transmission, and a parts catalog full of goodies to go fast, turn hard, and stop like a track car should. It didn’t look like your typical Mustang under the hood. Air is sucked in through the hi-ram intake, compressed in the 5.4 liter engine by forged pistons, Carillo rods, and a forged crank. High-flow 32 valve heads and shorty headers send the smoke down the pipes, leaving 385 HP in its wake. That 385 HP peaked at 5700 RPM, with it’s 385 lbs. ft torque rating coming in at 4250 RPM. Cylinder heads were Lincoln Navigator units, and the engine required a revised domed hood for clearance. A Tremec T-56 6-speed manual is the only transmission offering in the R, and the 3.55:1 rear gear spins the independent rear suspension… a first in a Mustang. These cars were good for 0-60 times in the mid 4-second range, with the quarter mile flags waving in just 12.9 seconds with 110 MPH trap speeds. Cobra R drivers didn’t need or want luxury items weighing down their ride, so the Cobra R is fitted with necessities only. You won’t find a high-powered stereo, air conditioning, or other fancy stuff inside; just the needed instrumentation and controls to rock the track. The dash features a 180 MPH speedo and 8000 rpm tach, but interestingly, non-numbered gauges for temp, oil pressure, fuel, and volts. I guess Ford figured you’d add a set of numbered gauges if you were serious about racing. Recaro seats keep the driver’s keester in place when wheeling the R around the track, but the rear seat was ditched to save weight. The 2000 Cobra R sits low thanks to dropped Eibach springs and twist-resistant oversize sway bars, and Bilstein shocks and struts. Adding to the outstanding handling is a 2000 Cobra R exclusive independent rear suspension… something standard Mustangs didn’t get until 2015. Cobra R’s rolled on 18x9.5” aluminum wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich g-ForceKD 265/40ZR-18 tires that were specially designed for the car. Retina-detaching brakes were 13” vented rotors with 4-piston Brembo calipers up front, with 11.65” rear rotors out back. Braking performance is a great match to the acceleration capabilities of the R. The rear spoiler is the obvious indicator of a Cobra R, but these cars have several other body mods as well. We mentioned the Power Dome hood, and the lower front fascia is also unique to the Cobra R. Side exhaust tips peek out of the Ford only built 300 2000 Cobra R’s, and this is one of the newest remaining, with less than 2000 miles on the odometer. The wing might look a little extreme, but it has a purpose on this 170 MPH capable Cobra R. Is this Cobra your speed? Share your thoughts on this one or any of the cars here in The Brother’s Collection, we’re happy to hear ‘em. Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you next time! #CobraR #MustangCobraR #musclecaroftheweek 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R Muscle Car Of The Week Episode 319 SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com

Some people consider the Chevrolet El Camino to be somewhat of a novelty item, especially in the SS versions. Originally built as a competitor to Ford’s original “mini truck” - the Ranchero - the ElCamino served dutifully to those who needed a helping hand carrying small payloads but didn’t need , or want, a pickup regular pickup truck. But this one is the real deal when it comes to performance, style, and yes… practicality! Chevrolet boasted about the ElCamino having stamina and style.. the perfect choice for “right now” people who need a versatile vehicle for work, recreation, and around-town errands.” With a 1500 lb payload and over 6 feet of bed length with the tailgate down, an ElCamino is a hard worker. Base models came with a 230 HP 6 cylinder engine, but that’s not why we’re here. This is Muscle Car Of The Week for cryin’ out loud. To attract more buyers, Chevrolet adapted the SS trim and performance package from the Chevelle to the ElCamino, which now gave buyers a way to drive a high-powered muscle car nearly guilt free! After all, it was a work vehicle, why not add a big block, 4-speed, and performance suspension? Who says you shouldn't make your work environment a bit more fun? S1: Doesn’t need a trailer.. This particular ‘68 Elky SS is rocking the highest output 396 available, the RPO code L78 375 HP 396 backed by a Muncie 4-speed transmission. L78 specs read more like a race engine than a work truck plant, with and 11.5:1 compression ratio and a solid lifter cam. The cylinder heads featured oversized valves and large rectangular ports for heavy breathing, and a forged crank secured by 4-bolt main caps kept the special connecting rods swinging at high rpm. Power was rated at 375hp at 5600 rpm and 415 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm. A Muncie M22 4-speed and 12-bolt rear end equipped with 3.55:1 gears spin the wheels. You’ll have no excuse to be late to the jobsite with one of these. The L78 package also included the F41 heavy-duty suspension, consisting of higher-rate coil springs and shocks matched to them, a larger front sway bar, and braced and boxed rear control arms to keep the 4-link rear suspension system for twisting into a ribbon under hard launches. A rear sway bar was also part of the package, as were 14” rally wheels and F70-14” tires. The ElCamino SS has a great look, like it’s lazier, no-job-having brother, the Chevelle SS. This one is finished in a sweet Seafrost Green with a black lower accent and black vinyl top. We really dig the color contrast with the black, green, silver Rally wheels, and redline tires… it’s just enough of each color to play along without clashing. The SS badges are present, along with the little 396 box on the marker light. Subtle, for sure, but they’re there. The tailgate frames a satin-black stripe, and Chevy fans know that black band means big-block lurks under the hood. It’s a warning to those looking to pick on our little pickup on it’s way home from work. Inside, you’d never know you weren't in a Chevelle SS unless you looked in the rear view mirror. It’s got all the goodies… strato bucket seats, wood wheel, full console, Hurst-shifted 4-speed, and the full gauge panel in the dash. We love the drum-style tachometer. Am tunes and a heater keep you company on the way to the jobsite… or drag strip! The exact production number of L78 ‘68 ElCaminos isn’t known, but a figure of 393 has been estimated. We’re happy to see one in The Brothers Collection, and trust that it’s working days are over, but it’s definitely not retired. 1968 Chevrolet ElCamino 396 SS Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 316 V8TV #musclecaroftheweek #ElCamino #SS396 http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com - FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MuscleCarOfTheWeek/

Some people consider the Chevrolet El Camino to be somewhat of a novelty item, especially in the SS versions. Originally built as a competitor to Ford’s original “mini truck” - the Ranchero - the ElCamino served dutifully to those who needed a helping hand carrying small payloads but didn’t need , or want, a pickup regular pickup truck. But this one is the real deal when it comes to performance, style, and yes… practicality! Chevrolet boasted about the ElCamino having stamina and style.. the perfect choice for “right now” people who need a versatile vehicle for work, recreation, and around-town errands.” With a 1500 lb payload and over 6 feet of bed length with the tailgate down, an ElCamino is a hard worker. Base models came with a 230 HP 6 cylinder engine, but that’s not why we’re here. This is Muscle Car Of The Week for cryin’ out loud. To attract more buyers, Chevrolet adapted the SS trim and performance package from the Chevelle to the ElCamino, which now gave buyers a way to drive a high-powered muscle car nearly guilt free! After all, it was a work vehicle, why not add a big block, 4-speed, and performance suspension? Who says you shouldn't make your work environment a bit more fun? S1: Doesn’t need a trailer.. This particular ‘68 Elky SS is rocking the highest output 396 available, the RPO code L78 375 HP 396 backed by a Muncie 4-speed transmission. L78 specs read more like a race engine than a work truck plant, with and 11.5:1 compression ratio and a solid lifter cam. The cylinder heads featured oversized valves and large rectangular ports for heavy breathing, and a forged crank secured by 4-bolt main caps kept the special connecting rods swinging at high rpm. Power was rated at 375hp at 5600 rpm and 415 lb-ft of torque at 3600 rpm. A Muncie M22 4-speed and 12-bolt rear end equipped with 3.55:1 gears spin the wheels. You’ll have no excuse to be late to the jobsite with one of these. The L78 package also included the F41 heavy-duty suspension, consisting of higher-rate coil springs and shocks matched to them, a larger front sway bar, and braced and boxed rear control arms to keep the 4-link rear suspension system for twisting into a ribbon under hard launches. A rear sway bar was also part of the package, as were 14” rally wheels and F70-14” tires. The ElCamino SS has a great look, like it’s lazier, no-job-having brother, the Chevelle SS. This one is finished in a sweet Seafrost Green with a black lower accent and black vinyl top. We really dig the color contrast with the black, green, silver Rally wheels, and redline tires… it’s just enough of each color to play along without clashing. The SS badges are present, along with the little 396 box on the marker light. Subtle, for sure, but they’re there. The tailgate frames a satin-black stripe, and Chevy fans know that black band means big-block lurks under the hood. It’s a warning to those looking to pick on our little pickup on it’s way home from work. Inside, you’d never know you weren't in a Chevelle SS unless you looked in the rear view mirror. It’s got all the goodies… strato bucket seats, wood wheel, full console, Hurst-shifted 4-speed, and the full gauge panel in the dash. We love the drum-style tachometer. Am tunes and a heater keep you company on the way to the jobsite… or drag strip! The exact production number of L78 ‘68 ElCaminos isn’t known, but a figure of 393 has been estimated. We’re happy to see one in The Brothers Collection, and trust that it’s working days are over, but it’s definitely not retired. 1968 Chevrolet ElCamino 396 SS Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 316 V8TV #musclecaroftheweek #ElCamino #SS396 http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com - FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MuscleCarOfTheWeek/

1971 saw a completely new Dodge Charger. Out was the long, sharp, boxy Charger and “in” was the new curvier model for ‘71. The new design featured a more pronounced long nose / short deck look, and although it was about 2 inches shorter than the 68-70 model, it was also wider than it’s predecessor. The design remains controversial, with the interestingly up-swept pillarless side window design and fastback-ish rear roofline. A new bumper design split the nose in half, and our Charger Super Bee features a clean look with hidden headlights. You could order all kinds of engines in your 1971 Charger, but our featured Super Bee is fitted with the one everyone talks about… the 425 HP 426 Hemi V8, and it’s coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission. And while a Hemi Orange ‘71 Super Bee with a 426 and a stick might be tops on any muscle car wish list, it’s the top of this one that makes it even more special. If you’ve never seen a factory installed power sunroof like this one, you’re not alone. Chrysler didn’t sell very many of the nearly $500 options, which mandated the full vinyl top as well. When you add in the code E74 426 Hemi engine at over $880.00, and you were looking at an expensive Super Bee back in ‘71 even before you start adding the rest of the options. Which do you think had lower production, the Hemi or the Sun Roof? We’ll answer that one later. But if you DID spring for all these goodies, you got one heck of a ride, man. Ours features a sprawling white bench seat interior, complete with power windows, a 150 MPH speedo, 8000 RPM tach, and a pistol grip shifter for workin’ the 4-speed gearbox. Looking out over the long hood is a trip from any angle, as the Ramcharger scoop comes to life letting the 2 Carter AFB 4-barrels fill the Hemi with air. We’re envisioning a clear day, turning up the Music Master AM radio, hitting the power overhead switch to let the sun shine in, and dumping the clutch to let the 490 ft. lbs. of torque launch us straight into the 5th dimension. These cars drive really nicely when in this kind of condition. Power steering and brakes ease the driver effort, and the heavy duty clutch is quite tolerable, even in traffic. The famous Chrysler torsion bar front suspension is taught but comfortable, with a sway bar to keep things on the level in the turns, and the 15 inch rally wheels and Goodyear Polyglas GTs hold the road. A Dana 60 rear axle can stand up to the torque as the leaf springs try to hold it in place. These cars have some of the coolest exhaust tips ever… many call them Machine Gun tips, but the red and chrome ends are officially called “Exhaust Bright Tips”. We call them awesome. This is a love it or hate it design, and we’re leaning towards the love it, especially drenched in Hemi Orange with the white vinyl top and blacked-out hood to break it all up. The thin black stripe looks like the car just crossed the finish line with a black ribbon wrapped around the base of the windshield. Dual painted racing mirrors look cool, too. All tolled, there were 5,054 1971 Super Bees built. 22 came equipped with the 426 Hemi engine, and only 9 of those were 4-speed manual cars. Coincidentally, there were also 9 known power sunroof 1971 Super Bees built with any of the available engines. But how many Hemi 4-speed cars had sunroofs? I’m not sure, but this one in the Brothers Collection is the Super Bee’s Knees, for sure. #SunroofMopar #HemiSuperBee #musclecaroftheweek 1971 Dodge Super Bee 426 Hemi Sunroof Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 314 V8TV SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com

1971 saw a completely new Dodge Charger. Out was the long, sharp, boxy Charger and “in” was the new curvier model for ‘71. The new design featured a more pronounced long nose / short deck look, and although it was about 2 inches shorter than the 68-70 model, it was also wider than it’s predecessor. The design remains controversial, with the interestingly up-swept pillarless side window design and fastback-ish rear roofline. A new bumper design split the nose in half, and our Charger Super Bee features a clean look with hidden headlights. You could order all kinds of engines in your 1971 Charger, but our featured Super Bee is fitted with the one everyone talks about… the 425 HP 426 Hemi V8, and it’s coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission. And while a Hemi Orange ‘71 Super Bee with a 426 and a stick might be tops on any muscle car wish list, it’s the top of this one that makes it even more special. If you’ve never seen a factory installed power sunroof like this one, you’re not alone. Chrysler didn’t sell very many of the nearly $500 options, which mandated the full vinyl top as well. When you add in the code E74 426 Hemi engine at over $880.00, and you were looking at an expensive Super Bee back in ‘71 even before you start adding the rest of the options. Which do you think had lower production, the Hemi or the Sun Roof? We’ll answer that one later. But if you DID spring for all these goodies, you got one heck of a ride, man. Ours features a sprawling white bench seat interior, complete with power windows, a 150 MPH speedo, 8000 RPM tach, and a pistol grip shifter for workin’ the 4-speed gearbox. Looking out over the long hood is a trip from any angle, as the Ramcharger scoop comes to life letting the 2 Carter AFB 4-barrels fill the Hemi with air. We’re envisioning a clear day, turning up the Music Master AM radio, hitting the power overhead switch to let the sun shine in, and dumping the clutch to let the 490 ft. lbs. of torque launch us straight into the 5th dimension. These cars drive really nicely when in this kind of condition. Power steering and brakes ease the driver effort, and the heavy duty clutch is quite tolerable, even in traffic. The famous Chrysler torsion bar front suspension is taught but comfortable, with a sway bar to keep things on the level in the turns, and the 15 inch rally wheels and Goodyear Polyglas GTs hold the road. A Dana 60 rear axle can stand up to the torque as the leaf springs try to hold it in place. These cars have some of the coolest exhaust tips ever… many call them Machine Gun tips, but the red and chrome ends are officially called “Exhaust Bright Tips”. We call them awesome. This is a love it or hate it design, and we’re leaning towards the love it, especially drenched in Hemi Orange with the white vinyl top and blacked-out hood to break it all up. The thin black stripe looks like the car just crossed the finish line with a black ribbon wrapped around the base of the windshield. Dual painted racing mirrors look cool, too. All tolled, there were 5,054 1971 Super Bees built. 22 came equipped with the 426 Hemi engine, and only 9 of those were 4-speed manual cars. Coincidentally, there were also 9 known power sunroof 1971 Super Bees built with any of the available engines. But how many Hemi 4-speed cars had sunroofs? I’m not sure, but this one in the Brothers Collection is the Super Bee’s Knees, for sure. #SunroofMopar #HemiSuperBee #musclecaroftheweek 1971 Dodge Super Bee 426 Hemi Sunroof Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 314 V8TV SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com

It’s 1965, and the family is shopping for a new car. Dad is torn between the sharp new full size Fords, with their angular design and new suspension systems. However, he’s been a Pontiac man for years, and the entire Pontiac line had just been awarded Motor Trend’s Car of The Year! It’s a tough choice, especially when he learns that the Ford Galaxie and the Pontiac Catalina can both be had with the hottest engines of the day. You see, even though there’s a wife, kids, and practicality to consider, Dad’s a hot rodder at heart, and the thought of wheeling a high-powered 4-door sleeper is fun for Pops. Both of these two unassuming family sedans are locked and loaded with engines normally associate with racers… the a tri-carbed Pontiac 421 and a dual quad Ford 427! In Pontiac’s corner, we find a giant white 4-door Catalina hiding the 10 3/4:1 compression 421 High Output Trophy “Thunderer” V8 under the hood. The 421 H.O. was rated at 376 HP and 466 foot-pounds of twist, gulping down the gas through 3-two barrel carbs. A family car with an axe to grind, for sure. The Ford is no slouch, either… with a 427 cubic-inch 10.25:1 compression R-Code V8, a 425 HP bruiser with 480 ft. lbs. of torque on hand to launch this 4-door when the light turns green. Dual 4-barrels allow for as much air and fuel as the 427 can stomach. Both cars are backed with 4-speed manual transmissions, the Pontiac uses a Muncie box, while the Ford spins a Toploader. We dig that they are both bench-seat 4-speed cars… you know, to provide as much room as possible for the kids to fit in the front seat while street racing! The Pontiac Safe-T-Track provides torque to both rear wheels, and the Ford follows suit with a 9” rear end stuffed with a 3.50:1 gearset. Style wise, the Ford is a bit more crisp with it’s brand new design for ‘65, complete with Pyrex-covered stacked headlights and a pillarless 4-door hardtop design. It’s very conservative and contemporary, and they were selling like hotcakes. The Catalina is a bit swoopier looking, but the bright-trimmed window frames don’t let you forget this one is a 4-door sled. The white doesn’t help accentuate the shape, but it does help this car’s disguise. You’d never expect the fury that lies within. It’s interesting to note that all the performance options on this car were regular options on the full-size ‘65 Pontiac line, so anyone could order one up at their local Pontiac dealer. The Galaxie, however, is believed to be the only ‘65 4-door ever built with the R-Code 427 and 4-speed factory installed. It’s exceptionally rare for sure. We’ve featured both of these cars individually in the past, but viewers suggested a comparison video would be interesting. You can see the Galaxie in episode #51, and the Catalina in episode #251 of Muscle Car Of The Week. #427galaxie #catalina421 #musclecaroftheweek 421 Pontiac Vs. 427 Ford 4 Doors Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 313 V8TV SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com

Modern Corvettes are known as sleek, powerful machines with an equal dose of speed and style. But back in the early days of production, the Corvette was an oddity… a neat looking car built with new composite construction technology, but seriously underpowered by a straight-six engine, and a wobbly suspension system that was far from confidence inspiring. But thankfully, all that would change. For the first two years of production, the Chevrolet Corvette was much more of a looker than a go-er. But for 1955, the Corvette’s engine bay was upgraded with the all new Chevrolet 265 cube V8, giving the ‘Vette some much needed power to chase down Ford’s new Thunderbirds. The 265 overhead valve V8 engine was the first version of one of the most popular V8 engines ever produced. The 3.8750” bore and 3” stroke made for a favorable bore to stroke ratio, and the little “Turbo Fire” V8 easily outpaced the previous “Blue Flame” 6-cylinder. The 2 barrel version developed 160 HP, but Corvettes received the Rochester 4-barrel, making 195 HP. Finally, the Corvette had some guts under the hood, and was no longer just a pretty poseur. A subtle 1955-only tattle tale was the big “V” in the Corvette script… if you saw that, you were probably on your way to seeing tail lights, as you were lined up against a powerful new V8 roadster! The new V8 shaved 2.4 seconds off the six cylinder car’s 0-60 time, and set the stage for a high-performance future. Only 700 were sold, but Corvette was changing from a good looking but quirky novelty to a true American sports car. But the 265 had some issues… stress cracks in pistons became a thing, and the engine was designed without and oil filter, so one had to be added on if you didn’t want to change your oil every week. But those shortcomings were resolved in the 1956 version. And although the big news was the Turbo Fire V8, the 1955 Corvette was the first year for the new close-ratio 3-speed manual transmission, with the 2-speed Powerglide being optional. While the ‘55 Corvette finally got some much-needed power and innovation, suspension Improvements to the Corvette were coming along a bit slower. The ‘55 still rode on the basic design as the ‘54 and ‘53 cars, and it’s handling was less than stellar. A sneek peek into the future saw the involvement of racer and engineer Zora Arkus Duntov getting his mits on the chassis, with the resulting improvements giving Corvette power and road holding performance. But the ‘55 cars just weren’t quite there yet, and they pushed in the turns and tail-wagged out back when the power was on in the turns. However, most of that was forgiven thanks to the amazing styling worn by these cars. This one is apparently dipped in Gypsy Red, set off by just enough brightly chromed trim and white walled tires. The first year for tubeless tires in a Corvette, by the way. Race inspired mesh headlight guards flank the toothy grin up front, and spacy little fins lead into simple taillights tipping the quarters. Cool exhaust tips through the rear bumper were a Corvette thing, as were the wispy chrome bumpers. We dig the rear license plate greenhouse. It’s a great looking car from all angles. The interior remains simple and elegant, with gauges and the radio all neatly centered in the dash. It almost looks more like a speedboat inside, but then again, that’s kind of what a Corvette is by definition. The 6000 RPM tach was legit for the 265 V8, and the rev counter meter is a cool and unusual display. The seats appear more comfortable than they are, but this car was all about looking cool, not all-day ergonomic correctness. The giant steering wheel offsets the tiny shifter in manual cars. The 265 cube V8 grew to become the stuff of legends, and it’s offspring power many of the Chevrolet muscle cars here in The Brothers Collection. We’ve enjoyed looking back to the beginning, and hope you did as well. Thanks for joining us, and we’ll wheel out another one next time on Muscle Car Of The Week! #Corvette #1955Corvette #musclecaroftheweek 1955 Chevrolet Corvette Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 312 V8TV SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com

Modern Corvettes are known as sleek, powerful machines with an equal dose of speed and style. But back in the early days of production, the Corvette was an oddity… a neat looking car built with new composite construction technology, but seriously underpowered by a straight-six engine, and a wobbly suspension system that was far from confidence inspiring. But thankfully, all that would change. For the first two years of production, the Chevrolet Corvette was much more of a looker than a go-er. But for 1955, the Corvette’s engine bay was upgraded with the all new Chevrolet 265 cube V8, giving the ‘Vette some much needed power to chase down Ford’s new Thunderbirds. The 265 overhead valve V8 engine was the first version of one of the most popular V8 engines ever produced. The 3.8750” bore and 3” stroke made for a favorable bore to stroke ratio, and the little “Turbo Fire” V8 easily outpaced the previous “Blue Flame” 6-cylinder. The 2 barrel version developed 160 HP, but Corvettes received the Rochester 4-barrel, making 195 HP. Finally, the Corvette had some guts under the hood, and was no longer just a pretty poseur. A subtle 1955-only tattle tale was the big “V” in the Corvette script… if you saw that, you were probably on your way to seeing tail lights, as you were lined up against a powerful new V8 roadster! The new V8 shaved 2.4 seconds off the six cylinder car’s 0-60 time, and set the stage for a high-performance future. Only 700 were sold, but Corvette was changing from a good looking but quirky novelty to a true American sports car. But the 265 had some issues… stress cracks in pistons became a thing, and the engine was designed without and oil filter, so one had to be added on if you didn’t want to change your oil every week. But those shortcomings were resolved in the 1956 version. And although the big news was the Turbo Fire V8, the 1955 Corvette was the first year for the new close-ratio 3-speed manual transmission, with the 2-speed Powerglide being optional. While the ‘55 Corvette finally got some much-needed power and innovation, suspension Improvements to the Corvette were coming along a bit slower. The ‘55 still rode on the basic design as the ‘54 and ‘53 cars, and it’s handling was less than stellar. A sneek peek into the future saw the involvement of racer and engineer Zora Arkus Duntov getting his mits on the chassis, with the resulting improvements giving Corvette power and road holding performance. But the ‘55 cars just weren’t quite there yet, and they pushed in the turns and tail-wagged out back when the power was on in the turns. However, most of that was forgiven thanks to the amazing styling worn by these cars. This one is apparently dipped in Gypsy Red, set off by just enough brightly chromed trim and white walled tires. The first year for tubeless tires in a Corvette, by the way. Race inspired mesh headlight guards flank the toothy grin up front, and spacy little fins lead into simple taillights tipping the quarters. Cool exhaust tips through the rear bumper were a Corvette thing, as were the wispy chrome bumpers. We dig the rear license plate greenhouse. It’s a great looking car from all angles. The interior remains simple and elegant, with gauges and the radio all neatly centered in the dash. It almost looks more like a speedboat inside, but then again, that’s kind of what a Corvette is by definition. The 6000 RPM tach was legit for the 265 V8, and the rev counter meter is a cool and unusual display. The seats appear more comfortable than they are, but this car was all about looking cool, not all-day ergonomic correctness. The giant steering wheel offsets the tiny shifter in manual cars. The 265 cube V8 grew to become the stuff of legends, and it’s offspring power many of the Chevrolet muscle cars here in The Brothers Collection. We’ve enjoyed looking back to the beginning, and hope you did as well. Thanks for joining us, and we’ll wheel out another one next time on Muscle Car Of The Week! #Corvette #1955Corvette #musclecaroftheweek 1955 Chevrolet Corvette Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 312 V8TV SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com

This week, we’re taking you behind the scenes at The Brothers Collection for a look at how the team checks to see if cars are wearing their original paint using a digital paint mil thickness gauge. #paint #Musclecar #original Behind The Scenes Paint Tech Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 311 SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com

This week, we’re taking you behind the scenes at The Brothers Collection for a look at how the team checks to see if cars are wearing their original paint using a digital paint mil thickness gauge. #paint #Musclecar #original Behind The Scenes Paint Tech Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 311 SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com

1969 was the first year for the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am model, which took the basic Firebird platform and pushed it towards the moon in both style and performance. There are lots of things to like about these cars, and this particular car has ‘em all. The most obvious difference between a base model Firebird and the racy Trans Am is the styling. Pontiac designers added all the right elements in all the right places to make this car stand out. The nose features clean, body colored headlight bezels and a narrow chrome bumper that doubles as the grille surround. Trans Am cars received their own special dual-snorkel hood with a functional ram air system to feed the 400 cube V8 all the fresh air it could handle. Functional air extractors are mounted on the fenders to help heat escape from under the hood… and these Pontiacs were capable of making some heat on the street! The rear view is crowned by a sleek 2 pedestal rear spoiler that wraps down on the ends to follow the contours of the quarter panels, a look that is far more integrated than many bolt-on spoilers of the time. In fact, all the Trans Am additions to the body appear “designed in” and not just added on, but one of the coolest features are the stripes. These cars were only available in Cameo White with two Tyrol Blue stripes that start at the nose of the car, and go up over the roof… then back down the rear deck ending in the solid blue tail panel. Now factory applied stripes were pretty unusual in 1969, especially stripes going over the roof of a car. The look is like nothing else on the road, and to me, this Firebird almost appears to have aerospace theme to the design. And because these cars were all the same in appearance… you couldn’t get a green one with silver stripes, for example.. they have great uniformity, almost like the Air Force Thunderbirds for the street. You almost expect the driver to step out in a matching flight suit, helmet in hand and aviator shades in place. You don't just own a 1969 Trans Am, you’re a member of an elite street squadron. Of course, the hairy Ram Air IV V8 and close ratio 4-speed make up the other half of this car’s awesome personality. And I have to tell you, I drove this car a bit, and it all lives up to the hype. The car has the right sound, the Hurst shifter feels great, and the suspension is smooth and tight. Trans Ams got stiffer springs and shocks, a bigger front sway bar, and this one rolls on Rally II wheels, although steelies and caps were standard. The car makes smooth power that pours on as you demand, and the Trans Am dashboard gauges keep you well informed of what’s going on under the long hood. This one has a matching blue interior with comfy bucket seats, and we dig the no-console look of the 4-speed stick on the floor. The car looks like a hero, and you feel like one when you drive it! From The Brothers Collection. #1969TransAm #Musclecar #transam 1969 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air IV Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 310 SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com

1969 was the first year for the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am model, which took the basic Firebird platform and pushed it towards the moon in both style and performance. There are lots of things to like about these cars, and this particular car has ‘em all. The most obvious difference between a base model Firebird and the racy Trans Am is the styling. Pontiac designers added all the right elements in all the right places to make this car stand out. The nose features clean, body colored headlight bezels and a narrow chrome bumper that doubles as the grille surround. Trans Am cars received their own special dual-snorkel hood with a functional ram air system to feed the 400 cube V8 all the fresh air it could handle. Functional air extractors are mounted on the fenders to help heat escape from under the hood… and these Pontiacs were capable of making some heat on the street! The rear view is crowned by a sleek 2 pedestal rear spoiler that wraps down on the ends to follow the contours of the quarter panels, a look that is far more integrated than many bolt-on spoilers of the time. In fact, all the Trans Am additions to the body appear “designed in” and not just added on, but one of the coolest features are the stripes. These cars were only available in Cameo White with two Tyrol Blue stripes that start at the nose of the car, and go up over the roof… then back down the rear deck ending in the solid blue tail panel. Now factory applied stripes were pretty unusual in 1969, especially stripes going over the roof of a car. The look is like nothing else on the road, and to me, this Firebird almost appears to have aerospace theme to the design. And because these cars were all the same in appearance… you couldn’t get a green one with silver stripes, for example.. they have great uniformity, almost like the Air Force Thunderbirds for the street. You almost expect the driver to step out in a matching flight suit, helmet in hand and aviator shades in place. You don't just own a 1969 Trans Am, you’re a member of an elite street squadron. Of course, the hairy Ram Air IV V8 and close ratio 4-speed make up the other half of this car’s awesome personality. And I have to tell you, I drove this car a bit, and it all lives up to the hype. The car has the right sound, the Hurst shifter feels great, and the suspension is smooth and tight. Trans Ams got stiffer springs and shocks, a bigger front sway bar, and this one rolls on Rally II wheels, although steelies and caps were standard. The car makes smooth power that pours on as you demand, and the Trans Am dashboard gauges keep you well informed of what’s going on under the long hood. This one has a matching blue interior with comfy bucket seats, and we dig the no-console look of the 4-speed stick on the floor. The car looks like a hero, and you feel like one when you drive it! From The Brothers Collection. #1969TransAm #Musclecar #transam 1969 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air IV Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 310 SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com

We normally don’t associate high-performance 1960s cars with having 4 doors, but we also don’t see many 1960s 4-door sedans powered by high-compression, dual-quad fed 427s with 4-speed hanging on them from the factory! Well this is just such a machine. And we have to correct ourselves already… we called this one a “Custom 300” in the intro, but in fact, Ford’s low-price entry in the full size field was just named the 300 for 1963, a name used for a single year model, even though low-price full size Fords had been around for decades. The 300 shared the chassis, suspension, drivetrains, and other basic structural elements with the flashier Galaxie and Galaxie 500, but it was far more bare-bones, without fancy trim or other luxury items. Most were straight six or small V8 powered with manuals on the column. 300s were slab-sided sleds sold in several solid skins set off by 3 selections of seat stain. Some suggest it’s short on style, but we think simple is solid when it’s served with serious steam. 300s were also used largely in fleet vehicle trim, ranging from taxicabs to police cars. Interestingly, Ford had several levels of Police Car trim offerings in ‘63, ranging from the 138 HP six-cylinder Deputy model designed for “General Purpose” police work, the Police Sentinel, with it’s small block 260 V8 making 164 HP of law enforcement power, the 352 powered Guardian, for “all around” police work, up to the 330-hp 390 powered Interceptor versions, far more capable of chasing down bad guys on their way out of Mayberry. But our 300 is even more than that, although we really don’t know if it ever served in a municipal capacity. The black and blue color scheme sure looks official. 300s could be ordered with any of the Ford V8s, including the 425 HP 427, no matter how many doors it had. We’re not exactly sure how many of these were built, but it’s not many. Inside, this 4-door 300 is as bare as they come, with giant flat bench seats, crank-up windows, minimal trim, and very few amenities. This one sports an AM radio and a heater, but perhaps the most important feature is the 4-speed shifter in front of the bench seat. Outside, the only indicator of this beasts potential is the little 427 badge on the fender, which almost seems like a gag when you look at this basic 4 door box. But opening the hood is no laughing matter, as you are stared-down by a high-strung big block Ford FE engine breathing through dual 4 barrels atop a mid-rise aluminum intake, high-flow heads, a solid lifter cam, and snarling through header-like cast iron exhaust manifolds. This one has a few chrome touches beyond the valve covers, like the radiator expansion tank and the fan shroud, but nothing looks upgraded from stock. Manual brakes and steering add to the experience of keeping this flying brick on course. It does have heavy duty suspension and oversized drum brakes behind 14” stamped steel wheels wearing conservative hubcaps. The rear axle is a tough 9” unit managed by heavy leaf springs and shock absorbers, but a canon-carver she ain’t. But that park bench seat discourages high-speed turning maneuvers, no matter how hard you white knuckle the steering wheel. But this one shines in a straight line, and no doubt ranks as one of the top sleepers in The Brothers Collection. #1963Ford #Musclecar #Sleeper 1963 Ford 300 427 4-Speed 4 Door Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 309 V8TV SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MuscleCarOfTheWeek/

We normally don’t associate high-performance 1960s cars with having 4 doors, but we also don’t see many 1960s 4-door sedans powered by high-compression, dual-quad fed 427s with 4-speed hanging on them from the factory! Well this is just such a machine. And we have to correct ourselves already… we called this one a “Custom 300” in the intro, but in fact, Ford’s low-price entry in the full size field was just named the 300 for 1963, a name used for a single year model, even though low-price full size Fords had been around for decades. The 300 shared the chassis, suspension, drivetrains, and other basic structural elements with the flashier Galaxie and Galaxie 500, but it was far more bare-bones, without fancy trim or other luxury items. Most were straight six or small V8 powered with manuals on the column. 300s were slab-sided sleds sold in several solid skins set off by 3 selections of seat stain. Some suggest it’s short on style, but we think simple is solid when it’s served with serious steam. 300s were also used largely in fleet vehicle trim, ranging from taxicabs to police cars. Interestingly, Ford had several levels of Police Car trim offerings in ‘63, ranging from the 138 HP six-cylinder Deputy model designed for “General Purpose” police work, the Police Sentinel, with it’s small block 260 V8 making 164 HP of law enforcement power, the 352 powered Guardian, for “all around” police work, up to the 330-hp 390 powered Interceptor versions, far more capable of chasing down bad guys on their way out of Mayberry. But our 300 is even more than that, although we really don’t know if it ever served in a municipal capacity. The black and blue color scheme sure looks official. 300s could be ordered with any of the Ford V8s, including the 425 HP 427, no matter how many doors it had. We’re not exactly sure how many of these were built, but it’s not many. Inside, this 4-door 300 is as bare as they come, with giant flat bench seats, crank-up windows, minimal trim, and very few amenities. This one sports an AM radio and a heater, but perhaps the most important feature is the 4-speed shifter in front of the bench seat. Outside, the only indicator of this beasts potential is the little 427 badge on the fender, which almost seems like a gag when you look at this basic 4 door box. But opening the hood is no laughing matter, as you are stared-down by a high-strung big block Ford FE engine breathing through dual 4 barrels atop a mid-rise aluminum intake, high-flow heads, a solid lifter cam, and snarling through header-like cast iron exhaust manifolds. This one has a few chrome touches beyond the valve covers, like the radiator expansion tank and the fan shroud, but nothing looks upgraded from stock. Manual brakes and steering add to the experience of keeping this flying brick on course. It does have heavy duty suspension and oversized drum brakes behind 14” stamped steel wheels wearing conservative hubcaps. The rear axle is a tough 9” unit managed by heavy leaf springs and shock absorbers, but a canon-carver she ain’t. But that park bench seat discourages high-speed turning maneuvers, no matter how hard you white knuckle the steering wheel. But this one shines in a straight line, and no doubt ranks as one of the top sleepers in The Brothers Collection. #1963Ford #Musclecar #Sleeper 1963 Ford 300 427 4-Speed 4 Door Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 309 V8TV SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MuscleCarOfTheWeek/

There were about 80 Dodge Darts factory upfitted with the 426 Hemi V8 back in 1968, and this one is a very well known example. Mickey Weise started off drag racing a big-block Camaro back in the day, but when the 426 Hemi cars were passing him at the big end of the drag strip, he eventually made the move to Dodge, first in a bigger ‘65 A990, and finally taking over his partner’s ‘68 Hemi Dart that we see here today. Hemi Darts are a special breed, for sure. They were pulled from the Hamtramck, Michigan assembly line as unfinished 383 powered Dart GTS cars, then were sent to the Hurst Performance Research Facility for the option code LO23 conversion into the lightweight dragstrip warriors you see here today. They were designed to compete in the white-hot NHRA Super Stock drag class, and were put on a healthy diet to remove excess weight wherever possible. The new fenders and hood were fiberglass, and the doors and bumpers were submerged in Nitric Acid, a process which thins and lightens the steel panels. Glass was swapped for lexan panels, and the standard Dodge van seats were swapped after the interior was gutted of everything from the radio and heat to sound deadeners and even window regulators. The weight savings was substantial, as a Hemi Dart tipped the scales right at 3000 lbs. The quarter panel wheel openings were enlarged to accommodate oversized racing slicks, and the work was done quickly and fairly crudely. The rear leaf springs were moved inboard to make even more room, and the Dana rear axle was stuffed with 4.86:1 gears when coupled with the 727 Torqueflite automatic transmission like this car has. Manuals were also built, but the 2600 RPM stall converter in the strong and reliable torqueflite made for consistent passes, and minimized the risk of over-revving the Hemi while wrestling with the New Process 4-speed manual. The cars were delivered in gray primer with the fiberglass parts in black gelcoat, allowing racers to paint them as they wished. This one evolved from being painted gold and white - the beginning of a candy-red paint job, but they ran out of time after spraying the gold base and didn’t get the red done in time. After a few seasons, it was completed in red and white with some cool lace graphics, but today has been repainted solid red and white. Hemi Darts were powered by the 12.5:1 compression race 426 Hemi V8 engine, complete with dual 4-barrel carbs on a cross-ram style intake manifold. These cars did what they set out to do, and Mickey recalls going 10.19 at 132 in 1972. Chrysler backing dried up at that time, so Mickey stored and eventually sold the car, but got it back in the 1980s and ran it again until 2000 when it landed a spot in the NHRA Museum in Pomona, CA, and also a Hot Wheels car tribute. 50 Hemi Darts were slated for production, but sources say there might have been 82 actually built. Today, Mickey’s Dart is a revered rock star of The Brothers Collection. #426 #HemiDart #Musclecar 1968 Dodge Hemi Dart 426 Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 308 V8TV SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS http://www.musclecaroftheweek.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MuscleCarOfTheWeek/