Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2023 i Hemmings Muscle Machines

IN THE 2010 FEATURE film Hot Tub Time Machine, John Cusack’s character, Adam, and his misguided cohorts unknowingly travel back in time to the 1980s, where the guys have an opportunity to brighten their future by righting some of the poor decisions they made in the past. It’s a well-covered premise that still inspires people to hope and dream that one day time travel could possibly exist. This machine sounds like something we all could use at one point or another in our lives. Who hasn’t had the hope of possibly going back to correct some of the mistakes that we all have made somewhere in time? To right the wrongs, to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. To try and make our lives profoundly better. You know, to…

STOCKSPOTLIGHT: Ford Muscle IN AN EFFORT TO DEFEAT HEMI-POWERED DODGES and Plymouths in sanctioned drag racing and elsewhere, Ford unleashed its R-code 425-hp, medium-riser, two four-barrel, 427 Fairlanes during the 1966 model year. For 1967, the W-code, 410-hp, four-barrel 427 joined the R-code, and the cars equipped with these engines have since earned the adoration of a generation of Blue Oval fans who recognize their purpose, rarity, and performance. This particular Fairlane 500 has been painstakingly maintained by its three owners since 1967, and their dedication is revealed in its low mileage and pristinely detailed and predominantly unrestored condition. It was delivered to Jack Beasley Ford of State College, Pennsylvania, according to the original owner, Gregg Heller, who grew up in nearby DuBois. “My dad was a Ford guy who…

EVERYBODY WANTS MORE POWER, and that attention has usually been paid to the romance items like cylinder heads, intake manifolds, carburetors, and camshafts. While those aspects of the engine are still essential for moving air, more engine builders are now scrutinizing the combustion space and making sure that all that air and fuel you worked so hard to get into the cylinder actually contributes to shoving the piston down instead of leaking past the rings. What this really means is that, much like waistlines, fat rings are out and thin is in. In the muscle car days of the ’60s and ’70s, production top and second piston rings measured 5 ⁄ 64-inch, and this remained the standard for decades. But with the coming of the modern engine era with powerplants…

MECUM CHI-TOWN RESULTS American muscle cars were quite prevalent at this year’s Mecum Chicago-area auction with $3.68 million of the total sales coming from the 1964-’72 era. When the auction concluded, 72 percent of the muscle cars changed hands including a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T. The Mopar hardtop was barn-stored from 1981 until June of 2020, after which it was subjected to a lengthy rotisserie restoration. Many original items were still there, including the rebuilt numbers-matching 440 V-8, and the Sure Grip rear end, which was fitted with new 3.23 gears. Some new items included: white Legendary upholstery on the front and rear seats; the instrument panel and gauges; as well as all of the car’s glass. Other highlights were a still-functioning original radio, power brakes, steering, correct exhaust with…

PRODUCTION LINE Remember the early days of the new-generation Charger, its 2006 launch, and how much grumping people did over the idea that it wasn’t a coupe? Today, the modern four-door Charger has lasted longer than the original B-body coupes it shares a name with. It’s such a quaint argument today, in the face of its imminent demise. The Widebody-equipped Charger Scat Pack, its 485-hp 6.4-liter naturally aspirated V-8, and its 3.5-inch-wider body have been around for a few years now. It’s changed little: 0-60 times in 4.3 seconds, 12.4-second quarter miles, an eye-opening .98 g on the skidpad. The extra width allows 305/35ZR20 Pirelli tires and 20 x 11-inch forged-aluminum wheels on all corners, along with six-piston Brembo front brakes (with two-piece front rotors) and suspension upgrades like Bilstein…

ON LOCATION THIS ANNUAL GET TOGETHER IS MORE THAN JUST A SHOW, IT’S A CELEBRATION OF ALL THINGS MOPAR IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT MOPAR enthusiasts are the most loyal group of car people in the world. These men and women are dedicated to their brands, and it trickles down to their daily drivers, their tow rigs, and even their apparel. We had the opportunity to get the full experience at the 2022 Holley MoParty event, held at historic Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Holley has struck gold with its awesome event format, which originated with the LS Fest several years ago. The MoParty is in its third year, and provides a huge variety of activities, compared to regular car shows, and keeps people entertained for the…

TECH LATE LAST YEAR WE PLANNED to embark on a new project vehicle to build in our recently upgraded shop, the Sibley. Right out of the gate, the consensus was that it ought to be something attainable — something that could be driven hard and often without worry over rarity and potentially compromised value. We also craved something that could turn corners ably, and naturally, we wanted to stick with the familiar V-8/rear-drive architecture. We considered a Fox-era Mustang but discovered that these too are rapidly escalating in value. Meanwhile, the obvious answer was right in front of us: a third-gen F-body. GM’s Camaro and Firebird have been gearhead favorites from day one, and while the ’80s iteration may have paled in the eyes of some enthusiasts when compared to…

HEMMINGS AUCTIONS IS OUR LIVE, ONLINE AUCTION site staffed by customer service professionals ready to help bidders and sellers with any questions. A wide variety of classic and specialty vehicles from all eras are up for bid. Auctions run for two weeks, and qualified bidders place their bids electronically. Once a vehicle is accepted into the auction, the seller pays only a $99.95 listing fee. The winning bidder is responsible for a 5-percent fee on all completed auctions. The following are examples of auctions that transpired during the month leading up to press time. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, email Director of Auction Operations Terry Shea: terryshea@hemmings.com. 1969 DODGE CHARGER RESERVE: $90,000SELLING PRICE: $94,500* RECENT MARKET RANGE: $95,220-$126,350 The second-generation Charger’s peerless style still resonates today. This restomodded…

Letter of the Month: Variety is the Spice I wanted to share some pictures of my 1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and my 1976 Monte Carlo. I bought the ’73 in October 2019 with 73,000 miles on it. It’s a factory 454 with Posi, A/C, and a swivel seat; it was built in Canada. The 245-hp/375-lb-ft malaise motor didn’t have enough power for me, so in went a 6-71 blower that makes about 6 pounds of boost, Hooker long-tube headers, full 3-inch exhaust with Flowmaster Super 40s, and QTP electronic cutouts. I also added Dakota Digital gauges. I picked up the ’76 Monte recently from the same guy I bought the ’73 from. It has 98,000 miles and is mostly original. It had been sitting in a garage in New Hampshire…

STOCK LET’S FACE IT, Ford enthusiasts have it good. So do Mopar buffs. But Chevy guys and gals, well, not so much. Now, before the hair on your back bristles up and you fire off an angst-filled letter to the editor, let’s qualify the statement: We’re not referring to who had the best engines, the fastest cars, or the best designed bodylines. No, we’re simply referring to being able to readily document what engine was original to a given car. If you’re a Ford or Mopar dude, a quick glance at the VIN tells the tale — but no such luck with Chevys. Numerous prior owners of this ’68 Biscayne could only wish for an easy VIN identity, because it took considerable time and energy to uncover the car’s full…

“I HATED THOSE PESKY WINGED MOPARS beating up my Ford heroes back in the day,” Brian Augustine, who was an impressionable young NASCAR fan back in the late ’60s, says. His first impressions, formed via his father, had led him to the Ford camp. That was until older brother Don returned from a tour of duty in Southeast Asia and bought a new car. Against Brian’s advice to purchase the latest and greatest Mustang, Don instead purchased a 383-powered Dodge Charger. That Charger — a ’70 with a four-speed — formed some new impressions for Brian. “My first ride won me over,” he recalls. “Sitting in that high-backed bucket seat and watching him speed-shift that Pistol-Grip four-speed while trying to keep my feet from coming off the floor changed my…

AUCTION ACTION CAR AUCTIONS ARE ALWAYS a roll of the dice for buyers and sellers. But what about for the house? In 2021, Barrett-Jackson’s first year back after a COVID-19-stifled 2020 and an ancient-history 2019, the auction house’s Las Vegas, Nevada, sale took in $48 million. In this early summer’s go-go economy, Barrett-Jackson’s Vegas Sale, June 30-July 2, took in ... $48.2 million. Hmmm. At first glance, numbers like that feel like a push. But 2021’s average sale was just north of $65,000, while this year the average car sold for $72,000 — about 12 percent more year-on-year. So total sales didn’t rise, but the house realized more per car that went across the stage. Even when the house doesn’t look like it’s winning, it’s winning. Compared to Scottsdale, the…