Latest Posts Under: History
Chrysler’s “Elephant” Hemi made a heavy comeback in 1964, boasting a whopping 426 cubic inches and enough size to need its own zip code. Known for its robust power, this engine was a hit in NASCAR until it got benched in 1965 for being too exclusive. Revamped for the streets in 1966, the Hemi roared into drag racing fame, proving itself the heavyweight champ. Despite its hefty price tag and appetite for parts, the 426 Hemi remains a legend that left competitors in the dust, or at least eating plenty of it!
The 1970-1972 Chevrolet Chevelle roared onto the scene with its fierce SS396 and even beastlier 454 V8 engines, turning heads faster than a drag race. The 1970 model’s LS6 engine was so powerful, it was rumored to have more horses than a cowboy convention. By 1971, GM’s policy changes meant less octane drama but more horsepower honesty. In 1972, the Malibu’s hidden wipers were a slick feature, while the sport coupe outsold them all, proving once again that sometimes, old-school cool is the best ride.
The AC Cobra Mark III is the car that put the ‘zoom’ in ‘vroom’ and made Corvettes cry. Born from a British roadster, it was beefed up in Los Angeles with a Ford engine, transforming into a racing beast. Detroit Ford worked with Shelby to craft the Mark III, boasting a 427 engine that could hit 185 mph on race tracks and leave a trail of awestruck spectators. The British government even imposed speed limits after one Cobra hit 186 mph on the M1! Talk about leaving a mark—or a skid mark, in this case.
