Skip to main content

Mopar Muscle: Legendary Dodge Cars That Defined The Game

The Pontiac GTO might have started the muscle car revolution in 1964, but Dodge and Plymouth soon followed. Since Chrysler never imposed displacement limits and a racing ban like did GM, Dodge and its Mopar muscle cars soon became very active both at drag strips and NASCAR ovals, winning numerous drag races.

The R/T badge on the fenders stood for “Road and Track” and truly meant it. Chargers, Challengers, Daytonas, and Coronets were equally impressive on the roads as well as on the drag strips and circuits. With mighty 426 Hemi and 440 Magnums under the hoods, Dodge cars were amongst the fastest and most powerful muscle cars of the classic era. To celebrate that, we compiled a list of the best models that truly defined Mopar muscle car performance. Check them out right here.

Photo Credit: Motor Trend

Dodge D-Series High-Performance Package

Back in the early ’60s, Dodge had a lineup of trucks that fell behind Ford and Chevrolet. Their competitors had newer models, more options, and more engine choices. But Dodge didn’t give up. They introduced an attractive special edition from 1964 to 1966 that took the pickup world by storm. They called it the High-Performance Package. It featured a lot of go-faster goodies from Mopar. First, there was the mighty 426 Wedge V8 engine with 375 HP. At the time, it was the biggest, most powerful engine ever in a pickup truck.

Photo Credit: Motor Trend

There were bucket seats in the interior and a 6,000 RPM tachometer. It also came with wild racing stripes and a performance transmission (via Motor Trend). Dodge even revised the suspension to withstand its big power and torque. The finished product looked cool and performed well, but its high price sealed its fate. They only made 50 Dodge D Series High-Performance Package models and only 31 exist today. As a result, they are rare, valuable vehicles that are increasingly hard to find.

The post Mopar Muscle: Legendary Dodge Cars That Defined The Game appeared first on Motor Junkie.

Why Does Gasoline Smell So Good? Here’s What Science Says

You’re driving on the highway as the fuel gauge dips dangerously close to “E.” Taking the first exit that advertises petrol, you pull up to the pump and open the door, letting in the full sounds of traffic followed by a breeze carrying whiffs of the surrounding trees, hot pavement, and fast-food eateries. With a squeeze of the pump’s lever, the desire to indulge in undeniably addictive processed foods is washed away by a scent even more tantalizing. Mmmm, gasoline.

How can something so toxic, containing around 150 chemicals including the cancer-causing benzene, smell so enticing that you find yourself fighting the urge to inhale it deeply into your lungs? As it turns out, if you are one of the people who relates to this sensory overload, you’re not crazy. Well, not because of your attraction to fuel vapors, anyway.

The affinity for the smell of inflammable, noxious chemicals floating from the fuel pumps is actually quite normal, and could be caused by one of two things, the first being obvious. Gasoline is an inhalant that contains hydrocarbons that suppress the central nervous system and activate the mesolimbic or ‘reward’ pathway. When someone takes a whiff of fuel vapor, it releases a quick dose of dopamine to the brain. But don’t let your brain trick you; that temporary feeling of euphoria doesn’t mean you should take a deep breath near the fuel pump.

According to the U.S. National Institute of Drug Abuse (NDA), gasoline is in the same realm of toxicity as household cleaners, glues, paints and markers. Of course, inhaling gasoline or similar chemicals is dangerous and could result in addiction or worse; distorted speech, lack of control of body movement, and permanent damage to our lungs and nervous systems, potentially inducing a coma or causing cancer or death. Consider this our disclaimer. Don’t sniff the stuff.

Out of the long laundry list of chemicals that gasoline is made of, benzene is the main culprit for the fuely smell we all know, and that some of us love. The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) states that the irresistibly sweet smell of benzene is so potent, a human’s nose can begin to detect it at a miniscule .25 parts of gasoline per million parts of air.

This affinity for benzene isn’t new news. The chemical was reportedly used in the 1800s to add the addictive scent to aftershaves, perfumes and other personal care products until scientists discovered just how harmful to health the chemical is. Clearly, some folks have a fondness for the smell, which brings us to the second reason for why you might enjoy standing near the pumps despite high gas prices: nostalgia.

The human’s sense of smell has a unique connection to memory and, when triggered by a particular scent, it can evoke vivid recollections of past times. Do you ever find yourself reflecting on memories like family road trips, car shows, weekend boat rides, time spent with relatives or friends at the racetrack while you’re at the pump? If so, benzine is likely your “memory drug.” When this happens, it’s usually involuntary. The brain works in mysterious ways. While wondering why the smell of fuel is so, so good, many people don’t think to link their emotions and memories to their trigger scent. It can go the other way around, too. If someone loathes a smell, it could be linked to negative memories.

Do you love the smell of gasoline fresh from the pumps? What about race gas? Tell us which automotive scents tickle your senses in the comments below, or better yet, share what favorite past time triggers your fondness for fuel.

Diego’s Friday AutoHunter Picks

This week’s Friday AutoHunter Picks are a good mix of vehicles that have something special about them that pulled me in: special luxury car, special performance variant, special custom build and special-order color. Which one is most special to you?

1956 Continental Mark II
When I was just a kid snapping up books and magazines, the classic car cognoscenti was telling me this was one of the most significant post-war cars out of America. Its styling was clean, eschewing the burgeoning Atomic Age-era excesses for something more proper for a conservative man wearing a hat. As I’ve matured, I’ve lost interest in them.

But this Shenandoah Green example color grabs me. It’s not a color often seen, I surmise, and the two-tone green interior just adds to the novelty. I have no interest in opulent luxury at this moment, but this car just begs to have someone hop in and enjoy it.

1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351
The Boss 351 holds the distinction of possibly being the fastest small-block from the muscle car era. High-13s seem to have been common for this car, which is somewhat ironic considering the Mustang’s 1971 redesign has created the perception that it’s big and heavy though it’s not as bad as you think, especially with the latter.

These cars can be pricey, but this documented Boss 351 lacks its original engine, which means it may be attainable for someone who normally wouldn’t be able to afford it. Buy it, enjoy driving it, and slowly bring the car up to proper spec — that’s what I’d do.

1977 International Scout II
You don’t have to be into trucks to be attracted to this bad-arse Independent. Kudos go to the person who selected this color, which seems to blend in nicely with the sort of environment in which you’d be accused of tomfoolery. Plus, Broncos go for dumb money so why not march to a different beat?

Alas, a different beat doesn’t come from a Ram chassis and Cummins 5.9 six, but is that really a demerit? Sounds like a good thing to me! Plus, it’s shifted by a five-speed manual. There’s a lot to like here.

1967 Pontiac GTO
I happened to see this car from the distance of a coworker’s monitor. I thought, “That looks like a special-order color GTO!” and immediately checked Patrick Smith’s blog on special-order colors. Bingo! Looks like Copper Blaze, a color similar to the hue that’s currently on this Goat. Then I checked the data plate in the photo carousel, which had the codes normally associated with special-order colors used on Pontiacs of the era.

Underneath those codes is 97904, which is Coronado Gold per the color chip on Smith’s page. If you’ve ever heard of Tiger Gold for 1965-66 Pontiacs, it’s the same color. Another unusual aspect of this GTO is that it’s one of 4,893 built with the standard 400/335 and three-speed manual.

Diego’s Friday AutoHunter Picks

This week’s Friday AutoHunter Picks are a good mix of vehicles that have something special about them that pulled me in: special luxury car, special performance variant, special custom build and special-order color. Which one is most special to you?

1956 Continental Mark II
When I was just a kid snapping up books and magazines, the classic car cognoscenti was telling me this was one of the most significant post-war cars out of America. Its styling was clean, eschewing the burgeoning Atomic Age-era excesses for something more proper for a conservative man wearing a hat. As I’ve matured, I’ve lost interest in them.

But this Shenandoah Green example color grabs me. It’s not a color often seen, I surmise, and the two-tone green interior just adds to the novelty. I have no interest in opulent luxury at this moment, but this car just begs to have someone hop in and enjoy it.

1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351
The Boss 351 holds the distinction of possibly being the fastest small-block from the muscle car era. High-13s seem to have been common for this car, which is somewhat ironic considering the Mustang’s 1971 redesign has created the perception that it’s big and heavy though it’s not as bad as you think, especially with the latter.

These cars can be pricey, but this documented Boss 351 lacks its original engine, which means it may be attainable for someone who normally wouldn’t be able to afford it. Buy it, enjoy driving it, and slowly bring the car up to proper spec — that’s what I’d do.

1977 International Scout II
You don’t have to be into trucks to be attracted to this bad-arse Independent. Kudos go to the person who selected this color, which seems to blend in nicely with the sort of environment in which you’d be accused of tomfoolery. Plus, Broncos go for dumb money so why not march to a different beat?

Alas, a different beat doesn’t come from a Ram chassis and Cummins 5.9 six, but is that really a demerit? Sounds like a good thing to me! Plus, it’s shifted by a five-speed manual. There’s a lot to like here.

1967 Pontiac GTO
I happened to see this car from the distance of a coworker’s monitor. I thought, “That looks like a special-order color GTO!” and immediately checked Patrick Smith’s blog on special-order colors. Bingo! Looks like Copper Blaze, a color similar to the hue that’s currently on this Goat. Then I checked the data plate in the photo carousel, which had the codes normally associated with special-order colors used on Pontiacs of the era.

Underneath those codes is 97904, which is Coronado Gold per the color chip on Smith’s page. If you’ve ever heard of Tiger Gold for 1965-66 Pontiacs, it’s the same color. Another unusual aspect of this GTO is that it’s one of 4,893 built with the standard 400/335 and three-speed manual.

Lucid Air Adventure: Day 4

Our writer Andy Reid is driving a Lucid Air for his time in Arizona for auction week, you can follow the third part of his journey here.

It’s day 4 driving the Lucid Air at Arizona Auction week and the day started with driving over to the RM Sotheby’s auction for the final few hours of the pre-auction preview.

After a few hours of spending time with friends and looking at a few cars, it was time for my bidding to begin.

The Corvette we bid on but lost

I ended up bidding on three cars, and in the end left with none of them. This was ok as while the client I was bidding for liked a few, he did not fall in love with any of them. So, in the end I was not unhappy with the result. The cars we bid on were the 1953 Chrysler Special coupe by Ghia, the 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, and the 1971 Iso Grifo.

Of the three, the one that sold for the most was the 1969 ZR1 Corvette Convertible with a final price of $3,140,000. This is a staggering number for a C3 Corvette road car and is an absolute world record for any road-going Corvette.

I spent the entire day at the auction and afterwards had to take the Lucid to get a charge due to setting it at sprint mode too frequently.

A gaggle of Lucids charging

I went to the closest Electrify America charging station and waited to charge the car. I did this because all Lucid cars have a deal for no cost charging at Electrify America, and they also have fast charging which the Lucid supports.

When I got to the charging station, I ran into the crew from Lucid coming from Barrett-Jackson where they had a test drive event. I met Bill who assisted me with how it all worked and explained a few things about vehicle charging.

Bill was very helpful in explaining some of the charging elements

The first thing is that the Electrify America charging stations are not well laid out to maximize the charging of cars. Someone there needs to look at a modern gas station and model these after those.

Second, something that had puzzled me when I first charged the Lucid Air a few days before was the charging rate. I know that the Air can support 150amp charging, but when I used the rapid charger, it varied in output. I thought initially I was doing something wrong, however it turns out that the chargers can vary quite a lot in their output, even during the charge. It was good to know this as I had anticipated it taking much less time than it actually did to charge the car. Under optimal conditions with a perfect flow of current it charges quite fast, but my car, which was at 21%, ended up taking around 45 min to charge to 80%.

The crew from the Lucid test drive event asked me how I liked the car, and I told them in detail everything I liked about the car, the performance, comfort, and overall feel. I also told them that I honestly feel that the Lucid Air is the finest quality American car built today, regardless of cost. The fit and finish, materials, and feel of quality honestly puts every other American car manufacturer to shame. It equals, and sometime surpasses, even the best European manufacturers. The big three all ought to get a Lucid Air to use as a measuring stick for what excellent build quality is.

Fine dining and technology

After charging the car, I ended up having a dinner at a Circle K on the way home. Auction week is sometimes that glamorous. The Circle K did have a cool machine that scans your items with a camera and then you simply tap your card. It was not able to figure out what my hot dogs were, but the drink worked. After the gourmet meal I headed back to the hotel to be ready for auction day at Bonhams the next morning.

The day ended after the charge with 180 miles driven, no issues, and 392 miles left on the battery at 80% charge. You will have to wait until the final test day for the performance parts of the story, but it is worth the wait.

Lunaz converts 1961 Bentley S2 Continental to run on batteries

Lunaz is a British firm that builds electric versions of much-loved classics, often with performance that can match a modern EV.

The company’s latest project is a 1961 Bentley S2 Continental whose original 6.2-liter V-8 has been swapped with a 400-hp electric powertrain.

The Continental was a high-performance version of Bentley’s S2 range built between 1959 and 1962. Less than 400 were built, with some featuring bespoke bodies crafted by coachbuilders.

This particular S2 Continental features a coupe body from former British coachbuilder James Young. According to Lunaz, only four examples were built in this style. Apparently the customer originally ordered a sedan but at the last minute requested a coupe. That customer kept the car until 1967 after which it traded hands a number of times, including residing for periods in Germany and Japan before returning to the U.K.

1961 Bentley S2 Continental EV conversion by Lunaz

When Lunaz chooses a model to convert, there is an exhaustive process where the powertrain is designed to fit perfectly so that the ride and handling isn’t upset. For example, each corner of the car is weighed to understand the original weight distribution to the gram. Lunaz uses this information to decide on the chassis setup, powertrain packaging and suspension.

The customer who commissioned the conversion wanted handling that meets modern standards, so Lunaz installed fully adjustable coil-over suspension that the driver can control from the cabin. The brakes, which work with an energy recovery system, are also modern items, featuring six-piston calipers up front and four-piston calipers in the rear.

Lunaz also looks to incorporate sustainable materials as much as possible in its conversions. For example, all original components are refurbished where possible, and new materials, like the carpet, leather, and wood trim are all delivered from sustainable sources.

Lunaz, which counts David Beckham as an investor, performs its conversion work at a facility in Silverstone, U.K. The company has also converted a 1961 Bentley S3 Continental Flying Spur, as well as classics from Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Rolls-Royce.

HIGH-RES GALLERY: 1961 Bentley S2 Continental EV conversion by Lunaz

This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.

Find of the Day: This Shark Nose 1988 BMW M6 Packs a Big Bite

When the shark-nose E24 M6 (M635CSi in Europe) first rolled off BMW assembly lines in 1983, it was unlike any other sports car in its day. The “M” stands for “Motorsport,” and the only BMW sports car faster than the luxurious M6 coupe was the legendary M1 supercar. Of the 5,855 examples built, this low-mileage 1988 BMW M6 is just one of the estimated 1,767 models shipped to the United States. Production of the E24 M6/M635CSi ended in 1989, making it one of the last of its kind to be produced.

A perfect blend between European luxury and race-bred power, this high-performance grand tourer seats four and is equipped with the 3.5-liter DOHC inline-six, a modified version of the M1 supercar engine rated at 256 horsepower. The standard five-speed manual transmission has the capability to shift the car from 0-60-mph in six seconds.

Shark Nose 1988 BMW M6 3.5-liter DOHC inline-six engine bay

The engine bay of the ’88 BMW M6 is so clean you could eat off of it, but wouldn’t want to in fear of leaving crumbs behind.

Offered for sale on Hemmings via a live online auction, the seller states that they originally acquired the fully serviced, showroom condition sports car from its previous 25-year owner. The CARFAX report shows consistent servicing and no known issues.

1988 BMW M6 interior

The BMW M6 supports an unbeatable driving experience with its comfortable plush leather interior.

Unlike the 1987 version that wore the generally less desirable front bumpers, this ‘88 M6 sports the smaller standardized bumpers to compliment its shark-nose styling. The seller says the Cinnabar Red paint is in excellent condition and the interior is very clean, showing no visible signs of wear. The factory stereo comes with the car but has since been upgraded with a Boss touch screen audio and navigation system. The original tools and extensive service documentation are also included with the sale.

This 1967 Ford Mustang Pony Car was Rescued From the Pasture

Sometimes you don’t have to go far to find a rare ride that’s been hiding in plain sight. Carl Manfra found that out recently when he heard about a 1967 Ford Mustang GTA sitting in the woods in Atco, New Jersey, just a few miles from the famous raceway that bears the towns name.

“I was contacted about a Mustang that had been out in the woods for quite a while. I ran down to look at it. As it turned out, this is anything but a regular Mustang to say the least,” Carl said.

The Ford was in poor shape, disassembled and weathered, and missing most of its front clip. “It didn’t look like much, but there was a catch with this one, and the VIN gave it away,” Carl added. This Mustang was an early build, with its VIN showing it was the 38th Mustang serialized that year. Usually, these low number cars were built for a specific reason, so the research began.

Once Carl received the Marti report on the Mustang, the mystery started to unravel. There it showed that this car was ordered June 3 of 1966 and was originally scheduled to be built on July 4. Its actual build date was August 21, which was early in the manufacturing year. The release date was October 17; however, its final sale date was on August 3 of the following year. Why was there such a long timelapse before it was sold?

Carl found that out on the Marti Report as well; “This Mustang was classified as an “Introductory Show Unit,” which means it was used as a special car built by Ford to show off the new model and its options. This car was probably destined for a big auto show or something similar. Once it was finished on the circuit, it was released for sale to the general public. It’s a very well optioned car believed to be the first big-block 390-ci fastback produced on the East Coast.”

1967 Ford Mustang GTA

Found after it was put out to pasture, the VIN on this ’67 Mustang GTA tells us that this pony was built by Ford specifically for the show car circuit.

This pony car pasture find just gets bigger and better

The ‘67 Mustang had an all-new engine lineup for the new model year, which now included its first big-block offering. The car was also redesigned and grew in length and width to help fit the big Ford engines that were available that year. This included the new 390ci 4v “Thunderbird Special” mill pushing out a healthy 320-hp and 427 ft-lbs. of twisty torque. This powerplant would no doubt add a little punch to the Mustang franchise.

1967 Ford Mustang GTA

The original 390/4v Thunderbird Special is long gone, but a viable replacement is readily available on the secondhand market.

Some other info came to light after finding the car. It was built in Metuchen, New Jersey. It’s an East Coast car, but Carl also found its “sister” on the West Coast. It’s the exact same car with the same options, including the color combo, the only exception is West Coast car was ordered with air conditioning. It was built before Carl’s barn find, with a VIN that ends in 17.

1967 Ford Mustang GTA

When built, the interior of this Mustang was stuffed with options like a tilt steering wheel, stereosonic tape system and am radio, deluxe seat belts harnesses, and tachometer with trip odometer. The floors are in poor shape, but sheet metal is readily available.

Carl’s fastback was born in Wimbledon White and has a nicely contrasting blue vinyl interior. Like stated before, it was stuffed with the new 390-ci powerplant, backed by a C6 transmission. Of course, it has the GT package which consisted of front disc brakes, grill-mounted fog lights, dual exhaust, GT gas cap and rocker paint stripes. Other options include styled wheels, deluxe steering wheel, am/eight track stereo radio, tachometer and trip odometer, and shoulder harnesses, among others.

1967 Ford Mustang GTA

This Mustang came with the popular styled wheels and F-70 Firestone Wide Ovals.

So, what’s the future for this very collectible pony car? “I’m still getting all the parts together, but I will be putting it up for sale shortly,” Carl said, “It will make a great restoration project and a great example of Ford’s big block pony car for muscle car aficionados, especially for any Mustang fanatic.”

1967 Ford Mustang GTA

Affordable Dreams: Exotic Cars That Won’t Break the Bank

In this crazy world of collector’s cars, prices are going through the roof with records broken seemingly every auction. The well-known models are highly sought-after and demand overwhelms the supply. Many exotic and/or muscle cars command extreme prices. For example, million-dollar Hemi Cudas are no exception; they are the new standard of the industry. So, what do drivers do if they have an irresistible urge for an exotic machine but they don’t have the required million-dollar budget?

If that sounds like you, we have a wide selection of exciting machinery just for you. These range from well-known brands to complete obscurities and from brand-new cars to forgotten classics. Here you’ll find exotic cars that can fit any budget and any taste. The best thing about this eclectic mix of vehicles is that all of them are great conversation starters. Some are fast and some are not, but all are rare, cool, and unusual exotic cars.

Photo Credit: Ferrari

Ferrari 456 GT

If you’re looking for the most car for your money or you want a Ferrari for a reasonable price, then the 456 GT is for you. Introduced in 1992 in Europe and in 1995 in America, the 456 GT combines classic proportions, a V12 engine, and full comfort for four adults. Thanks to a 5.5-liter V12 engine with 442 HP on tap, the 456 GT is still a fast machine and can outrun some younger cars. Ferrari offered the option of an automatic gearbox for buyers who don’t want to shift gears. Those examples are more affordable than the six-speed manuals (via Ferrari).

Photo Credit: Ferrari

The 456 GT stayed in production until 2003. Ferrari made over 3200 examples of this wonderful and understated GT cruiser. Despite costing almost $300,000 in the mid-’90s, a decent 456 GT is around $80,000 today with the best examples going for just over $90,000. Of course, this is a decent sum for any car enthusiast, but considering the features, power, and design of this elegant cruiser, it’s well worth it.

The post Affordable Dreams: Exotic Cars That Won’t Break the Bank appeared first on Motor Junkie.