Archive for December 2010

Four years ago, MCG came up with the idea of a Mopar Enthusiast of the Year award - an award to honor those who go above and beyond to promote our hobby to the masses. In 2007 we honored Curtis McIntyre for creating what most enthusiasts thought Chrysler should’ve been building at that time; a modern-day Hemicuda along the lines of the new generation Challenger. Keep in mind, that was before the new Challenger had officially gone on the market! The ‘Cuda was quite an undertaking, since it had to be built off a cut down four-door Charger platform. The car was contracted to be built by the very same company, Metalcrafters, that builds Chrysler’s prototypes and concept cars - so, the end result was nothing short of what you’d expect of an auto show concept car.

On Monday, November 22nd Chrysler brought the Hemi Highway Tour to the Museum to showcase their newly re-designed Charger and the new 392 Challenger. It was an exciting day for everyone. Many Mopar fans turned out espcially from the Deep South Mopar Club. Everyone was wowed by the cars. The new Charger is a "Charger" it has all those 70's ques that we all loved. I can see Pam and I driving one soon, especially when they come with the 6.4 engines. And I'm betting they do.

Visit redletterdodge.com and follow them on the tour across the country.

Monday, November 22, 2011 Chrysler Corporation will unveil their 2011 Dodge Charger and their 2011 Dodge Challenger at the Wellborn Musclecar Museum. The museum will be open all day - Chrysler plans to be there from 12:00 noon until 5:00pm. We hope you can make plans to attend this festive event with us.

Our rare find returns home to the Wellborn Musclecar Museum after a complete detail by Roger Gibson of Gibson's Auto Restoration. This 1971 Hemi Charger 4-speed is the only yellow 71' Hemi Charger known to exist. This particular car is known as the very last Charger to be manufactured. Now we have the very fist and the very last known manufactured 426 Hemi powered Chargers.

The '71 Plymouth 'Cuda (and sister dodge Challenger R/T) was the Chrysler Corporation's last serious entry into the muscle car craze of the 1960's and early 1970's. The year 1971 marked the last year for the Chrysler "Elephant" 426cid/425hp Street Hemi, and fewer than 110 such "HemiCudas" were built. 10 of which were the ultra-rare "Holy Grail of Mopars" HemiCuda convertible. Almost as rare was the 440 Six Barrel Cuda Convertible. Production figures on these cars are only slightly higher than the Hemi, and in the quarter mile, are just as fast! Interestingly, the Hemi convertibles are currently valued at about $2,500,000+ while the six Barrel Convertibles are valued at about $600,000+, and Hemi Hardtops such as this one are valued at $750,000.

Rising insurance rates, a looming oil embargo from the Middle East, and more strict emission laws were responsible for the death of the Hemi, along with the 440-6 barrel, 440 Magnum and the 383 Magnum. De-tuned versions of the new 400 (an over-bored 383) and the 440 were still available on other Chrysler muscle cars (Road Runner and Charger) from 1972 to 1974, but because of restrictive heads, low compression, and a mild camshaft, they laced the blistering performance of their predecessors. Unfortunately, this was also the last year for the 'Cuda to have many other high performance goodies, such as the legendary "Shaker" hood scoop, elastomeric color-keyed bumpers, all "Track Pac" packages, 15" wheels, 60 series tires, any big block V-8's, rim-blow steering wheels, road lamps, "high impact" exterior colors, Go-Wings and wild body stripes that "screamed" out engine displacement. These features, combined with the fact that 1971 was the last year for Chrysler convertible, was the only year that the 'Cuda sported dual headlights and "gilled" front fenders and had VERY low production figures, all make the 1971 'Cuda the most sought after Chrysler muscle collectibles of all time!

A rare find. This 1971 Hemi Charger 4-speed is the only yellow, 71' Hemi Chargers known to exist. Yesterday I took it to Roger Gibson of Gibson's Auto Restoration. It is basically a survivor that is going to be detailed since it has not run in more than 24 years. Within a few months I hope to bring it home to the Wellborn Musclecar Museum to share with museum visitors. This will be the first time this car has ever been shown.

This particular car is known as the very last Charger to be manufactured. Ironically, right now Roger Gibson is working on this car and he is completing the restoration of another one of my cars that is the first Hemi Charger known to be manufactured, serial number 23. It is a red 4-speed. Soon the Wellborn Musclecar Museum will be showing the very first and the very last known manufactured 426 Hemi powered Chargers.

1970 PONTIAC GTO JUDGE CONVERTIBLE RAM AIR IV

The GTO was significantly restyled in 1970 with a new Endura front fascia, prominent fender lines and a new rear end treatment. The Judge returned as the ultimate GTO, wwith splashier graphics and a more prominent rear air foil. While a new high-torque 455 cubic inch V8 was announced, it was delayed until late in the year to continue with the Ram Air engines, the most powerful of which was the 370 horsepower Ram Air IV.

The beautiful GTO offered here is truly an exceptional vehicle. According to PHS records, only 36 Ram Air IV GTO convertibles were built in 1970. Of those, only eighteen are believed to be Judges, and this is one of only six 4-speed examples known to exist. It has been faithfully restored to as-new condition with an eye toward the smallest details; even the factory radio tag and sun-visor card are present and accounted for. The Palladium Silver finish combines with the Black top and interior for probably the most understated color scheme available for the GTO. In contrast, the three-color Judge graphics, "Ram Air IV" hood and sixty-inch rear spoiler leave no doubt about this machine's purpose.

1970 BOSS 429

The Boss 429 is arguably one of the rarest and most valued muscle cars to date and Wellborn Musclecar Museum owns the best known surviving example of this treasure. This Boss 429 is the lowest mileage, best preserved, original 1970 Boss known to exist.

In total there were 859 original Boss 429s made. The origin of the Boss 429 comes about as a result of NASCAR. Ford was seeking to develop a Hemi engine that could compete with the famed 426 Hemi from Chrysler in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series (then known as “Grand National Division”). NASCAR’s homologation rules required that at least 500 cars be fitted with this motor and sold to the general public. After much consideration, it was decided by Ford that the Mustang would be the car that would house this new engine.