In my last blog, I mentioned that over the past 10 years technology as well as performance has grown by leaps and bounds in the automotive field, in regards to new offerings from the manufacturers. I was reading an article yesterday where Dodge has placed a temporary moratorium on any new orders for the 2015 Dodge Charger & Challenger SRT Hellcats until they can fill existing orders. It seems that Dodge cannot keep up with the demand - too many people want them. They can't build them fast enough. With an MSRP starting at under $67,000 dollars (which may sound like a lot of coin... okay; it is but...), these 707 horsepower vehicles are the bargain of the decade.
It reminds me of the 60's - things were coming unglued and changing fast. The high performance and hot rod scenes were no exceptions. In the past few weeks, we've glanced at the A/FX altered wheelbase drag strip cars from Dodge & Plymouth as well as the B/FD Mercury Comets from the 1964-65 seasons. Yet, less than a year later, we had even more radical entries with the Brutus GTO (with serious engine set-back in addition to altering the wheelbase) and the first true funny car (tube chassis with hinged all fiberglass body) from "Dyno" Don Nicholson and his Eliminator 1 Mercury Comet.
In my opinion, what has been emerging over the past few years out of Detroit, as it was back in the 60's, is a time of unrestricted innovation. Granted, the term "unrestricted" may be too generous as there are way many more mandates, policies and bullshit that has to be hurdled over today when compared to fifty years ago, but the concept is the same - there are still people passionate about high performance that want to push the limits. Fifty years ago, it seemed reasonable to cut up new cars and stuff nitro-burning engines up front. Just as reasonable today to offer a 707 horsepower muscle car to the general public.
In some cases, this innovation produced some lucrative industries entirely by accident. A classic example is the wheel-stander industry. The innovator was the original 1965 Hurst Hemi Under Glass Plymouth Barracuda. Originally designed for better traction and weight transfer for A/FX drag racing, it unleashed one of the wildest rides in history - and became strictly an exhibition vehicle that still draws huge crowds today. Looking back today, one would assume that someone, somewhere would have figured out that stuffing an almost 1000 horsepower engine in the backseat of a car just might tip the scales a bit too much in the "weight transfer" department. But hey, even the best minds in relation to innovation have learning curves.
The same could be said about the aerodynamic wars in NASCAR racing from 1968-70. Racing fans absolutely ate up the battle between Chrysler and Ford in regards to the stock cars that were used by the likes of Richard Petty, Cale Yarlborough, and Donnie Allison. Since the manufacturers were already limited to engine size, using a single carburetor set-up, and vehicle weight, the only thing that was left was reducing drag, or making the vehicles more aerodynamic, thus making them able to go faster. Several of these body modifications showed up throughout the season and the sanctioning body had a hell of a time trying to keep up.
All these examples show then, as today, that there are people passionate about speed and performance that continue to push the envelope. From the late 50's through the early 70's, individuals as well as corporations took the general rule book and promptly threw it out the window. Or at minimum, tried to find as many loopholes as possible. They gave conventionalism the middle finger - and the fans loved it. By the looks of things, they still do.
Until next time, peace out.
Dave
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