Automobiles They’re Back!

Ford Mustang GT

By Johnny McDonald

The Dodge Charger joins the chase this summer with Pontiac’s GTO and Ford Mustang’s GT in the revival of the muscle cars.

They echo a past when muscle cars were kings of the hill from 1969 to ’72. The list then included Camaro, Hemi Cuda, Mustang, Charger, Hurst Olds, Torino and more.

Automotive historians will tell you that Detroit outdid itself in creating the greatest performance machines of all time. The idea was to place big engines in relatively small cars at a price the average person could afford.

Dodge Charger

The popularity rubbed off onto a new road-racing series to establish as a platform for these newly produced speed machines. It was called the Trans-America, with peak years from 1969 to ’72 — before a nationwide gas shortage.

This time, Chevrolet won’t have the Camaro to put up an additional challenge, because the company built the last of the sleek machines two years ago. However, it will counter with a Corvette Z06 version with 500 horses from 6.3 liters. Fatter front fenders give it a wide-track appearance.

The Dodge Charger is powering its way back to streets and racetracks across America early this summer. A version has returned to NASCAR competition.

Chevy Camaro

Dodge maintains the Charger has sportscar handling and cutting-edge technology. It has a 340-horsepower HemiI engine with large 18-inch rear wheels and all-new styling.

“It’s a car that evokes power and performance under the hood, yet provides everyday functionality and convenience,” said Craig Love, vice president of the rear-wheel-drive product team for the Chrysler Group. “We have the proven technologies and the legendary HemiI engine that allow us to produce a modern rear-wheel-drive muscle car.”

The all-new 2006 Dodge Charger features rear-wheel drive with near 50/50 weight distribution and advanced technologies the company says will offer superb ride and responsive handling in all surface and traction conditions.

Ford’s 4.6-liter Mustang GT Premium checks in with 300 hp at 5750 rpm. Pontiac’s 6-liter GTO registers 400 hp at 5200. The Mustang has a five-speed manual transportation; Pontiac is six-speed.

Ford’s GT styling shows off a classic horizontal grill and 6-inch wheelbase. A convertible will be introduced this spring.

In a release that came across our desk the other day, Pete Mossy, president of the San Diego Mossy Automotive Group, said: “The ’05 Mustangs are more powerful, more comfortable and more sophisticated than ever before.

“Their strikingly good looks, both inside and out, are the result of borrowing liberally from the memorable design of the classic ’60s-era Mustangs.” 

Members of a muscle car club obviously welcome the return, maintaining that there is no substitute for cubic inches and no replacement for displacement in some truly remarkable vehicles.

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Newsmaker Award: Members of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association are voting to select a driver or sanctioning family as the newsmaker of the half-century, the length of years that organization has been in operation. The 10 nominees are Mario Andretti, Kenny Bernstein, Dale Earnhardt, John Force, A.J. Foyt, the France family, Jeff Gordon, Dan Gurney, the Hulman George Family, Wally Parks, Roger Penske, and Richard Petty. Announ-cement of the award will be at Indianapolis Motor Speed-way, May 29, the day before the 500.