I went to school with a fellow by the name of Jeremy Price. This is where I learned of the HEMI and the Dodge Challenger. As I recall, Jeremy and his brother Troy had a pair of Challengers. But as the years sped forward, so did the Challengers to other owners. I can only imagine their regrets.

In 1970 Dodge decided to get in the ring with the other big boys (GM & FORD). They introduced this new beast that was only slow getting to the market, but not to the flag. This 426-RT version offered a whopping 425hp @ 5,000 rpm, and 490 lbs-ft. torque @ 4,000, which powered the Challenger through the 1/4 mile at 14.1 @ 103.2 mph. The top speed was rated at 146 mph. 425 hp? I figure that it was much more than that and only rated 425 for Insurance purposes.

As it was with the Price boys, Dodge too ended its relationship with the 426-Hemi after the 1971 year. And so ended a great era of the Classic American Muscle Car.

James W. Bryant

Saturday, May 10th, 2009 @ 10:20pm

Contact me at: JWB69MACH1@aol.com