1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 4x4 5.2 V8 Blue on 2040-cars

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Dodge lets us drive 100-years' worth of history [w/videos]

A raft of important production models from the last hundred years were available for me to either drive or ride in.
Dodge is 100 years old this year. So, as happened on Ford's recent centennial, the 50-year birthday of the Porsche 911, and others, the company has an excuse to trot out the highlights of its history next to its upcoming model lineup, and declare that "these are the fruits of the Dodge Boys' tree whose roots have grown strong." Or something like that. Never so hampered by marketing skepticism that I'll pass up the opportunity to burn someone else's rubber, I was happy to drive out to Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester Hills, MI - former grand estate of the Dodge family - to hear the spiel.

The Dodge Demon is coming, an evil mutation of the Challenger SRT Hellcat

If there's one thing we'll take more of, it's Hellcat. Dodge's 707-horsepower supercharged V8 is a shining star of muscle car ideals. A panacea to the cylinder-count and displacement atrophy. And according to Dodge's new website, www.ifyouknowyouknow.com, a even crazier version of the Challenger SRT Hellcat is on the way. It's called the Dodge Demon. The website features a series of videos that reveal more and more details of the upcoming car. As of this writing, only the first teaser is available, title cage (and also seen above). The final video, and full reveal, of the car, coincides with the dates for the 2017 New York Auto Show. Details are scant at this point. The video, and the press release statement from FCA passenger car chief Tim Kuniskis, point to quarter-mile performance as the Demon's sole purpose in life. Said Kuniskis, "The Dodge Challenger SRT Demon is conceived, designed and engineered for a subculture of enthusiasts who know that a tenth is a car and a half second is your reputation." Whether that means an all-wheel-drive Hellcat, more power, or both remains to be seen. Stay tuned. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Plymouth Rapid Transit System muscle car concepts going to auction

Over the past decade, Chrysler has built a reputation for amazing custom concept cars based on production vehicles for the SEMA Show and the Easter Jeep Safari. But the company's customization tradition has much deeper roots that include this collection of muscle car concepts headed for Mecum's Indianapolis auction this May. The collection includes three Plymouths that were featured in the traveling display called the Plymouth Rapid Transit System, and a Dodge that appeared at the 1969 Chicago Auto Show. The possible crown jewel of these cars is the 1971 Plymouth Road Runner, and that's simply because the car is completely unrestored with just 1,300 miles on the odometer. Apparently the owner of the shop that built the car for Chrysler got it back after the Rapid Transit System tour ended and took care of it until he later sold it to the late Steven Juliano, whose estate is now selling this collection of cars. Like all of these cars, modifications were mainly visual, but they were extensive. A custom nose and headlight lenses were fitted that added six inches of length, according to Mecum. The car's bumpers were removed completely, as were the external door handles. Recessed hood scoops were added to the hood, and the trunk lid was lowered by four inches to create a rear wing. The taillights were given red, yellow and green lenses like traffic lights. But the best additions were molded Road Runner head marker lights. The interior is mostly unchanged, and the engine is a stock 383-cubic-inch V8 with an automatic transmission. It also has power steering and brakes and the Plymouth Road Runner horn, which makes a "Beep! Beep!" sound like the cartoon the car is named after. 1970 Plymouth Duster View 12 Photos Then there's the 1970 Plymouth Duster in the collection with arguably the best paint scheme. It's bright green with groovy "DUSTER" lettering on the hood and various contrasting panels. It's actually the second scheme the car used, as according to Mecum, the car was built for the 1970 tour and then redesigned for the 1971 tour. The paint is matched with color-coordinated wheels and blue and green floral pattern floor mats. There are unique body changes, too, such as the custom headlight housings, functional brake air ducts up front, fake extractor vents above the rear window, racing-style fuel cap and rectangular exhaust. Mechanically, it has a stock 275-horsepower 340-cubic inch V8 and four-speed manual transmission.