70 HEMI 'CUDA " THE MOST SAUGHT AFTER OF ALL !! "

From 1966-71, Dodge stuffed their massive Hemi into the small E-Body platform and the 1970 Hemi 'Cuda is widely accepted as one of the most saught after of these. Only 652 were built when new, including 14 rare convertibles, making an original Hemi 'Cuda a rare sight. The Hemi 'Cuda was forced in scarcity due to the extra $900 it cost to build one-nearly a third of the standard purchase price. At $250, the 390 bhp 440 V8 became the norm and made the Hemi Cuda an exception. Motor Trend tested the 426 Hemi ’Cuda in their May 1970 issue, reaching 0-60 in 5.8 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 14 seconds at 102 mph. The long list of options made available for 1970 Barracudas included such goodies as a Track Pak with a 3.54:1 differential ratio, Rallye wheels, a range of exciting colors including Plum Crazy, pistol grip shifters, hockey stick sport stripes, hood pins and a variety of creature comforts. Of all the options, the R-code steet Hemi 426 was the most legendary Mopar engine. It typically delivered 425 bhp through the solid 727 Torqueflight automatic and a 3.55:1 Sure Grip rear axle. That is, unless the car was one of the 284 that got a 4-speed manual. With their classic shape, tire-shredding American power, limited production and huge popularity a 1970 Hemi 'Cuda can easily fetch over $150 000 USD. This is a remarkable amount for a car with the same build quailty as a mass-produced Plymouth. However, the aggressive sound of Hemi combined with visual street cred and Barrett-Jackson publicity now make these Cudas more expensive than most Ferraris produced in the same era. Changes for 1971 were minimal and included a more complex 6 inlet grille design and fender gill louvers. Only 100 or so of these were built and the seven ultra-rare 1971 convertibles are the most expensive muscle cars money can buy. In 72, the government and EPA kicked the muscle car in the ass with emissions regulations. After that time, no more Hemi or more big block models could be ordered

Friday, January 7, 2011

Update: 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition

Is there such a thing as too many Corvettes? A few years ago, this iconic American sports car came in two flavors—coupe and convertible. Now you can add to that a Grand Sport coupe or convertible, Z06, ZR-1 and the latest entry, the track-oriented 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition.

Only 500 copies will be built of this lightweight special that uses the normally aspirated 505-bhp 7.0-liter V-8 of the stock Z06 and mates it with suspension and brake upgrades from the ZR1. In addition to the carbon-ceramic brake package, the Z06 Carbon also is equipped with 20-spoke 19-in. front and 20-in. rear alloy wheels shod with Michelin PS2 tires.

The Carbon Limited Edition marks the first time that the ZR1’s magnetic selective ride suspension is used on the Z06. While the Z06 gives away 133 bhp to its supercharged big brother, the lighter weight of the normally aspirated LS7 combined with the greater grip and stopping power of the ZR1 suspension, tires and brakes should make the Carbon Limited Edition a formidable track machine.

On the appearance front, the Carbon Limited Edition comes in a choice of Inferno Orange or Supersonic Blue with black headlamps and mirrors, ZR1-style body color spoiler, body color door handles, carbon-fiber raised hood and black carbon-fiber rockers and splitters.

Inside, the leather and suede seating features color-keyed stitching as well as suede on the steering, shifter, armrests and door inserts.

While there will be only 500 official Carbon Limited Edition Corvettes built, the mechanical upgrades, including the wheels, magnetic suspension, brakes and enhanced engine-cooling hardware, can be had as a special Z07 option package on the standard Z06. And the carbon-fiber package that includes the splitter, rear spoiler, rockers and roof panel will also be made available in the CFZ Z06 freestanding option.

The 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition, as well as the Z07 and CFZ Z06 options, will be available beginning in late summer. Expect the Carbon Limited Edition to command a premium over the current Z06 with a price somewhere in the $90,000 to $100,000 range, but still short of the ZR1’s base price of $108,000.
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