6 minute read
Road Rumblings
Electric Dodge Muscle Car Will Ar rive in 2024
Dodge has announced that it will soon offer an electric muscle car under what it's calling eMuscle. The new Dodge EV will launch in 2024, and the Detroit-based automaker gave a look at what the new car's front end could look like, and it looks appropriately retro. It's not yet clear if this new Dodge EV will be an electric version of the two-door Challenger or four-door Charger. Dodge placed the Fratzog logo (pictured), which it used in the 1960s and '70s, on the car's grille, and Dodge says that using it is "a nod to the future, which will bring about another great automotive era – the era of the electrified muscle car."
Stellantis, Dodge's parent company, announced that it has four dedicated electric vehicle platforms, and three are unibody constructions offering 300 to 500 miles of driving range. We expect the new electric muscle car to use its STLA large platform, which promises up to 500 miles of range. Look for more details on Dodge's electric future soon, and we could also see hybrid models added to the automaker's lineup as well. Jeep and Ram have also announced their electrification plans today.
Retur n to Greater Victoria Announced For 2022 Nor thwest Deuce Days
The rumors on the road are true: Northwest Deuce Days will continue next year in Victoria under the auspices of its new owner, Destination Greater Victoria.
The destination marketing organization announced the purchase of the legendary classic car show from its now-retired founding organizer, Al Clark, at the Grand Pacific Hotel on Thursday (July 8). The hotel has already sold out rooms during the dates of the next confirmed Deuce Days, July 14 to 17, 2022. “Enthusiasm is really high. We have already been receiving calls from car clubs across North America, hotel reservations are happening, and we’re currently working on a website to launch registration in mid- to late August,” said Destination Greater Victoria CEO Paul Nursey. The last Deuce Days event in 2019 was the largest in its 22-year history; it attracted 1,400 classic cars from across the continent (600 of which were Deuces; roadsters built in 1932), fully booked two sailings of the M.V. Coho from Washington state and pumped $2 million into Victoria’s local economy.
THE RETURN OF THE KEITH BLACK RACING ENGINES HEMI & WEDGE
Shortly after the introduction of the KB HEMI engine block in the early ‘70s, it went on to hold every national record in Top Fuel between 1975 and 1984. It continues to set records today. Keith Black Racing Engines has completely retooled and now manufactures the only lowpressure-cast aluminum HEMI and Wedge block available in the market. All Keith Black HEMI and Wedge engine blocks start as the same casting, and the final configuration is decided by precision-machining to a finished HEMI or Wedge, Street, or Race block part number. A356 T6 is the best overall performing aluminum and has the best properties for managing heat transfer and load, with 300% greater thermal conductivity than cast iron. While billet aluminum engine blocks may be de rigueur, they are expensive. They often rely on welded water jackets and have yet to prove themselves in street applications where consistent cooling system operation is essential across a great number of heat cycles. Rob Smith from Wolverine Bronze in Roseville, Michigan explains, “low-pressure casting creates a superior microstructure leading to improved mechanical and thermodynamic properties, higher densification and superior grain structure. With modern technology, we can hold extremely tight tolerances that all but eliminates core shift,” a problem that has plagued engine block manufacturers in the HEMI and Wedge for decades. KB Hemi blocks also feature a revised steam hole pattern. The steam holes are relocated outboard, farther away from the cylinder sleeves. This eliminates common head gasket water leaks that occur with other designs and provides for extra cooling around exhaust ports and reduces air pockets. Cometic has worked with Keith Black Racing Engines to design KB-specific head gaskets. Visit the Keith Black Racing Engines website at www.keithblack.com to see the full lineup of its KB HEMI and Wedge engine blocks, download technical information, product brochures, and its Assembly Best-Practices guide. Search its dealer network to learn how you can get your hands on one, as well as read and watch original content on KB® All Stars customers' cars and builds.
Under new ownership since 2017, Keith Black Racing Engines® has been quietly running at full speed behind the scenes. “Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if we have delivered more HEMI engine blocks to the market than all other manufacturers combined over the last four years, and that includes completely replacing our foundry and other tooling with state-of -the-art technology and casting practices,” says Darren Beale, Keith Black Racing Engines CEO and co-owner. “We have a large product development pipeline and are looking forward to reconnecting with the industry at the PRI Show in December this year”.
Ladies. . . .(and some fellows who have helped, or are inclined to. . . ) The dates are set! I will dual-debut “Bonneville’s Women of Land Speed Racing” on the salt and ask all of you to consider joining me for one, or both big bash book signing. 1st: Tuesday, August 31st during the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials 2nd: Saturday, September 11th during the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association’s World of Speed event. At this point in time, I have confirms from about 20 gals for each event, who are wither racing, or coming to the salt just to help inscribe a rather special marker in the historical timeline. Imagine if we could double that! I not only want to see you all there, but I want you to see each other, meet each other, learn about each other and connect with each other — without being enfolded into other duties, responsibilities, or conflicts. When I started this book project, I was certain I could track down about 150 gals in helmets and record books over 70 years. The book went to press with 307 names, but I am still collecting data and names of those left out for whatever reason. The number now exceeds 320 but with much certifying and verifying to do be done. Only those names that can “pass the detail” muster” are included. The point is: when we are all dead 50 years, this book, and the one to come after, will remain a solid reference tool and historical pointer. I am doing this with help from Betty Burkland, Anne Lindsley and Gail Phillips. We are all being welcomed by both event organizations and will have special credentials and perhaps t -shirts… Will we see you there? Lemme know...contact land Speed Louise Noeth at stuff@landspeedproductions.biz or www.landspeedproductions.biz
