Photo courtesy of Bayside Camaro
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CONTENTS Total Performance BLACKWING:
2022 Cadillac CT-4 V and CT-5 V Blackwing ...pg 14
SUPER BEE:
The Dodge Super Bee was introduced in 1968 ...pg 26
ALSO INSIDE:
Starting Lines-------------------------------------------- 4 Spring Detailing ---------------------------------------- 18 Pontiac Black Bird Trans-Am ------------------------- 20 Mercury’s Fab Four Cougars -------------------- 32 1965 Ford Mustang GT ---------------------------- 36 Parts Store------------------------------------------------ 41 Readers Rides------------------------------------------- 46
Wynn Hollingshead’s 1964 Galaxie 500 XL ...pg 8
APRIL/MAY 2021 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE
STARTING LINES
Production Starts on All-New 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat
F
ebruary 4th marked the start of production for the all-new 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat model at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. “Like welcoming a new member to the family, today’s launch of the Durango SRT Hellcat celebrates the newest addition to the Brotherhood of Muscle,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge Brand and Interim Chrysler Brand Chief Executive Officer - Stellantis. “The Dodge Durango Hellcat joins Charger and Challenger at the pinnacle of performance, and today’s start of production in Detroit deserves a spot on every enthusiast’s calendar.” The Durango SRT Hellcat models are set to arrive at dealerships sometime this Spring and will only be available for the 2021 model year. The most powerful SUV ever will come with a Canadian MSRP of $115,720. It will produce a whopping 710 horsepower and 645 lb-ft. of torque from the supercharged 6.2L HEMI Hellcat V8 engine paired with a quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission. The Durango SRT Hellcat will go 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds with a NHRA certified 11.5 second quarter-mile time and a top speed of 290 km/h (180 mph). MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
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Volume 19, Issue No. 2 April / May 2021
Second Class Mailing Agreement #40050183 Publisher: Dean Washington dean@rpmcanada.ca Associate Publisher: David Symons david@rpmcanada.ca Managing Editor Jordan Allan jordan@rpmcanada.ca Distribution Manager: Brenda Washington brenda@rpmcanada.ca Copy Editor: Gerry Frechette gerryf@rpmcanada.ca
Dodge Announces New Security Feature for Charger and Challenger
Advertising Sales: Elaine Fontaine elaine@rpmcanada.ca
Dodge recently announced an automotive software upgrade designed to prevent the theft of Charger and Challenger models equipped with 6.4L HEMI V8 or supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 engines. Using the owner’s fourdigit security code, the enhanced deterrence feature limits the vehicle’s engine speed to idle (675 rpm) and helps prevent auto theft. The upgrade can be installed free of charge by any Dodge dealer on 2015 through
Contributing Writers / Photographers: Jordan Allan John Gunnell Dan Heyman Cam Hutchins Zalutko Business Services Inc.
Muscle Car Plus Magazine is published six times per year by RPM Media Inc. 2460 Kingsway Avenue Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada V3C 1T4 TELEPHONE: (604) 629-9669 FAX: (778) 285-2449 TOLL FREE: 1-888-500-4591 EMAIL: info@rpmcanada.ca WEBSITE: www.rpmcanada.ca
Pick up your copy at your local Performance Shop or at the following participating locations:
2021 Dodge muscle cars and delivers second-level security encryption via Dodge’s Uconnect 4C infotainment system. At idle, these engines produce approximately 2.8 horsepower and just 22 lb-ft. of torque and Dodge says this new feature will hopefully prevent criminal police evasion and high-speed chases of stolen vehicles. The new feature is expected to be available late in the second quarter of 2021. MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
SOHC it to Em!
Wynn Hollingshead’s incre 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 XL
is hard to imagine back in the day when NASCAR was King and the full-sized cars of the day were the biggest Ithetbaddest rides in town. Long before the Muscle Cars and big-block Pony Cars took over, a two-door version of family sedan was what was “Raced on Sunday, and sold on Monday” And these cars sold! In 1964, Ford produced 591,531 Galaxie 500s, about 30,000 more 1964 Galaxies than Ram Pickups sold in 2020. For every 1969 Mustang you see at a car show, and you see lots, keep in mind they only built 299,824 1969 Mustangs of all types. Unfortunately that includes the 150,640 ugly duckling coupes and Grandes of that year. The importance of the “Total Performance” slogan advertised and sold by Ford on its full-sized Galaxies, Thunderbird, compact Falcon, and the newly introduced for 1964 mid-sized Fairlane, was not just an advertising gimmick.
Story and photos by Cam Hutchins
edible L
Ford was actually providing big-power options for their street cars including 3x2-barrel carbs and dual 4-barrel carbs on some V8 engines. Ford was doing well at NASCAR, and early on in 1963, the Galaxie’s roofline, brought over from the Thunderbird design, looked elegant but actually produced drag at high speeds, robbing the big Galaxie on the racetrack. Racing was king, so midyear 1963 saw a new 1963 1/2 “semi Fastback” to correct this with a new engine option. This new roofline was the only one offered in 1964, except on the station wagons. At the same time, the 406 cu. in. engine option was done away with for a new “R Code” 427 cu. in. V8 option. Ford took 23 NASCAR wins in 1963 compared to Plymouth’s 19, but things were about to change for 1964.
Plymouth went from a 426 cu. in. “wedge” combustion chamber to the “Hemi” hemispherical design they had done well with in the ‘50s Chrysler engines. Ford, needing an edge, went well beyond the obvious of mimicking “hemi” heads for their 427. Ford decided to go with a Single Overhead Camshaft version of the existing “Side Oiler” 427 engine, and built it in only 90 days. This seems excessive, especially when the engine was proposed to NASCAR, and it was banned as being “too European-like for a good old, down South race series,” to paraphrase Bill France, the Godfather of NASCAR racing at the time. Ford introduced the world to their Hemi, the SOHC 427 in May of 1964, by displaying a 1964 Galaxie hardtop with the new “Cammer” or “Sock” mill behind Gasoline Alley at the Indianapolis Speedway. The press were there for the race, and got a big look at what was supposed to come, if Ford got its way! Ford continued to develop the engine in the hopes of changing France’s mind, but to no avail. NASCAR banned all exotic racing engines including the 426 Hemi, so Chrysler sat out the first part of the season in protest, until winning in July and then again five more times that year. This was not Ford’s first attempt at overhead cam engines, as it had recently done a small-block V8 version for Indy racing, and back in World War II they built a few monster engines for tanks. The Ford GAA engine was a double-overhead-camshaft, allaluminum engine of 1,100 cu. in. (18,000 cc) that produced 500 horsepower but an even 1,000 lb-ft of torque from idle to 2,200 rpm. So with NASCAR out of the picture and the engine perfected, the only thing Ford could do was to offer them for sale to drag racing teams and the general public as “crate motors.” Imagine back in the day walking into a Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealership, and heading to the parts counter and ordering part number C6AE-6007-359J for a dual quad SOHC 427 V8, for your Mustang or 1932 Roadster. An ad from that time claims their new SOHC motor “makes an ideal engine for all-out competition in “rail” dragsters over land, or for the exciting new sport of “drag” hydroplanes on the water.” The crate motors could also be bought with a single 4-bbl carb, and came with water pump, flywheel and bell housing, but required alternator, fuel pumps, exhaust headers, and a cooling fan.
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The drag racers took this gift from Ford and ran with it! The rail dragster driven by Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and built for Lou “Money” Baney, with Crew Chief Ed Pink on wrenches, was the first Top Fuel car to run in the “6’s” at an NHRA National Meet at Bristol in 1967. This was good PR for Ford, but really the block, heads, gears and front covers were the only Ford parts. Legendary engine builder Ed Pink from Southern California took the 700-horse engine Ford churned out, and rebuilt it into a fire-breathing 2,400 horsepower engine that would only run nine or so runs before the blocks were wrecked. Sometimes a car is restored to a numbers-matching Concours standard, and sometimes they are built to be highly modified “Resto-mods” with all modern running gear. This car is more of a “What-if” kind of deal, and the cart really was ahead of the horse on this project. Wynn Hollingshead was with his brother-in-law Gary Grant, a local Camaro/Impala restoration specialist, and his brother Cam who specializes in restoring Chevelles and Monte Carlos, at the Barrett Jackson Auctions in Arizona. At one of the various events they visited, Wynn saw a car with a SOHC 427 fire up its engine to the delight of all the onlookers. Wynn was blown away with the motor and its technology and after a short while of researching this peculiar part of automotive history, decided to build a “What-If” car. What If Ford had really built 1964 Galaxies with SOHC 427 side oilers - forget the “R-Code,” how about a “Code Red”?
Streetable or not, this mill churns out nearly 700 horse at 6,800 rpm and 500 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm. Step one complete, the hunt for the perfect Ford started. It could have been any body up to 1967, but Wynn preferred the idea of making a tribute car similar to the one Ford showed at Gasoline Alley of the 1964 Indy 500. Just imagine being able to order this from your local Ford dealer. A suitable donor car was found on Craigslist in Richmond B.C. The owner of the car had passed away and he had lovingly restored this car and the car was sitting in his Body Shop and the family was ready to sell it. This 1964 Galaxy 500 XL originally came with an “X” code 352 cu. in. V8 and was owned since new in the lower mainland of B.C. and sold at Brown Brothers Ford in Vancouver. The car’s an older restoration with a beautiful Guardsman Blue paint job, and was perfect for his needs. The interior was great except for the door panels which have just arrived after a couple year search, and need to be installed.
The car came with an AM/FM radio which was rare in 1964. The dash had the sweeping speedometer that was typical of the ‘60s, but not wanting a row of gauges under the dash, a new layout was created. The circular “pods” formerly housed a clock on the left and an engine coolant gauge on the right. The new layout replaces the clock with a speedo and the water temp with a tach, and where the sweeping speedo needle used to swing across the dash, four round gauges Finding the car was secondary, the sourcing of a SOHC 427 came with oil pressure, water temp, voltmeter and fuel gauge now reside. first. He got the idea of calling Ed Pink to see if he knew how to buy a suitable SOHC 427, and ended up learning all about the engine during a two-hour phone call. Pink, ever passionate about all things car-related, said to call the Elliots out in Dawsonville, Georgia. Their father had owned the Ford dealership back in the day, and they had built SOHC engines. Their primary business now was building NASCAR engines, but they had a side hustle of tearing apart racing engines to find more power. When Wynn visited, they had been sent a racing engine from Mercedes-Benz racing to see if they could get any more “Go” out it. Ernie Elliot is the primary engine builder for his nephew, Chase Elliot’s NASCAR team. He was genuinely interested in building a SOHC 427 again, and agreed to take on this as a “pet” project, squeezed in among his other engine builds. The parts took a bit of time, and after a year they had sourced all the parts they needed including what is thought to be the last aluminum 427 Side Oiler block cast, before Ford sent their casting duties to Korea. Knowing the car was to be driven and not raced on the Oval, all methods were used to make the car streetable. Electronic ignition was used.
APRIL/MAY 2021 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 11
Bucket seats and console were also a rarity on full sized cars, but many of the more luxurious features included a “Wind-out” vent “NoDraft” window and thick deep loop carpeting, courtesy lamps in the doors, bright pedal dress-up covers and 14-in. wheels with full spinner wheel covers. The car now runs larger 15-in. wheels with “Dog Dish” type hubcaps. What was not optional in 1964 was disc brakes, not exotic four-wheel discs like a Corvette, but not on any wheel. Just drum brakes. This car had a shipping weight of 3,622 pounds and once the driver and a full tank of gas were added, relying on the front sway bar to help you steer around objects probably worked better than trying to stop. Surprisingly, lighter aluminum drum bakes were offered as an option. Corey Doerksen of K &M Tune-up Centre, Abbotsford, handled stuffing the fresh SOHC engine into the car, as well as the chassis. The mill also got headers, electric fan, aluminum cross flow radiator, Flow Master Mufflers and dual 3-in. exhaust. The rear end got upgraded from the stock open diff with 3.00 gears to Posi-traction with a 3:55 gear ratio, and was built by Jamie Roth at I.W.E. Rear Ends Only. The transmission is a C-6 in place of the original 3 speed Cruise-o-matic that came with the car. The C-6 was rebuilt with a 2,500 stall converter by Jamie Roth and is perfect for some drag racing. Interestingly, on the “R-Code” Galaxies, the 4-speed manual was the only option and for 1964, it was the newly released “Top-Loader” that has had a loyal following for years. This car has a big sway bar up front, and the rear got the addition of some sneaky, hidden traction control bits that are hard to see. The traction control is a Cal Tracs Traction Bar System which mounts a bracket around the springs front mounting point. From the front bracket a “Force Transfer Link” strut is attached to a another bracket that wraps around the axle and spring, mimicking a four-link set-up.
big rear brakes are stock, but the front has Wilwood discs with a dual power brake master cylinder for safety. The car weighs around 3,500 pounds, so the brakes are a good investment. Interestingly, on the original “R Code” 427, power steering, brakes, automatic transmission and air conditioning were not available. The interior is stock and deluxe, vinyl and fabric with console. The radio looks stock but has all sorts of magic going on inside and additional speakers are placed in the replacement front kick panels. Sitting behind the wheel, with the big Single Overhead Camshaft 427 churning away, the car feels exactly the way Ford should have built
them. A small clock is beside the hot rodded radio and seems to be showing the time in 1964, but the full set of gauges and a tach makes you wonder what kind of car needs this much attention to temperatures and pressures? Is this docile looking family car really ever going to be in danger of being run at its limit?
They look completely stock and really complement the looks of the car while protecting the motor from over-exertion....and over-exertion The frame is stock, had never been abused or damaged, and is definitely possible. Wynn’s other cars are road racing cars, but this is powder coated. Although one would assume the frame one will see its share of the dragstrip. is plenty strong to start with, Ford added an “X”-type cross member for the convertibles, and the V8 cars got their four While this story was being written, Wynn was getting two of his race cross members built of tougher stuff than the six-cylinder jobs. cars ready for some track time at Area 27. With his connection to the road course at Mission Raceway Park and its being part of one of Stopping and going are helped by big beefy tires, 7-in. wheels with Western Canada’s most successful dragstrips, yeah, this car is about 235/60 x15 up front, and 8-in. wheels and 255/60 x15 at the rear. The to get exerted! And yeah, it’s got a Cammer!
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True Performers
Cadillac CT-4 V and CT-5 V Get Blackwinged for ‘22 Story by Dan Heyman, photos courtesy of GM Canada
W
hile Cadillac has been talking about its EV future and the LYRIQ, The General’s luxury brand wants everyone to remember that they have raced before, and that performance vehicles are still an essential part of Caddy’s identity. They’re also coming off a record year in Canada, a year that saw them release not one, but two all-new sedans – the CT4 and CT5 -- in a world where sedans are supposed to be going the way of the Edsel in favour of crossovers and SUVs. So, what does Caddy do, then, to both honour those two new cars and its performance heritage? Well, release hot performance versions of each, of course! Each one is called “Blackwing” and they are both powered by hotted-up engines that are built in General Motors’ Bowling Green, KY manufacturing plant – yes, that’s correct, the same place where they build the Corvette. It’s the first time we’ve seen a Cadillac receive some love from the Cradle of Corvette ever since the XLR coupe and roadster circa 2003-2009. Unless you include the twin-turbo V8 that was supposed to power the CT6-V, although that car – and thus, its engine – never made production, so we’re not counting it here. Neither the CT4-V Blackwing or CT5-V Blackwing get a twinturbo V8, however; the larger CT5-V gets a supercharged V8 good for a frankly startling 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque; that’s more than said Corvette makes on both fronts and more akin to what you might see from a Shelby GT500 Mustang. The CT4-V version, meanwhile, does get a twin-turbo set-up that sees the snails attached to a 3.6-litre V6 good for 472 hp and 445 lb-ft. 14 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
The processing power required to attain such figures from the CT5-V Blackwing includes a 1.7-litre – onepoint-seven litre – Eaton four-lobe supercharger that’s bigger than some engines found in compact cars and crossovers, as well as a 6.2-litre V8. That makes the CT5-V the most powerful Cadillac ever and is good for a claimed 0-100 km/h sprint of a paltry 3.7 seconds on to a top speed of – wait for it – over 200 miles per hour. That’s if you’re using the optional 10-speed automatic transmission; a six-speed manual is standard on both the CT4V and CT5-V, to which we say a big “why, thank you, Cadillac!” It’s all about making these vehicle more involving to drive. According to Cadillac’s preliminary testing, meanwhile, the CT4-V Blackwing can complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.8 seconds when using the 10-speed auto, just a tenth of a second slower that the CT5-V. More than that though, these two have performance above all and not just everyday performance, but track performance, as well. Which is why these are both only available as rearwheel-drive vehicles; Brandon Vivian, Executive Chief Engineer at Cadillac, said in a sneak preview to media that “if it wasn’t going to help with perfor-
APRIL/MAY 2021 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 15
mance, we weren’t going to do it” and as far as Cadillac is concerned, AWD was just not going to cut it in this regard. With the likes of the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz AMG E 63 going to AWD, will that be a costly decision? Only time will tell. Of course, all that power needs also to be harnessed, to which Cadillac has responded by providing the CT5-V with 15.7-inch front rotors – meaning not only is it the most powerful Caddy ever, but it also has the largest brakes ever to be fitted to one – that can be upgraded to carbon ceramic rotors. The smaller, lighter CT4 doesn’t get those, but the 15-inch front and 13.4-inch rear rotors plus six/four piston Brembo calipers it does get are sure to get the job done both on the road and track. Both models, meanwhile, are wider (and look quite aggressive as a result) than their “lesser” brethren and get wider front and rear tracks and tires as well. Every vent and intake you see, meanwhile, are functional and there’s a carbon-fibre track package option that sees the front splitter, canards and rear spoiler finished in the material. All that unsprung weight is harnessed to the chassis via same-as-the-Corvette magnetic ride dampers at all four corners that can read the road below five-times faster than previously. There are also stiffer spring 16 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
rates, hollow stabilizer bars, higher-rate bushings and stiffer rear knuckles. All that power, meanwhile, is transferred to the road via Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires wrapped around staggered forged aluminum wheels. Want more lightness still? Magnesium wheels are on the way.
with red centring band and a “V-mode” button that provides a link to a drive mode with customized presets. So important was the manual transmission to Cadillac, that they designed the deeply-bolstered seats to ensure that they don’t get in the way of the driver’s arm when they reach for a shift.
Inside, the Cadillac has gone “to the nines” with these, providing Little question that Cadillac has got everything in place with carbon-fibre seatbacks (that are heated and cooled, which isn’t the Blackwing models to ensure that they hit the performance always the case), Alcantara inserts all over, sports-style wheel benchmarks. Drivers of the world, rejoice.
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A “Detailed” Spring Cleaning Story by Zalutko Business Services, Inc., photos courtesy of the manufacturers
D
espite last year’s ripple effect on the automotive industry, aftermarket brands dodged a number of market curveballs and entered 2021 with exciting new product lines and noticeably revamped fan-favorites. The $1.85 billion car-care segment, in particular, “performed extremely well” in a volatile year, finishing with “above-average growth rates,” said RJ de Vera, global customer engagement leader at 3M CHIM Division - Auto Care, in a recent key performance indicator report for The SHOP Magazine. With more customers opting to tackle car care needs at home, de Vera said his company – and many others – saw a bright opportunity for product innovation and consumer engagement, choosing to “re-evaluate how to develop, launch and market new and existing product lines.”
performance, this segment of the car-loving public is keen on accessorizing, and rarely hesitates to pamper their rides. As such, quality cleaning and wax products continue to emerge as perennial favorites – and are headlining many enthusiasts’ shopping lists this spring. Those owners eager to turn the corner on a long, cold winter may find the following all-star detailing lineup a useful place to start. Chemical Guys HydroInterior For the past few years, ceramic paint sealers have dominated product lineups across all car-care manufacturers. Celebrated for their ability to chemically bond with a vehicle’s painted surface, ceramic coatings are often touted as the ultimate exterior protection. Auto detailing company Chemical Guys aims to bring that performance inside with its HydroInterior ceramic quick detailing spray. Those car enthusiasts recoiling in horror at the thought of buffing carnauba wax on a dash can rest easy. HydroInterior does not use greasy finishes, instead relying on a specially-engineered formula of advanced interior cleaning polymers and SiO2infused chemistry to deliver a mattefinish ceramic treatment.
Meguiar’s heeded the call, expanding its Hybrid Ceramic line with a Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax and a new DIY Hybrid Paint Coating Kit. The company also updated formulations in its A beginner-friendly application, Ultimate Line and made time to expand its Ready-to-Use Profes- HydroInterior requires no surface prep and is formulated for plastics, sional Series with a DRTU Last Touch Detailing Spray. painted plastics, vinyl, imitation The crossover space between “hot rod owners” and “auto enthu- leather, plastic vinyl, door panels and more. Promising to clean siasts” is as large as it is varied, noted SEMA in its most recent and protect in one simple step, HydroInterior also helps repel 2021 Vehicle Landscape Report. From vintage metal to modern dust and shield against harmful UV rays. 18 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Streak-Free Mist Interior Detailer Car owners famous for over-applying product may find better cleaning support (and some money-saving results) with the new Hybrid Solutions Streak-Free Mist Interior Detailer from Turtle Wax. The product’s innovative Flairosol sprayer head ensures an even application, emitting a fine mist that easily clings to interior surfaces without dripping or streaking. Formulated for non-upholstered surfaces, the detailer is ideal for high-traffic touch areas like the dashboard, console, steering column and door panels. Natural enzymes help to prolong cleaning action and fight odors, while a non-greasy formula protects against fading. Chemical Guys White Car Specialty Kit Apparently, the world does see things in black and white – at least where automotive paint is concerned. According to a 2019 iSeeCars.com study of over 9.4 million vehicles, grayscale colors account for 77.1% of all vehicles on the road, with White taking the largest piece of the pie.
eyebrow, the chemical engineers behind The Last Coat are confident they have bottled the ultimate shampoo. Dubbed “The Last Soap” because the company believes it is the last soap a car owner will ever need, the product promises to not only clean and detox a vehicle’s surface, but also lay down a thin layer of protective, hydrophobic coating to seal and even revitalize the exterior. The formula is super concentrated, requiring only 1-3 ounces per wash, and can be used in a foam cannon or traditional wash buckets. The Last Soap is also pH neutral, so it can be safely applied to glass, chrome, vinyl wraps, paint protection film and ceramic-coated vehicles. The Last Coat products are made in the USA and come backed by a 365-day money-back guarantee. AMMO NYC Brute Wheel Soap and Mud Tire Gel Detailing aficionados are largely familiar with AMMO NYC, as the brand’s product lines celebrate a level of specificity geared toward true car fanatics. Matching product to cleaning need, the company offers two innovative chemicals popular with fans: Brute Wheel Soap and Mud Tire Gel. The former is specifically designed to tackle stubborn brake dust and road grime that builds up on rims, without requiring an afternoon of elbow grease, while the latter targets dull-looking tires to deliver a complete head-to-toe shine.
It can be easy to overlook the unique demands of a vanilla exterior. White paint is particularly sensitive to stains, spots and road grime, as Nexgen Advance Ceramic Spray well as swirls and scratches from poor wash Ceramic coatings are popular for a reason – they habits. Chemical Guys’ White Car Kit combines work. Nexgen is a well-known brand in the cara citrus-based hyper-concentrated shampoo, care segment, and the company’s ceramic spray premium gloss enhancer and sealant, smooth is known for packing a punch. The professionalliquid crème wax and high-gloss detailing spray grade sealer creates an impenetrable layer of to leave a long-lasting finish that brings out the protection on a vehicle’s exterior, repelling dirt naturally brilliant shine of a white paint job. A and contaminants, increasing paint luster and two-pack of premium grade microfiber sponges and a three-pack of microfiber towels are included in the kit for creating a long-lasting shine. Nexgen’s hydrophobic formula also works to repel water on any easy application. surface it is applied to including metal, paint, glass, plastic and chrome, preventing streaking The Last Coat The Last Soap While all-in-one products are often met with a skeptically raised and extending a vehicle’s paint job.
APRIL/MAY 2021 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 19
Black Bird
435-hp makes Carl Black T/As “Bye-Bye Birdies” Story and photos by John Gunnell
O
ne of the hottest Pontiacs to come down the pike is the Carl Black “Black Bird” Trans Am made in the last year the Firebird was produced—2002. This limited-edition car with upgrades by Kennesaw, Ga. dealer Carl Black is powered by an all-aluminum LS1 V8 that churns out 380 hp with Ram Air induction. The Black Bird was made by GMMG of Marietta, Ga., in 2002. This outfit was essentially an aftermarket tuner operation put together by Matt Murphy, a man who had been a regional manager for SLP (Street Legal Performance) GMMG was smaller than other companies like SLP and Saleen that built aftermarket muscle cars, so it could make a profit on building very limited-edition packages. Carl Black was interested in doing a hot Pontiac. Black knew Murphy would custom build as few as 30 cars to sell through his dealership and would dress up the cars with Carl Black trim, badges, decals and features. The power train upgrades would be the Camaro type, but the cosmetics would be unique. Carl Black’s dealership had created a performance image. In 2001, this Pontiac dealership sold 80 factory-built Ram Air Firebirds. Black also sold a bunch of SLP’s Firehawk Trans Ams. Then, at the top of the heap came its own Black Bird, which did not come only in Black. In fact, if you wanted a Black Bird in a non-Ram Air colour, you could get the package added to a standard Firebird. If the Ram Air colours suited you, you would get the 380-hp version. 20 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
The LS1 V8 included a chambered exhaust system.
For the power train upgrades, GMMG interfaced with the Camaro and Firebird brand teams at GM to develop cars that would give extra performance, but still satisfy GM warranty requirements. Modifications included breathing improvements on the induction and exhaust sides. Then the computers were re-tuned to adjust fuel and spark timing.
Eibach lowering springs were used to get the front end of the WS6 suspension to hug the earth tighter. Dimpled brake rotors were added, as were big 17x9.5-in. American Racing Torq-Thrust D wheels. Dress-up items included hood racing stripes and 380HP engine callouts. Black Bird badges replaced factory jewellery on the nose.
A spoiler was part of the rear styling. 22 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
This Black Bird is silver with red accents.
Black Bird buyers could choose between a Tremec 6-speed manual gearbox or a 4L60E computer-controlled four-speed overdrive automatic transmission. Hurst shifters were used for gear selection. To go along with the Black Bird theme, buyers got a big black shifter ball and a Black Bird tachometer. On the drag strip, a Black Bird with Ram Air and racing skins replacing the stock Goodyear Eagle F1 tires was good for 12-second quarter miles at around 110 mph. These numbers were for a car with air conditioning hooked up and a complete assortment of sound and convenience options. The Carl Black dealership was known as “The South’s No. 1 Pontiac Dealer” and sales inquiries about Black Birds went to Pontiac Manager Lance Martin, unless they came in via the Internet. In that case, Bob Hanscom was “the man.” Package pricing started at $39,980. That included the: 380-hp 400 lb-ft LS1 V8; a chambered exhaust system; a high-flow air box lid with Black Bird decal; front and rear 1.5-in. Eibach lowering springs; ARE TorqThrust II 17-in. wheels; dimpled front and rear brake rotors; dual hood accent stripes; metallic silver rear lower panel; Black Bird floor mats; black Hurst shift ball; horsepower plaque; car cover with Black Bird logo; Black 24 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
The interior had a futuristic “space ship” look.
Engine bay label spells out the specs.
Black Bird emblem.
Bird cloisonné fender emblems; choice of performance colours; all-new silver face gauges; car number on windshield and rearview mirror; rearview mirror with compass and auto dimming; Black Bird logo key fob; and Mobil 1 oil fill cap and decal.
435-hp number is part of the hood scoop graphics.
The car you see here is the Carl Black No. 2 Black Bird that was owned by Willie Giacalone of the former Chain of Lake Auto & Detail business in Waupaca, Wis. at the time it was photographed. This car started out as a $31,250 Firebird with the factory’s base WS6 package. The standard $8,630 Black Bird package was added. On top of this was a special 435-hp Phase II performance upgrade tagged at $9,620. When a $100 emissions certification fee was added, the total window sticker price for the car was a whopping $49,610! No wonder only 50 Black Birds were ever produced.
The former Chain of Lake Auto & Detail in Waupaca, Wis., APRIL/MAY 2021 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 25
Cheap Thrills
Bargain-basement buzz was Super Bee’s bailiwick Story and photos by John Gunnell
switched to bucket seats, consoles, mag wheels and even luxury features like air conditioning. This sent the prices of many muscle hrysler invented the bargain basement muscle car with the cars beyond the budgets of young drivers interested in affordable release of the Plymouth Road Runner in the late ‘60s. When cars that went fast. Pontiac’s GTO started the muscle car craze in 1964, it came standard with go-fast equipment. Only a few fancy and expensive options were Plymouth got smart. The low-rung Chrysler division introduced available. In fact, the base car came with “bottle cap” style wheel the mid-sized Road Runner as a reaction to rising sticker prices. covers. However, as muscle car mania caught on, the emphasis It wasn’t a cheap car, but it was a car that gave you great value for the price and emphasized muscle car equipment over chrome and convenience options. The “Beep-Beep!”car was designed to fit a young man’s budget -- if he wanted to spend his money for go-fast equipment, rather than tinsel.
C
Dodge Division’s “Road Runner” was the Coronet Super Bee, introduced in February 1968 with a price tag in the $3,395 range. It was based on the Coronet 440 two-door sedan. This was done because a “post coupe” was needed to accommodate the cost-saving non-lowering rear windows that swung open on hinges on the centre pillar. The standard-equipment Super Bee engine was the big-block 383-cid V8 in a four-barrel 335-hp format. It came linked to a heavy-duty four-speed gearbox with a Hurst “Competition-Plus” floor shifter. Fat dual exhausts, fat F70x14 tires and a heavy-duty suspension with fat torsion bars were included. Everything was fat except the price tag. Many Super Bees came without a vinyl top, but all had dual hood scoops. 26 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
Also, part of the Super Bee package was a dummy “power bulge” on the hood, a front
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and rear bench seat interior, wide wheels with fat tires on them and rear bumblebee striping with logo picturing a bee inside a circular decal. You couldn’t get a vinyl roof on a ’68 Super Bee, but for $712, you could add the legendary Street Hemi engine. Dodge made 125 Hemi Super Bees, 33 with a four-speed and 92 with TorqueFlite automatics. Dodge Super Bees equipped with the standard engine went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds while the Hemi Super Bees made the same speed in 6.6 seconds. Quarter-mile times were 15 seconds and 14 seconds for cars with the two engines, respectively. Being a Dodge, the Super Bee was slightly (not a lot) fancier than the Plymouth Road Runner, with which it competed for customers. The Super Bee included door-to-door carpeting, pleated vinyl seats and door panels and a Charger-type instrument panel. The wheel lips and the rear body panel were accented with thin bright metal mouldings. A two-door hardtop with a $3,138 starting price joined the Coronet Super Bee line in 1969. The Sport Coupe returned with a $3,076 sticker. There were few changes in appearance or standard equipment. They included a single, wider rear bumblebee stripe and a Dodge “Scat Pack” badge on the grille and trunk, plus front fender engine call-outs. This year you could order a vinyl top and one of the featured cars has this option. Three two-barrel Holley carbs on an aluminum Edelbrock manifold were the heart of the new “six-pack” performance option. Cars so equipped generated 390 hp and 490 lb-ft of torque. The Six-Pack option included a flat black fibreglass hood that locked in place with four chrome pins so that it could be entirely removed for access to the engine. The car was photographed at Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, Wis.
There was a new Ramcharger cold-air induction system. It was even standard on ’69 Super Bees with the Street Hemi V8. These
Large 18-inch styled wheels were added to the green car and look great 28 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
Chrome styled wheels were a favourite of muscle car owners.
cars featured two large hood-mounted air scoops, an under-hood air plenum and a switch to select between warm and cold air. The Super Bee Six-Pack came with a choice of a four-speed gearbox or a TorqueFlite automatic linked to a 9 3/4-inch Dana 60 Sure-Grip axle with 4.10:1 gears. A total of 27,800 Super Bees were built including 166 Hemis, 92 of them with four-speeds.
padded seats ($8.60); automatic transmission ($40.40); a remoteadjustable mirror ($9.65); three-speed windshield wipers ($5.40); undercoating ($16.60); rear quarter air scoops ($35.80); rear bumper guards ($16); a tachometer and clock combination ($50.15); cold air induction ($73.30); AM radio ($63.35); power steering ($97.65); styled wheels ($88.55); F70x14 tires and the base 383-cid 335-hp V8.
In a January 1969 comparison of six “econo-racers” Car and Driver tested a Super Bee with a 3.55:1 limited-slip differential ($102.15 The car, which listed for $3,858 and weighed 3,765 lbs., could do extra); power disc brakes ($93.10); head restraints ($26.50); foam- 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds. It ran the quarter mile in 14.04 seconds at
APRIL/MAY 2021 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 29
There was a bee badge on the grille and 383 call-outs on the hood scoops. 99.55 mph. However, the magazine found the car to have a dual-point distributor and largediameter exhaust pipes, which seemed at first to be “stock” but later proved to be tweaks made by Chrysler. “We can’t consider our test car’s performance to be representative of a 383 Super Bee you would buy,” said the editors. “From our experience, we would estimate a production car in good tune to run about 98.5 mph in the 14.20-second range.” Even that’s not too shabby! Super Bee models were also produced in 1970 and 1971. Later, the Super Bee name was brought out of mothballs and used on 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Charger Super Bees. Our focus here is the ‘60s Super Bees that started the ball rolling (bee stinging?), but the Dodge Super Bee Registry can help all Super Bee fans. The Super Bee Registry (www.superbeeregistry.com) was established in 1992 and specializes in production facts and data for Dodge Super Bees. The Registry has been accumulating original production information--including both standard and special vehicle equipment options--since 1978. It is currently registering all existing Dodge Super Bee’s produced from 1968-1971, 2007-2009 and 2012-2014 in order to accumulate real data. There is no charge to register a Super Bee with the Registry. This resource has provided and will continue to provide invaluable information on surviving Super Bees owned by members. The following is provided in the database: options, condition, vehicle ID number, production date and shipping order number. Owner identities are kept secure.
Francine Guyette brought the yellow 1969 Dodge Super Bee to the “License to Cruise” show in Appleton, Wis., when Mopars were featured in the annual event. It has the 383-cid V8 and a four-speed manual transmission. The car was purchased in Northern Wisconsin in 2015, and has been nicknamed “Marilyn.” It was photographed at the Performing Arts Center in Appleton. Drew Haasch brought the numbers-matching green 1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee to the Madison Classics show in Jefferson, Wis., when Mopars were featured there. It is also a 383 four-speed car that Drew has owned since 1999. It was restored 10 years afterwards. Greg Ganta applied the Lime Green paint. It was photographed at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. APRIL/MAY 2021 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 31
Nice Kitty
Mercury’s “Fab Four” Cougars -- 1967-1970 Story and photos by John Gunnell
look much different outside, except for a model medallion on the rear roof quarter and special wheel covers. Inside, the interior was really ord’s Mustang was the outstanding sales success of the ‘60s. It something else. It featured a walnut finish dash, leather-and-vinyl upbecame the best-selling new car in history and sired many copycats holstery trim and an aircraft-style overhead console with a functional made by other automakers. These became known as “pony cars,” a aircraft look. One advertisement showed a beautiful dark green Cougar XR-7 with a tan interior. One look and you wanted to own the car–-the term inspired by the Mustang’s galloping horse logo. interior was oh so cool! The concept behind the pony car could be traced to the sports car craze that swept America after World War II. It started with the MG TC and The GT had a firmer suspension with solid rear bushings, stiffer springs, Jaguar XK-120. But the Mustang was not a true sports car. Ford had big 1.1875-inch shocks and a fat anti-roll bar. Power front disc brakes, learned a lesson with the two-seat Thunderbirds of 1955-1957. While 8.95x14 Wide-Oval tires, special I.D. and a low-restriction exhaust the early “T-Birds” quickly became classics, they proved that the market This ’68 Cougar coupe (you can tell by the side marker lights that were governfor two-passenger cars in America ment mandated in 1968) was for sale at the Iola Old Car Show in Iola, Wis. was not a very big one.
F
Mercury’s “Sign-of-the-Cat” car is probably the most collectible model to come from Ford’s Mercury Div. in the ‘60s. It was based on the Mustang, but had a three-inch longer wheelbase and fancier body and interior trim. Overall length was stretched even further. The Mustang was 183.6 inches and the Cougar was 190.3 inches-nearly seven inches longer. The base Cougar engine in 1967 was a 289-cid V8 with 200 hp. Buyers could add a four-barrel version of the same engine with 235 hp or opt for a GT 390 model with 320 hp. Only a two-door hardtop was available and it stickered for $2,851. For $230 additional, you could get a much more impressive XR-7 version. It didn’t 32 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
Like the Mustang, the Cougar was successful. Early Cougar sales pushed the Mercury division to all-time sales highs for November and December 1966. In all, 26,470 Cougars were delivered to buyers before the calendar flipped to 1967. Those weren’t exactly Mustang numbers, but they were great for Mercury. A total of 48,013 builds were recorded in calendar year 1966. For the model year, production wound up at 150,893 cars, making the Cougar the bestselling 1967 model out of all Mercury Division products. The 1968 Mercury Cougar retained the same styling, but in its second year it could be ordered with an optional front bench seat. A 302-cid V8 replaced the 289 as base engine. The Cougar also got its first real optional high-performance system were included. The GT’s 1:10 power-to-weight ratio provided package. This was the 7.0-litre GT-E, which was an add-on for both driving excitement. Transmission choices included 3- or 4-speed syn- the standard Cougar and the XR-7. chromesh or a 3-speed Merc-0-Matic with manual shifting to second below 71 mph or to first below 20 mph. Specific manual gearboxes Although the Cougar was aimed at the sporty luxury niche, the 1968 were used with the 390. A 3.00 “Power Transfer” axle was standard GT-E was its first step into the muscle car sweepstakes. The option included a 390-hp “E” version of Ford’s 427-cid V8, plus a SelectShift and a 3.25 version was an extra-cost option. Merc-0-Matic transmission, a performance handling package, styled The Cougar was a more substantial car than the Mustang. It outweighed steel wheels, power disc brakes and a non-functional “power dome” its cousin by over 400 lbs. Mercury did a good job of promoting it as hood scoop. A 7.1 second 0-to-60 mph time was published in the a luxury model. Car magazines must have gotten many free loaners, enthusiast magazines. because they gushed over the XR-7’s upgraded personality and performance and helped push the new car towards an upscale clientele. Putting the 427 in the Cougar was short-lived because the engine was Early statistics showed that the average Cougar owner was 37 years discontinued. Later in the model year, the Cougar got the 428 Cobra Jet old, attended college and earned about $10,000. One out of every six V8. To keep insurance agents and bean counters happy, the big-block carried a rating of 335 hp. Because it had a longer stroke, the 428 had early Cougar buyers was female.
A fine unrestored example of the ’69 Cougar Eliminator 428 SCJ with new paint and detailing was brought to the Iola show by owners from Fort Frances, Ontario. APRIL/MAY 2021 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 33
This unrestored blue ‘70 Cougar Eliminator has a Boss 302 V8. Dave Wyrwas of Merrimack, New Hampshire took it to the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Chicago.
an easier time with emission requirements. Its actual power output was pin stripes; wraparound back-up lights; taillights trimmed with concave estimated to be close to the choked down 427E it replaced. chrome; foam-padded vinyl bucket seats and carpeting. The Cougar Eliminator model released in the middle of the model year was aimed A limited-edition Cougar XR-7G was also a 1968 model. The “G” stood at muscle car fans and came only as a hardtop. for race driver “Dan Gurney” who drove for Mercury. Gurney piloted Bill Stroppe-prepared ‘67 Cougars in the SCCA Trans-American sedan The new Cougars were three-and-a-half inches longer and about racing series. The rare XR-7G option package was mainly an assort- three inches wider. The base engine was a 351-cid 250-hp V8. Opment of “gingerbread” and any engine from the base 302-cid V8 up. tions included a 290-hp 351, a 390-cid 320-hp job and the 335-hp 428 The option included a fibreglass hood scoop, road lamps, a racing Cobra-Jet V8. The big engine came with functional Ram Air, which mirror, hood pins and a power sun roof (which could also be ordered did not boost its advertised horsepower, but you can bet it boosted for other ‘68 Cougars). how fast the car would go both in the “Stoplight Grand Prix” and in the showroom sales race. At the rear of the Cougar XR-7G, four exhaust tips poked through the valance panel. New spoke-type wheels held radial FR70-14 tires. Cougar Eliminators included front/rear spoilers, a blacked-out grille, a Special-emblem badges were on the instrument panel, roof pillar, deck hood scoop, Argent Silver styled wheels, body side striping, a rally clock lid and grille. XR-7Gs were not widely promoted in 1968 and very few and a tachometer. The 351-cid V8 with 290 hp was standard. Ford’s were made, making the survivors highly prized by collectors today. Another car seen at MCACN in Chicago is Benoit Holloway’s ’70 Mercury Cougar 428 Eliminator that hails from Marion, Louisiana. The ’68 Cougar was advertised as, “Pound for pound and dollar for dollar the best equipped luxury sports car in America.” Lincoln-Mercury dealers set new all-time sales records in ‘68, but buyer interest in the Cougar died down--as it does for many second-year models. A total of 112,166 Cougars were retailed by dealers in calendar-year ‘68, an almost seven percent decrease from year one. Model-year production also dropped by 24.6 percent. However, calendar-year production of Cougars dropped just 1.5 percent. With a new convertible, ’69 Cougars were completely restyled. The overall theme was the same, except for a Buick-like “S-curve” body side feature line and a peak on the centre of the hood. The ‘69 grille had horizontal pieces that protruded slightly at the centre. Standard were retractable headlights, rocker panel strips, wheelhouse mouldings; twin body 34 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
“Boss 302” V8 was offered in “street” and “race” tunes. The latter version had two 4-barrel carburetors. With the 428-CJ you got a hood scoop, hood hold-down pins, a competition handling package and hood striping. Cougars of the ‘60s were not wildly successful cars, but they were machines buyers could be proud to own. The pony car was successful in reviving the performance image that Mercury had once had in the ‘40s and ‘50s. From the late ‘50s until the Cougar came along, the company became best known for building large, flashy cars. The new Cougar model proved that Mercury knew how to make something other than land yachts. Top Eliminator was a familiar term to drag racing buffs, but to Mercury fans in 1970 the term meant “hot Cougar.” Car Life recommended, “Think of it as a family car with guts and you’ll be happy with it.” Evolutionary design changes characterized the new Cougars. They included a vertical grille and a forward-thrusting front end. Promoted as “America’s most completely equipped sports car,” the new Cougar grille had a centre hood extension and an “electric shaver” look. Its design was reminiscent of the 1967-’68 grille.
backs, a tachometer, a trip odometer, a rocker-switch display, a burled walnut vinyl applique on the instrument panel, rear seat armrests, map and courtesy lights, a visual check panel, loop yarn nylon carpeting and an electric clock with elapsed-time indicator. XR-7s came in the same body styles as the base Cougar, at $3,201, and $3,465, respectively. Features for basic Cougars included upper body pin stripes, wheel The XR-7 ragtop had a run of just 1,977 units. opening mouldings, roof mouldings and windshield and rear window chrome accents. The sporty interior featured high-back bucket seats, The 1970 Eliminator was the “grand finale.” A new 351 Cleveland fourcourtesy lights, carpeted door panels, a vinyl headliner and a rose- barrel V8 rated at 300 hp was standard. There were options galore for wood-toned dash. The Cougar convertible had a Comfortweave vinyl the muscle car’s engine compartment including the Boss 302, the 428 interior, door-mounted courtesy lights, a three-spoke steering wheel and CJ and a new version of the 385 series big-block 429. The “Boss 429” a power top with a folding rear glass window. There was a two-door package included Ram-Air induction and a 375-hp rating. hardtop with a base retail price of $2,917. Prices for the convertible started at $3,264. Only 2,322 ragtops were made. “Call it the road animal,” said Cougar literature. A rear deck lid spoiler, body graphics and a restyled scooped hood returned as part of the XR-7s had distinct wheel covers, rocker mouldings, a remote-control Eliminator’s image. One enthusiast magazine tested an Eliminator with racing mirror and a rear roof pillar emblem. Interiors included vinyl the 290-hp “Boss 302” V8. It carried 12.4 lbs. per hp and did 0 to 60 high-back bucket seats with leather accents, map pockets on the seat mph in 7.6 seconds. The quarter mile took 15.8 seconds.
APRIL/MAY 2021 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 35
Fast Ford Fun Story and photos by John Gunnell
M
’65 Mustang GT
Like an art gallery curator, Red Lewis had two things foremost in mind for The Automobile Gallery. First, he wanted it to tell the history of the automobile from the early 1900s to the current day. Second, he wanted the cars he put in the Gallery to be colourful and exciting. This bright yellow 1965 Mustang GT fit both criteria—plus it was fun to drive.
y first and only ride in a Mustang took place in the car you see on these pages. It was on October 15, 2015. At that time, a fascinating man named William “Red” Lewis was just getting started on creating a place called The Automobile Gallery (www.theautomobilegallery.org) in Green Bay, Wis. It was what most people would think of as a car museum and what Red made the rip from his home in De Pere to the Gallery in downtown Green Bay behind the wheel of a black 1959 Buick Red thought of as an art gallery featuring cars. hardtop. He had six ’59 Buicks and he loved driving them. He had me follow him in the yellow Mustang fastback, which had the high-performance 289-cid V8 and a four-speed gearbox. If Red was happy driving that big Buick cruiser, I was twice as happy behind the wheel of the stickshift Mustang 2+2. Though it was far from the fastest ‘60s car, the Mustang GT was a snappy ride and a model that played a big role in building enthusiasm for muscle cars. It’s a model that very rarely gets credit for its contribution to muscle car history. As Car Life magazine put it, “Ford started a round-up of its state-of-the-Total-Performance art to produce the Mustang GT.” Before getting into the go-fast details, let’s review Mustang history a bit.
The car is highly-detailed below the hood. 36 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
It is not often that a car comes along and gets to create its own market segment, but that’s exactly what took place when Ford introduced the Mustang. This sporty
compact took its bow at the New York World’s Fair on April 17, 1964. The Mustang started an all-new “pony car” segment and the market for such a car was large and long lasting. There is argument among purists over whether the Mustangs produced prior to September 1964 are 1964 1/2 or 1965 models. However, when it comes to the interesting and collectible GT equipment group, there can be no question about its dating. It was initially released for the first anniversary of the Mustang’s introduction on April 17, 1965. The Mustang had already become a desirable commodity. Its standard equipment included bucket seats. It had the very popular long hood/short deck look. At first, it came as a sport coupe (two-door hardtop) and a sportylooking convertible. In the fall of 1964, a two-door fastback coupe model that was officially called 2+2 was added to the line.
The dragster on the wall was part of the Gallery’s decorations.
Chrome dual exhaust tips exit through the rear valance panel. 38 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
From the Mustang’s outset, a lengthy list of optional equipment was important in Mustang marketing plans. Ford could introduce the base model with a low price, but buyers could then add lots of appearance and convenience items, plus some bolt-on high-perfor-
The high-performance 289 kicks out 271 hp. It was ‘65’s top option.
1965 MUSTANG VITAL STATISTICS CHALLENGER 289 FOUR-BARREL ENGINE Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 289 cid. Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 2.87 inches. Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Brake hp: 225 at 4,800 rpm. Torque: 305 at 3,200 rpm. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Four-barrel. Cooling system capacity: 16 qt. with heater. Crankcase capacity: 4 qt. (add 1 qt. with new filter). Code A.
Note the wood-grained steering wheel and GT instrumentation.
CHALLENGER 289 HIGH-PERFORMANCE FOUR-BARREL NGINE Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 289 cid. Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 2.87 inches. Compression ratio: 10.5:1. Brake hp: 271 at 6,000 rpm. Torque: 312 at 3,400 rpm. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetor: Four-barrel. Cooling system capacity: 16 qt. with heater. Crankcase capacity: 4 qt. (add 1 qt. with new oil filter). Code K. MUSTANG GT BASIC DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 108 inches. Overall length: 181.6 inches. MUSTANG GT TIRE EQUIPMENT High-performance 289 V-8: 7.00 x 14 four-ply tubeless black sidewall.
The black Buick was on the lift and Red was ready to position the Mustang below it. An old closed-up circa-1958 Cadillac dealership was being remodelled into The Automobile Gallery.
MUSTANG GT OPTIONS Accent Group ($14.20). Ford air conditioner ($283.20). Heavy-duty battery ($7.60). Full-length centre console ($51.50). Console for use with air conditioner ($32.20). Equa-Lock limited-slip differential ($42.50). California-type closed emissions system ($5.30). Challenger four-barrel 225-hp V8 ($162). Challenger 271-hp hi-po V8 w/Special Handling Pkg and 6.95 x 14 nylon tires ($442.60). Emergency flashers ($19.60). Tinted glass with banded windshield ($30.90). Tinted-banded windshield glass ($21.55). Back-up lights ($10.70). Power steering ($86.30). Push-button radio with antenna ($58.50). Deluxe retractable front seat safety belts ($7.55). Special Handling package, with 225-hp V8 ($31.30). Padded sun visors ($5.70). Cruise-O-Matic transmission with 225-hp V8 ($189.60). Four-speed manual transmission with V8 ($188). Visibility Group ($36). Wheel covers with knock-off hubs ($18.20). Fourteen-inch wire wheel covers ($45.80). Fourteen-inch styled steel wheels ($122.30). APRIL/MAY 2021 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 39
mance hardware, and increase Ford profits. This marketing Although the exact number of Mustangs built with GT equipment program worked well. is not available, they had a massive following and the installation rate for this option increased even more when Ford later released Combining available mechanical features with new visual pieces the appearance items separately for dealer installation. made the mid-1965 GT package a fairly thorough upgrade. First, the buyer had to order one of two optional high-performance Red Lewis purchased his yellow 1965 Mustang GT 2+2 at Dana engine packages, which at the time meant either the 225-hp Mecum’s 2014 Kissimmee, Fla., auction. This car featured the Challenger Special 289 V8 at $157, or the high-performance performance-version 289-cid V8 with a four--barrel carburetor; 271-hp 289-cid V8 for $430. a four-speed manual transmission, and Rally wheels. It was GT extras also included quick-ratio steering, front disc brakes, chrome dual exhaust tips exiting through the rear valance panel, a grille bar with built-in fog lights and GT instrumentation (replacing the Falcon-based instrument panel with five round dials.) Throw in GT badging and lower body striping and you had a bargain for around $150.
The yellow GT followed Red’s red ’59 Buick up to the Gallery in 2015. 40 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
custom-painted bright Yellow with Black GT stripes and had a new, reproduction black interior. The car—which was originally from Louisiana--had a highly-detailed chassis and engine compartment and a trumpet-style dual exhaust system. But I wasn’t thinking of any of this as we pulled into the Gallery parking lot. I was just amazed at how much fun it was to drive the four-speed Mustang there. What a cool ride!
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TECH: NEW PRODUCTS
COMP Cams Max-Lift BSR Shaft Rocker System for GM Gen V LT COMP Cams Max-Lift BSR Shaft Rocker System for GM Gen V LT engines improves valve train dynamics, increases valve train stiffness and reduces deflection. They use a tri-
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layer bushing instead of needle bearings to reduce deflection which then allows for increased rigidity and decreased rocker pad wear. This new rocker system makes the same camshaft perform like a slightly larger camshaft as more of the lobe lift is transferred directly to the valve train instead of being absorbed by deflection in the cylinder head and single-bolt rocker mounting design.
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Advertiser Index
Great Canadian Oil Change--------------------------------------24 360 Fabrication ------------------------------------------------- 23
QA1 Coilover Suspension Kits for GM’s GMT400 Trucks QA1 is now offering Coilover Suspension kits for the GM 1988-98 GMT400 trucks which are meant to greatly improve performance by providing a stiffer, lower suspension that is more suited to performance driving. The Front Coilover kits replace the stock control arms and shocks with tubular control arms and Pro Coil coilover shocks to improve stability and make room for larger wheel and tire packages. You can add up to seven degrees of caster and +2 to -3 degrees of camber and the kit itself is available in two levels. The rear coilover conversion kit drops the rear of your truck from 4- to 7-in. and utilizes the proven torque arm design.
All-Parts Trailer Sales ------------------------------------------ 45 Barry-Hamel ----------------------------------------------------- 43 BC G Body ---------------------------------------------------------3 CAM Oils --------------------------------------------------------- 45 Canadian Hot Rods --------------------------------------------- 37 Classified Motorsports ----------------------------------------- 35 Easy Build ------------------------------------------------------- 42 Eibach ------------------------------------------------------------ 44 Golden Leaf Automotive --------------------------------------- 27 Good Vibrations ------------------------------------------------- 30 Howard Cams --------------------------------------------------- 41 Ididit ----------------------------------------------------------------7 Jellybean AutoCrafters ----------------------------------------- 45 KMS Tools ------------------------------------------------------- 21 Kool Coat -------------------------------------------------------- 45 Liqui Moly ---------------------------------------------------------5 LMC Truck ------------------------------------------------------- 48 Lordco Auto Parts ---------------------------------------------- 13 Mopac Auto Supply - ------------------------------------------- 47 Permatex --------------------------------------------------------- 31 Procar --------------------------------------------------------------2 Scott’s Super Trucks ------------------------------------------- 45 Westar Trailers -------------------------------------------------- 45
For more information please go to www.qa1.net
MSD Blaster Ignition Coils for Ford Shelby GT350 and GT 500 MSD has once again expanded its performance ignition line with Blaster Ignition coils which are meant to be direct replacements for the 2016-2020 Ford Shelby GT350 and GT500’s 5.2L engine and will mount in the factory location and simply plug-in to factory connectors. The coil incorporates improved windings and material to increase the output of the coil, and it can be relied on to recover quicker through high rpm with a powerful spark to promote combustion. For more information please go to www.holley.com
ENGINEERED TO WIN. Using the exact same technology as our legendary race springs, the Eibach PRO-KIT, SPORTLINE and ANTI-ROLL-KIT are engineered to deliver maximum control at the limit, industry leading ride quality and aggressive looks. Call today to experience the Eibach Difference. Consumer Inquiries 800-227-2242
44 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
Wholesale Inquiries 800-263-8621
eibachcanada.com
APRIL/MAY 2021 MUSCLE CAR Plus MAGAZINE 45
READER’S RIDES 1976 Plymouth Voyager Sport
Dawison Marriner and Zoe Baclawski bought their 1976 Plymouth Voyager in Calgary, Alberta from Zoe’s older brother, who is an avid Plymouth lover, at a price they couldn’t give up. The classic van came with a nice 318 small block and a very comfortable interior setup. Nicknamed ‘RoxVanne,’ the Voyager has been used for numerous road trips and is just as happy running errands around the neighbourhood.
WANT TO SEE YOUR VEHICLE IN THE MAGAZINE? Send in a few hi-res photos of your classic car or truck with a short description of around 60-80 words and we may include you in the Reader’s Rides section at the back of Muscle Car Plus.
If interested, please email us at ReadersRides@rpmcanada.ca 46 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2021
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Everything You Need in One Place ... Even Hardware! When you look through one of our catalogs or browse for parts on our website, one thing stands out: We don’t just display you the part you need. We show you where it goes and how it fits with the parts around it. Why? Because it’s the best way to find the exact part you need and install it correctly – whether you’re elbows-deep in a frame-off restoration or just replacing the shock absorber on your daily driver. It’s just another example of our devotion to trucks and the people who love them. It’s why there’s nothing more important to us than keeping generations on the road.
Get your FREE CATALOG at LMCTruck.com
1947-13 Chevy/GMC 1948-16 Ford 1972-15 Dodge
LMCTruck.com 800.562.8782
KEEPING GENERATIONS ON THE ROAD ™
