Description
Author: Geoff Stunkard, Hardbound,192 Pages, CT-537, ISBN: 9781613251881
1st Edition, 2015
The Hemi is arguably the most iconic American V-8 in competition history. Employing a talented team of engineers, Chrysler refined the hemispherical combustion chamber design and created an engine that produced towering performance. Whether the Hemi was installed in a Charger, Super Bee, Barracuda, Superbird, or any number of other cars, the engine dominated in NHRA, NASCAR, and other forms of competition. And in a production car, the Hemi also became one of the most feared engines on the street.
Author Geoff Stunkard retraces the fascinating and storied history of this milestone engine, covering the big wins, many championships, and key developments. First, he delves into the development and racing exploits of the first-generation 392-ci Hemi, and then provides a behindthe-scenes retrospective of the mammoth effort and resources that went into developing the 426 Hemi. In eight months, Tom Hoover, Mike Buckel, and others on the Chrysler team took the 426 Hemi from drawing board to racetrack.
In NHRA competition, the triumphs and challenges of Don Garlits, Dick Landy, Sox and Martin, and other drag racers are recounted. In NASCAR competition, the 426 Hemi enjoyed phenomenal success. Debuting at the 1964 Daytona 500, Richard Petty qualified second, lapped the entire field, and won the race. By the end of the 1964 Grand National season, Hemipowered cars amassed 26 race victories, and that was only the beginning. NASCAR stars, such as Richard Petty, Bobby Isaac, and David Pearson, piloted the 426 Hemi-equipped Dodge Charger 500, Charger Daytona, Plymouth Superbird, and other Chrysler stock cars to many victories and championships. In addition, Hemipowered cars set speed run records at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
The 426 Hemi dominated the American drag racing and stock car racing scene like no other engine, and its winning record is astonishing. This engine powered many classic cars and took many drivers to the winner's circle and into the history books. In the pages of Hemi: A History of Chrysler's Iconic V-8 in Competition, the pivotal events, key people, and exciting wins are brought to life. This comprehensive Hemi racing history with never-before-published information is a must-have for Mopar and racing fans.
Geoff Stunkard is a veteran photojournalist, magazine editor, book author, and lifelong Mopar fan. In addition to having served as the editor of Mopar Muscle and other automotive publications, he has written scores of articles on 1960s-era American performance cars and racing efforts. Due to his personal association with many noted racers of that time period, he has an in-depth knowledge of Hemi racing history.
Beyond this, he has created editorial materials for many clients throughout the automotive industry, including Mopar Performance, IHRA, TEN/Source, and others.
He is also the owner of Quarter Milestones Publishing, a multi-media production firm and historic transportation film archive based in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Hemi. No other American V-8 engine holds such instant name recognition, a distinguished racing history, and reputation as a wicked street engine. But the journey to the top of American V-8 engine performance didn't happen by chance nor by circumstance. Mopar orchestrated a master effort to build a competition-conquering engine that the other factories could not match.
The full force of the Chrysler factory was behind the racing effort. A dedicated and talented crew of engineers, foundry workers, and factory personnel also supported the effort. At the track, savvy team owners, skilled mechanics, and top drivers turned the raw potential of this engine into race wins and championships.
In the pages of this comprehensive Hemi history, author Geoff Stunkard goes behind the scenes and reveals how the engine was designed, built, tested, and eventually raced. He follows the engine as it rewrote racing history, became a highly sought-after engine in street cars, and redefined V-8 performance.
