There are people who like to claim other cars were faster, but vehicles powered by the 426 Hemi is the measuring stick for muscle car performance and desirability. No other engine during the era matched the strength, power potential, or mechanical presence of this RB engine with hemispherical combustion chambers. We caught a trio of 1968-70 B-bodies at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN).
Chrysler Corporation redesigned its mid-size B-body for 1968, bringing modernity to a series of cars that could have its lineage traced to 1962. Plymouth’s Belvedere series featured character lines high over the wheel wells that imparted sportiness, while a new model called the Road Runner shuffled the expectations of what a performance car should be in the marketplace.
Over at Dodge, “Coke-bottle”-like rear fenders with simulated air intakes (molded into the body) also imparted a certain sportiness without looking like a badge-engineered Plymouth. Of course, the Charger took the Coke-bottle look one step further.
For 1969, both Plymouth and Dodge added to the sophistication of their respective series, such as developing special air induction systems or bright colors or what-not. For 1970, they both were given restyles before the redesigned 1971s arrived a year later. As the arguable peak of the muscle car era, 1970 resulted in more cartoonish regalia (Plymouth) or tougher looks (Dodge).
The 1968 Plymouth GTX, 1969 Dodge Coronet R/T, and 1970 Plymouth Road Runner pictured here are powered by the 426 Hemi, with each an interesting flavor: the GTX is unusual in its green top/interior/stripes combo paired with its white exterior; the Coronet R/T flaunts the new Ramcharger hood and “M46” simulated air scoops; the 1970 Road Runner is a Plain Jane pilot car whose story and restoration we recently wrote about.
All cars were restored by South Carolina-based Hodge Muscle Car Restorations and were part of a display at MCACN. The above video is courtesy of Mopar Maven Geoff Stunkard and his Zookeeper’s Diary channel on YouTube.
Source: www.classiccars.com