Dodge revives Super Bee name with special Challenger SRT8

Dodge is flying to next week’s LA Auto show with a sting in its tail and a new special edition vehicle. The iconic American manufacturer will be debuting the 2012 Charger SRT8 Super Bee. The hardcore Charger has been created for enthusiasts and the muscle car faithful and has plenty to excite Mopar fans.

Inspired by the original Super Bee series that was first introduced in 1968 as a member of Dodge’s Scat Pack performance group, the nameplate was then revived with the limited-edition Charger SRT8 in 2007. This new edition brings exclusive content inside and out to the 2012 Charger SRT8.

In terms of power, the Super Bee keeps the 6.1-litre HEMI V8 and five-speed automatic transmission. Power figures haven’t increased, but 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet are serious numbers. The Super Bee edition Charger will feature the 392 HEMI badge, which was brought back for the 2010 Challenger 392 model.

Two colour options are available: pitch black or stinger yellow with both featuring a graphics package on the exterior. Other visual treats include rear decklid spoilers and a special helmeted bee mascot badge. 20-inch alloys will pack the guards with black painted pockets. Read the rest of this entry »

Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 – Ford Mustang Boss 302 – Dodge Challenger T/A – Trans Am Reunion – 238

Between the golden years of 1968 and 1972, the TransAm race series became a major slug-fest as US auto-makers fielded cars that are now widely regarded as being the best of the classic muscle-car breed. We reunite three of the top TransAm contenders.

The Trans American Sedan Series – more usually referred to as TransAm – was first established in 1966 under the aegis of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). Originally intended as a manufacturers’ championship, the series encompassed two classes – under and over 2.0-litre – with both classes racing together.

The first race in the new series was at Sebring on March 25, 1966, with 44 cars lining up for the start and the field featuring 35 under 2.0-litre cars.

This first TransAm race was totally dominated by Alfa Romeo GTAs; they finished in four of the first five positions. However, amongst the smaller cars there was also a smattering of larger, V8 racers – a trio of Plymouth Barracudas, three Mustangs, two Chevrolet Corvairs and a single Dodge Dart.

During the course of that first season the majority of the factory support came in the lower capacity class – with entries from Alfa Romeo, Mini Cooper and Lotus-Cortina. Some famous European drivers would front up in these cars, including future F1 world champion Jochen Rindt, Paddy Hopkirk (in a Mini, of course) and even Alan Moffat, who raced a Lotus-Cortina during the early years of the series. Later, even Porsche would get in on the act by persuading SCCA that its 911 was actually a sedan! Read the rest of this entry »

Win three Greenlight Country Roads Models

We’ve gone a bit overboard this month to highlight Greenlight’s Country Roads series. These 1:64 die-cast models cover a wide range of, mostly, US cars. The models featured here include a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, 1966 Dodge D-100 and a 1975 Dodge Monaco.

If you’d like to enter the draw to win all three of these models, simply click on the link below and answer the following question: Read the rest of this entry »

Win a Pair of Greenlight Muscle Cars models

US model manufacturer, Greenlight Collectibles, currently has an interesting range of 1:64 scale two-car model sets – including the featured pairing of Sam Posey’s Dodge Challenger T/A and Bill Maier’s Ford Mustang GT. All Greenlight Collectibles’ sets come in their own display box, complete with an appropriate diorama.

Thanks to the NZ distributor, we are giving one lucky reader the chance to add this Road Racers set to their model collection. Just click on the link below and answer the following question:

In what year did Sam Posey race a F5000 in the Tasman Series?

Click here to enter the draw

Competition closes on October 15, 2011.

Zagato reveals Viper-based Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale

Around a month ago it was announced that Zagato was building a new TZ3 Stradale and now the Milanese design house has revealed the first photos and details of its newest creation.

Zagato’s TZ3 Stradale is an Alfa Romeo bodied sports car based on the platform and mechanical hardware of the hardcore, but out of production Dodge Viper ACR. Power comes from the top-spec Viper’s same 447kW 8.4-litre V10 engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and a full race-spec suspension. The TZ3 Stradale uses an all new and all carbon fibre body with the most distinctive design feature being the classic Kamm-tail layout. While this coachbuilt Viper doesn’t actually use any mechanical pieces from Alfa Romeo, its design puts a decidedly contemporary spin on years of collaboration between Zagato and Alfa.

The TZ3 Stradale is Zagato’s second and final tribute to the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo (1910-2010), which started in 2009 with the presentation of the 8C Competizione-based TZ3 Corsa that took out the Villa D’Este Design Concept Award in 2010. Read the rest of this entry »

Over fifty cars from ‘Captain America’ movie set going to auction

As a curtain raiser to its expanded 2011 auction programme, UK auction house Historics at Brooklands has consigned to its next sale on 3rd March, a blockbusting collection of classic American vehicles fresh from the set of the forthcoming Marvel Studios movie, Captain America — ‘The First Avenger’.

The epic 50+ strong collection features vehicles from 1931-1948; the more unusual including a 1942 Chevrolet Gillig School/Tour Bus, a 1933 Dodge Tow Truck and a WWII Dodge Military Ambulance, with all vehicles used during filming at Shepperton Studios in London, and on location in Manchester and Liverpool, UK.

With the film due for global release from July 2011, the cars will be part of an action-packed sale at Brooklands on 3rd March 2011, alongside a supporting cast of a further 65 classic and sports cars.

Each car from the Captain America collection boasts its own intriguing history — including a 1933 Dodge Tow Truck sourced from the Nevada Desert that comes complete with genuine bullet holes on the driver’s wing and bonnet – and all will be accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity.

Other stars on show are a 1941 Cadillac Series 61 boasting art deco styling and a 1935 Hudson Sedan bristling with a straight eight powerplant, whilst a number of two door coupes from the likes of Dodge, Hudson, Chevrolet, Plymouth and Ford — many of which are fitted with flathead V8’s — will appeal to hot rod fans.

A whole host of commercial vehicles will also share the limelight, including a pair of Dodge and Chevrolet pick-up trucks, a 1942 Dodge Ambulance, an imposing 1942 Diamond T Wrecker truck, a trio of Berliet military trucks and a superbly restored 1938 Harvester Van.

Read the rest of this entry »

Original Dodge Charger concept car ready for auction

Over in the States top-tier auction house RM Auctions has announced that the first ever Dodge Charger will go on auction at this year’s Automobiles of Arizona event held from January 20. That’s right, the first Dodge Charger ever built will be auctioned. This ultra rare piece of metal is the original 1964 Dodge Hemi Charger concept car with Chassis No. 6442103030. The vehicle is powered by a 426ci “Hemi” V8 engine packing a 600+ hp punch.

The Charger concept car comes from the Estate of John O’Quinn, was previously owned by collector Joe Bortz and was restored by Fran Roxas. The veteran Charger concept is now fitted with one of the original 15 Chrysler race Hemi engines. It is authentic and represents the first Dodge to wear the Charger name.

If you want it, you better have a plane ticket to Arizona and a sack full of cash because it’s estimated that this first ever Charger, will fetch between 750,000 USD and 1 million USD at auction. Read the rest of this entry »

The Collectors – The Baker Family – 241

The Baker family of Brightwater, Nelson is a car family. Malcolm and Hazel and their children are obviously close, while cars play a big part in all their lives.

Although Hazel Baker is happy to admit that all she wants is a car to get her from A to B, she has lived for nearly 40 years with a husband who kept a 1932 Ford front bumper under the bed and headlight lenses in his sock drawer for safekeeping.

It all started when Malcolm borrowed £90 from his cousin to buy two 1932 Fords, a US V8 model and an English B4. He dismantled the B4 and then decided to sell the V8 car for the huge sum at the time of £200. When Hazel predicted he would regret it, Malcolm changed his mind. Sometimes he listens.

Instead, he rebuilt the car over a period of seven years to original specification, apart from a few minor modifications. Some are for safety reasons (brake equalisers) while a Holden carburettor is fitted because he has two damaged original carburettors and good ones are almost impossible to find.

The year 1932 was a landmark one for Ford. It saw an attractive re-style of the Model A, but the big news was the 3622cc (221ci) flathead V8 that became so loved by hot rodders the world over. The ’32 Ford itself became a rodding icon, and consequently Malcolm’s un-modified example is a relatively rare vintage car.

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