The Way It Was (really!)

[Blitzkrieg]

It helped if you were hunky but even nerds made out if they had a cool ride

Read More

 

[erudne]

Most of America's young men have no idea what 400+ HP feels like!
Poor eunichs!

 

[swoop]

I worked for a Dodge dealership in San Diego in 1969 after my sevice in the Marines. Got to drive a few 440's and even a 426 Hemi one time. That was an experience I'll never forget.

 

[jbett98]

Plumb crazy AAR Cuda with the triple two barrels. Neighbor had one when I was a teenager. Unbelievable power.

 

[swoop]

Plumb crazy AAR Cuda with the triple two barrels. Neighbor had one when I was a teenager. Unbelievable power.

They called those triple two barrels a six pack back in the day.

 

[Swedish K]

A buddy has a 69 super bee 426 hemi with dual quads - original orange paint still in great condition.

 

[U201491]

Most of America's young men have no idea what 400+ HP feels like!
Poor eunichs!

 

[U201491]

Sure puts these damned little bumblebees to shame.
But, I also remember filling a 20 gal tank for a couple pennies under $2.
You can watch the gas gage drop when you cranked those tricked out 4 an 5 hundred hp engines.

 

[spectra]

My first car 69 Charger RT/SE 440 magnum.... oh I wish I still had that car. A friend had one of those 70 500 also. Also remember seeing a white Superbird running around town every once in a while ooohhh......

 

[Dunerunner]

A buddy of mine in high school had a 65 Pontiac GTO, 389 Tri-power, close ratio four speed and Hurst shifter kit. Red with black leather interior (at least I remember it being leather), Black convertible roof. It was a chick magnet and would flat fly!

 

[Redcap]

Most of America's young men have no idea what 400+ HP feels like!
Poor eunichs!

600 is the new 400.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Most of America's young men have no idea what 400+ HP feels like!
Poor eunichs!

At least not with drum brakes, over boosted power steering, and no feel for the road at triple digits.

They've probably never spun the rims inside the tires either.

OR gapped points with a matchbook.

 

[spectra]

At least not with drum brakes, over boosted power steering, and no feel for the road at triple digits.

They've probably never spun the rims inside the tires either.

OR gapped points with a matchbook.

Points what are those All the kids of today know are electronic stuff and most don't even work on a car. I think owning a Volkswagon made me really work on cars Had to adjust the valves almost every time you changed the oil Oh those were he days....

 

[clambo]

I have. my second car was a 71 Firebird Formula 400. Plenty fast. But not fast enough so I replaced the engine with a 421 SD w/ tri-power. Now that was fast. I had a beautiful life.

 

[swoop]

The true HP of the 427 L-88 and 426 Hemi were way under rated for insurance reasons. They were both in to the 500 HP range.

 

[68fastback]

At least not with drum brakes, over boosted power steering, and no feel for the road at triple digits.

They've probably never spun the rims inside the tires either.

OR gapped points with a matchbook.

Or adjusted the valves on a big solid lifter camshaft, in a 11.5:1 comp V8 engine, when the plugs can't easily be removed.

 

[Caveman Jim]

They called those triple two barrels a six pack back in the day.

Or Tri Power...

 

[clambo]

Or Tri Power...

The tripower setup ran off the center 2bbl and was quite manageable until you depressed the accelerator about 3/4 pedal. Then they all opened up and it was like having a JATO under your ***. Honestly I would have never been able to synch those carbs without my smart engineer/mechanic old man. I have to give him full credit for anything gun, car, motorcycle, or 4x4 related. He taught me a lot and paid for a LOT of reloading components.

 

[Fast Eddie]

I have a friend that just picked up a 66 GTO 4 speed Tri power, 38,000 original miles, matching numbers, just needs paint. I don't think he has slept since he bought it.

 

[rufus]

Was curious so I looked it up.

1970 Dodge Charger 500

• Original Price: $3,000 - $3,710
• Today's Average Auction Sale: $46,726