The Sunday we just left behind was more special than others, since 4.26 was HEMI day. The celebration reached gearheads across the world and we are now here for one hell of a cake, namely a rendering portraying a Mopar dream build, one revolving around a Dodge Coronet.
The melange sitting before us is a 1967 Coronet that was transformed into a quarter-mile hero. The "back in black" attitude of the machine is augmented with a B-pillar delete, which only emphasizes the memorable upper section of the Coronet, while the cabin now accommodates a roll cage, just in case things go south.
Nevertheless, the icing comes from the engine compartment. This is where we find the crown jewel of the Mopar family, namely the Hellephant 426 crate engine. And while this already relies on a supercharger to hit a nicely rounded 1,000 horsepower and 950 lb-ft, for a price of $30,000, the example we have here also packs a pair of turbochargers - you can't miss those snails flanking the engine, especially with the hood off.
For the record, the retro HEMI 426 was put to sleep by emission regulations back in 1971, so its rebirth alone (this took place last year), is a reason to jump for joy. As for this rendering, we have to thank digital artist Abimelec Arellano for the eye candy.
Of course, the quarter-mile dedication of the project means the Dodge also features proper wheels and tires. As such, the rear axle features bead lock wheels to keep those massive tires in place during the takeoff phase, while skinny units that minimize rolling resistance.
Now, while the HEMI range animating Dodge's Brotherhood of Muscle grabs headlines and pixels these days, the history of V8s with hemispherical combustion chambers is much richer. The principle of this hardware is simple: compared to the flathead V8s that came before them, this design allowed for a reduction in surface area (think: less energy wasted through heat absorption and loss) and an increase in volume.
In fact, if you scroll past the Instagram post below, you'll find an YouTube clip telling the story of the HEMI V8 in the spiced-up Donut Media style, so you'd better turn up the volume for this one.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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