| OCR Text |
Show The Park Record Tues/Wed/Thur. December 21-23, 2004 C-21 D oes that Ihing have a Hemi? You've seen the Dodge pickup TV commercials and gel a chuckle every time. But, ever since Chrysler began selling a new Hemi engine (2003), buyers are only left willi more questions about what, exactly, a Hemi engine is a what, exactly, it does thai makes it so desirable. It has been more than 30 years since the last generation of Hemi was built, so to understand the new Hemi, you'll have lo understand the old one. It's a blast through the past that Girysler hasn't given you, so hang on. When you're done reading this, you'll not only know what a Hemi is, you'll laugh a whole . lot louder at the end of those TV spots. The origin of the Hemi name, which dates back more than five decades, is actually quite simple: highly effective hemispherical (domeshaped) combustion chambers. This can-do motor has powered dragsters, NASCAR slock cars and speed boats of every description, winning literally thousands of races in the process. Today, aftermarket versions of the Hemi continue to be sold through DaimlerChrysler's Mopar Performance parts division. Recognizing the public's love affair with the Hemi, Chrysler reintroduccd a modernized version of the Hemi engine in its truck, Jeep and Dodge/Chrysler passenger-car lines. Its first appearance in a production vehicle since the last of the Hcmi-powcrcd Chrysler products rumbled off the assembly lines in 1971. Amuzingly, the origins of the Hemi go back nearly 100 years. In 1904, the Welch Motor Company produced a 20-horsepower. twincylinder engine that used hemispherical heads. During the 1920s and 1930s, some of America's bestknown and most prestigious engine builders, including Stutz, Duesenberg, Delage, Miller and Offcnhauser adopted the design. These manufacturers, along with several European brands, found that using 'hemi' heads, with their increased air flow and more efficient combustion chambers, yielded tremendous power. As a bonus, their engines performed well regardless of gasoline quality. Unfortunately, there was a downside to these early exampics. Not only were they expensive to manufacture, but they tended to be rough running and not very reliable. However, the good definitely outweighed the bad. Beginning in the 1930s, Chrysler engineers began experimenting with a hemi-headed engine as an eventual replacement for the straight-eight L-hcad motor. During the Second World War. Chrysler adapted the design for its 16-cylinder aircraft engine, which eventually saw service in the Republic P47 fighter. Having tamed its shortcomings, Chrysler developed a V8 version for use in its passenger cars shortly after the war. The need was immediate, particularly since General Motors had introduced a new V8 design in the 1949 Cadillac and Oldsmobilc models. In terms of performance, both cars became class leaders, easily devouring everything else on the road. By MALCOLM GUNN WHEELBASE COMMUNICATIONS 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee HEMI On February 9, 1951, Chrysler launched its response to GM's gauntlet toss, the hemi-head FirePower V8. Although the engine shared Cadillac's 331 cubic-inch displacement, the FirePower produced a stout-for-thc-limes 180 horsepower and 312 Ib.-ft. of torque at a barely-running 2,000 r.p.m.That represented 20 more horsepower and considerably more torque than its luxury rival. Initially, only two models - the top-of-the-line Imperial and New Yorker - came standard with the FirePower. The smaller and less expensive Saratoga adopted the engine a short time later. Chrysler's DeSoto division developed its own (albeit less powerful) Hemi offshoot, called the FireDome, in 1952, followed a year later by Dodge's version, the Red Ram. The racing fraternity immediately recognized the tremendous horsepower bencfils of t h c FirePower. and began using it with great success in stock-car and dragracing events. In endurance racing. Briggs Cunningham won his class and finished fourth overall at the Le Mans (France) 24-hour endurance race in his Hemi-powered C-4Rracecar. The FirePower received almost continuous increases in both engine size and horsepower throughout the early lo mid1950s. By the time the first-generation Hemi was retired in 1958 (due to high production costs) it had turned into a firebreathing 392-cubic inch monster that delivered up to 390 horsepower in Chrysler's 'letter' car, the 300-D. But the Hemi would not remain silent, or out of production for long. After a six-year hiatus, Chrysler brought back this proven performer, but with extensive modifications. Displacement wus upped to 426 cubic inches (close to NASCAR's seven-liter limit), with output pegged at 425 horsepower and 490 lb.^n. of torque. The engine became the darling of stock-car racers such as legend Richard Petty, and the bane of NASCAR rulemakers who struggled with complaints from other manufacturers regarding the Hemi's perceived unfair advantage. On the track, the Hemi would prove to be king, as well as the racing standard. With a heavy dose of factory support. Hemi drag cars would rack up a countless victories spanning a period of decades. And that translated to the street Throughout the 1960s and '70s, intermediate-sized Plymouth Road Runners and Dodge Chargers, as well as the sportier Plymouth Barracudas and Dodge Challengers, could be turned wild on the streets equipped with this pricey (nearly 51,000) option. As the muscle car era declined in the early 1970s, a victim of oppressive insurance and environmental penalties, Hemi production ceased once again. Of all the major racing formats, only drag racing managed to maintain its use in sanctioned events. Now, it is good-old-days nostalgia plus the skyrocketing values of original Heim-equipped iron that keeps it from being forgotten. The Hemi's triumphant return, in a smaller and a much more modern state is certainly reason to celcbrale. It's a fining tribute to an engine that has proven to be not only unbeatable, but apparently unstoppable. • Malcolm Gunn is Wheelbase Communications' chief road tester and historic writer. Wheelbase is a world-wide supplier of automobile news, reviews and features. Special Purchase Used Vehicles HEMI POWERED! 2 0 0 5 All New! 04 Grand 04 Toyota 04 Chrysler N O W In Stock! Cherokees 4Runners Pacifica AWD 6 to choose from V8s & 6 Cylinders 2005 Chrysler Pacifica AWD Lease For Just TWELVE to choose from LEV 17371 starting at #254027 2004 Dodge Durango Limited SAVE UP TO #241083 America's' Hottest Products are right hereat John Median! Absolutely Loaded! Requires Commerical incentive*. 2004 Dodge Ram 2 5 0 0 Diesel SAVE UP TO Power! Requires Commerical incentives. 2005 Jeep Liberty Now Only, . . . #258013 DODGE&CHRYSLER&JEEP 'Price and payments are plus tax and license. Rebates and incentives to dealer. Requires financing with Chrysler Financial (CRC). OAC 2700 Rasmussen Road starting at Used Cars Hand-Picked for Park City Leather, Heated Seats, Loaded! OHN MECHAM starting at $17,650 $24,995 $21650 for only38 months! Diesel 6 lto0 cn0Dse from <• f / * f ° choose I(om r * © « • ' 2 with Navigational & DVD Systems V6, Automatic 00 - 04 Dodge Neons, Automatic - Five to choose from siarting <® $ 4 9 9 5 02 98 02 02 02 04 00 00 Chevrolet Cavalier Coupe, Low miles $6950 Ford Expedition XLT, Third seat, Rear AC, CD stacker $9995 & 03 Dodge Grand Caravans, Three to choose ftom storting @ 5 1 0 , 9 5 0 Pontiac Aztec AWD, Ready for winter $11,950 Kia Sedona Van, Only 26,000 miles $12,995 Dodge Intrepid ES, 3.5 V6, chrome wheels $13,995 Chrysler 300M, All options, low miles $13,995 Mazda Millenium S, Great shape, new tires $14,650 00 01 01 02 02 03 04 03 04 03 04 03 04 03 04 04 $14,950 Nissan Pathfinder SE, Leather, moonroof $14,995 Subaru Outback, Low miles, perfect $15,995 Mitsubishi Monfero Ltd, Loaded, great shape $15,995 Jeep Liberty Limited, Right miles, fantastic shape $16,990 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT, Only 27,000 miles $18,950 Toyota Tacoma X-Cab, 26,000 miles $19,750 Dodge Dakota ClubCab, V8 $20,650 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, 17,000 miles $20,650 Jeep Liberty Limited, Leather, low miles $20,950 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Auto, hard top, low miles $20,995 Toyota RAV4 AWD, Low miles, like new $20,995 Nissan Pathfinder LE, Leather, moonroof, low miles Dodge Durango SLT, Only 2 left sailing ©$21,995 Dodge 2500 QuadCab Cummins, Lift, custom wheels, extra sharp $29,950 Dodge 2500 QuadCab SLT, 4x4, 600 diesel $31,500 Toyota Sequoia SR5, Extra low miles $34,500 www.johnmechamauto.com |
