Backfire: Will There Be Any Fun In The Future? | The Online Automotive Marketplace

Any Fun In The Future?

I am a longtime subscriber to the Hemmings publications and my favorite magazine on this planet is HMM. In my 68 years I have subscribed to many different automotive magazines, but none have been so enjoyable as Hemmings. Thanks for putting out such a great read and all the great quality photos. If I was still a kid—like before I was interested in reading and mostly just looked at the photos—I think I would have just about every cover photo taped to my walls.

I have owned and raced many a car that grace your pages. About 10 years ago, after many years raising a family, I purchased a beautiful 2003 Corvette ZO6, and I thought I was 19 years old all over again. That is, until I looked in the mirror, but darn, I surely felt younger. I was a street racer in the past, so I like cars with muscle, and that was also the best handling ’Vette I have ever owned.

After six fun-filled years, I went back to my old true love: Mother Mopar. I purchased a 2014 Challenger R/T with the 5.7-liter Hemi. What a great driving car! I felt it needed a bit more power, however. Two years ago, I purchased a 2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack with the 485-hp Hemi. This one is loaded: leather and Alcantara (it has the Plus package), sunroof, Dynamic adjustable suspension, six-speed manual, super stereo, and A/C. No, I didn’t rip out the A/C for a couple of more horses as many of us have done in the past. This car has the most comfortable seats and plenty of muscle, too.

I know your magazine is mostly geared for the older cars, of which I have had many, but at this point in my life I just want to change my fluids and drive it—I’m getting too darn old for fixing things on the side of the road or not wanting to drive these cars too far for fear of a breakdown. Been there, done that.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this. I recall back in the early 1970s insurance rates were rising, horsepower was dropping, and gas prices were rising… so people were selling Hemi cars for a few hundred bucks. With all that in mind, I was wondering if you had any thoughts on the days ahead. Modern muscle manufacturing seems to be coming to an end, with gas prices rising, EVs on the horizon, and a movement that seems to be out to keep guys like us from having fun because of a go-green agenda. I personally don’t have another 50 years to see if my Challenger will ever make it to an auction to fetch high dollars, but what do you think? Will values hold or will I be selling my toy for a few hundred dollars in the near future?

My thanks to HMM for always dropping such a great read in my mailbox each and every time. And yes, I still look at all the pictures first!

– Angelo D., Brooklyn, New York and Milford, Pennsylvania

It’s true that we tend to pay close attention to the market and value trends here at Hemmings, but even our crystal ball can get a bit foggy when attempting to see the future—especially right now. As you’ve said, we’re all being told that the future is electric, and yet, internal combustion performance cars are still very popular. Dodge is the brand that seems to have made the most of appealing to lovers of traditional muscle in its product development and marketing for the past several years, but Dodge is also the brand that has been telling us for months that this is the end of the road for those models. Given that Dodge can’t seem to build enough Challengers and Chargers to meet current demand, we’d say the values on those cars are likely to stay strong for the foreseeable future. But don’t go filling a barn with them based on our input. These are turbulent times for the auto industry—it’s hard to say what’s coming next. Having said that, we doubt you’ll have to give your Challenger away anytime soon.

It All Fits

As I eagerly peeled open my August issue of HMM to the cover story about recreating a classic Camaro, I started clenching my teeth by the second paragraph. Owner Tom Tomlinson explained his intention to basically build a modern car under the original body. I’ve heard it a thousand times. Then came something between an apology and self-defense for doing this to a vintage car.

Some years ago, after reading a column in HMM supporting the updating of older cars mechanically and technologically, I submitted an email suggesting a 1930s Duesenberg SJ could be similarly improved with a replacement crate Hemi, a Tremec six-speed, and a set of Brembo disc brakes. This is a discussion I have regularly with my car buddies. We’re all in our mid-70s. It seems I am in the minority. If I ever purchased any older vehicle, I would want to relive the experience of driving as it was then. I can’t rationalize why anyone would rebuild such a car with the intention of taking it out on an interstate just to keep up with traffic. I can think of much more enjoyable ways to amuse myself with an old car, high performance or otherwise. They make new cars that do that. They have air conditioning and get decent gas mileage as Matt Gurjack alluded to in your article.

However, this is Mr. Tomlinson’s car. He paid for it, and he should build it the way he wants it. When these cars were purchased new, young guys never drove them exactly the way they came from the factory. Nobody ever drove a car with those dog-dish hub caps that collectors insist on displaying proudly on their restored cars. They came with the car, yes. But, when I bought my ’72 ’Cuda 340 new, the salesman tried to sell me a set of Plymouth’s Rallye wheels. He said, “You’re not really going to drive that car around with those ugly little hub caps on it, are you?” I said, “No, I have a set of deep-dish slotted aluminum wheels for it.” Back then, the saying was, “Wheels make the car,” at least where I lived. A few trips to the speed shop and some tires improved performance. A stereo cassette system was a nice addition. I saw the shortcomings of the 8-track offered by the factory.

Mr. Tomlinson’s car is just plain gorgeous, and he is obviously very happy with it. That’s what counts. I would like to thank him and HMM for sharing it with us. There are plenty of cars restored to original specs patrolling the streets and in museums. I’ve gotten over restomods and Pro-Tourers. Let’s all move on and just talk cars—all kinds.

Thanks, I feel much better now. Send me your bill.

– Tom Reinheimer, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Thanks for writing, Tom, and for keeping an open mind. The muscle car hobby has become somewhat diverse, and while we continue to feature plenty of stock, restored cars of the era, we’re also giving space to the restomods that have become quite popular, as you’ve noted. We feel there’s room for them all, and we’re glad to hear you’re seeing it that way too. Tom Tomlinson’s Camaro is interesting for the effort made to both capture the outward vibe of the COPO Camaro while also incorporating the updated drivetrain, suspension, and some amenities. Want to read about the real thing? We’ve got a really good story coming up in the next issue on a factory ZL1 Camaro’s unlikely journey back to showroom stock. There’s space here for them all.

The Origins of Letters

I’m a long-time subscriber down here in Connecticut. I purchased my first 1970 A66 Dodge Challenger [340 package] back in 1978. I have owned many Mopars since and currently have a 1970 Challenger T/A.

I enjoy your magazine. An article I would like to see would be one on the history of the OEM raised white letter tires, specifically the Goodyear Polyglas and Firestone Wide Oval. I used to collect these back in the day and still love their look. I often see them on cars that I don’t think they belong on. I thought it would be an interesting article to cover who were the first vehicles to get them, the variations (for example, Polyglas originally didn’t display the size), and the sizes. Who were the first cars to get these? A ’69 Hurst/Olds? I know by 1970 they were everywhere. My T/A has the distinction of having the first application of mixed sizes (E60-15 in front, G60-15 in the rear).

– Jeff Coe, Trumbull, Connecticut

That’s an interesting idea, Jeff, and could indeed make for an interesting story. We’re pretty sure the first car to get the 60-series tires from the factory was the ’69 Boss 302, but the first factory available raised white letters may have been before that. I think we’re going to have to investigate—input from anyone else on the subject would be welcome.

Backfire: Will There Be Any Fun In The Future? | The Online Automotive Marketplace | Hemmings (2024)