Hemmings Muscle Machines May 2022

“…with newer generations of enthusiasts come variations in tastes and preferences…” You’re likely familiar with the lament from fellow enthusiasts about younger people not being into classic cars — we’ve been hearing it from a segment of the readership for ages. There was a time some years back when I shared these concerns, but no more — I’ve seen younger generations engaged in the vintage car hobby firsthand on too many occasions to still harbor any such doomsday premonitions. I have to admit, though, that I’m still trying to get used to not being a part of that “younger” group anymore. From the time I first became enthralled with muscle cars, my friends and I were always trying to follow trends and glean knowledge from guys who were older than us, beginning…

V-SERIES ESCALADE FOR 2023 CADILLAC HAS ANNOUNCED THAT, AT LONG LAST, THERE WILL BE A V-SERIES ESCALADE FOR 2023 “With nearly two decades of racing-inspired prowess, the V-Series designation is reserved for vehicles that encompass the peak of Cadillac performance, bold, distinguished design, and innovative technology,” said Cadillac in what was the bulk of its statement about the two-and-a-half-ton SUV. If we were the guessing type, we’d surmise that the 6.2-liter Gen V V-8 that lives under the Escalade’s hood will wear a deep-breathing supercharger, à la Cadillac’s own CT5-V Blackwing. Whether Cadillac will be able to wring more than the sedan’s 668 rated horsepower (and with the Escalade’s extra room in the engine compartment, we suspect that it should be able to) is, at this writing, anyone’s guess. More news will be…

“Your March issue’s superlative cover story on Bill Sherman’s stunning ’61 Pontiac generated an immediate phone call to my brother, Jim. He answered, and I said, “Did you see that Muscle Machines cover story?” He immediately said, “Oh yeah — Kenny Johnson!” Kenny Johnson was a crazy high school gearhead like us who had that same style and color car, though not built to the level of Bill’s. Ken’s was the only one we could relate to, having cruised in it. As happens to all of us car people, conversations ensue, and stories flow like lava from our erupting memory. Bill’s Ventura build perfectly highlights the classic unsung style of the ’61 Pontiac, with its forward leaning nose, windswept A-pillars on that sleek bubbletop, aggressive spear-side trim, and restrained tailfin finish. Kudos…

BIG-BLOCK FAMILY Your January issue ( HMM #221) was great. A Dick Harrell 427 Camaro on the cover and a 427 Bel Air project inside! I remember when the 427 came out, and I remain a big fan. In the late ’60s, I went with my older brother, Dallas, who was just past his mid-20s and was shopping for a drag car. We looked at a ’61 Corvette with a small-block ($1,200), a ’67 Hemi Coronet ($1,500), and an AMX ($1,800). Of the three, he was most interested in the Coronet, but when he returned with the money, the salesman raised the price to $1,700. My brother was not happy and refused to buy the car, even when the salesman called him to say he’d accept the $1,500. Later, he offered it…

LITTLE DID PHOENIX, ARIZONA’S OWN Michael Flippo know when he bought this ’68 Mustang coupe as a nicely repainted stocker at the start of the pandemic that he would be signing up for the Mustang Pledge. Don’t remember the Mustang Pledge? We understand how it might have escaped you. The Mustang Pledge was a ’67-era advertisement that wove in mention of Mustang’s inherent combination of sporty looks, performance, and value — all with condescending “for the girls” copy (i.e., sticking to her diet despite the Tilt-Away wheel), with nary a word about cubic inches or Competition Suspension or any such high-velocity accoutrement. Of the 317,000-plus Mustangs sold for the 1968 model year, of the near quarter-million coupes, approximately zero buyers actually took the pledge seriously. Also, it’s a five-and-a-half decade-old magazine…

My uncle introduced me to Mustangs when I was young; ever since, they’ve held a special place in my heart. I’ve owned a late-model GT500, my uncle owned a Mach 1, and my brother owned a Fox-body. I call this car the Red Devil… not because it’s mean, but because this car was the devil. It put up a fight on every corner of the build. Even the most mundane projects would turn out to be a huge undertaking. I should have doubled both the amount of time and the budget needed to complete the project. But I love that it was purpose-built—I knew that I wanted a car that could handle like a modern-day muscle car, while maintaining the reliability that EFI provides. It’s got the right stance, look…