Skip to main content

A roar for the ages: Chrysler celebrates five decades of Hemi V8 power

chrysler 426 hemi 50th anniversary mopar logo
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Car companies are very sentimental.

The people who make cars are always eager to celebrate the anniversary of a brand, model or, in this case, an engine.

Recommended Videos

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Chrysler’s 426 “Race” Hemi V8, by far the most iconic engine to ever come out of Auburn Hills.

“Hemi” refers to the engine’s hemispherical combustion chambers, which help produce more power. Chrysler’s first Hemi debuted in 1951, but the second-generation 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) version has achieved legendary status as one of the main motors of the 1960s muscle-car era.

The 426 Hemi debuted at the Daytona 500 in February 1964, powering Richard Petty to victory and, ultimately, the year’s NASCAR championship.

The Hemi was just as competitive on the drag strip as it was on the oval. That same year, Don Garlits became the first National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) driver to break the 200-mph barrier in a Hemi-powered dragster. He covered the quarter mile in 7.78 seconds at 201.34 mph.

However, the engine still wasn’t available to civilians; when NASCAR mandated that all race engines for the 1965 season be available in production cars, Chrysler simply withdrew and concentrated on drag racing.

A 426 “Street” Hemi finally made it to the street in 1966. Nicknamed the “Elephant Motor” it launched a golden age for Mopar fans that would include high-performance models like the Dodge Charger and Plymouth GTX, as well as countless “That thang got a Hemi?” jokes.

The second-generation Chrysler Hemi hung on until 1971; concerns over fuel economy, emissions, and insurance would kill the muscle car shortly after. However, Chrysler revived the Hemi was a 5.7-liter V8 for the Dodge Ram pickup truck in 2003. It soon migrated to the “LX” rear-wheel drive cars (Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Magnum) as well as the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Today, the Hemi still anchors Chrysler’s performance-vehicle lineup, with a 6.4-liter version powering the current 300, Charger, Challenger, and Grand Cherokee SRT models. At 392 cubic inches, it’s a bit smaller than the old Elephant, but who’s counting?

Chrysler will celebrate the 426 Hemi’s 50th birthday with merchandise, marketing events, and a new logo rendered in appropriate Hemi Orange.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Location data for 800,000 cars exposed online for months
VW logo.

A data leak led to around 800,000 Volkswagen (VW) electric vehicles (EVs) having their location exposed online for several months, according to a report by German news magazine Der Spiegel.

The global incident impacted owners of EVs from VW, Audi, Seat, and Skoda, with real-time location showing for the affected vehicles, whether they were at home, driving along the street, or, in the words of Der Spiegel, parked “in front of the brothel.”

Read more
Faraday Future could unveil lowest-priced EV yet at CES 2025
Faraday Future FF 91

Given existing tariffs and what’s in store from the Trump administration, you’d be forgiven for thinking the global race toward lower electric vehicle (EV) prices will not reach U.S. shores in 2025.

After all, Chinese manufacturers, who sell the least expensive EVs globally, have shelved plans to enter the U.S. market after 100% tariffs were imposed on China-made EVs in September.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs. Tesla Model Y: Does electric SUV beat the bestselling EV?
Hyundai Ioniq 9 driving

The long-awaited Hyundai Ioniq 9 is finally on the way, after months of waiting for what many hope will be a  true competitor to the Kia EV9. The electric SUV is likely to be one of the go-to options for those who want a larger EV at a lower price than the likes of the Rivian R1S. But, while it's larger than the Tesla Model Y, it's also likely to be a little more expensive.

The two vehicles are a bit different when it comes to things like performance, range, and charging. Is the Hyundai Ioniq 9 worth the extra cash, or should you go for the cheaper, yet smaller car? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The overall designs of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Tesla Model Y are pretty different, and that may be enough to sway your buying decision. The Ioniq 9 is a true SUV; it's big and boxy, and while it looks a little sleeker than some SUVs thanks to its curved roofline, it's clearly larger than the Tesla Model Y. At the front of the Ioniq 9 is a long light bar separated into pixel-like blocks that helps give the vehicle a unique design motif. At the rear of the Ioniq 9, you'll also find pixel lights curving around the sides and top of the trunk. The Ioniq 9 measures 199.2 inches long, 78 inches wide, and 70.5 inches high.

Read more