Pentastar Muscle

1968

A strong argument can be made that 1968 was the year the entire automotive world began to give Chrysler Corporation a new-found respect. Several factors contributed to that attitude:

1. A newly restyled Charger was, perhaps, the most breathtakingly beautiful automobile ever to see a dealer's showroom floor. Performance-oriented R/T models could be had with 383 (standard), 440 or Hemi power. Charger sales figures skyrocketed.



2. Once it became obvious that Plymouth had scored a home run with the "original" economy musclecar, the Road Runner, Dodge responded with the Super Bee. Sales for both far exceeded any and all expectations as America embraced the concept. A 335 horsepower 383 B-engine was standard in each with the 425 horsepower 426 Hemi as the only optional equipment.



3. Drag racing would never be the same once the Super Stock Hemi-powered Darts and Barracudas reached the hands of such notables as Dick Landy and the Sox & Martin team. Built for Chrysler by Hurst, these 8-second-quarter-mile rockets continue to dominate the Super Stock ranks to this day.



4. The Plymouth GTX and Coronet R/T received further refinements and upscale-appointments, putting them at the forefront of the musclecar world. With the largest displacement engine available in any musclecar, the two had no equal.



5. Last, but certainly not least, was the introduction of the new 340 cubic-inch LA small-block V8 engine. Rated at a conservative 275 horsepower, the 340 in a Dart or Barracuda routinely beat up on big block-powered Brand-X musclecars. Many argue that the 340 was as significant an achievement for Chrysler as the Hemi.