Camaro vs Challenger vs Mustang racing against each other in NHRA Pro Stock.  Something that was a reality back in the early 1970’s and could be again for the first time in nearly 40 years, but not yet.

Ford has signed on to race Pro Stock again after a long absence and will be using the new 2010 Mustang along with a brand new engine, but GM and Chrysler have not signed on to use their retro pony cars, yet.  Chrysler will apparently be using a heavily reworked Avenger body (yes, the 4-door family car) and GM will use the dead Pontiac GXP and Chevy Cobalt for this year.

Although seeing all three racing actual rear wheel drive muscle cars would be the best for the fans, the reality is that the automakers want to use what they need to sell the most of.  Chrysler, does not need to use the Challenger (or advertise it at all) because they have a hard enough time keeping up with orders right now because demand has been far stronger than the companies original projections for only selling 35,000 cars a year.

Ford projects, builds and sells 90,000-100,000 Mustangs a year which slots it into the “must advertise” category.  GM projects exactly the same for the new Camaro so it is a viable option for GM to use it as a Pro Stocker in the future.

For those that don’t think the C63 AMG’s 451HP is enough, can now check off the “Performance Package Plus” option on the order form to receive an additional 30 horsepower, among other goodies.

Although all V8 AMG vehicles share the same 6.2L V8, they all produce varying horsepower and torque levels.  A “normal” C63 makes 451 but an S63 makes 518.  Mercedes says the lower C63 number is due to “restrictions associated with fitting the engine to the C-classes smaller engine bay”

….but it isn’t, its just ECU tuning.

That is why I am pleasantly surprised to see that the new 487 HP Performance Package Plus C63 actually uses newer lighter forged pistons, crankshaft and connecting rods that will also see duty in the new SLS AMG supercar.  As well as ECU tuning.

You also get better brakes with composite rotors, a carbon fiber spoiler, alcantara leather seats and a nappa leather wrapped AMG steering wheel.  No word yet if the PPP C63 will make it to North America, and if it does expect the Performance Package Plus to add over $10,000.00 to the price of the standard C63.

Canadian Auto Workers Union head Ken Lewenza went to meet Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne pessimistic and left very optimistic about his family of Canadian auto workers and Chryslers future.

“I left feeling pretty good, and, frankly, I went there pretty down,” said CAW President Ken Lewenza.  “We got a lot off our chest,” Lewenza said of the meeting, adding that he was also surprised by the fact that “there was nothing negative in the meeting.”

The top CAW members were also shown the next generation 300C that they stated was lower, sleeker and had L.E.D headlights.  They were also told that the Windsor built Chrysler and Dodge minivans would be better differentiated from each other in appearance (and in price too I must add, as Sergio plans for Chrysler to take out Caddy) and that a smaller sized van for global consumption would be produced (as earlier reports have stated).

The meeting, which was to last just 3 hours, ended up lasting over 6 and included Sergio taking them out to dinner at a local fish restaurant.  Other information included Marchionne saying that any plans to produce Alfa’s in Brampton are too far off yet but there are long term plans in place for production of the 300, Charger and Challenger at the Brampton plant.

Sergio also reiterated that the Vans, small Jeeps and other models would be completely revamped and show up by 2011 fists blazin’.

Expect much of this to become much clearer on November 4th when Chryslers new owners unveil their dramatic 5 year business and product plan to the media at their tech center in Michigan.

Well, there are some stipulations.  #1 being you need to be Canadian or live in a Northern state and want to drive a snowbirds car to Florida, whenever they need you to. OR you need to live in or around Florida and really want to see Canada in the spring time.

What the Companies need from you is a clean driving record and the ability to drive straight to the destination without any impromptu detours to Vegas as the miles are tracked and you will have to pay a penalty if they are not kept in check.

The Companies in charge obviously know how much fun it is to rock some old dudes Buick or Toyota because other than the fuel cost, you wont be compensated for anything else.

Hit up www.torontodriveaway.com or www.carstoflorida.com to fill out an application if this interests you.

Arguably the prettiest and most expensive of all muscle cars are the 1970 – 1971 Plymouth Cudas and Dodge Challengers.

A rare example packing 426 Hemi or 440 six pack power can run well into the 6 figures on the auction block, so why not buy a beater and restore it?  Even if the total restoration ends up costing tens of thousands, you are most likely going to come out on top when it comes time to sell.  These photo’s show the dedication that auto restoration experts put forward to literally bring these beasts back from the dead

Meet the “Baron Cuda”, a legit 1971 Hemicuda that was apparently (as the story is told) sitting in a barn minding its own business until a nasty divorce and even nastier X-wife had it destroyed by a back-hoe.

However, when the dead carcass landed in the right hands, it was put back together.  Although the only apparent original parts are the serial numbers and a piece of the cowl.

This is the “barrelcuda” (as you may have noticed by its first picture).  A very rare 1971 Cuda with a 440 six pack that was ridden hard and put away wet.  The car became famous when  its pictures showed up on carsinbarns.com sitting up on barrels in a scrap yard in Newfoundland.  It too landed in the right hands.

For a more in depth write up about the barrelcuda make sure to check out its resto album