There's a continuing mystique surrounding Chrysler's sibling muscle cars, the Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda, reflected in their sometimes astronomic prices on the classic car market. What is it about Morpars pony cars that commands such enduring loyalty to the marque? You can find out in Peter Grist's comprehensive history of the development of the two cars, recently reprinted in paperback form. Its 192 pages are full of photos, many from Chryslers archives and contemporary advertising. Grist has clearly done his homework, interviewing many of the people who worked on the designs of the cars. As with most of the great muscle cars, success did not come overnight. The Barracuda concept started in the late fifties ad the compact Plymouth Valiant, a direct competitor to Fords Falcon, Chervolets Corsair and AMCs Rambler. Dodges Challenger was a latecomer, as by the late sixties they needed something bigger than their compact Dart, yet smaller that the Charger. The resulting rivalry between the Plymouth and Dodge styling houses, racing to produce a sales-beaitng body on the E-Body chassis, is quite a story. Despite the increasing Establishment resistance to muscle cars, their efforts bore fruit with the stunning 1970 Challenger and Cuda, designs destined for immortality. This should be essential reading for all Mopar muscle fans. Classic American.
