ROBERT GENAT
In 1955, Chrysler introduced the first of its famed 300 "letter series" cars. Into this stylish car they stuffed a dual-quad equipped Hemi engine rated at 300 horsepower-giving birth to the American muscle car. The 1955 C-300 created the performance wave that manufacturers would attempt to ride throughout the 1950s. When the Detroit performance wars began in earnest during the 1960s, Chrysler was ready with Max Wedge and Hemi cars that dominated the drag strips and NASCAR high banks. Throughout the 1960s, Chrysler gave its customers Road Runners, Cudas, R/Ts, and Charger nameplates backed by legendary Hemi and Six Pack engines. Adding to the cars muscular image were vibrant colors, functional hood scoops, and bold stripes. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, these cars attracted crowds at drive-ins and embarrassed the competition on the streets. Mopars were the baddest cars on the boulevard and have become enduring icons of the muscle car era.
In the 1990s, Chrysler rekindled its muscle car fire by producing the red hot Viper. Then they stoked that fire with the sizzling Neon SRT-4 and Viper powered Ram SRT-10. After introducing the exciting new Crossfire sports car, Chrysler created an SRT-6 performance version. Chrysler then introduced the modern American muscle car with the release of its new Hemi engine packaged in the stunning 2005 Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum RT. For 50 years Mopar has been synonymous with performance and style.
Mopar Muscle is a gorgeously illustrated tribute to these cars. It is studded with color photographs of these amazing machines and their evolution from two-and-one-half-ton behemoths into nimble, high-performance sport compacts. Full of rich detail and stories of the personalities behind the automobiles, Mopar Muscle is a must-have for all muscle car fans.
About the Author
Robert Genat is an award winning author and photographer who has written over two-dozen books for Motorbooks International. A self-proclaimed "gearhead," Robert has restored several muscle cars and currently drives a chopped deuce coupe on a daily basis. He and his wife, Robin, own and operate Zone Five Photo in Encinitas, California.
This lavishly produced book is definitely a feast for all fans of this line of cars: the photography (by David Newhardt) is absolutely stunning. Not only are the pictures big, and of the highest quality, but the thought that has gone into their composition is plain for all to see. It could be argued that given the striking nature of these cars, and the wonderful backdrops, it would be hard to go wrong, but Newhardt went the extra mile here, and it shows. The story is also very comprehensive, listing all of the cars from the line, and taking time to tell the story in a well-researched, yet caring way. It is obvious that Robert Genat knows the subject well and loves it even more. . . . This book is a must-have for all lovers of American muscle, and thanks to the sheer depth of its coverage and drop-dead-gorgeous photography, the asking price of £34.99 is something of a bargain. - Classic Car Weekly (UK)
