Last week we showed you what happens when old Ford and GM airbags are set off in an enclosed place, and now it's time to see what kind of damage an old Chrysler airbag can inflict on a mini fridge. To keep the fridge grounded, Farmer Dave slapped a Reagan era microwave on top of it, wired up the airbag to the battery, and let her rip. The door went flying, the little refrigerator's side walls were compromised, and, well, follow the jump to see it for yourself. It wasn't as explosive as the Ford door, but we love how Farmer Dave employs the saliva test on the back plate of the airbag to see if it's still hot. Sizzling spit is acceptable behavior in YouTube land.
Click above for high-res gallery of Chrysler's booth on Woodward Ave.
The Chrysler booth at the Woodward Dream Cruise is all about two things: muscle cars and Mopar. The Pentastar filled up the massive mall parking lot at 13 mile and Woodward with dozens of classic rides from the '60s, '70s, and today. Among the best examples of Motown Metal were old-school Chrysler 300s, a brilliant orange Dodge Charger equipped with the Super Bird wing, and quite a few vintage Challengers. For some reason the Nassau concept from the 2007 Detroit Auto Show keeps creeping up at all Chrysler events, and it made it's way to Woodward, too. Chrysler also had plenty of chances for Mopar fans to kick back and have some fun, including a massive slot car track, a rock climbing wall and Rock Band. Click on the gallery below to check out the pics in full resolution glory.
Yes, we know the Plymouth brand went extinct a few years ago, and Mopar Enthusiast magazine obviously knows that as well, but that didn't stop them from taking part in some wishful thinking. Their August/September issue features their vision of a 2010 Plymouth Road Runner concept car that takes styling cues from the '71-'72 model years. Features include 21-inch front and 22-inch rear magnesium 5-spoke wheels, LED taillights, and 14-inch Brembo brakes. Under the hood is HEMI power, with the 5.7L V8 coming as standard, and 6.1L and 7.0L available as options mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. While we doubt the Plymouth brand will be making a comeback just to resurrect the Road Runner name, we could definitely see another 2-door LX car with Chrysler badging. Thanks for the tip, Tim!
Brand revival has become a hot trend in the automotive industry, but while European marques like MINI, Maybach, Bugatti and Spyker have returned to the limelight, American automakers have yet to climb on board. According to this Brandjunkie survey conducted by Interbrand's website brandchannel.com, the public most wants to see the retired American auto marques Oldsmobile and Studebaker revived. The gone-but-not-forgotten car brands follow names like Pan Am and Atari on the list, which also happened to include the retired Chrysler division Plymouth.
Elsewhere in the survey, respondents answered that BMW would make a great dinner party guest; Ford and Toyota have made a significant impact on the course of history; GM and Ford deserve a good tongue lashing in an argument; BMW, Toyota, Mercedes or Volkswagen would be good brands to be if one could be a brand; BMW, Mercedes and Toyota inspire people; GM, BMW and Mercedes need to be rebranded; and Toyota, Honda, GM and BMW are truly "green" brands. Outside the auto industry, Apple is apparently the best brand ever created, as it nabbed the No. 1 survey spot in most questions.
John Herlitz packed a lot of memorable MOPAR into his 35 years with Chrysler. He graduated from college and started with the company as a designer in 1965. In just three years, Herlitz became manager of the Plymouth Intermediate Car Studio and didn't waste much time making his mark on the lineup.
Best known for his redesign of the 1970 Barracuda and 1971 GTX, Herlitz went on to work on several well-known concept cars, including the '97 Copperhead (above right).
Upon the announcement of Herlitz's retirement in 2001, Tom Gale, then executive vice president of Chrysler Product Development, said, "John Herlitz has made a tremendous contribution to DaimlerChrysler, and we will miss him personally and professionally. John's design signature has been seen on Chrysler branded vehicles from 1968. He has a true passion for cars and vehicle design that is unparalleled in the industry."
The Dodge Breeze is A #1. Or, rather, it's an A1. Chinese automaker Chery's deal with Chrysler LLC to produce small cars for Chrysler's three brands begat the little buzz-about you see above. The photo appeared on a Chinese forum and is supposedly the Chinese Plymouth Dodge Breeze, one of the aforementioned adventures in rebadging. The cars produced as a result of the agreement would not be limited to China, as the low-end rides would be sold in other developing markets, and high-end cars will be destined for others. The Breeze would be a Chinese-built car that gives Dodge a presence in the minicar segment. It also has the honor of dragging (if obliquely) The Brand Formerly Known As Plymouth back into our lives, though we really wish they would have gone with Volare.
When Chrysler trotted out the 'Cuda concept this past November at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, our first thought, after wanting to give it our lunch money, was that it might be one of the few examples in recent memory where Chrysler's badge engineering boffins couldn't drop the ball. A Photoshop wizard from Sao Paulo, Brazil by the name of Rafael Reston figured that Chrysler wasn't working fast enough (if at all) and decided to mock up his own interpretation of a Barracuda revival. While we're not entirely sold on the styling cues he chose, which straddle the line between concept car gauche and an art student's waste basket, we still like the idea. But it's highly doubtful that Chrysler has the time or resources to pour into a low-volume seller that has the possibility of cannibalizing sales from the Challenger.
The SS Belvedere emerged from its not-so-dry-dock almost two months ago, in all its ferrous oxide glory. Apparently the offer of restoration by Boyd Coddington has either been refused or rescinded, but either way, the Mopar is headed to New Jersey for a spa treatment. Safest Rust Remover, a product of the Ultra One Corporation, is going to take a crack at dissolving just the rust, and leaving everything else intact. It makes us wonder, once you dissolve that rust, will there be merely the lacy suggestion of a '57 Plymouth, rendered in mid-century steel?
A website has been launched so you can keep an eye on the progress. All reports about the Safest Rust Remover product are positive, and the non-acid mixture is used to clean Manhattan's Holland and Lincoln Tunnels. A vat half the size of an Olympic swimming pool might be needed, but maybe there's hope for the old girl yet. The game plan for the car is to not restore it, just clean it up and get the engine running -- once those goals are met, a re-unveiling back in Tulsa will be planned. They should get those Skoda bakers for the event so there's at least one perfect looking Belvedere there.
Click the image above to view the high-resolution Gratiot Oldies pics
With the success of the Woodward Dream Cruise over the past 10+ years, Michigan has earned the designation of "World's cruising destination." To many, Woodward makes sense since it is the oldest thoroughfare in the Motor City, but for five generations of Michigan east-siders, Gratiot was the original cruising hot-spot. My grandfather, dad and I all headed for the avenue named after Fort Gratiot, looking for young ladies or trouble, and usually striking out with both. Tuners have been hitting the scene since before any of the Autoblogers were born, with everything from forced induction to louvers, ground effect lighting, or mag wheels. Since it is southeast Michigan, most of the cars are of domestic nature, but in recent years import tuners have also had their time in the spotlight.
To understand the sheer volume of classic cars in the southeast Michigan area, this past weekend there were two massive classic car shows, plus parking lots full of reconditioned metal in various cruiser hot-spots like Eddie's Drive-In and a local bowling alley. Cars from the '30s-'50s started the classic car craze, and there were plenty to see on Gratiot avenue. Some were a work in progress, but others were highly polished, mobile history with chrome and fins-a-blazing. We were able to grab quite a few shots of these beauties, and they're available in the huge high-resolution gallery below. Make sure to tell us which vehicle you thought was the best. Enjoy!
We're sadened to report the passing of a driving force in the closely-related automotive and aerospace industries. Robert Anderson died at the ripe old age of 85 this past Saturday.
Anderson was best known for his contribution to the advancement of aerospace, having overseen the development of the space shuttle and the revolutionary B-1B bomber. Anderson retired from his role as president and CEO of Rockwell International, which has since grown to its current place as one of the largest companies in the industry.
Prior to his exploits in aerospace, Anderson was a major player in the automotive industry as an executive at Chrysler. He held such positions as Vice-President of engineering and product planning, VP of manufacturing, and General Manager of the Chrysler Plymouth division. During his tenure, he helped develop the revolutionary Hemi engine that propelled the legendary Richard Petty to the finish line at the 1964 Daytona 500 as well as the iconic Plymouth Roadrunner.
Anderson is survived by his bereaved wife Diane, son, daughter, two stepchildren and four grandchildren, who have our condolences.
John Herlitz packed a lot of memorable MOPAR into his 35 years with Chrysler. He graduated from college and started with the company as a designer in 1965. In just three years, Herlitz became manager of the Plymouth Intermediate Car Studio and didn't waste much time making his mark on the lineup.
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