These devoted enthusiasts keep the Cult of Hemi thriving

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Riccio has an incredible assortment of cars, but many of his Hemis are bona fide collectors’ items, out of reach of the average enthusiast. Luckily, Chrysler’s third-generation brought horsepower to the masses. Where the second-gen Hemi was a homologated racing engine, the third-generation Hemi found its way into all manner of vehicles, from huge work trucks; to those reborn 21st-century muscle cars. It’s now easier than it ever has been to put a Hemi in your driveway. Jeep has even slotted the Hemi between the fenders of its venerable Wrangler off-roader.

Dodge has announced the Hellcat will cease to exist as we know it beyond 2023. It’s also made known that the next-generation Challenger will be electric. The Hemi will likely survive longer under the hoods of Dodge’s bread-and-butter pickup trucks, but it’s clear the writing is on the wall for this third-gen engine.

When the 426 Hemi didn’t return to the order forms in 1972, people were certain we would never see another Hemi. And they were proven wrong. Will the Hemi live to rise again? I hope so. Because there’s only one Hemi.

Keywaylock
14/10/2022
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