It took me about 15 years to realize my dream of owning a Dodge or Plymouth powered by the incredible high-performance version of the Chrysler 440 cubic inch Big Block v8. Dodge called this engine the "Magnum," Plymouth called it the "Super Commando," and Chrysler called it the "TNT" when installed in a 300, Newport, or New Yorker. This engine came on the scene rather quietly in 1966. In '65, Dodge and Plymouth used the 426 wedge head engine as the top performance option, and Chrysler used the 413. The 440 appeared first in full-size family style Chryslers in '66, and most people thought it was a "smog motor" that would never amount to much. In fact, it was virtually identical to the 413 and 426, except that it had a larger bore. Cranks, heads, rods, oil pumps, cams, etc. all interchange between all 3 engines, with only the pistons being unique to each displacement. The 440 was no "smog motor" at all. Chrysler soon corrected the few remaining shorcomigs of h 413 and 426 (namely, restrictive intake and especially exhaust passages in the heads) and turned the 440 into a monster that almost became too big. The 440 became such a competent performer that not only did it give doses of grief to the Ford 427,428,429; Pontiac tri-powers, Olds Rockets, Buick 455s, and the like, it also performed at a level close to Chrysler's own 426 Hemi, especially in the quarter mile (the Hemi was not threatened by anything.on the high-banked ovals, although Ford's overhead-cam 427 gave it a decent run.) But the Hemi was a limited-production homologation engine, and as such cost quite a lot more than the 'ordinary' 383 and 440. The ultimate 440 appeared in the 1969 Dodge Coronet Superbee (a stripped-down version of the Coronet ) and Plymouth's equivalent mucle car, the Roadrunner. This was the 440 'Six Pack' (on a Dodge, just 'Six Barrel' on a Plymouth). The single Carter AVS 4-barrel of the Magnum/Super Commando engines was replaced by a trio of Holley 2-barrel carbs, providing over 1000 CFM of fuel/air mix to feed the fires. The Six Pack engine was conservatively rated at 390 HP, and the Magnum/Super Commando at 375. Garden-variety 440's found in everything from Dodge Pickup trucks to Chrysler Imperials received Holley 4-barrels and were rated at 350 HP.

This Coronet is an "R/T" model, which made its debut in 1967. All Dodge R/T cars (except the much later and smaller Challenger R/T) received the 440 Magnum as standard equipment. If it's an R/T, then it has a *minimum* of a 440- the only upgrade was the Elephant himself, the 426 Hemi. The Coronet R/T was the equivalent of the Plymouth GTX. They were called the "Executive Hot Rods" because they also were loaded with every conceivable option- A/C, power steering, power brakes, power windows, AM/FM, you name it, this car has it. The Superbee and Roadrunner were the hot cars for folks on a budget, but the R/T and the GTX were aimed at the same market cars like the Lincoln Mk VIII and the Chrysler 300M are aimed at today- a market that realizes that a successful career doesn't mean you don't still like a kick in the backside when you mash the loud pedal! A heavy duty version of the 727 Torqueflite and an 8-3/4" rear axle with 3.23 gears completes the driveline. Up until I got the 440 running on all 8- it had been sitting for 5 years- the most amazing car I'd ever driven was an LT-1 powered Camaro. Nothing could have prepared me for the first time I opened all 4 barrels on the AVS, though. There is no comparison- GM can rate the LT-whatever at 600 HP if they want to, but it still won't move you like a big block.
 
 

 





And here is a little trip back in time...



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More pictures of the R/T....

Copyright 1998 SGL