HISTORY OF THE STREET HEMI
The word ‘legacy’ gets tossed around a lot these days. While some people focus on creating a so-called legacy for themselves or a product, it is actually something much more organic, based on actual accomplishments rather than a mere perception. For that reason, few could deny the Chrysler 426 Hemi as a street engine generated perhaps one of the most impressive legacies in production automobiles.
In the days prior to rampant tributes (referred to as ‘clones’ by the more pragmatic), many street enthusiasts rarely saw a 426 Hemi in anything except perhaps an ISCA (International Show Car Association) show car, or a fuel-burning dragster. The engine was never out in great numbers even during its production era, 1966-1971, and by the Eighties, it took more luck than effort to actually see one in person, except at the largest car shows.
Dimensionally impressive under the hood, the code A102 Street Hemi was akin to dating a college cheerleader – beautiful but sometimes hard to keep happy, yet well worth the effort due to the trophy status. This year will mark the 50th year since the 426 Hemi became a legendary street engine, and the reasons that even happened are varied and interesting. Here is its story…
From the beginning
The hemispherical combustion chamber was not invented by Chrysler, but it would be difficult to argue it was not perfected by
