426 Hemi

Having a 426 is a bucket list item for me. My uncle had a '69 Super Bee with a 426 and a four speed that he bought new off the showroom floor back in 1969. I've always heard stories about it and how he would always street race it and how he did everything he could to get it to go faster. Just idling in the driveway it would rattle the china in the house, and you could hear him from coming into town at night from miles away. The engine would be out of the car every few months cause he either blew it up while racing or wanted to change something to squeeze a few more horsepower out of it. I don't know everything he did to it but it had a .620" lift roller cam, 13:1 compression, dual quads (obviously), it had headers too.

Unfortunately, the car is long gone now. It was sold back in the late 80's or early 90's (I'm forgetful) and he regrets selling it every day. Even though I wasn't around to experience the Bee, I'm convinced I have to own a 426 Hemi at some point in my life. For me, it's the holy grail of engines. Sure, a 440 might make the same power at a much cheaper cost but the 426 is a legend and a total jaw dropper when the hood goes up. There isn't another engine on this planet that looks as badass as a gen II Hemi. There's just something about them that's special, something that other engines don't have. Since I'm a college student and I don't have the spare coin for a 426, I get to stick with my 340 for a long time. After all, it is the Hemi of the small blocks which is good enough for me until I can step up to a 426.