Fast is relative, Hemi vs. Hemi

I reckon I can tell this story now. Many decades have passed, statute of limitations has run, Dad passed away a long time ago, Mom has long been retired from school teaching, and now has dementia and lives in an assisted living facility.

Back in 1953, Mom and Dad owned a 51 Kaiser. Flathead six, and Dad was tired of having a slow car. Wanted a fast one. They test drove a 1952 Chrysler Saratoga, Chrysler's lightest body with a 331 Hemi V8 and 180 horsepower - close to double that of the Kaiser. It was so fast (remember, this was 1953) it scared Mom and she vetoed the deal. A bit later they bought a 1952 DeSoto, 276 Hemi with 160 hp. Not as fast as the Chrysler, but still quick for the day. Couple years later, after the 55's came out, Dad took that car to a speed shop because now it wasn't fast enough. Dual carbs, heads milled .100, dual exhaust and Mallory Magspark ignition did the trick, but that's another story.

Dad always regretted not getting the Chrysler, and swore he would not let Mom veto a fast car ever again.

Fast forward a couple of decades. Dad bought a Hemi Charger. So one day, Mom was driving the Charger on I-285 in Atlanta when she was challenged by a GTO. So she raced it. At high speed. I wasn't in the car, Dad was in the front passenger seat, and my kid brother was in the back. Mom beat the GTO (of course). Brother reports that from the back seat he saw the Charger's speedometer hit 150 mph.

This from the woman who originally was scared by 180 hp.