A Welcomed Return to American V8 Muscle and RWD
When I was a young lad fascinated by cars, primarily Chrysler products, I dreamed of owning a Hemi-powered Dodge Charger, preferably a 1969. For me any Chrysler product that thumped to the Mopar beat of a Hemi beneath the hood excited me beyond what a Child Psychologist would consider normal. Call it the Rain-man Syndrome, but I could identify whether a vehicle was a GM, Ford or Chrysler product by the distinctive cranking noise of each manufacturer's starter motors. Chrysler was definitely the loudest and most pronounced, followed by the mid-range Ford and higher pitched GM.
 |
| In my childhood, any Chrysler product that thumped to the Mopar beat of a Hemi beneath the hood excited me beyond belief. (Photo: Chrysler) |
Imagine my recent excitement at learning that Chrysler is reaching back into the '50s and '60s and introducing us to a Hemi-powered, rear-wheel drive sedan. I am sure that an Adult Psychologist would diagnose my reaction as abnormal once again. But heck, given that American auto manufacturers, the former world leaders in V8 rear-wheel drive technology, had all but abandoned this format during the '80s and '90s, this is big news that is long overdue.
 |
| The Chrysler 300C marks the return of high-performance tire burning rear-wheel drive American V8 muscle. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Anyway, that's enough about my psychological profile. Instead let's talk about high-performance, tire burning American V8 muscle propelling a full size sedan by its rear wheels. Let's talk Chrysler 300C. If you exclude the Mercury Marauder due to its somewhat pre-historic platform, the only modern V8, rear-wheel drive performance sedan built by an American manufacturer at present is the Lincoln LS.