The contest was open to American and Canadian citizens, which opened in February 2005 and closed early April of this
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| The top five ideas that made the cut progressed to the shop, where technical experts MSX International turned the sketches into full-blown working machines. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
year. It required contestants to submit a rough sketch, and a short essay about their proposal for a HEMI-powered, or HEMI-enhanced object. To ensure equality amongst all contestants, the ideas were judged and voted on, rather than sketches or constructed devices, guaranteeing that engineers, designers and craftsmen weren't the only top-ranking members. The top five ideas that made the cut progressed to the shop, where technical experts MSX International turned the sketches into full-blown working machines. The contest finalists were shuttled to Detroit for the annual "What's New" event to see their creations in the flesh (or rather metal), with one lucky contestant winning the keys to a 5.7-litre HEMI-powered Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep product of their choice.
Having witnessed the madness that is the HEMI-powered Grille, and having sifted through over 360 different entries which included everything from a HEMI-powered automated player piano, a Sprinter-based snowmobile with front-mounted rails, HEMI-powered of course, to what might have been the world's quickest flush, or most powerful toilet, they narrowed it down to five clever and grin-inducing devices.
First on the list of wacky contraptions was the HEMI Snowblower, designed by Michigan resident Tim Flucht. Inspired
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| The HEMI Snowblower was designed by Michigan resident Tim Flucht. Inspired by harsh Michigan winters, Flucht wanted a device to make easy work of mid-winter snowstorms. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
by harsh Michigan winters, Flucht wanted a device to make easy work of mid-winter snowstorms. The HEMI Snowblower is an absolute giant; dwarfing other snowblowers with its extended, heavy-duty chassis and intimidating rotating blades. This one-of-a-kind tool is powered by none other than the 5.7-litre HEMI V8, and features a custom driveshaft that spins the contraptions polished wheels forward and backwards. To ensure that all 345 horses remain under control, the engine is mated to a one-speed transmission, and features a watercraft/motorboat-style wrist-tether for emergency shutoffs. Crowning touches include a saucer-sized tach, and a rumbly Flowmaster exhaust.
