A couple of Mopar "legality" questions...??

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

You are correct.

Reportedly there was another issue with the Challenger Shaker. Not only was there a shortage from the supplier on Challenger shaker assemblies but the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The Challenger hood is a full length hood (regardless of application); from front edge to wiper / cowl assembly. The Barracuda or 'Cuda does not extend as far forward as it has a front header panel. In a frontal impact the Barracuda hood has some protection offered by the header panel, the Challenger hood is not protected. On a Challenger hood with a shaker opening there is less material and the hood easily buckles. This can cause the rear of the hood to raise, go through the front windshield and possibly decapitate the front occupants.
For that reason the shaker shortage was directed to the Barracuda when ordered and the T/A hood was used as a fresh air hood when ordered on the Challenger (if Shaker was not available for installation).
Thaqt's my story...I'm stickin' too it!

Jeff,

Please give us your AMX since the NHTSA feels the hood makes it unsafe for you. We'll take goo care of it, really.

Has anyone ever seen the factory air cleaner housing for one of these non 6 pack glass hood cars? It would have to be one of the rarest production pieces ever made right? And what about all the Mustangs which have hoods that go to the very front of the car?

[Bill Rolik]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

You are correct.

Reportedly there was another issue with the Challenger Shaker. Not only was there a shortage from the supplier on Challenger shaker assemblies but the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The Challenger hood is a full length hood (regardless of application); from front edge to wiper / cowl assembly. The Barracuda or 'Cuda does not extend as far forward as it has a front header panel. In a frontal impact the Barracuda hood has some protection offered by the header panel, the Challenger hood is not protected. On a Challenger hood with a shaker opening there is less material and the hood easily buckles. This can cause the rear of the hood to raise, go through the front windshield and possibly decapitate the front occupants.
For that reason the shaker shortage was directed to the Barracuda when ordered and the T/A hood was used as a fresh air hood when ordered on the Challenger (if Shaker was not available for installation).
Thaqt's my story...I'm stickin' too it!

Jeff,

Not only that, but 70 Shaker hoods and 71 Shaker hoods structurally are not the same. 71 Shaker hoods incorporate what are referred to as "crush zones" into the stamped inner panel of the hood. Once you lift the hoods of subject cars, the difference is quite obvious. There are also differences in the hood hinges from 70 to 71, and they changed again in 72.

Bill Rolik

SS 1514

[cudadoug]

Originally Posted by treessavoy

If what you say is true about shakers then explain the 1970 Cuda that I ordered and received with a 340, shaker and 4-speed. According to the dealer order form at the time the shaker was available for the 340 and up.

PS never should have gotten rid of it.

Well, I love the internet. A little research turned up this gem:

Beginning on July 29, 1969, the Shaker Hood became available with the 340-ci, 383-ci (335 horse power), and the 440-ci four-barrel engines, including the ...

I guess I should change my handle from cudadoug to "I don't know everything like I thought I did-doug" Or "don't believe everything you're told by the so-called experts-doug".

You sir, seem to be correct. And you are also correct in that you never should have gotten rid of it...

Since a hood post generated so much chatter, I better start another one about bogus heads...JUST KIDDING!

Thanks again guys!

[bigshow2966]

One also has to consider that on a lot of the Shaker cars the scoop package was dealer installed, not factory.

[Bobby DiDomenico]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

You can pick up just about any mopar book and learn which bodies and engines the shakers were available on (code N96 fresh air option). You can find why the T/A hood was not just a T/A engine option and why. If you were really lazy you could contact somebody like Galen Govier (?) and pay him for the information with a break down of production numbers by engine.

Jeff,

Sorry, but I have little faith in these 40 years after the fact revelations. Many years ago the Mustang books were full of rumored 1972 "Boss" (Low compression, High Output, 351C 4 speed cars) and the Mustang Guru at the time said they did not exist. Yet there were two of them at the high school near us in Illinois. And they were pretty quick in local competition if you understand it. Many years later they were "discovered". What I have never, ever seen is the 780 Holley and aluminum intake 351C model which we can race.