President John Adams was one of the founding fathers, and he described how the 4th of July should be celebrated. In a letter to his wife: “It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shows, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
We can only assume he would add cars to the list. So we took a quick office poll around the water cooler this morning, and here is what we came up with.
10. Hummer H1
The truck that won the Gulf War, these beasts are powered by a 6.5L Detroit Diesel turbocharged V8. A bulletproof Chevrolet TH400 transmission sends power to 4-wheel independent suspension. Air pressure in each tire is independently controlled so you can take this thing can handle any terrain.
9. Ford Mustang
The perfect car for undercover cops is the 2019 Mustang Bullitt. If you are chasing crooks through San Francisco, any Mustang will do. My choice would be Boss 302 Laguna Seca, and we have many to choose from in the link below.
8. Jeep Wrangler
Once the beachhead was established at Normandy, the Jeeps came ashore and started heading for Berlin. America’s enthusiasm for the Jeep has been unfaltering since 1941.
7. Dodge/SRT Viper
When Lee Iaccoca asked Carroll Shelby to build a modern American supercar, the Viper hit the streets in 1992. It had no windows, roof, or automatic transmission. Fiat-Chrysler has different priorities, so they discontinued the mean snake last year. We still have plenty to choose from, and they are only going to appreciate in value.
6. Ford GT
Ford wanted to win LeMans in 1967, and they did. Ford also wanted to win in 2017, and the Ford GT brought home the trophy.
5. Chevrolet Corvette
Just when we thought the Z06 would reign supreme for a few years, Chevrolet dropped the Corvette ZR1 on us. This 755 hp beast can be had as a targa top coupe or convertible. With an 8-speed automatic or a 7-speed manual. It has 13 radiators, 715 lb-ft of torque, and a top speed of 212 mph.
4. SRT Hellcat or Demon
Dodge only built 300 Demons, and they are already collectible. The 840 horsepower Challenger was the first production car to be tuned for race fuel. Since it is capable of consistent 9 second times in the quarter-mile, it is the first production car to be banned by the NHRA. If you missed out, the 2019 Challenger and Charger Hellcats have some nice upgrades you might enjoy.
3. Ford Raptor
Powered by the same twin-turbo V6 as the Ford GT, this F-150 is simply amazing. The remote reservoir Fox suspension and locking differentials allow you to leave the pavement and enjoy all our nation has to offer.
2. Chevrolet Camaro
What you are looking at is the 15th fastest car to ever lap the Nurburgring. At 7.16.04, every car faster than it costs several times as much as the Camaro ZL1 1LE.
1. Cadillac CTS-V
I always thought Cadillacs were built for senior citizens, but four years ago I found one at a great deal in the world’s best car magazine. Someone at the Lansing Grand River plant stuffed a Corvette Z06 engine into the CTS and the suspension was dialed in at the ‘Ring. It has the same 650 horsepower engine from the Corvette Z06 and Camaro ZL1, along with comfy magnetic suspension and acres of leg room. If you don’t need all that power, the CTS Vsport offers the twin-turbo V6 from the ATS-V, it has 420 hp and 24 mpg.
Cars and alcohol and fireworks: Pick one, because none of them should be combined. Remember that firework ashes will ruin your paint, so keep your rides upwind of the festivities. Have a great 4th from all of us at duPont REGISTRY.
