2004 Dodge Dakota Sport/sxt on 2040-cars

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Mustang, Camaro, Challenger gallop onto USPS pony car postage stamp set

Some of America's most iconic cars are about to be immortalized on postage stamps. A new set by the U.S. Postal Service will celebrate the the golden era of pony cars, featuring five classic examples of Detroit iron. Each one is beautifully illustrated in oil-on-canvas style, with subjects in motion and sunlight glinting off the chrome, and would add a nice touch to any first-class letter. The pony car segment was all about (relatively) small, sporty alternatives to the full-size land yachts of the 1960s. They typically came equipped with 6-cylinder engines or small-block V8s. The category was named after the Ford Mustang, hence  the name. Some, though, argue that the Plymouth Barracuda, which was launched a couple of weeks before the Mustang, is the first. Luckily, the Falcon-based Mustang's distinct styling generated a sales sensation, or we might be calling them fish cars. Appropriately, one of the featured cars is a Mustang. But it's not just any Mustang. The 1969 Boss 302, seen here resplendent in Bright Yellow, was created for the hotly-contested SCCA Trans-Am racing series. One of its main rivals would have been the 1969 Chevy Camaro Z/28, also created specifically for the series, and is included in the set in Fathom Green. Representing Auburn Hills in the set is a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T in Plum Crazy, while Southfield's American Motors gets a nod with an AMC Javelin in Big Bad Orange. The Mustang's platform cousin, a 1967 Mercury Cougar XR-7, is portrayed in a gorgeous Burgundy Poly that almost looks incomplete without Neko Case on the hood. It's not the first time the USPS has honored America's rich car culture on its stamps. In 2013, it issues a series of muscle car stamps with the help of Richard Petty. That set featured a 1966 Pontiac GTO, 1967 Shelby GT-500, 1970 Chevelle SS, 1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda and, of course, a 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona. Another set in 2016 featured classic pickup trucks. Going further back, a 2008 release had chroed and finned automobiles of the 1950s and a 2005 release featured sporty American cars of the same era. The pony car stamps will debut on August 25 at the Great American Stamp Show in Sacramento, California in partnership with the American Philatelic Society. The public is free to attend the dedication ceremony, but you must RSVP first. After that, they will be available at local post offices and on line at the USPS store.

2013 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee

I can pinpoint the exact moment when I fell in love with this car. It was starting down a nearly straight entrance ramp at 15 miles per hour when I buried the throttle. In a moment, I was thrown back into my seat as the big SRT8's engine came to life with commensurate sound, fury and force, bringing me up to 75 mph in what felt like two blinks of an eye. This thing feels so much quicker than its 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque would lead you to believe. And mashing the right pedal never, ever gets old.
But beyond sheer speed, I found a whole lot to like about the Charger SRT8 during my week with the Pitch Black test car here in Detroit. And while the whole Super Bee kit isn't really my style, it's really easy to overlook those badges for a package that offers so much for so little.
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2013-14 Dodge Viper recalled over faulty door handles

The 2013-14 Dodge Viper is getting a voluntary recall affecting 1,762 cars worldwide to replace their door-handle assemblies. Of the affected vehicles, FCA US reports there are 1,451 in the US, 160 in Canada, 17 in Mexico and 59 of them outside of NAFTA. After receiving three reports of doors either not closing or opening while driving a low speeds, FCA US engineers found a new sealant from a supplier didn't provide sufficient moisture protection to the electronic switches for the door latches. If the parts get wet, this can potentially cause a short circuit. The automaker is quite clear that are no reports of accidents of injuries from this problem. As always, the recall repairs will be done at no cost to owners, and FCA US will be getting in touch with customers soon about the problem. Related Video: Statement: Door-handle Assemblies April 9, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 1,762 cars globally to replace their door-handle assemblies. FCA US launched an investigation after the Company received three warranty claims linked to doors that failed to close or opened inadvertently while vehicles were moving at low speed. The Company is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. Engineers determined a sealant, newly adopted by a supplier, provided inconsistent moisture protection to the electronic switches that control the door latches. Switches exposed to moisture may short-circuit. Affected are approximately 1,451 model-year 2013-14 Dodge Viper SRT cars in the U.S.; 160 in Canada; 17 in Mexico and 59 outside the NAFTA region. Affected customers will be notified and advised when they may schedule service, which will be performed at no cost. Customers with questions may call the FCA US Customer Information Center at 1-800-853-1403.