Mopar, a shortened term meaning "MOtor PARts", is most closely associated with performance muscle cars made under the brands, Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, and Jeep. Today, Mopar is the automotive parts and service arm of Chrysler L.L.C., providing quality replacement parts for Dodge, and Chrysler automobiles, as well as producing aftermarket parts designed for performance on both the street and the strip. Mopar is a term synynomous with Dodge power and performance.

In essence the "Mopar" enthusiasm began in the early 1950's when the first Hemispherical engines were produced. That was only the beginning of this new engineering trend however, and in the years and decades to follow the term "Mopar" has established for itself a rich legacy.

Plymouth and Dodge automobiles are at the root of the Mopar history, not until 1956 did the motors of Plymouth begin to demand respect from the race lovers of the day. In 1956 when a Plymouth Fury with a Polyspherical engine hit 124 mph at Daytona, Chevy and Ford drivers took notice as a soon-to-be giant of muscle car performance took the stage at the sandy flats of this future super-speedway.

Though this feat did bring respect to the Mopar associated brands, it wasn't until 1958 that the Plymouth motor company developed their first highly desirable motor, the 350 cid class "B". Now a favorite among muscle car enthusiast, the 350 came equipped with two 4-barreled carbs, one of the fastest engines of it's time.

Mopar history is built around the legacy of a new type of engine, the "Hemi". Reintroduced in 1964 as the "race hemi", this new engine design was really only an improvement of an earlier design produced for use in Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth automobiles of the fifties. It quickly found it's place among some of the highest powered automobile engines of all time, and was a force to be reckoned with out on the track. Later produced in 1965 and 1968, the Hemi came in the form of a 426 cid chunk of raw power. Various improvements, as well as options, came in later models, expanding the variety of the powerful motor.

In the golden days of muscle cars Mopar was a guiding force and a catalyst for change in the engineering of the internal combustion engine. Although there are several important engines and automobile designs associated with Mopar, most people hear the word and think solely "Hemi". Until stricter emmsions laws took effect in 1972, the giant Hemi 426 engine held it's own at the very top rank of automotive performance. Today the brand has expanded to include much more than just racing engines and parts, Mopar produces all maintenance and collision parts used on the brands Chrysler and Dodge. Today, new adaptations of the popular Dodge Challenger and Charger reiterate the success that Mopar is associated with, a domineering force at the strip and a respected engineering core ensure that Mopar will remain an unquestionable force in the automotive world for years to come.

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