Old engineers are a treasure that should never be overlooked by those whom wish to follow.

Thanks for this interview, it brought back many memories as I reminisce below. In August 1972, I went to Chrysler Engineering in Highland Park Michigan for a job interview. The way it typically went was that several interviews were set up in different departments where there were openings. I was an electrical engineer and was scheduled to interview with a group called Instrumentation Development that designed and built specialized instrumentation to use in the development and testing of components, engines, transmissions and complete vehicles. My first interview was in the Transmission Development lab. I vividly remember sitting down in the Trans Lab manager's office for the interview, but I was distracted by the sounds coming from across the hall. It sounded like Friday night on Woodward Avenue, with the deep throated sound of engines running wide open throttle as they pushed through the gears. I asked if I could see what was going on and was soon escorted to a set of engine dynamometers. It turned out that what I was hearing were two 426 Hemi engines coupled in series to a transmission. All day long the cycle was repeated. WOT through all 3 gears then a coast down to idle with a short rest and then repeat. This was in Highland Park and the facility was old but I could almost feel the history of all that went on there before that day. I took the Instrumentation Development job because it was closely aligned with my education. As it turned out, I had a lot of involvement on projects with engineers in the Trans and Engine labs as well as Fuel Systems, NVH, Safety, Proving Grounds, Aerodynamics and other component validation. When I hired in, the industry was at the tail end of the muscle car era and new emphasis was being placed on vehicle safety and emissions reduction. My first few years working there were a far cry from the racing heydays described by Tom Hoover. The engines were getting smaller and so were the vehicles. Front wheel drive was replacing RWD in new designs and vehicle performance was adequate but not exciting. Gradually, some of the smaller engines started getting turbo chargers and there started to be hope that performance once again would rule the day. Chrysler went through a near death experience in the early 80s and Lee Iacocca was brought in as CEO to turn things around. As he assembled his leadership team, he brought in Bob Lutz who is well known as a car guy (on steroids I would add!). Things started moving quickly. The Minivan was brought to market and Iacocca became the pitchman for it and the K cars of the era. In 1987, Chrysler acquired American Motors and the Jeep brand. As the 80s were coming to a close, Lutz had proposed a concept for a high performance sports car which we all know now as the Viper. The concept was along the lines of the Shelby Cobra with few creature comforts, rather than a Corvette clone. The Viper team was assembled from volunteers from many different departments within Chrysler, much like the racing guys that Tom Hoover talks about. If a department lost a person to the Viper team, they weren't allowed to replace them because the Viper project was sort of a skunk works operation. There was a lot of debate whether to use a modified 8.0L V10 truck engine or a V8 and in the end the V10 won out (ultimate displacement was 8.4L). The Viper V10 was born and became an instant success. It was hand built in Detroit and was a low volume vehicle, but it lit the spark for things to come. The first time I drove one, I was blown away! My favorite thing was to bring one home and take people for a ride who never experienced that kind of acceleration before and see the look on there face afterwards! The SRT (Street and Racing Technology) group was born and the next vehicle to come from SRT was a high performance Neon. The basic Neon was supposed to be an economical transportation machine, but it really was pretty much overlooked until the SRT version. In 2003, the HEMI was reborn as a 5.7L offering. It was an instant success, thanks to the reputation of Tom Hoover's beloved 426 CID from the "old days". Then came the Magnum wagon, Charger and later the Challenger first with the 5.7L engines and now the monster supercharged engines in the Hellcats, Demons and Redeyes. There were SRT Jeeps and Trucks too. I don't know what the future holds as manufacturers transition to EVs, but I'm pretty sure the Dodge performance legacy will live on because there will always be engineers willing to push the performance envelope if they're turned loose to do their thing. I retired from Chrysler in 2008. During my career, I saw so much technological change and felt privileged to have been a part of it. I saw the rise of of computer aided design (imagine if Tom Hoover had that tool), computer simulation for crash, aerodynamics, combustion analysis, robots in the plant, computer controls for almost every aspect of vehicle functions, fuel injection, dramatic improvements in vehicle safety and ultimately vehicle performance. I was there for the transition from the aged facilities in Highland Park to the world class Chrysler Tech Center in Auburn Hills. I experienced the "merger of equals" with Mercedes Benz and the sale of Chrysler to private equity group Cerberus. I retired before Fiat came along and now Stelantis. For me it all started when I heard those engine dynos going through their paces many years ago. When I got to a point in my career where I was interviewing new engineers, I would only spend a short time in the office and then take them on a tour of the labs. For the most part, if they expressed excitement and asked thoughtful questions about what they saw, they usually got a job offer. If not, well maybe we weren't the right place for them.

What an absolutely delightful interview! Thank you for posting this. Pure gold, folks.

Incredible. Hoover is such a gentleman and a great story teller. Can't wait for Part 2. Thanks for sharing this.

This is a great video about a glorious time in the American automobile industry. Thank you.

As a Mechanical Engineer myself, I truly appreciate hearing stories like this. What a treasure!

I love my Chevys but guys like him are loved by anyone who loves cars he’s a legend my respect goes out to him.🇳🇿

Thanks Dennis!! Tom Hoover was one of the guys that Chrysler knew was the man for the job and a legend. What would we be racing if the Hemi hadn't happened?? R.I.P Mr Hemi 🙏

I skipped college classes (I think it was early 1979) and heard him speak at a hotel in Houston. I recall that there was one engine block he thought was above the others with its performance. He paused in the story briefly and recalled its serial number. Just an amazing guy (along with others) at just the right time in history.

I just bought a Dodge 325 Hemi for my 56 Dodge Custom Royal. It's my first Hemi, so I'm nervous but excited to get it rebuilt.

Tom Hoover lived the best times in American automotive history. I wish he would have covered more of the 'High and Mighty' '49 Plymouth they experimented with. So cool!!

I got to meet him at the Chrysler Drag Seminars. What a class guy. I remembered he said HEMI"s love air!!!!!!!

❤ thanks Dennis for sharing this with us for the folks like us that would of never heard the story and history this gentleman knows 🙏🇱🇷👍 have a wonderful weekend sir

Working engineers, man. I admire these old guys so much. Engineers used to be in the trenches with the welders, machinists, fitters, fab guys, etc. You don't see that much these days.

Thank you for posting these interviews. These stories are amazing. I love how Tom is so humble but he and his peers had such an enormous impact. Real trailblazers...

I had the privilege of being neighbors with Tom and Marge in the late 90’s. He’s the real thing -and a gentleman. Boy did he have good car stories.

Fremont drag races in the SF bay area in the early 1960s: went there with my buddy who was racing his '57 Ford and there were some of these white, grannymobile looking cars that just got up and did some mid to high 12 second runs and I looked at my friend and he looked at me and we were both flabbergasted by the performance of these innocent-looking MoPars...

Mr. Hoover is talking in 1995 about how well hemi engines did in emissions performance before catalytic converters were introduced. And voila! In 2003 Chrysler introduces a twin-plug Hemi V8. God bless America, and the Chrysler Hemi.

I love this guy! %100 truth.

Great stuff here- my grandad was a DeSoto customer & later a Chrysler customer, as a former Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge (US ownership, military and civilian tech), and yeah I've been driving my 86' RamCharger 5.2L 4WD, great to catch the history on these development programs- awesome

Great video with The Great Tom Hoover. I had the honor of hosting a live, on-stage interview with Mr. Hoover and Gas Monkey Garage honcho Richard Rawlings at Bandimere Raceway. Hoover and Rawlings couldn't have been more different. Mr. Hoover proved his patience and sense of humor that day.

I believe he had some crucial input on the gen 3 Hemi. I would have loved to hear that discussion.

Hey Dennis, I hope you have more similar videos coming soon. Adam at rare classic cars channel has been interviewing a lot of designers and engineers lately. I feel it's paramount that we document what these men have to say. The fact is, we're losing more and more of these guys everyday. Great upload. Thank you.

I was 16 years old and attended the 1961 US Nationals with a couple of friends. The match race between the Ramchargers and Dyno Don was awesome. The crowd went nuts.

THANK YOU!! The man, the myth, the legend!! RIP Mr. Hoover.

This is SO GOOD!!! I have read much about an admired this Tom Hoover guy an the elephant engine!! I've been collecting used parts for a 426 H motor for a long time ,hopin to assemble one on a shoestring budget! an almost there!! Thanks a million for this video! P S i would welcome messages from other Hemi guys , Ron

Great interview, , Didn't know Tom Hoover almost made aero engines.

My first car in 1966, 1957 Chrysler New Yorker 392 Hemi. 16.29 quarter mile.

Mr. B. Here ! 🧰🔧 Met a these guys who came to Olds Dealership, wow they wanted to learn from us on what we found on these vehicles . I found that it was a learning class for both of us information back and forth. Think do not think that happens today ! Technically missing hands on views of what might be short comings in the real world ! Am 70 I miss guys like these and have a meaning of the mines ! ☕️☕️🍩👍👍. 👁️👁️

This interview is priceless.

This is absolutely awesome it will be forgotten making this really something to have like this is like something to have thank you

What amazing memories of the story of how things evolved and progressed in the development of engine performance.

Such a delightful interview, so glad you were able to share and show this firsthand account of history in the making!

Had a 69 Road Runner. Took the 383 out ( kept it). Went to Ram Chargers in Allen Park. Bought a 61 413 Nascar engine. Car ran Very good.

To see him loose his mind about a naturally aspirated Hemi running in the 8's is mind blowing! 33:12

A priceless account of historic automotive lure beyond the obvious. Yon can see the twinkle in his eyes and almost feel the rumptyrump of a Woodward avenue screamer at several intervals here. There's a flowing grace coupled to acute knowledge from one who was in that small cluster of gear heads allotted corporate clearance to unleash and apply their well honed skills. I love the reflection of a time when American ingenuity and marketing took dead aim at practical application and not dreamy digitally induced wonderlands of touchscreen utophia. If you missed the 50s/60's interviews like this one are as close as you're gonna get. Not to mention the gifted ability to relay it all in that late afternoon back porch.."let me tell you a story" persona.

This is great! His enthusiasm is genuine. Recalling all the details of how it came together. The appearance of that engine still makes grown men just stare in awe. Even if the legend is embellished it’s still awesome. Thanks for posting 😎

Wow am I glad you posted this, thank you

Best you tube clip I have ever listened to. About to start part 2. Telling all my mates. Love Chryslers 1st involvement was with my mates 57 Plymouth repowered with a Dodge Red Ram, then we were Cruising his 440 RT Magnum Challenger which is now Hemi powered, I bought a 331 Hemi for my hot rod. NZ Hemi lover.

Interesting comment he made about his engineering group’s success by working together. He related Toyota’s success to that style of building cars vs domestic car management.

Love the interview love the stories, Thanks a lot for sharing.

Great vid, really enjoyed!!!!! 👍👍

Incredible content All too infrequent efforts to document these talents, designs, engineering, means, methods, testing, back when access to those that matters was possible

This is a good video! Great to hear the history.

Pure Gold !!

Thanks again, Jay...👑🥸

Wow!!!!!!! So cool.

At 11:27 he starts talking about their first "club" car. That is the High And Mighty 1949 Plymouth car. Wish they would have shown a picture of that. It really was wild looking.

30:29 And its STILL the engine of choice if you want to go 320 MPH in a dragster.

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH FOR THIS MOTORING GOLD 😉

Sensational👌🏻

Thanks for this

Fantastic

Mopar became the place to go if factory built drag racing cars was your thing.

What a phenomenal interview. What might have been…

My Dad bought a new red on white 68 Coronet R/T when I was 5. I remember my Mom complaining about the car insurance bill, exclaiming loudly "They call this a sports car!" They sold it soon afterward. I found a 4 speed, 3.54 Dana 68 GTX in 1980 when I was 17. I only had it a few months when it was stolen from in front of my folks' house.

"If you want to go 310 mph in a dragster then there's only one way to get there" lol 💪

Great car guys like this have been pushed out of the US auto industry or retired only to be replaced by bean counters. Perhaps that is why the Asian auto companies have become the dominate sellers in the US market ?!!! The FORD Maverick hybrid is a HUGE success and that vehicle/power train has been ignored by the other US automakers ! The horror stories of US automakers failing engine with internal cylinder block cracking, cam shaft failures, valve train failures, etc. is frighting ! Car/truck owner talk and the word is out that only Asian vehicle engine can hit the 150K-250K miles without failure !

When you look at pictures of men from the 60s and 70s they are built much different than they are today most were physically fit

Interesting when he mentions the early engines being discontinued ( if they would have centralized the manufacturing ). He " downplays " ( in a cool way actually ) the early 60's Nascar efforts .

"Race on Sunday...Sell units on Monday" Mopar Gran Daddy gettin' er done...

This video is many years old.

There is an engineer in everyone, you just need to keep the interest and love about a subject you can develop. How to male it better. Just beeing able to adapt it for your needs makes you an engineer. There is still a lot of things that needs to be engineered. This was a great story from a team who wanted to make that car be the best, the fastest and they did it with and idea, with the tools and parts that was available then. They redone the last generation hemi's with new technology and will probably be the last one since every thing is going EV in future. It's up to the new generation of engineers who can find a way to make fuel out of something to replace the fossil fuel. Propane? Hydrogen? Banana peels and beers ? Who knows but when theres a will, they is a WAY!

This was a great interview... Does anyone know when it was done? It is interesting how the people at Chrysler advanced their programs from things they learned from the war effort to supply the military with reliable machinery..

Right out of Penn State you had "expertise" to "offer" to Chrysler AND Pratt & Whitney. And you ended up at Chrysler. Working on an RB engine "Hemi conversion". After Chrysler had been building Hemi engines ever since it finally went OHV and V8 10+ years earlier. Shocker. You couldn't have swept floors and dumped trash at P&W "right out of Penn State" without a "tutor".

*Father of the Hemi* I had the pleasure of shaking Mr. Hoover's hand many, many moons ago at a Mopar event and he was every bit as affable, humble and friendly as you'd expect from watching this interview. Quick to pass off credit to the others involved in the programs back then, he was still nonetheless very proud of what they accomplished together - and rightfully so. RIP Mr. Hoover... - Ed on the Ridge

He looks like the actor from Step Brothers who played Dale's dad Robert Doback (Richard Jenkins)

I think Ford was winning in 1961 with their 401 which is the 390 engine putting out 401 horsepower this engine was in the Ford starliner Chrysler didn't have the new generation racing hemi yet that didn't come out till 1964x

Mr. Hoover certainly contributed to the advancement of the Hemi engine after WWII, and should be recognized for his considerable accomplishments-but he is not the "father of the Hemi." The first hemispherical combustion chamber, internal combustion engine should be attributed to the American, Augustus M. Herring. In 1898, Herring-a mechanical genius-first adapted the Hemi configuration in his twin-cylinder aircraft engine, which was designed to power his heavier-than-air flying machine; which he accomplished five years before the Wright brothers. Since Herring was working for a Michigan boat-builder at the time of his inventive insight, all of the credit for the engine's development was secured (illegally) by management. Several years later (1907) an obscure Detroit auto manufacturer, and friend of the boat manufacturer, patented Herring's Hemi design. All of this historically significant information can be gleaned from my book: To Caress the Air: August Herring and the Dawn of Flight. Books 1 & 2 (2018; Amazon, B&N, etc). Regardless, Augustus Herring is the true FATHER OF THE HEMI.

I followed.

Oh yes did you see the haircuts bad asses used to have?! Nice

Part 2?

Turn the engineers loose, get amazing stuff. The closest parallel today may be Space X.

Were your thing.

38:27

this guy should come out of retirement and fix dodges G56 6 speed manual garbage they produced coupled to the Cummins engine,

Always have to laugh when I read about geniuses who created a 750 pound engine with a lot of power. Uh, guys; just aluminum heads alone dropped almost 100 pounds of useless bad-handling-creating, overworked small disc braking weight.

And so forth.... 🤙🏽💥🚔