43.
Man, I like your style! 
Preaching to the choir here but in the day MOPAR was the most innovative. They (we?) had EFI before Chevy had their mechanical FI- 1955 vs. 1957, had 1 horse power per cubic inch before Chevy, electronic ignition before Chevy, and if I recall dropped oil bath air filters for paper and had alternators before Chevy. I give Ford their due because their international racing efforts easily unsurpassed the other big two. Chevy was a minor player on the NASCAR circuit.
To bring this full circle... MOPAR introduced the Hemi (426) in nineteen sixty five; it was all in the interest of celebrating me coming into the world forty three years ago.
Very interesting! You're a Bill too? Well, meet another Bill who's been watching that #43 run many a race, since the early 60's. I know Richard had that number on a 64 Plymouth, can't remember just how far back he goes. I stuck with him all the way up to when he went to Drag Racing, when Nascar wouldn't let the 426Hemi run because it wasn't considered a production engine (didn't have at least 500 units on the car lots for general public) He took a Hemi powered Barracuda to the drag strips (43jr.) and then when he went to Ford (68 or 69?, not sure now). Guess Chrysler thought that the Hemi would be allowed in NASCAR,because the Hemi itsself wasn't a new item. I think 1950 was the first one and in a Chrysler, Dodge got it in 53' (Red Ram), Chrysler was the called the "Fire Power" and Desoto was called the "Fire Flite". In 57' and/or 58' (don't remember the 1st year for sure), you could order a Plymouth with the Chrysler Hemi. Plymouth didn't get their 1st (so called) actual Hemi til 65' (for street) the Race Hemi was actually put out in 64'. You had some cool and interesting stuff, just thought I'd throw in some extras, hope you don't mind.
They lured the King back with the Super Bird, right? That drag 'Cuda was very cool too; When NASCAR finally outlawed the Hemi after restricting it in numerous ways, I read they just put Wedge heads on the Hemi block. But my favorite story is when NASCAR, in an effort to give Chevy a shot in hell, legislated MOPAR out of competitiveness. The factory had four cars entered on some race (don't recall which) held on the fourth of July; they came in 1,2,3, and 4th... then officially withdrew from NASCAR racing. A big FU!
Don't forget the Chrysler 300's in the early 50's Stock Car racing... they cleaned up as well.
Only Chrysler would offer the Hemi in
any passenger car they made! Something they would repeat with the turbo 4's in the 80's and 90's.
Lucky you were around in the sixties to witness this crazy time!
