Mr. Norm's Garage Sox and Martin Challenger package

What is old is new again. Ronnie Sox and Buddy Martin dominated NHRA racing back in the 60's and 70's, and in the process made their red white and blue Hemi powered Plymouths famous. That patriotic paint scheme is arguable the most recognizable in drag racing history.

Mr. Norm's Garage has teamed up with Diane Sox (Buddy's wife) and Buddy Martin to create a small run of cars based on the new Dodge Challenger. These cars feature the same red, white, and blue paint scheme as the drag cars, a Cuda grille and tail panel, hood scoop, retro-style wheels. Kenne Bell supercharger, Hotchkis suspension, and a custom leather interior.

Three different models will be offered. A 625 horsepower "base" model, a 725 hp Super Stock Edition, and a 900 hp Pro Stock edition. The very first collectors edition will be raffled off at at the 2011 Mopars at the Strip event in Las Vegas to benefit the Ronnie Sox Foundation, a charity created to benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital after Sox lost his battle with cancer in 2006.



Press Release

HUDSON, FL – If you've dreamed of owning a genuine Sox & Martin Hemi Cuda, get ready to stop dreaming and start driving. Diane Sox and Buddy Martin, of the legendary Sox & Martin drag racing team and Mr. Norm's Garage debuted the first Collector Series Sox & Martin Hemi Cuda at Mopars At The Strip on March 26, 2010.

Inspired by the Sox & Martin Hemi Cuda that won the 1971 NHRA Pro Stock National Championship, the Collectors Series Sox & Martin Hemi Cuda's are serious performance vehicles based on the new Challenger. The Collector Series Sox & Martin Hemi Cuda is available in three models. The Sox & Martin Super Street Edition boils the hides with an available 625 horsepower, the Super Stock Edition shakes the asphalt with 725 horsepower, and like its namesake, the Pro Stock Edition is equipped with a heart stopping 900 plus horsepower Hemi engine, Dana 60 differential and 4 link rear suspension.

Instantly recognizable, the Sox & Martin Collector Series Hemi Cuda's are available in the same red, white and blue paint scheme and period correct Sox & Martin graphics as the fearsome original NHRA Pro Stock National Championship winning Hemi Cuda. Optional features include Cuda style quarter panels, along with a modern interpretation of the 1971 Cuda grille and tail panel that's complemented by an aggressive hood scoop reminiscent of the one on the first Sox & Martin Pro Stock Hemi Cuda. Inside, the cockpit features custom leather seating with the Sox & Martin Supercars shield embroidered on the seat backs. In addition, each Sox & Martin Collectors Series Hemi Cuda is personally signed by Buddy Martin and has a special fender tag that identifies its equipment and S&M serial number.

Production for the Collectors Series Sox & Martin Hemi Cuda's is limited. So remember the drag racers adage, "he who snoozes, looses," and don't miss your chance to own a real piece of history. For information about the Collectors Series Sox & Martin Hemi Cuda's, contact Mr. Norm's Garage today at (727) 869-9577.

Mr. Norm builds a new L'il Red Express

In the murk that was the late 70's, there was very little performance to be found. Most "muscle cars" still had V8's, but sadly they were choked with smog equipment and putting out sad levels of horsepower. Car manufacturers left the flashy decals on but took away all the fun in the name of expensive gas and emissions requirements.

One vehicle that managed to emerge through this mess and make a statement was the Dodge L'il Red Express, which was built in 1978 and 1979. The little truck that could snickered in the face of regulations with it's twin smoke stacks sticking up in the sky and ripping off 14.7 second quarter mile times with it's 360 V8. That was good enough to make it the quickest vehicle produced in 1978, and is still pretty quick by today's standards.

Mr. Norm is bringing back the icon of a dark era by producing his own tribute to the L'il Red Express in his own shop, utilizing the new Dodge Ram. The only downside is that in order to keep the cost down, you won't see huge exhaust stacks on the side of the new Express. Turns out fitting a stepside bed to a new Ram would be too costly and pointless. If you want to see a comparison between old and new, check it out here.