Big power, immaculate presentation and the perfect stance, what more could you ask for in a muscle car.

Knock, knock, knock. Many of us have heard it at some stage. It’s a noise no one wants to hear coming from under the bonnet. The one that sounds like there’s a little man with a hammer going to town on the inside of your engine. If it hasn’t happened to you, cross your fingers, bless your good fortune, and pray to the automotive gods that it never does.

Kyle Kitson, owner of this 1970 Dodge Challenger, clearly hadn’t been praying devoutly enough.

As a member of active West Auckland’s Huapai Hot Rod Club, Kyle regularly takes part in the club’s annual drag day held each November. The 2009 edition will be an event Kyle won’t forget in a hurry. Nor for that matter will his older brother Mike (whose Ford Galaxie was on the cover of NZV8 issue 40). (more…)