Green, Mean, Mopar_® Machine

Imagine having to take the boat over to Finland to find truly wild muscle cars with the proper stance – rear end in the air, hole in the hood and way too much horsepower for what was already questionable handling from the factory.

But holy smokes, this one is wicked. Jari “Jate” Niemi’s giant green 1971 Dodge Charger is exactly how muscle cars are supposed to look – and how they looked when I was growing up in Värmland, in western Sweden, during the 1970s and 1980s.

On this particular morning in mid-April, it’s just above freezing after an unusually frosty and cold night for the season.

Niemi offers me a ride. Seven hundred twenty-two horsepower under the hood, old cold radial tires, even colder asphalt, and a weight balance shifted well forward don’t stop the friendly Finn from putting on a proper show. Of course, it’s window down, “chrome elbow out” in the crisp morning air as Niemi handles the frisky Charger with an experienced right hand.

Ever heard the saying “The car slithered across the road like a snake desperate for affection”? Mm. Exactly like that.

Niemi says the Charger was imported to Finland from the United States in the late ’70s. The Dodge was in miserable condition. The paint was poor, and the 440-cubic-inch V8 was ready for the scrapyard.

The body, however, wasn’t nearly as bad. No major rust holes or dents.

“The owner at the time, who lived around the city of Jyväskylä in Finland, spent quite a bit of time and money freshening up the Charger. The green paint is his work, along with a replacement V8 – also a 440, rated at 400 horsepower,” Niemi says.

That 440 didn’t last long after Niemi bought the Charger in 2010. Four hundred horses weren’t enough for the throttle-happy Finn.

“Today, the car runs a 440-cubic-inch V8 bored .030 over. Forged rods and pistons, 8:1 compression. The crankshaft is forged, made from 4340 steel. The aluminum cylinder heads are from Edelbrock, and the camshaft is from Comp Cams. It’s fitted with roller lifters, and the rocker arms are made of chromoly steel. Many parts are polished to mirror finish, including the blower – a BDS 8-71. On top of that sit dual 950-cfm carburetors, tuned for forced induction,” Niemi says with a grin.

He adds that the blower belt guard is built in classic funny car style, of course polished to a mirror shine.

The engine has been dyno-tested. You already know the peak horsepower, but the V8 delivers 546 horsepower and 623 newton-meters of torque already at 4,600 rpm.

Niemi says having proof of the horsepower is relevant, but not so important that he won’t joke about it. With a mischievous smile, he shows me the dyno sheet that certifies the promised 722 horses and points out the “seal.” The ink in the stamp, he explains, is genuine transmission oil and Finnish beer.

Anyone doubting Niemi’s sense of humor can just take a look at his jacket…

So what about the rest of the drivetrain – the mechanical parts that handle the power headed rearward to the pavement? The transmission is a 727 TorqueFlite, prepped by Jarno Järvensivu. The rear end is an 8¾-inch unit with a relatively street-friendly 3.23:1 gear ratio.

The reason we can speak so freely is that Niemi knows a fair bit of Swedish. He worked in Stockholm during the ’80s, which is also when his American car passion really took hold.

“I worked in Sweden in the 1980s, and it was Hyvä meininki! A wonderful time with many cool muscle cars and good friends. After my 10-year stay in Sweden, I imported a 1969 Pontiac GTO convertible to Finland. Since then, I’ve owned another 15 muscle cars – everything from Firebirds to Mustangs. Today, I’m older and wiser, and I’ve chosen to focus exclusively on Mopar_®,” Niemi says, laughing.

That’s no small Chrysler collection he’s built up over the years.

“As I said, I love American muscle cars. Today, I own two Chargers, a ’Cuda, a Road Runner and a Fury. Hm. There are also rumors that I own a Chevrolet Caprice with a 400-horsepower V8, but you can’t believe everything you hear,” Niemi says with a smile.

I can’t help but smile too. Niemi is the kind of guy who’s always ready with a laugh – and it’s contagious.

But there’s a seriousness as well. Like many Finns I’ve met, Niemi is direct and to the point. It’s “Yes” or “No,” nothing in between. When I ask if the Charger can do a burnout, Niemi simply says “Yes” – and then proves it. End of discussion.

So what plans does he have for his Charger?

“Plans… well… I really like the Charger. It’s a powerful street car, and everyone notices it when it goes by. It’s also great fun to drive, a true ‘drive and smile’ car. But sure… I’ve owned it for several years now. If someone asks to buy it, maybe… But if a Swede asks, then I’d really have to think about it,” Niemi says, laughing again.

IMG030-IMG033