If you’ve ever owned an old muscle car, especially one that’s nice and loud, you’re probably familiar with the amount of attention it gets out on the street from enthusiasts and average commuters alike, and how they’ll often encourage you to give the audience a bit of a show.
The people behind the camera in this video seem particularly excited by the prospect of seeing this Dodge Dart open up the taps a bit – we’re not sure if it’s just the loud exhaust system or a hearty helping of cocaine (or both), but they’re nearing hysterics within the first few seconds of the clip. Then things get taken to an entirely new level.
After rounding the corner, the driver of the Dart gives the car some throttle and, in what might be the most catastrophic axle failure we’ve ever seen on the road, the entire rear end becomes separated from the car at speed – wheels, differential – the whole thing.
That’s when our camera car’s occupants completely lose their minds. Of course rather than, you know, pulling over to perhaps offer some assistance to our hapless Mopar owner, they instead continue to drive on, apparently finding the event utterly hilarious. Class acts right here.
Exactly what happened isn’t totally clear – in the absence of leaf springs, it appears that weak welds on a four-link might’ve pushed the entire axle assembly back and broken the retaining bolts, sending the entire piece out the back of the car. It’s particularly brutal because the car essentially lands on its body and, presumably, the rear suspension components – it’s going to take a lot of work to make this car whole again. Give the clip a look and tell us what you think. A word to the wise though – turn your speakers down a bit before you fire this one up.