After the fuel crisis of the mid-70’s it was a wonder that anyone would be thinking about performance, but better performance and efficiency do go hand in hand. With the widespread application of now industry standard fuel injection, OEM’s were discovering that this previously underdeveloped technology had come into its own.
There is not one specific year that really can be isolated as the birth of modern muscle, but somewhere around the mid-80’s various cars, unusual cars, were being fielded at dealerships across the continent. In this chapter of the roots of modern performance, we take a closer look at a particular Dodge offering, the GLH and its bigger brother the Shelby GLHS.
Starting from it's most basic design the GLH was in essence a Dodge Omni, a squarish, 4 door FWD, with heavy European influences. Stemming from it’s Simca (Now Peugeot) parentage.
Released in 1978, the standard Omni was really no performance marvel, and barring the GLH model it would have never been worthy of note. Once production was stabilized, the Omni was powdered by the 2.2L engine famous in the K-Car, it produced about 93 horsepower, with peak torque of 122 lb-ft at only 3,200 rpm
For 1984 however, this changed, Performance and Racing legend, Carrol Shelby became interested in a special Omni project called "Coyote"
Renamed the GLH (Goes-Like-Hell) by Mr. Shelby, this sporty model featured a few upgrades which bumped the performance numbers to 110 bhp. This was accomplished through use of a unique camshaft, and milling the cylinder head 0.020" to increase compression. In the appearance department, a chrome valve cover was fitted while Mopar Direct Connection offered add-on ground effects kits. Performance was a tidy 17.2 in the quarter mile and 9.4 seconds in the 0-60 dash.
The very next year, the '84 model would be easily eclipsed by its turbocharged replacement. The 1985 GLH was a much more improved package; power was boosted to 146 BHP @ 5200 RPM and 170 BTQ @ 3600 RPM.
Looks improved with last year's Direct Connection body kit standard, a tape stripe package, and larger alloy wheels. A Garret turbocharger provided positive pressure and this engine assembly became widely known as the "Turbo I" series.
This adjusted the ¼ mile sprint to 16.2 and reduced 0-60 1.3 seconds, to 8.1
Not to rest on on success, 1986 brought in a even more aggressive model, the GLH-S (Goes-Like-Hell-Somemore) This vehicle would be the last development year of the GLH series, but it would be a great one.
Starting with engine performance, a turbocharged and intercooled 2.2L featured a boost friendly 8.5:1 compression ratio. At 12 pounds of boost it developed a whopping 175 BHP @ 5300 RPM and 175 BTQ at a tabletop flat 2200-4800 RPM range. The air-to-air intercooler is capable of shunting heat by 100°F while an optional oil-cooler could further extend open track capabilities.
Track manners were improved through use of Koni adjustable shocks and the addition of a stiffer front roll bar. Special edition Shelby “Centurion” wheels were wrapped with Goodyear Gatorback’s 205/50/15, that were halted by heavy-duty front discs, at 10.2 in and 8” drums in the rear. A factory installed roll bar was optional.
Interior and appearance were not thrown to the wayside either.
Additional lighting was supplied by Bosch driving lamps, while factory tint and blackout striping gave the car a look of business like menace. Black was the only offered paint color and all interiors were finished in grey. Custom high back seats ensured a stable driving position while heel-toe pedals allowed precise downshifts of the 5-speed manual.
Further interior refinements included a leather wrapped wheel and shifter, numbered Shelby dash plate, and 135 mph speedo with tachometer.
Final performance numbers were impressive for the little Shelby, it could do 0-60 in a stunning 6.50 seconds, with a 14.7 quarter-mile (@ 94 mph). Cornering was quite good, with a skid-pad measurement of .88g. Shelby Automobiles was able to advertise that “names like Porsche, Ferrari, Audi, and BMW all finish behind Carrol Shelby’s new Limited Edition GLH-S.”
So next time you see an 80’s Dodge econobox, give it a second glance, it may just go-like-hell.
