We previously reported on the return of Direct Connection, and now that we have details of what they'll be peddling, we have to give kudos to Stellantis: They aren't just dusting off a legendary name and using it to sell chrome steering wheel covers and insulated coffee mugs. These new Direct Connection kits appear to be every bit as potent as what the division was dealing Back In The Day.

Direct Connection Is Back for 2022—And It’s the Real Deal - Stellantis-Direct-Connection-04-scaled

Some quick history: Back in 1974, with the muscle car era well and truly over, Chrysler organized Direct Connection as a subsidiary of the Mopar parts division. Direct Connection gave Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler owners access to factory-developed racing and performance parts, as well as engineering advice and instructions. Direct Connection supported racing builds of all of its engines, from the mighty 426 Hemi down to the lowly 225-cubic-inch (3.7-liter) Slant Six, plus driveline and suspension parts. When Chrysler turned to small turbocharged engines in the 1980s, Direct Connection followed suit with race-ready parts for the blown 2.2s. (They also sold a few custom parts for the vanning hobby.)

It really was adirect connectionto the performance geeks in Chrysler's ranks—and if the name had vague drug dealer overtones, well, we can't imagine this was unintentional (this was the 1970s, after all), and it was definitely appropriate. In the Malaise Era, no matter how much the world slowed down, Direct Connection kept you jumping.

In 1987, well into the Just Say No era, Direct Connection became Mopar Performance Parts. For 2022, just in time for legalization, Direct Connection is coming back, and it appears they are no less potent. Among the offerings in the 2022 Direct Connection catalog are kits that will take your Challenger SRT Hellcat to 750 ponies.

There are lightweight interior parts, bulletproof four-speed automatics, suspension kits—everything you need to go racing. There are parts for classic Chrysler muscle cars, as well. Oh, and a 1,000-hp 426 Hemi crate engine—you didn't think they'd leave that out, did you? (Only Pacifica owners will be disappointed—there are no stick-on vinyl murals for vans like there were in the '75 Direct Connection catalog.) There are no parts for electrified drag racing yet, but we can't imagine it'll be long before the future catches up to Direct Connection.