This is just my opinion on the state of
the "hobby" so you might delete now.
Anyone who tries to restore a Mopar knows
how difficult it is to accomplish.
I really appreciate a correct vehicle. One that is fifty
years old is fantastic !
Larry is a great guy. He and I are so busy working, right
now, that we can't get
enough done on our car projects.
The Mopar Nats is a poorly run "show" for several
reasons.
This is one of them. A car in the
"Survivors" tent should be a survivor.
I'm afraid new paint and new upholstery does not make a car
a survivor.
I have a low mileage, all original 1968 Dodge D100 (pick up
truck) and
a 1966 Charger. They are survivors. A couple of years
ago, "our" 1966
Charger was at the Nats in their "Tribute to the
Chargers" display along
It seems Mopar guys, in general, are so happy to receive
recognition, or
see nice Mopars, that they go gah-gah over modified
vehicles. It doesn't
matter much if it is correctly done, or not.
The local shows are won by a guy from 17 miles away who has
a beautiful
1967 Charger. He has had it since new, I think. Of
course, he "restored" it.
It is bright red and has all sorts of chromed pieces and
things that are not
factory. We have talked a lot. He knows and
admits, to me, that it is
A few years ago, we took our Charger to the Chryslers
at Carlisle show, now
known as the All Chrysler Nationals. I told my wife
for weeks how it would
finally be nice for "her" original car to receive
the recognition it deserved.
You know what happened. All around us were cars in various
states of
correctness. The winner in the category was a nice
Charger with fancy
aftermarket wheels and wide tires with a lot of chromed
pieces under the hood.
Penni was devastated. I was pissed. I don't
think I will get over it.
The guy with the 1967 Charger always asks me where my
Charger is, when we
talk at the shows. I usually drive my 1965 GTO. Stone chips,
chromed engine
and torque-thrust wheels, and all. Everyone loves it
and there are tons of people
who tell me they had one "just like it" at every
event.
I have given up. I'm in it for the fun and to meet up
with friends and find new ones.
I didn't pay to enter the Nats this year. I went to
visit with friends at the cruising
location in Heath after the Nats closed for the day.
I sold my 1957 Coronet two door hardtop this summer. It was
a project car.
I still have my solid driver 1955 Coronet to use as I see
fit.
Maybe a 340 4-speed ? After the original stick-six gives up.
If it ever does.
FYI, This car was at the Mopar Nats in Columbus 2 weeks ago in
the "Survivors" tent if memory serves. It does have some
"modifications", in that the seats and the paint are not original,
and a few other smaller things that even a non-pro Mopar collector like myself
could pick out, but the car is, in real life, GORGEOUS! In a land of '57
Chevy Bel Airs, this car stands out as an example of superior Mopar design and
styling.
Is it original - Not totally. Is it perfect - No. Could it be
better - Sure. Is it beautiful - Most assuredly.
What is it worth? - What ever someone is willing to pay for it. And that
ever-increasing cost means that I am stuck with 4dr Coronet sedans - Which
ain't all that bad either, and which I have!
Larry (Akron)
57 Coronet 4dr Sedan
59 Coronet 4dr Sedan
60 Chrysler Saratoga 4dr Sedan
58 Coronet Spring Special 2dr HT basket case and future project.
Back to the Home of the Forward Look Network