RE: My past Mopars

[John Goodman <regsec@xxxxxxxx>]

In the mid-60's I was racing in UHRA's and IHRA's (I think), P Stock
class with a 65 Bel Air, 327, etc.  The record at the time was always
within easy reach but the car only won about 5 times.  Just before the
military moved my family to Virginia, a gent from Suffolk, Virginia,
running a 65 Chevelle with a 283 (same class - different weight),
dropped the record 4 tenths!  That made my car obsolete overnight.
About two weeks later, while 1/8 mile bracket racing (new venture), I
spotted a 62 Savoy with a 413.  Short discussion with the owner and we
traded cars.  I guess he like rowing a 4-speed and I thought the
automatic big block would be much more competitive.  Trouble is, I
didn't know a thing about the big block that liked to drink oil, was on
a Navy salary, and couldn't afford to fix the car up.  It was darn fast
and pretty consistant.  Later, when finances deteriorated, I was
approached by a guy who ran a very consistant /6 power Signet.  We
discussed a swap with some cash involved, and I ended with the Signet.
Needless to say, that car made more money than any I've owned since.  I
got out of racing altogether when the Navy transferred me to California.
After nearly a 20 year rest, I decided to get back into cars.  I bought
a 440 68 Barracuda and drove it around for awhile, then traded for a 63
Fury Convertible (poly 318).  Dumped a whole lot of money in that car,
and got seriously interested in 65 Belvederes.  Actually bought three to
make one.  After it was finished, I came to the conclusion that what I
really wanted all along was a drag race car, not a trailer queen.
So...I stepped up to the plate and bought a 66 Valiant (less motor and
transmission), built a strong 360 for 1/8 mile racing, and hopefully in
the next couple of days I will fire it off after a couple of setbacks.
Why did I switch from Chevrolets to Mopars?  I got darn tired of seeing
tail lights at the dragstrip!

John

-----Original Message-----
From: rgardian@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:rgardian@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2004 8:06 AM
To: 1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: My past Mopars

OK, my story is not the one that got away, but the one I didn't order!
When a soph in college we drove down to Greenville on Sat nite and
Stover had a 57 300-C.  Bought that one with 2-4's and 8 mpg, but it was
great!  When I was ready to graduate in 66, my dad said I could have any
car I wanted.  I choose the 66 Belvedere - with a 318 and 3-speed!  That
was because I already had a Hemi and wanted one with better mpg.  I
could kick myself now.  I could have had a Charger, a six-pack, or a
426!  Ended up having to sell the Bel two years later because my new
wife couldn't shift the 3-speed.  (I traded her later too!)

Roger/Atlanta
65 Sprot Fury 426W
57 Chrysler 300-C (I kept this one!)
> 
> From: Richard Kinsley <r.kinsley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: 2004/03/19 Fri PM 11:55:00 EST
> To: 1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: My past  Mopars
> 
> 
> Hi Guys,  Everybody is in to the "dumb thread" so here's my two cents.
First car a '49 Dodge 4 dr (with a '48 body) and "fluid drive". Cost my
Dad $75 in '60 and he gave it to me when I went to college in '61. Big
backseat!!!!  Second car, in '63, was a sweet '59 Plymouth Sport Fury,
Bronze w/318 power pac, a/c, PB trans, swivel out seats, Continental
kit, etc.. It had an incredible top end. I was side by side with a '57
Olds J-2  at 100mph and I floored it. It downshifted at 100 and I blew
him away like he slammed on the brakes! My third car is the reason I
have my current Mopar. It was ordered by me in the Spring of '64 and was
a Dodge 330 2 dr post w/383 4 bl, 4 speed and 3:23 Sure-grip. My
goodness did I have fun with that car! I spent time at Lions drag strip
but lots more time on the streets. I put about 20K on the odometer and
got drafted in Nov of '64. My Brother used it while I was in the service
and put more miles on it then I did. I was getting married when I got
out so out of "love" i decided to trade for a family car and swapped it
for a '64 Dart GT 2 dr hrdtp, w/PB trans and /6. I loved the looks of
the car but hated the lack of power! I wouldn't mind it today though.
Then to repay myself for the sacrifice earlier, I traded the Dart and
ordered a new '69 SuperBee with every performance option available in
early Spring of '69 except for the Hemi. I new I couldn't afford that
with my new son here too. Then I wound up into Dodge trucks , a Jeep CJ5
Renegade, and later a '86 Dodge Shelby turbo Charger. Now I'm back to my
roots with the '64 Dodge Polara 4 door. Sensible, good family car,----
he,he,he,he----until I finish with my 440 (Don Dulmage style), pb 727,
Dana 60 (3:55), discs, polygraphite, etc..
>     Oh yeah, I should mention that my wife bought me a 426 Hemi today.
However it's only 1/16th scale.
> 
>                                                                 Rich
Kinsley  '64 Polara 4 door
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> ----
> Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person --
directly to that person.  I.e., send parts/car transactions and
negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended
recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will
protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the
content signal to Mopar topic.  Thanks!
> 
> '62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines:
> http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html. 
> 
> 
> 

----
Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person --
directly to that person.  I.e., send parts/car transactions and
negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended
recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will
protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the
content signal to Mopar topic.  Thanks!

'62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines:
http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html. 

----
Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- directly to that person.  I.e., send parts/car transactions and negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content signal to Mopar topic.  Thanks!

'62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines:
http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html. 



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