Hello, I am Jim and "I AM A MOPARHOLIC"!!!!!!!! I HAVE BEEN SINCE THE
50'S.
I am a young senior and when it comes to things Automotive I am a pack
rat.
I am originally from the south suburbs of Chicago, Flossmoor, Il.
You know the way it used to be, you drove what your father drove. My dad
bought his first Plymouth in 1957, a Plaza, 318 push button.
The next one was a 62 Dodge dart, 318 - 230 HP, with an automatic. I got
my
drivers license right before that one. Only because I broke the rear
springs
on the 57 Plymouth. That 62 Dodge only weighed only 3000 lbs. on the
head.
Boy! Did I break that car in right as can be attested to by the warranty
claims that were filed 5YR or 50,000 Miles. I started using the 3000 RPM
neutral starts in April 62 when the car was a week old. The guys a Gibson
Brothers Dodge, Harvey, IL. sure loved that car. Seals every six months.
They sponsored a 62 and then a 63 Ramcharger so they were cool with it.
My next endeavor February 1965 was a Chrysler Fire Power, 1957 392 CI. I
built that engine on my own in my parents garage. I used to work part
time
at the Standard Station, hang out, down the block so they let me borrow
their tools, Snap On, and Chiltons Manuals. Long story short I bought the
ISKY 550 Super LeGerra cam (Top Fuelers Grind), 13.5 to 1 Jahns pistons,
dual Quad Ram-induction and each cylinder was bored .250. This was going
to
go into my folks car. UnFortunately the state stepped in and said I had
to
many points used up on my license. So off to school and the engine went
into
storage. Following year I put it into a 56 Austin-Healey. That is another
story.
Next was a brand new 69 Super Bee, 383 Automatic, purchased off the lot
in a
hurry, Norton-Rust Dodge Bloomington, IL. due to needing a way back to
school, spring break. One week later at school in Scottsbluff, NE I am
listing to WLS from Chicago and the Mr. Norm advertisement comes on
talking
about the new 440 Six Pack. I wasn't too mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well such is
life.
From 1970 all projects were put on hold due to Uncle Sam, and after that
raising a family.
Now in January 2002 I bought a 65 Dodge Coronet 500 from a guy in
Sacramento, CA. I am the third owner. It came with a 361 CI engine but
the
guy before me switched in a 1968 Chrysler 440 TNT. Car needs work and it
pretty much sat till I retired in 2004. then I held off until we decided
if
we were going to move from Chicago. I did not want to ship a dismantled
car.
In 2005 we moved to Okatie, SC., Think Parris Island, SC.
I have since rebuilt the front suspension, front disc brakes, a couple of
fuel pumps. Still lots of work to do. Watching the grand children 4-5
days a
week. The girl is 4 and the boy 2 and when PAPA says engine they respond
on
their own with HEMI. The two year old loves the Mopar Collectors Guide
with
Blue 43 on the cover. He drags it a round because he likes THE King on
the
cover, from the Cars Movie.
I enjoy reading your e-mails and if I can be of any assistance let me
know.
Also, my wife, Judy and I founded a Media Blasting Business, Imperial
Stripaway, (South Holland, IL) back in 93. We stripped a lot of vehicles.
We
sold the equipment but not the company back in 98 due to health reasons,
Big
C. Also I have a Magazine collection dating back to 1960. I still have a
lot
of the 392 parts, Cam Etc.
I hope this gets sent properly.
Jim
PS The Chevy guys tagged me with Ramcharger back in 62 and when we were
in
business the younger guys tagged me MEDIA MAN but now I just go by JIM.
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