Feb 2014. pdf

ONE OF ONE MR. NORMS 50th GSS CHALLENGER

FEBRUARY, 2014

GRAND NATIONAL ROADSTER SHOW MOPARS AND HEMI POWER SHINE SCOOP: 2014 MR. NORM’S GSS CUDA RACER EDITION EZ TECH 1965 – 1968 C-BODY SWAY BAR REFRESH VISTA BURGER RUN COMPLETE EVENT COVERAGE MR. NORM TALKS ABOUT HIS YEARS WITH DODGE

January, 2014

FEBRUARY 2014

IN THIS ISSUE NEWS FLASH .................................................4

Mr. Norm’s Sport Club Member Ride ........ 30

Editor’s Page ..................................................6

Tech Page: Chrysler C-Body Sway Bar Revival ......................................................... 34

Mr. Norm’s Corner .......................................10 Cover Story: Grand National Roadster Show, Rolling Sculpture .........................................14 Mr. Norm’s Vehicle: GSS ‘Cuda Racer .......22

Women’s World ........................................... 40 Product Spotlight ........................................ 44

Millennium Musings ....................................26

West Coast Report ...................................... 46

Specials of the Month..................................28

But Wait, There’s More ............................... 50

EDITORIAL Publisher .......................................................... Mr. Norm Editor .......................................................... Larry Weiner Managing Editor ......................................... Deb Murphy Editorial Assistant.................................. Debbie Weiner Contributors ......................................... Linda Mandalas Howard Benjamin Andrew Schultheis

DEALER SALES East Coast ...............................................Mike Staveski Midwest ................................................. Bob Longstreth West Coast ............................................... Steve Temple ON THE COVER: 1969 CHARGER R/T ON DISPLAY AT THE GRAND NATIONAL ROADSTER SHOW

PENTASTAR POWER IS PUBLISHED MONTHY BY MR. NORM’S SPORT CLUB P.O. Box 381 / Highland Park, IL 60035 / (760) 630-0547 / [email protected] / www.mrnorms.com

NEWS FLASH NEWS FLASH NEWS Driving to the Beat of a Different Drummer

Photos courtesy of Daiwa Automobiles Inc.

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Mr. Norm’s 50th Anniversary GSS Challenger and Jeep Wrangler FIVE STAR were prominently displayed by

Daiwa at the 32nd Annual Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS) that was held January 10-12. The Tokyo Auto Salon is the third largest automotive aftermarket show in the world, behind the SEMA SHOW in the United States and Essen Motor Show in Germany. Like the SEMA 4

SHOW, the Tokyo Auto Salon attracts companies and attendees from all over the world. This year, a reported 300,000 people attended the show. Also like the SEMA SHOW, major automobile manufactur-

FLASH NEWS FLASH NEWS FLASH

ers like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru and General Motors have a significant presence at the Tokyo Auto Salon. Each of these exhibits featured a wide range of tricked out vehicles that showcase the latest trends in customization and aftermar-

ket accessories. The Mr. Norm’s 50th Anniversary GSS Challenger and Jeep Wrangler FIVE STAR garnered lots of attention at the Tokyo Auto Salon. With their decidedly American appearance, the Mr. Norm’s

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Challenger with its muscle car heritage and Wrangler FIVE STAR with its bold goanywhere persona offered an interesting contrast to many of the tuner and race themed vehicles on display at the show.

Editor’

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Music and Cars

usic and cars. As long as there have been cars, composers have been writing songs about them. As early as 1905, Gus Edwards and Vincent Bryan wrote the music and lyrics to My Merry Oldsmobile, a very popular tune in its day that celebrated the curved dash Olds. Through the years, cars have been the stars of songs of all kinds. For example, in 1958, the Playmates recorded Beep, Beep, a song about a Nash Rambler and a Cadillac. But music inspired by cars really hit their stride in the 60’s when groups like the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean and Ronny and the Daytonas started recording number one hits about muscle cars and hot rods. Back in the 60’s, before Bill Lear’s invention of the 8-track tape player, records were the most common way to listen to your favorite music. For those of you who weren’t born yet, singles were released on 45’s, named after the speed (45 rpm) they played at, and were known as the little records with the big hole in the middle. Albums were larger in diameter, had a small hole in the middle, ran at 33 1/3 rpm. With performance cars capturing the hearts and minds of America’s youth, it was inevitable that these vehicles would be immortalized in rock and roll music. There were so many groups

capitalizing on the popularity of muscle cars, hot rods and racing vehicles in their songs that it would be impossible to list them all here. That said, some of the most successful included the Beach Boys who sang about Chevy’s 409, Ronnie and the Daytona’s GTO capitalized on Pontiac’s muscle car and the Ripchords claim to fame was a Cobra. But the song we Mopar guys and gals choose to remember from this era is the Little Old Lady from Pasadena by Jan and Dean, the granny who had a flower bed of gardenia’s and terrorized the streets of Pasadena in her Super Stock Dodge. In addition to the singles and LP’s that celebrated the cars we lusted after then, and still do today, there were also albums that covered racing events. From drag racing, to stock cars and even boat racing, these records were about the only way to listen to the sounds of racing vehicles at events running at full throttle with open headers in the comfort of your own home. With titles like The Big Sounds of 6

the Drags and The Incredible Sights and Sounds of the Winternationals 1964, drag racing records were also very popular in their day. Today, vinyl records are considered an anachronism. In the mid 1960’s, the technology started evolving from records to alternative formats, such as the aforementioned 8tracks. While they did not quite equal the sound quality of records, 8-tracks provided the first viable portable format that enabled you to listen to music whether you were at home or in your car. After 8tracks, cassette tapes were next in the evolutionary ladder, followed by today’s compact discs. But while vinyl may seem

’s Page old fashioned by modern standards, there is a movement afoot that embraces the unique sound of a record as opposed to the near sterile sound of a CD. In fact new records are not only still being pressed, they are gaining in popularity among many audiophiles. And proof of this is in the diversity of genres available, which range from classical to rock, country, punk, hip hop and heavy metal from numerous record companies such as Decca, Atlantic, RCA and Polydor. In case you’re curious, check out The Vinyl Store on Amazon or the new vinyl records section on eBay. There is also a growing trend in acquiring original records. In addition to the sound of a clean, unscratched Hi Fi or Stereophonic record, there is the art that graced the large format covers of many albums. Think about the timeless album jackets on The Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts

Club Band, The Who’s Magic Bus or the Rolling Stones Let It Bleed albums. Each was a piece of art in its own way. In addition, many albums also included photos, lyrics and special pull out sections, making them very collectible today. Lastly, what could be more fun than to play these old records on a vintage turn table hooked up to a receiver/amplifier and speakers from the era? All of this started because one day this past summer, while rummaging through the basement, I ran across a box with all of our albums from the 1960’s and ‘70’s. This box has moved with us from house to house for the past 35 years without being opened. Finding it piqued my curiosity, so I unsealed it and looked at all of the old records, which brought back a lot of memories. Among those that

I found in the box were some with memorable car songs by the Beach Boys and Jan and Dean that characterized the muscle car era. There was even a copy of The Original Big Sounds of the Drags in the box. Finding the records reminded me that we still had my 1974 Superscope R340 receiver/amplifier, also in a box that hadn’t seen the light of day in decades. While looking for it, I ran across a another box labeled “Record Player” that contained a BIC Venturi turn table I bought my wife when we were

Hey Little Cobra And Other Hot Rod Hits by the Ripchords. A 289 Cobra on the cover celebrates the title track from the album. Many of the songs on the album were Beach Boys and Jan and Dean tunes that the Ripchords covered

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mon today. Of course, listening to the music brought back a wave of memories about cars I once owned, going to the races and old friends from time gone by. The next time the winter weather gets you down, think about checking out engaged back in 1978. At this point, I was a man on a mission, and finally found the box with the Superscope, along with a long lost pair of book shelf speakers. After unpacking the components, I carried them and the records up my office, hooked it up, and after lubricating the bearing on the turntable with WD40 for a couple of days, had everything working perfectly. Putting all of this vintage stereo gear together and playing the records was not only a rewarding experience, but yet another way to enjoy some of the stuff that we had held onto all these years. Listening to the original records on the old equipment, some of which dates back forty years was not only fun, but I realized how different the sound is from the compact discs and hi tech stereo systems that are so com-

some of those boxes in your basement, attic or maybe some that you left behind at your parent’s house when you moved out on your own. You just might find some hidden treasures that will brighten your day and stoke the flames of a bygone era. Drop me a line at Larry@mrnorms. com and let me know what you found. I can’t be the only packrat who saves everything. Tell your friends and members of your car club to join Mr. Norm’s Sport Club. They’ll get discounts on parts, memorabilia and receive Pentastar Power every month for free.

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Ronny and the Daytonas G.T.O Album cover with their 1964 hit single G.T.O. The band members are posed with a 1964 Pontiac GTO

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Mr. Norm 100 Years of Chrysler

Bob McCurry VP Dodge Division and Bill France Sr. of NASCAR with 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona at the Daytona 500. Photo Credit: Mr. Norm’s Collection

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013 marked the 50th year of my involvement in the performance industry. In addition, it’s also been 50 years since we opened Grand Spaulding Dodge in Chicago, and started down the road to becoming the largest volume Dodge dealer in the world. Now, we’re into 2014, a year that marks the 100th anniversary of Dodge. This is a company that played a big role in my life and made a huge impact on what we now look

back on as the Muscle Car Era. I was not privy to a lot of inside corporate information on Chrysler before 1963 when I signed up to expand our performance based used car lot at the corner of Grand and Spaulding into a bona fide Dodge dealership. But, believe me, I’m pretty sure I know a lot about those years when I was intimately involved with the company, until I retired from Grand Spaulding Dodge in 1977.

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As an aside, I guess in a way, I was involved with Dodge even before Grand Spaulding Dodge. When I was in high school after World War II, I tooled around in a 1939 Dodge, although certainly it was not quite as exciting as what was to come from Dodge in the 1960’s. In the early 60s, Ford was making a big push in performance cars with its Total Performance program. Ford was very active in NASCAR, Indy, road racing and drag racing.

m’s Corner GM was also aggressively marketing performance vehicles such as the 409 Chevy, the 421 Pontiac and ultimately, the car that stood the performance world on its ear, the GTO. At that time, Dodge didn’t have a huge slice of that market but they were starting to move in that direction. For one thing, Chrysler had hired Elwood Engel away from Ford in 1961. Engel had been involved in the designs of the 1961 Thunderbird and the Lincoln Continental. He had an eye for what people wanted in the look of a car. While I was seriously leaning toward Dodge in the early 1960s, the fact they hired Engel was a signal to me that the company was going in the same direction I was definitely heading in. Another factor was Chrysler’s introduction of the Max Wedge engine in the Dodge BBody. The innovative Max

Wedge was the racing engine of its time. So here I was, sitting at the corner of Grand and Spaulding selling used high-performance cars. If I was going to evolve into a new-car dealer, I sure wanted to have access to good-looking cars that could blow the doors off the competition. Dodge had the power plant and the potential for drop-dead gorgeous design. You tell me – did I make the right decision? I sure must have. For the 14 years I was a Dodge dealer, from 1963 to 1977, I did nothing but grow. The economy may have gone up and down, the market may have shifted, but Grand Spaulding never had a slump during those 14 years. Then in 1964 when Bob McCurry came onboard as Sales Manager for Dodge Division and corporate Vice President for Chrysler, I knew we’d hit the jackpot. I met McCurry soon after he took over Dodge

and we had a good talk. I realized right away here was a guy who spoke the same language. We were wired the same way, especially when it came to performance. You have to understand, this was the era of cult figures in the industry. General Motors had John DeLorean, Ford had Lee Iacocca and although McCurry didn’t get the ink that these two guys got, he was just as important to the development of Dodge. We worked together like two performance conspirators. I’d tell him what I needed and he’d get it to me. He’d depend on my sense of what our market wanted in a car and I’d depend on his ability to get it done and get it done right.

MoparFest in Ontario, the Most Hospitable 1964 Chrysler Turbine Car on display at the Chicago Automobile Show. The Chrysler Turbine Car was designed underShow thdirection of Elwood Engel, head of design at Chrysler from 1961 to 1972. Photo Credit: Chicago Automobile Show

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I’ve often told the story of wanting to put a high performance engine in a light weight, compact car. Everybody but Dodge was doing it. We needed that kind of vehicle to capture the imagination of the kids, and to compete against cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevy II Nova Super Sport. He told me his engineers said that they couldn’t put a big block engine in the 3000 lb. Dart. So, I had my guys in the shop do it. We pulled out the 273 and dropped In a 383. Then we let all of the magazine editors take test drives with the Dart. It knocked their socks off. The Dart passed all the road tests with flying colors. We took the car to McCurry and he had the factory to produce those little speed demons. The only thing McCurry insisted on was that we had to purchase them 50 of them at a time, which I had no hesitation doing. McCurry did his job producing great performance cars, the kind of cars people wanted to drive. And, I did my job, generating excitement with a national advertising campaign supported by our professional funny car racing team, a parts department stocked with factory and aftermarket parts and accessories, along with a high performance service department with not one, but two Clayton Dynamometers. Those were definitely good years for both Dodge and for me. In 1973 as the muscle car era drew to a close, we transitioned into the van market. Conversion vans were the next big thing at the time and we made sure that Grand

Spaulding Dodge was the place to go to get one. We also provided many van conversion companies with “tin cans” as we called the base Dodge Van. One year, we realized that the van converters in Indiana were all running out of stock vans to convert in the summer. We saw a great opportunity to provide these vans to the converters if we could just order an additional 500 of them at the end of the model year. I approached Mc Curry with the idea, he supported it and made sure that we got the allocation we needed. Sure enough, we sold every one of the vans in just two weeks. I have to say, looking back on my years with Dodge, I’ve had a lucky life; lucky to be associated with Chrysler Corporation, with the right people with the excitement and guts to push the envelope with performance. Dodge, McCurry and I were a great team and Dodge made it all possible

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with their willingness to take an aggressive position in the marketplace.

1976 Dodge Street Van. Magazine ad from 1976 promoting the Dodge Van Clan (above) Elwood Engel with Dodge Charger Concept. Photo Credit: Mr. Norm’s Collection :below)

RESTORATION SERVICES

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COVER STORY Grand National Roadster Show:

Story and Photos By Larry Weiner

olling Sculpture. Spectacular design, extraordinary execution and attention to detail are all hallmarks of vehicles in competition at the Grand National Roadster Show. While there are numerous classes for vehicles at the GNRS, without a doubt, the high point of the show is the category reserved for those cars in contention to win the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award, or AMBR as it is commonly called. The AMBR is one of the most prestigious awards that a custom vehicle owner can aspire to win. Needless to say, dedicated builders and passionate enthusiasts will work on creating a one of a kind customized roadster for years in their zeal to achieve this lofty goal. The Grand National Roadster Show celebrated its 65th anniversary this year. Nicknamed “The Grand Daddy of Them All,” The Grand National Roadster Show is the longest running indoor car show in the world. Originally held in Oakland, California beginning in 1950, for the last twelve years, the Pomona Fairplex in Pomo-

na, California has been home to the show. Utilizing every available building on the property, plus numerous displays outside, the GNRS is truly a

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world class car show. The theme of the Grand National Roadster Show this year was “Need For Speed,” and over 500 vehicles were on

display in eight buildings, each full to capacity with gorgeous vehicles of all kinds. While there is a misconception among some enthusiasts who have never attended the show that the GNRS is mainly just for roadsters and street rods, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, nearly every kind of vehicle can be found on display at the Grand National Roadster show, including lead sleds, historic race cars, 50’s shoeboxes, vintage muscle

Real AJ Watson Indy car. Check out the nose and you can see where the builder of the blown Hemi three window coupe below got his inspiration.

Twice blown Hemi in custom coupe with Watson Indy style nose. Note numerous photos on the floor that chronicle the build of this wild three window

cars, low riders, rat rods and custom motorcycles, along with street rods of all kinds. Of course, the centerpiece of the show is the roadsters in contention for the AMBR award. As an example of the diversity of the event, each year at the Grand National Roadster Show, there is an entire build-

ing dedicated to highlighting a specific group of vehicles, such as the 75th Anniversary of the ‘32 Ford in 2007 and the History of the Race Car in 2010. This year was no exception, and in Building 9, the theme was Bonneville “A Century of Speed.” This building was loaded with amazing vehicles of all kinds that have compet-

The main show floor in Building 4 with five of the contenders for the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster just after the GNRS opened on Friday.

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1969 Charger Daytona looks like it’s going 200 miles per hour…..parked!

ed at the Bonneville Salt Flats, from roadsters and belly tankers to streamliners, along with coupes, sedans and even trucks. The collection of vehi-

cles celebrating the exploits of innovative hot rodders and daring racers in the quest to set new speed records at Bonneville was nothing short of

1940 Willys Gasser survivor from the ‘60’s with blown 392 Imperial Hemi

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amazing. The Suede Palace in Building 10 is dedicated to showcasing one of the more recent trends, rat rods.

Vehicles of all kinds filled this building, many displaying some very original approaches to hot rodding and customizing, often times done on a small budget. An outgrowth of the original “work in progress” hot rods and customs that were so common on the street in the 1950’s, today an entire culture has built up around these vehicles, including men and women wearing costumes and makeup that reflect an era that time passed by over a half century ago. While customs of varying types were on display in each of the buildings, The Custom Room located in Building 5 was dedicated to these sometimes extreme vehicles and featured amazing customs by Gene Winfield, Roy Brizio, James Hetfield and Troy Trepanier. Each of these vehicles had a story to tell, some with a long history of continuous customization at the hands of numerous owners. Others are recreations of original customs that have been lost to the sands of time or tributes to still existent cars that are so desirable that one is simply not enough. As an example, Howdy Ledbetter displayed his

1964 Plymouth Belvedere altered wheelbase hardtop is seen above. Say’s “It’s A Hemi” on the front fender just in case you were in doubt! Check out the pure ‘60’s style injected Hemi with cast M/T valve covers at right.

tribute to the original Ala Kart at the GNRS a few year ago. The original was built for Richard Peters by George Barris

back in ‘59 and won the AMBR award in both 1959 and 1960. Outside on Saturday and Sunday, nearly 1,000 vehicles

Mopars and Hemi power were well represented at the Grand National Roadster Show again this year. There were a dizzying array of Mopars on display in nearly every building, along with an endless number of vehicles that featured Hemi and Wedge power. 17

Silver Bullet dragster with stack injected 273 Dodge small block was originally displayed at the 1967 Detroit Autorama. It the GNRS with several vintage front motor dragsters and gassers of the era.

were on display as part of the Grand Daddy Drive In. Cars and trucks of all kinds were driven to the GNRS and displayed between the vintage 1930’s buildings that house the vehicles that are in show competition. The Grand Daddy Drive In provides a venue for enthusiasts who want to show up for the day, display their vehicles at the GNRS and drive home again that

evening. It’s a fun, no stress way to participate and see the show at the same time. As in past years, Mopars and Hemi power were well represented at the Grand National Roadster Show again this year. There were a dizzying array of Mopars on display in nearly every building, along with an endless number of vehicles that featured Hemi and Wedge power. From 18

dragsters, gassers and streamliners, to hot rods, customs and even rolling chassis, Chrysler power is an extremely popular choice among builders. Hemi engines from Chrysler products of all kinds were seen in nearly every vehicle category, including legendary Chrysler Fire Power, Dodge Red Ram, DeSoto Fire Dome and Imperial Hemi engines. Vehicles powered by

Blowfish 1969 Barracuda Bonneville record holder was built by Troy Trepanier

Wild customized late ‘60’s Dodge pickup was powered by a V10 Viper engine.

t was restored in 2013 and on display at

muscle car era 426 Hemi engines were also in abundance, including gassers and altered wheel base cars equipped with both superchargers and Hilborn stack injection, along with classic muscle cars sporting dual four barrel Carter AFB carbs. Mopar Wedge power was also seen in many vehicles, along with the recently restored Silver Bullet fully enclosed dragster that was pow-

Gorgeous 1966 Charger looked factory fresh.

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All Mopar enthusiasts know about Bill “Maverick” Golden’s Little Red Wagon Dodge A-100 wheelstander, but how many have seen the original Galpin’s Backup Pickup. This early Ford Econoline ran against the Little Red Wagon in the ‘60’s and was on display at in Galpin’s exhibit.

2005 Dodge Ram with Cummins Turbo Diesel is the World’s Fastest Pickup.

ered by a wild twisted stack injected 273 small block in Building 3, along with a great display of vintage gassers from the 1960’s. As if all of this wasn’t enough, the Grand National Roadster Show offered a wide range of entertainment, including live rock and roll by The Eliminators, the Mountain Man from Duck Dynasty was on hand signing autographs, The Trophy Queen Contest in the Suede Palace and a myriad of vendors in the food court areas served up everything from burgers and hot dogs to hot wings and churros. There were also over 250 vendors located both inside and outside with just about anything you can imagine, from reproduction steel bodies and frames, to engines, injection systems, custom interiors and wheels of all kinds. If you have yet to attend the Grand National Roadster Show, then now is the time to put it on your bucket list. It’s one of the greatest car shows on earth, and it just keeps getting better every year. Southern California generally has nice weather in late January and this year was no exception. The weather was nearly made to order, with daytime temperatures in the low ‘70’s and plenty of sunshine. Pomona sure makes a great destination, especially if you live in a part of the country where cold and snow is the order of the day. Come on out and see the show; you’ll be glad you did.

Tell your friends and members of your car club to join Mr. Norm’s Sport Club. They’ll get 1968 Charger R/T was patriotically painted in blue with red and white accents and featured Hemi power.

SOURCE BOX Grand National Roadster Show, 12223 Highland Ave. No. 550 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 9173, 877-ROD-SHOWS

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discounts on parts, memorabilia and receive Pentastar Power every month for free.

MR. NORM DOES IT AGAIN! 2014 GSS CUDA RACER EDITION

MR. NORM’S GSS CUDA R

INCLUDES THE FOLLO ● Mr. Norm’s Signature GSS Cuda Gold Body Side Vinyl Graphics ● Mr. Norm’s GSS Challenger Cuda Hood Vinyl Graphics ● Mr. Norm’s GSS Cuda Grille Unpainted ● Mr. Norm’s GSS Cuda Tail Panel ● Cuda Tail Panel Die Cast Emblem

● Mr. Norm’s Windshield Ban ● Mr. Norm’s Embossed Met ● Mr. Norm’s GSS Special Edi ● Mr. Norm’s Logo Red Powd ● Mr. Norm’s Sport Club Win ● Mr. Norm’s Grand Spaulding Deck Lid Emblem ● Mr. Norm’s / Katzkin GSS Embroidered Logo Leather Headrest Covers ● Mr. Norm’s Signature

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‘CUDA STYLE GRILLE Every Mr. Norm’s GSS ‘Cuda is equipped with this highly detailed ‘Cuda-style grille

GSS LEATHER HEADREST Custom GSS embroidered leather headrest. Standard

FUNCTIONAL HOOD PINS Just like the original ‘Cuda, the GSS ‘Cuda is available with Mr. Norm’s functional hood pins and lanyards. Optional

SERIIAL NUMBER DASH PLAQUE Brushed silver dash plaque with Mr. Norm’s signature and unique serial number. Standard

‘CUDA STROBE STRIPE GRAPHICS’ Mr. Norm’s signature strobe stripes echo the classic originals. Standard

‘CUDA STYLE TAIL PANEL AND EMBLEM Inspired by the original, every Mr. Norm’s GSS ‘Cuda features this distinctive-looking tail panel and ‘Cuda emblem. Standard

PISTOL GRIP SHIFTER Shift with authority with the Mr. Norm’s logo Pistol Grip Shifter. Optional

HURST WHEELS Classic muscle car appearance matched with modern technology. Optional

MR NORM CALIPER COVERS Mr. Norm logo caliper covers, powder-coated in red. Standard

MR. NORM WNDSHIELD BANNER Let everyone know you have a real Mr. Norm’s GSS ‘Cuda. There’s nothing like the real thing . Standard

CUSTOM LEATHER INTERIOR Mr. Norm’s GSS embroidered logo custom leather in your choice of colors. Optional

SIGNATURE CARPET MATS Mr. Norm’s signature plush carpet mats. Standard

Millennium From Matchbox to Mopar

By Andrew Schultheis

n each of the past articles I have talked about my pride and joy, a 2013 Dodge Dart, focusing on the modifications I've made to the vehicle since I bought it. However, for this article, I want to break away from the Dart topic and discuss a fundamental question; what sparked my interest in cars in the first place? To answer this, we need to go back a few years, well almost 18 actually.

I was born in 1996, and from a very early age I can remember playing with all kinds of Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars at my Grandparents house. My Grandpa owned several classic cars, and my Dad worked in the car biz, plus buying and selling cool cars on the side. Needless to say, I was around interesting cars all the time, and quickly caught the bug. The ancestral influence was almost as important in my developing interests as my genes. 26

As I got older, my interest in cars continued to grow, along with the ever larger collection of Hot Wheels and die cast cars in my room. I can also remember going to car shows with my Dad and Grandpa starting at an early age. In particular the Trans Am Nationals in Dayton Ohio was one that made a big impression on me. At this time, my Dad didn't work for a Chrysler dealer. He had a Trans Am and was a Pontiac fan.

m Musings Our modern culture today is heavily influenced by a multitude of different mediums, and something that definitely got me into cars was video games. And it wasn't just my die cast car collection, and the experience of going to car shows with my elders that fueled my car fire, but video games also made a big impression on me. Our modern culture today is

heavily influenced by a multitude of different mediums, and something that definitely got me into cars was video games. One in particular, Need for Speed, was one of my favorite games. Need for Speed allows you to visually and mechanically modify your car and compete in different types of street

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races. Don't worry, there was a disclaimer in the title sequence telling you not to attempt any stunts pictured in the game. Nevertheless, my favorite part of the game was always customizing the vehicles. I even created renderings of cars for my Dad using this game. Last, but certainly not least, as soon as I got my driver’s license, I started working at Bosak Motors detailing cars to earn money. Each of these factors added to my gear head personality. Based on all of this, I would say that I'll have some sort of involvement or interest in cars throughout my entire life, and I’m just getting started. I bet that many of you have similar stories. Thanks for joining me again this month, and remember, Mopar or No Car!

Mr. Norm’s Speci

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Tamara and her award winning Mr. Norm’s 50th Anniversary GSS Challenger at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals

By Larry Weiner Photos by Doug Walczak and Larry Weiner

T

here was a time when muscle cars and racing were the sole domain of men. Back in the 1960’s and even into the ‘70’s, women who liked working on cars or

racing in sanctioned competition were the exception, rather than the rule. Women like Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney, Janet Guthrie and Denise McCluggage broke down the barriers and paved the way for many of today’s rising female stars. Those days are long gone. Women have jumped 30

into the fray with both feet, and many now stand shoulder to shoulder with men at automotive events of all kinds, including exhibiting at shows, driving in all forms of racing and even spinning wrenches on television programs. Today, just like their male counterparts, professional race car drivers like Ashley Force and

Danica Patrick are tails abound, such as the one judged by their perfor- off Mr. Norms / Katzkin cusTamara loves mance rather than tom leather interior she envitheir gender. It’s no sioned, with silver facing, blue performance cars longer just a man’s wrap and blue Mr. Norm’s 50th world. Many women Anniversary embroidered logand are just as jazzed os, making it the only 50th about working on cars Challenger with an interior like personalizing them. and showing up with this. Another, more subtle them at cruise night as mod is the Ram logo engraved And for her, it’s not men. One such woman into the Mr. Norm’s 50th quaris Tamara Fitzgerald. ter panel stripes, something just a passion, but a Tamara loves perfor- Tamara does with each of her way of life. mance cars and per- vehicles. sonalizing them. And Among the many things for her, it’s not just a she does with her vehicles, passion, but a way of Tamara even changes the swaps them out for a set of life. She currently owns wheels and tires as the mood Torque Thrust II style wheels several Mopars, includ- strikes her, which instantly that add a classic ‘60’s muscle ing an SRT-8 Charger alters the appearance of the car look to the vehicle. Just as and a Challenger, each Challenger. Sometimes it she might change ear rings, of which she has modi- wears the Hurst Stunner shoes or other accessories as fied. Custom graphics wheels that are part of the Mr. the mood strikes her, Tamara and interiors speak to Norm’s 50th GSS Challenger likes to continually change up her attention to detail package, other times she the appearance of her Chaland desire to make her rides unique. And lest you think that the beauty of her cars is only skin deep, rest assured, performance runs in her veins. Modifications likeRod catPower back Mr. Norm’s Super Truck on Hot Tour dual exhaust systems, cool air intakes and lowered suspensions are par for the course with Tamara. It’s all about enhanced performance, inside and out. Tamara’s Challenger is truly a one of a kind. It started out as a regular SXT that she bought as a daily driver. Not content to leave it alone, Tamara had it upgraded into a Mr. Norm’s 50th Anniversary GSS at Bosak Motors in Merrillville, Indiana. Unique de6.1 Hemi is fed by cool air intake. Tamara’s mods run more than skin deep 31

lenger the same way, keeping it fresh and fun. As if owning a Mr. Norm’s 50th Anniversary GSS isn’t special enough, Tamara has the only one in the United States that’s powered by a V6. The Challenger has the same appearance as a ground pounding Hemi with the fuel sipping economy of a six. Tamara might say that it’s the best of both worlds. Like the Challenger, the Charger SRT-8 also reflects Tamara’s quest for personalization and attention to detail. This Plum Crazy beauty features a set of 20 inch Hurst Stunner wheels in a staggered fitment with BF Goodrich Comp 2 directional tires for better handling that’s complemented by a cat back dual exhaust system and a cool air intake for enhanced performance from the 6.1 Hemi engine. The exterior reflects Tamara’s zeal to make the Charger her own with unique Dodge themed, color coordinated graphics, and her use of

Note the custom Ram logo Tamara added to the 50th Anniversary rear quarter panel graphic logo.

the Ram logo on the rear quarter panel stripes. Not content to merely enhance the performance and personalize the appearance of

her vehicles, Tamara took another step into what was once the domain of men by entering her Mr. Norm’s 50th Anniversary GSS Challenger in a car show for the first time. And not any car show, but the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, a highly competitive event where some of the finest cars in the country compete for awards and national recognition. Tamara drove the Challenger to the show and then spent hours detailing every inch of the vehicle. The result of all of her hard work paid off, and in her first competitive event, Tamara walked away with the Gold Street Stock Modified award. Some might One off custom silver and blue leather interior in Tamara’s Challenger illustrates her attention to detail.

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call it beginners luck, but we know better. Tamara loves cars, enjoys personalizing them and there’s no doubt that the award she won at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals is only the first of many that will find a home on her trophy mantle. Want to see your Mopar featured in Pentastar Power? Email photos and information about your vehicle, along with your name and phone number to [email protected]

SOURCE BOX

c. Tamara brands each of her vehicles with the

Bosak Motors 3111 Lincoln Hwy, Rte 30 Merrillville, IN 46410 Phone: 866-631-3806 Contact: Mr. J

Tamara’s Plum Crazy 2006 Charger SRT-8. Note the addition of the 20 inch Hurst Stunner wheels and custom graphics.

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Tell your friends and members of your car club to join Mr. Norm’s Sport Club. They’ll get discounts on parts, memorabilia and receive Pentastar Power every month for free.

Tech Chrysler C-Body Sway Bar Revival Story and Photos By Larry Weiner

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here comes a time in the life of all vintage vehicles when some parts must be replaced as a result of the combination of the ravages of time and accumulated mileage. In the case of the rubber bushings on the sway bar, sway bar links and strut rods on our 1967 Chrysler Town and Country, it was a little of both. This ’67 Chrysler is a true survivor with just 59,700 original miles on the odometer. The front suspension and steering is all OE, other than the shock absorbers that we replaced when we purchased the car seven year ago. In fact, the suspension on the Chrysler is so original that the yellow paint dabs on the suspension that were applied when it was built on the assembly line are still easy to see. While finding an unmolested 1967 Chrysler Town and Country nine passenger wagon is akin to

The first step is to put the big Chrysler Town and Country on a four post lift that is rated at 9,000 lbs.

the proverbial needle in the haystack, and the thought of owning a survivor sounds so romantic, the truth remains that this vehicle is 47 years old. When you factor in the mileage, it becomes painfully obvious that the sway bar and strut rod rubber bushings were well past their normal life expectancy. Reviewing each of the components revealed the truth. All of the

bushings were either completely ruined or in an advanced stage of deterioration. Adding insult to injury, one of the sway bar links had been replaced by a previous owner with an incorrect part that did not fit the Chrysler’s sway bar bushing correctly. The handling of the big Chrysler in regular driving cycles was sloppy, and it was clear that the sway bar and strut rod bushings were the culprits. In

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Moog sway bar, sway bar link and strut rod replacement bushings.

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Original strut rod bushing is dry rotted, has multiple splits and is working its way out of the bracket.

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Page short, it was time to replace all of the rubber bushings on these components. Interestingly, when they were new, the front sway bar bushings on the 1965 – 1967 Chrysler CBodies were not field serviceable. The sway bar links were spot welded and cannot be disassembled to remove and replace the bushings. The entire front sway bar, bushings and sway bar links were only available from Mopar as pre-assembled set. If the vehicle needed new sway bar bushings, the entire assembly was replaced. Needless to say, nearly a half century later, NOS C-Body sway bar assemblies are unobtainable, so we had no choice but to save what we had using replacement bushings which are similar, but not exactly the same as the originals. We sourced new Moog replacement bushings for the sway bar, sway bar links and the strut rods from our local Carquest. Replacing the incorrect sway bar link proved to be a tougher challenge. This part was used from 1965 thru 1968 on Chrysler Plymouth and Dodge C-Bodies,

but is not being reproduced. The only solution is to find good used originals. We contacted All American Classics in Vancouver, Washington and were fortunate that they had several Mopars of the correct vintage in their parts car inventory that still had the original front sway bar links. We had All American Classics remove them and send us four, so that we would have some spares in case we ever needed another one. At this point, a few words concerning safety. We recommend wearing safety glasses or suitable eye protection when working on your vehicle. Wearing heavy duty work gloves, a shop hat, long

shirt sleeves, trousers and proper shoes is recommended. We performed the work on a four post lift rated at 9000 lbs. You could also do the job using wheel ramps to get the vehicle high enough off the ground to work under. Be sure to put the vehicle in park or in gear, set the parking brake and chalk the tires. Regardless of how you do the job, always exercise caution and be careful. Join us as we breathe new life into the handling of this 1967 Chrysler Town and Country, and make it a better, safer classic car that’s much more fun to drive.

The handling of the big Chrysler in regular driving cycles was sloppy, and it was clear that the sway bar and strut rod bushings were the culprits. In short, it was time to replace all of the rubber bushings on these components.

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Incorrect sway bar bracket with mismatched bushing. Note that the rubber bushing is badly distorted, split and cracked,

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Strut bracket removed, exposing original rubber bushing. Note yellow paint dabs that were applied on the line at the Newark, Delaware assembly plant where the Chrysler was built.

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Sway bar removed from vehicle. In this photo it is easy to see the distortion on the right side bushing and a corner missing on the left side bushing.

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Detail photo of the actual damage of the right sway bar bushing.

Right side sway bar bracket. This is not the original bracket for this vehicle. This bracket was not designed for bushing resulting in severe distortion, and the steel stem where it attaches at the frame is bent.

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Detail photo of the bushing for the sway bar bracket at the frame mount. Like the other bushings, these are disintegrating from old age

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Used Chrysler sway bar bracket we sourced from American Musclecar Classics

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10A

10B

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A,B Clamp the sway bar bracket in a vise. After locating the center of the spot weld on the sway bar bracket, mark it with a center punch. Next, using drill bits of graduated sizes, drill a 7/16 inch hole in sway bar bracket. One hole must be drilled on each side of the bracket where it is spot welded.

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This photo shows that the sway bar bracket is comprised of two pieces of steel that have been spot welded together, forming an inner and outer section to retain the rectangular sway bar bushing.

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After drilling the 7/16 inch holes, use a hacksaw to cut through the remaining spot weld and separate the inner and outer sections.

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Sway bar brackets mocked up with bushings to illustrate how they will be assembled on the vehicle. A pair of 7/16 inch nuts, bolts and lock washers will be used to assemble the now separated lower portion of the sway bar brackets to the upper portion.

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Mounting tab on frame where the sway bar brackets mount. One cupped steel washer is used with each rubber bushing. They will be located on each side of the mounting tab. A nut secures the sway bar bracket at the top.

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Sway bar bracket reinstalled on the vehicle.

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Detail photo of the sway bar bracket installed on the frame tab.

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Lube the inside of the split sway bar bushings with bearing grease and install them on the sway bar. Next, insert them into the sway bar mounting brackets. Install the nuts and bolts in the lower part of the sway bar brackets, but leave them loose at this time.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS 1. Tighten Sway Bar / Strut Rod Bolts to 30 foot lbs. 2. Tighten Sway Bar 7/16 inch Bolts to 30 foot pounds 3. Tighten Nuts to Retain Steel Cupped Washers and Rubber Grommets to 15 foot pounds Specifications were sourced from the following: Moog Sway Bar Frame Bushing Kit Instructions Moog Sway Bar to Strut Rod Bushing Kit Instructions

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18A

18B

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A,B Lube the inside of the split strut bar bushings with bearing grease and install them on the strut bar. Next, bolt the two pieces of the strut bar / sway bar mounting bracket together. Note that the threaded portion of the bolts face outward.

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Tighten the bolts for the sway bar bracket at this time.

Completed installation of the new sway bar and strut bar bushings.

SOURCE BOX All American Classics 15209 N.E. Fourth Plain Rd. Vancouver, WA 98682 Phone: 360-254-8850 Part: Original Chrysler C-Body Sway Bar Links www.allamericanclassics.com

Moog Steering and Suspension Federal-Mogul Corporation Southfield, MI 48033 moogproblemsolver.com Moog Bushing Kits used in this story Part Number K7064 Strut Rod Bushing Kit Part Number K7061 Sway Bar Bushing Kit

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Women’ Countdown to the 2014 Chicago Auto Show Are You Ready? By: Linda Mandalas Photos courtesy of Chicago Auto Show and Mr. Norm’s Collection

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ince the first Chicago Auto Show in 1901, this venue has become the largest auto show in North America. 2014 marks the 106th edition of the CAS and the changes over these years have been nothing short of amazing. First let me stress that if you are in the Chicago area during this event, February 817, it is a must for your itinerary. The show is held at McCormick Place, which is situated on the picturesque Lake Michigan waterfront and is the largest convention center in North America. At the Chicago Auto Show, you will have the chance to see the complete range of domestic and imported passenger cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles, along with experimental and concept cars; nearly 1,000 different vehicles will be on display. During your visit you will also have

the opportunity to check out numerous automotive accessories, exhibits, competition vehicles as well as project builds and antique and collector cars. Here are several days to take special note of: Tuesday, February 11: Women's Day. Women are admitted for $6. Manufacturers will present special female oriented programs on the purchase and lease of cars and maintenance. Wednesday, February 12 to Friday, February 14: Chicago Au- Mr. Norm with the Dodge Rebellion Girl at the to Show Food Drive. 1967 Chicago Auto Show Show patrons who bring three cans of food will receive a coupon for $6 admis- have to opportunity to bring sion. All food will be donated to out the Danica Patrick or Dale Jr. in you. Hop into one of the A Safe Haven Foundation. Friday, February 14: Chrysler products and race down the track that features Telemundo Hispanic Day If you are thinking that the an acceleration lane, slalom only thing to do is look at cars, and brake zone. These are just you could not be more wrong. a few of the adventures you You will find a multitude of in- can partake in. There are also teractive displays for everyone six outdoor test drive opportuin your family or group. For nities you can sign up for; eve2014 you will find three indoor rything from Chrysler, Jeep, test tracks. Be sure to venture Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, all the way to the back of the Nissan and Subaru. Where you South Hall where you will find start is up to you. Now that you know some of the Jeep Test Track. You are going to climb into a Jeep the highlights of this year’s Wrangler where a professional Chicago Auto Show, I wanted driver will take you over the to let you know that what exhilarating obstacle course, started with women being in over rugged terrains and up the background of the auto and over the hill simulator. world has changed dramaticalHold on for the adventure of a ly. In fact, it has become more lifetime. Only feet away you and more dependent on what 40

’s World women think - feel - and want. That's right, the women's opinion matters. Since the start of the Chicago Auto Show in the 1900's, women were in the back seat, doing little more than making the preparations such as putting decorative touches on the vehicles or standing beside the model on display to gather the man’s attention to drive interest and boost sales. The role of women began to change in the early 1980's. During this Chicago Auto Show, popular Top Fuel drag racer Shirley Muldowney made an appearance, signing autographs for her fans. Today, this may seem as though it was just a small stepping stone, but in retrospect, it was an auspicious move that paved the way for women to take a seat at the table in the automotive industry. Women were now being looked at as a force to be reckoned with when it came to purchasing decisions, leasing and the marketing of automobiles. The auto makers of today know and understand the diversity among their buyers. Today women make up over 65% of the driving factor when it comes to big ticket purchases in the automotive market. We women know what we like, know what we want and we are not going to settle for anything else. Women are done walking into their local auto dealer only to be treated like an idiot, we are tired of hearing "See Sweetie, this is how you turn your radio on.”

Today's automotive sales you question what this means, are seeing the influence of the here is an example... independent professional womDoor locks, handles and en who selects and purchases control buttons. Men don't give her own cars. Never before in them a second thought, howthe history of automotive re- ever, the women are helping tailing have dealers been so them understand the needed receptive to women in the sales design upgraded for today's force, but they realize that the well-manicured professional futures of their dealerships de- women. Larger buttons, easierpend on the customer satisfac- to-open handles and the need tion of women. to assure her heels do not get Women are so savvy in to- stuck in the door track. day's markets that it is being These are just of few of the desaid that women not only ne- sign enhancements for vehicles gotiate harder bargains than that women suggested and or men when it comes to vehicle implemented. purchases, they also do more extensive preparatory work. It has been said that the automotive realm was placed in the masculine hands, however with the educated female customer, times have changed as have the ways auto Myra Platt puts decorative touches on a car before dealers sell their the opening of the 1916 Chicago Auto Show cars and trucks AND the way vehicle manufactures market and design them. Women have also impacted the design and features of many of the models on the market today. With many of the automotive manufactures having women engineers and designers the need and wants of women buyers Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney signing autographs for are being met. If fans at the 1980 Chicago Auto Show 41

depends on how seriously we women are treated a n d viewed. You can be sure that they will not lose a sale just Jeep test drive at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show because As I have stated, women they see a skirt and high-heels. do their research and due dili- Remember, our money spends gence. Having a venue such as where we want to spend it. the Chicago Auto Show availaDealers today can take a ble only makes us, stronger, note from a man that was more knowledgeable and a ahead of his time....back in the force to be reckoned with. 1960's, Mr. Norm from Grand Keep in mind...today's women Spaulding Dodge, right here in are much more likely to "walk" Chicago. He knew how imif we are not recognized and portant women were to the aurespected as decision-makers. tomobile dealer and lived by The automotive industry his motto “The Customer is now as well as in the future King.” Mr. Norm treated the

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women that walked in his door fairly and honestly....a tradition that many dealers today need to take notes from. So remember, take advantage of all the opportunities the upcoming 2014 Chicago Auto Show has. With all of the celebrities and industry leaders who are sure to be on the show floor, you never know just who you might see there! Check it out!

Tell your friends and members of your car club to join Mr. Norm’s Sport Club. They’ll get discounts on parts, memorabilia and receive Pentastar Power every month for free.

Charter Sponsors Bosak Motors 3111 W. Lincoln Hwy., Rt. 30 Merrillville, IN 46410 888-507-1403, ask for Mr. J

Crystal Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram 1005 S. Suncoast Blvd. Homosassa, FL 34448 352-563-2277 / Steve Lamb

Fairfield Auto Group 3360 Rt. 406, Muncy, PA 17756 888-548-3870 / Steve Kaiser, Jr.

Steve White Motors 3470 U.S. Highway 70 Newton, NC 28658 888-827-3721

Steve Landers Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram 4600 South University Little Rock, AR 72204 501-569-4063

Roger Gibson Restoration service. 573-264-2022

Year One Time tested quality parts. . 800-YEAR ONE

Choice Hotels 20% discounts for club members with special number code.

Meguire's Wax Irvine, CA 800-347-5700 / meguiar’s.com

Mancini Racing Offering quality, selection and service for performance needs. 800-843-2821

Galen Govier The Chrysler Registry 608-326-6346

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MR. NORM’S SUPER STOCK HOODS FITS ALL 2008 – 2014 DODGE CHALLENGERS HOOD INFORMATION The Mr. Norm’s Challenger Super Stock Hood was inspired by the original 1970 Hemi Challenger and Hemi Cuda Super Stock Hoods. The appearance is authentic right down to the shape and opening of the scoop. It ducts a nearly limitless amount of ambient air to cool the engine. There’s nothing like looking out the windshield over the Mr. Norm’s Super Stock Hood when you’re behind the wheel of your Challenger.

PRODUCT MANUFACTURING INFORMATION The Mr. Norm’s Challenger Super Stock Hoods are proudly Made in the USA from only the highest quality American made products. Each hood is hand laid, has rolled edges and features OEM style inner, hinge plates and latching system. The Mr. Norm’s Challenger Super Stock Hoods are easy to install using simple hand tools. As seen on the cover of Mopar Action Magazine

The Racers Net for the Mr. Norm’s Super Stock Hood is only $ 749.95 plus shipping. Also, ask about the Mr. Norm’s Functional Hood Pin Kit for Challengers. It’s the perfect complement to the Super Stock Hood. Check them out on the Mr. Norm’s website at www.mrnorms.com or call Mr. Norm’s at (760) 612-6365 and order your Super Stock Hood today!

GRAND SPAULDING DODGE “QUICK AND DEPENDABLE”

The fourth in the series of Grand Spaulding Dodge paintings by noted automotive artist David Item Snyder. Check out the amazing selection of high performance Mopars that were traded in at Grand Spaulding Dodge. The first Grand Spaulding Dodge painting by David Snyder is now valued at over $1,200. Mr. Norm has a limited number of “Quick and Dependable” signed and numbered paintings available. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of highly collectible automotive history.

ORDER YOURS TODAY AT

www.mrnorms.com

ITEM NUMBER: SNYDER 3

West Coas The Burger Run

Pepper Tree Frosty, home of the Burger Run

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hile we live in Southern California now, I grew up on the southwest side of Chicago, and lived in the suburbs of the city for over twenty years. Rest assured that I have not forgotten how brutal the weather can be in many parts of the country this time of the year. In fact, from

time to time, I watch some of the news and weather on WGN from Chicago, just to remind myself what it’s like back home compared to here, just in case I ever get jaded and start taking it for granted. Unlike Chicago and many other areas of the country where the only car shows in the winter are held indoors, here in SoCal, the outdoor show season runs non-stop from January 1st thru December 31 every year, with only slight breaks for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Like most years here in Southern Califor-

nia, the winter of 2014 has been typically mild and dry. Since the holidays have ended, once again there are shows and cruise nights being held every week. One of the ways we keep track of what events are scheduled here in Southern California is to check out SoCalCarCulture.com. This website posts a detailed event calendar that lists numerous car shows and events every month, many with links to the event flyers and entry forms. While perusing the January calendar of events on the website, we ran across a show in Vista called

1968 Plymouth Road Runner arriving at the Burger Run. This 383 Beeper pillar coupe looked great in Buffed Silver with black wheels, tires and dog dish hubcaps. A great example of a real world Day One Mopar muscle car that nearly everyone could afford when they were new.

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st Report the Burger Run. While I had heard about this event, we had never attended it. I contacted several friends who had displayed their cars at the Burger Run in previous years and they all recommended it as a show that enjoyed a great turnout of nice cars and people. The weather forecast looked promising, so we put it on our schedule. Sure enough, the weather cooperated and on the day of the Burger Run, while the morning started out in the low 40’s, by noon, it was a balmy 75 degrees and sunny. The Burger Run is anchored by the Pepper Tree Frosty, a 1950’s vintage ice cream and hamburger stand in the heart of Vista. And while the name may be misleading, since it is not actually a “run,” the Burger Run did attract over six hundred cars and trucks from the 1920’s to the 1972 cutoff date. To accommodate this many vehicles, an entire section of the downtown Vista was cordoned off for the show, and there was still barely enough space for all of the cars.

Walking the show, we couldn’t help but notice the nice display of AMC muscle. A Rebel Machine leads the line, followed by three (!) Hurst Rambler Scramblers in both the A and B paint schemes.

The Burger Run is anchored by the Pepper Tree Frosty, a 1950’s vintage ice cream and hamburger stand in the heart of Vista. And while the name may be misleading, since it is not actually a “run,” the Burger Run did attract over six hundred cars and trucks from the 1920’s to the 1972 cutoff date

No car says 1950’s American optimism like a big Chrysler New Yorker with fins and tri tone paint. (left) This St Regis two door hardtop was nothing short of spectacular. Center: License plate says it all. 1964 Dodge 440 sported a Hemi on squeeze with a centrifugal supercharger. Right: Another supercharged Hemi, this time in a bright red 1963 Dodge 330. The big inch Hemi was equipped with a GMC 671 supercharger topped off with two Edelbrock AFB style four barrels.

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Needless to say, an incredible range of vehicles showed up to strut their stuff, including street rods, classics, fifties cars and of course, lots of muscle cars. And while there were many brand X cars in attendance, Ma Mopar was well represented with a great range of neat vehicles. Fat fendered post war Chrysler products were out in force, including some that were beautifully restored, while others were rodded and even a couple of lead sleds made an appearance. The 1950’s was represented by large, colorful cars that reflected the optimism of the Eisenhower era. My personal favorite was a spectacular 1956 Chrysler New Yorker St. Regis two door hardtop that was a perfect example of Virgil Exner’s Forward Look styling. It glistened in tri tone colors that included a jet black top that was split by cream on the hood, deck lid and upper sides, with a deep ruby red providing additional contrast beneath the body side mouldings. Wearing a set of Kelsey Hayes wires and wide whites,

Parking lot behind the Pepper Tree Frosty is jam packed with cars. And this was just one of the parking areas.

this Chrysler was a knockout that had an admiring crowd ogling it all day. And when it came to sixties muscle, there were plenty of Hemi powered Dodges and Plymouths ready to strike terror into the hearts of lesser cars. Even American Motors was well represented with a big contingent of Hurst

Nice Hemi Orange 1970 Charger R/T was parked on the one of the many streets that was closed for the show.

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Rambler Scramblers, a Rebel Machine and a group of first and second generation AMX’s. With cars like these, what more could you ask for on sunny Saturday in California. The Burger Run promotes itself as the “Biggest Little Car Show in San Diego County.” Having attended the event, I can honestly say that is an excellent description of the show and we’re looking forward to going again next year.

Nothing says Mopar muscle like 426 dual quad Hemi.

Cherry all original 1974 Challenger Rallye (left). For those of you who can’t get enough E-Bodies, how about this Top Banana 1970 Hemi Cuda (right).

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or those of you old enough to remember, the 1950’s were a simpler time. Girls wore poodle skirts, Elvis was the king, and a hot date on Saturday night usually included stopping for a burger or milk shake at the local ice cream or hamburger stand. While most of the A & W Root Beer, Tastee Freez and independent fast food drive in’s that were so popular during the middecade of the 20th Century are gone, in Vista, California, Pepper Tree Frosty has not only survived, but has thrived as place where locals and car enthusiasts alike continue to enjoy the food and relive the good old days. First opened in 1953 as a Tastee Freez, a local family quickly purchased it, changing the name to Pepper Tree Frosty in 1960. The appearance of the Pepper Tree Frosty is little changed from when it was built. You still have a choice of walking up to the street side outdoor service window to place your order, or pulling up to the drive up window in your car. The food is good, and on a hot SoCal night, there’s nothing like an ice cream cone to cool you off. And, just like in the good old days, you’ll probably see some cool rods and muscle cars parked in front at the curb, while a group of young and some still young at heart enjoy a hamburger, fries and chocolate shake. Thankfully, some things never change.

Photos courtesy of Pepper Tree Frosty

SOURCE BOX Pepper Tree Frosty 270 S. Santa Fe, Vista, CA 92084 Phone: 760-726-0732 www.peppertreefrosty.com Vista Burger Run 1530 Linda Vista Dr., San Marcos, CA 92078 760-744-3340 www.burgerrun.info

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But Wait, Th

Fueling Dreams

Mr. Norm’s S/FX ’65 Coronet running side by side against Bobby Wood’s 1965 blown altered wheelbase Chevelle. Notice the lack of a fence or retaining wall for the spectators, and how close they are to Mr. Norm’s funny car as it leaves the line.

Photos from the Mr. Norm’s Collection

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unny car racing today is big business. A jam packed calendar with nearly weeklong events held at world class venues several times a month. Mega buck corporate sponsors, multi car teams, major product endorsements and weekly television coverage. Professional teams show up at the events with sponsor emblazoned show quality eighteen wheelers. The big rigs are loaded with spare engines, transmissions and rear ends, plus hundreds of parts, along with machine shop like capa-

times sign autographs for the fans. Funny car racing in the 1960’s was a world apart from what it is today. There were few regularly scheduled events, so teams match raced, sometimes two and three days or nights a week, at tracks all over the country. Many events were held at marginal facilities that were little more than two lane roads, with little separating the spectators from the cars, or the cars from each other as they careened down the quarter mile. Track safety at many drag strips was nearly non-existent, other than an ambulance and a fire extinguisher. Back then, the average team hauled their funny car on an open trailer or, if they were better funded, on the back of a flatbed truck. A team was generally comprised of two or maybe three people who handled everything from driving the truck, to tuning, maintaining and racing the

bilities. In addition, a full entourage of specialists trained in all facets of funny car maintenance and tuning tendat Lions. Photo courtesy of the Mr. Norm’s Collection Nr. Morn’s S/FX Coronet on the track to every detail. Many teams erect elaborate hospitality tents for the sponsors, who are wined and dined as they are tended to by public relations professionals. The pit area where the cars are rebuilt between each round of competition are located on smoothly paved blacktop and roped off to keep fans back at a reasonably safe distance. The driver is generally flown to each event rested and ready for the rigors of competition. His primary responsibility is to drive Mr. Norm’s Dodge D600 Crew Cab with the ’65 the car, talk to sportscasters the bed. This was considered a high end rig to h after each pass and at certain its day. 50

here’s More

car. A spare engine was the exception rather than the rule, Dyer’s record breaking run and in the event of a parts failLions made the front page ure, racers oftenatreinstalled used parts if theyof were thelucky Los Angeles Herald enough to have them. It was thetoheadline “8.63 It’s not uncommon forwith a team borrow parts from What’s a competitor Happening Baby,” so that they could race each in the process, made other again in the and next round. Being part of a funny car racGrand Spaulding Dodge a ing team in the 1960’s may household have sounded glamorous, but name from coast the sobering reality is that to coast.it was a tough life, and those who chose it were dedicated and worked many long, hard hours every week. Gary Dyer surrounded by fans as he prepares the nitro burning blown Hemi in Mr. Norm’s team was no the Mr. Norm’s ’65 S/FX Coronet for the next round of competition. different. Gary Dyer was truly a jack of all trades. He not only built, tuned and drove the the Mr. Norm’s 1965 Coronet increase its performance and funny car, he also spent plenty S/FX altered wheelbase funny race it in competition, just like of seat time behind the wheel car tells the whole story. The Gary Dyer. Without a doubt, when Dyof the Dodge D600 Crew Cab car is parked in the grass, flatbed that was used to haul it which served as the pits for er pulled Mr. Norm’s nitro to the events. As soon as they this particular track. Gary is burning, supercharged Dodge arrived, Gary would unload the literally surrounded by young to the line, they were on their race car and tune it to suit the fans who are eagerly watching feet, rooting for him to win. track and weather conditions everything he is doing, capti- Many times, dreams have a where he was racing. vated by his talent and skill. way of becoming reality. So not When it was time, he Note that there is nothing only were they dreaming about donned his fire suit, around the car to keep the owning a tire smoking, 440 or strapped on his hel- crowd back. In fact, and if you Hemi powered Dodge, but it met, climbed in and look at the photo carefully, you had to be from Grand Spauldraced the car in com- can see that some of the ing Dodge, just like the mighty petition. After the youngsters are actually leaning Mopar that captured their imevent was over, Gary on the lightweight fiberglass agination at the track and reloaded and headed left front fender as they watch fueled their dreams when they to the next event, or Dyer performing his magic on returned home. Nobody underback to Chicago to the blown Hemi in preparation stood this better than Mr. work on the car for racing in the next round of Norm, who as often as possiwhere he would en- competition. The impact of the ble, worked with Gary at the hance it with the lat- moment is palpable and the races, and always found time est mods and fresh- influence is undeniable. These to visit with fans and enthusien it up in prepara- young enthusiasts are dream- asts of all ages, stoking the ing of the day when they will fires of those dreams and helption for more racing. Coronet S/FX on have their very own high per- ing make them a reality. The photos of Gary haul a race car in twisting wrenches on formance Dodge, work on it to 51