Mopar Celebs

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I've met two Mopar celebrities, Mr. Norm and Herb McCandless.

Meeting Mr. McCandless was pretty cool. On the Saturday evening after the first day of Moparfest a few years ago I had parked the Duster in the Hotel parking lot. While my buddy was checking in I was milling around aimlessly guarding the bags when a grey haired gent walked up to me. He asked me if that was my blue Duster in the parking lot. I didn't recognize him at first but I said yes, it was mine. Just as he said "Come with me" it hit me who he was. I was like "Holy crap, it's Herb McCandless". Anyway I followed him out to my car. He wanted to see the pedal placement. So I opened it up and there's Herb on his hands & knees with his head in my driver's footwell checking out my pedals. As he's doing this he's telling me all bout how the S & M Duster was terrible at first until he got the clutch pedal set up well. He comes up, says yours is pretty good, you might want to have it moved up a half inch or so. He drew me a diagram to illustrate what he meant. I asked him to sign it. He says "I'll do better than that. Come with me". So for the second time that evening I am practically jogging after Herb. We arrive at a red 61 Chrysler 300G and he pops the trunk, pulls out a handout and signs it for me. He pulls out a second one, signs it and tells me "That's for your friend". We chatted about the Chrysler for a bit. Then someone else came up and I took my leave after shaking hands. My buddy was like "Where the hell were you?" I handed him the signed handout and told him the story.
 
I've met two Mopar celebrities, Mr. Norm and Herb McCandless.

Meeting Mr. McCandless was pretty cool. On the Saturday evening after the first day of Moparfest a few years ago I had parked the Duster in the Hotel parking lot. While my buddy was checking in I was milling around aimlessly guarding the bags when a grey haired gent walked up to me. He asked me if that was my blue Duster in the parking lot. I didn't recognize him at first but I said yes, it was mine. Just as he said "Come with me" it hit me who he was. I was like "Holy crap, it's Herb McCandless". Anyway I followed him out to my car. He wanted to see the pedal placement. So I opened it up and there's Herb on his hands & knees with his head in my driver's footwell checking out my pedals. As he's doing this he's telling me all bout how the S & M Duster was terrible at first until he got the clutch pedal set up well. He comes up, says yours is pretty good, you might want to have it moved up a half inch or so. He drew me a diagram to illustrate what he meant. I asked him to sign it. He says "I'll do better than that. Come with me". So for the second time that evening I am practically jogging after Herb. We arrive at a red 61 Chrysler 300G and he pops the trunk, pulls out a handout and signs it for me. He pulls out a second one, signs it and tells me "That's for your friend". We chatted about the Chrysler for a bit. Then someone else came up and I took my leave after shaking hands. My buddy was like "Where the hell were you?" I handed him the signed handout and told him the story.[/

I got to meet Herb McCandless at his "museum" in Burlington, NC, during the second day of the Hot Rod Power Tour last year. His collection of old Chryslers was incredible. And his two A-body racers were the highlight for me. He spent 15 minutes chatting with me, my father and two kids. He was very gracious despite lots of people wanting his time.
 
I got to meet Herb McCandless at his "museum" in Burlington, NC, during the second day of the Hot Rod Power Tour last year. His collection of old Chryslers was incredible. And his two A-body racers were the highlight for me. He spent 15 minutes chatting with me, my father and two kids. He was very gracious despite lots of people wanting his time.
An absolute gentleman. Class act all the way. Wish I'd had the brains to have him sign my glove box lid. :BangHead::BangHead:
 
Akron Arlen, I met him at Maple Grove 20 years ago when we were racing in Division 1, also Alan & Roy Johnson. They came to look over the Dakota at the Dallas race in 98 & again at the Houston race in 99.
 
I've met two Mopar celebrities, Mr. Norm and Herb McCandless.

Meeting Mr. McCandless was pretty cool. On the Saturday evening after the first day of Moparfest a few years ago I had parked the Duster in the Hotel parking lot. While my buddy was checking in I was milling around aimlessly guarding the bags when a grey haired gent walked up to me. He asked me if that was my blue Duster in the parking lot. I didn't recognize him at first but I said yes, it was mine. Just as he said "Come with me" it hit me who he was. I was like "Holy crap, it's Herb McCandless". Anyway I followed him out to my car. He wanted to see the pedal placement. So I opened it up and there's Herb on his hands & knees with his head in my driver's footwell checking out my pedals. As he's doing this he's telling me all bout how the S & M Duster was terrible at first until he got the clutch pedal set up well. He comes up, says yours is pretty good, you might want to have it moved up a half inch or so. He drew me a diagram to illustrate what he meant. I asked him to sign it. He says "I'll do better than that. Come with me". So for the second time that evening I am practically jogging after Herb. We arrive at a red 61 Chrysler 300G and he pops the trunk, pulls out a handout and signs it for me. He pulls out a second one, signs it and tells me "That's for your friend". We chatted about the Chrysler for a bit. Then someone else came up and I took my leave after shaking hands. My buddy was like "Where the hell were you?" I handed him the signed handout and told him the story.

I loved your story. it's really nice to meet a great pilot, a real gentleman.
and always passionate
 
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