The Reason I Became a Mopar Man: for my old man.

[1970dartcustom]

I have been thinking today about why I attach so much meaning to some old car. Honestly, it comes down to the fact that my old man loved them. Growing up, I'd ride along with him on his quests to find Mo treasure out in the sticks, and find some we did.
He was always fixing up old Darts & dusters; Cudas & Superbees... He'd put lots of time and money into them and then a different one would catch his eye. He never had a lot of money, so usually one classic car at a time was all he could manage. So, he sold one and bought the other, or traded them, or whatever. Some old box of parts was a treasure trove to him.
He'd hang around with people named "Mopar Bill" and such (and still does). The point is, that I love old cars because my Dad did. I love Mopars because He does. I own a 1970 Dart because he gave me two when I was young, and got me my first car: a 1971 Scamp.
When he is gone, all I'll have is the legacy he leaves, the things he taught me, and some old Mo we fixed up together. But to me, that feels like a whole lot.

 

[Tadams]

That is awesome. My parents bought a 63 Valiant new. The real reason I love my mopars though was my neighbor worked for Richard Petty and would take us to the shop or to a race at a small local track.
After he left Petty enterprise he worked for Southern Chrysler Plymouth in High Point, NC. He would drive home demonstrators. The first Barracuda Formula S was one he drove on occasion and that is what I am restoring now.
Good memories

 

[moparmat2000]

My pops is a mopar guy. Occasionally he would stray for a brand X something or other, but most of the time it was either a chrysler , dodge, or plymouth in the driveway. I became attracted to them at quite a young age. For some reason they seemed unique to me, an all american type of car. My thoughts as a kid towards my friends and neighbors were you dont own a mopar?!? Why the heck not ?? Well I guess you own a reasonable copy of a real car then.

As i grew up and was in my early teenage years in the late 1970s and early 1980s building car models became my mainstay. Mopar models were well represented with many companies churning out more and more castings. Mopar models, just like the real cars became hot. A resurgence in the vintage tin was manifesting itself in plastic. I was all too eager to comply LOL.

It was during this timeframe i was learning about mopar muscle, and wondered why anybody would want a muscle car that wasnt a mopar. ChryCo designed some of the coolest bodies on the planet with the wildest color schemes, and engines, to own a chevelle SS or camaro to me was just downright boring.

I was 15 in 1983 when i got my 68 charger. Incidentally she and i were both the same age, i was born in 1968. She was rusty, needed paint, vinyl top, interior and mechanical work. But she was mine. Dad being the mopar guy he is, introduced me to junkyarding for parts, refurbishing what you have if you cannot find something better. Remember this was the 80s. Drying up supplies of nos parts, no internet, no ebay, no fabo. To this day i love doing junkyard runs.

It came full circle in 1999. Pops purchased a well used 1979 lil red express. He always wanted one when they were new, but with 3 sons growing up he couldent afford it. Not in the budget. Well he finally got one, we both rolled up our sleeves and got to work. This time we had the internet as well as doing junkyard runs. It became a 3 year frame off restoration and local show winner. If he couldent have it when new, by God i was gonna help him have his dream truck and it was gonna look as good as new.

So yep, i do have some brand X and 2 of my brand X vehicles i am attached to. My 1994 silverado "Betsy" i bought brand new. She has a lot of memories and will stay, dittos for my 07 mustang GT. However mopar blue runs in my veins and i cant wait to get behind the wheel of my 67 cuda when its completed, and eventually for my son and i to start on the 69 cuda notch we have for him. Thats unless he takes a fancy to the 88 daytona shelby z in the corner of the shop hidden under boxes with cuda body parts leaning against it hiding it from view. Time will tell, but i bet he's gonna be another mopar maniac.

 

[Clelan]

I hope I am having the same effect on my kids. They help me as much as possible with my Duster. My daughter got car sick a while back while riding in my buddy's car. She was sure it is because she is allergic to Fords. My son hopped into my other buddy's brand new Chevy truck, the first comment he had was "Well, these old Chevies aren't as bad as everyone says they are!"

Makes me proud!

Cley

 

[memike]

Enjoyed reading these stories of life.. No dad for me growing up but I had super gear head uncles that started me early working and taking care of my moms cars as we traveled to feed the world, and feed our family.
Thank you @1970dartcustom for starting this thread.. good stories of life in here

 

[ScampMike]

OP - nicely said! For me - like memike - no dad growing up.. it was the local guys who owned cars that got my attention - one or two Camaro's, a vette here and there, and one particular Chevelle.. but what I really noticed were the Mopars... different, louder.. and a near cult like following - plus the speed shop that was nearest specialized in Mopar's - the owner had two or three GTX's - one was a Hemi car (RIP Mike!) - - then a good friend showed up one day with a 440 black 71 GTX... took me for a ride in it, that pretty much sealed the deal for me.. I like the A-bodies because they are "smaller" and go like a scalded cat...

 

[Dustdevl340]

My dad wasn't a car guy unfortunately. But he did buy a 1971 Chrysler 300 for the family ride and he loved that car. Kept it for 13 years. "Best car I ever owned" he would say. That car is etched in my memory for that reason and a few others. If I ever find an April Green 71 300 4 door hardtop with white vinyl top and interior, well there will be a second Mopar in my garage next to the Duster.

 

[sireland67]

My grandparents and my dad had nothing but Mopars when I was growing up.
My youngest kid just turned 16, I asked him what he wanted to drive, he told me to finish the duster, he was with me when he was 10 when I bought it.
I guess my boy likes mopars also.

 

[sireland67]

My grandparents and my dad had nothing but Mopars when I was growing up.
My youngest kid just turned 16, I asked him what he wanted to drive, he told me to finish the duster, he was with me when he was 10 when I bought it.
I guess my boy likes mopars also.

 

[MopaR&D]

It's the opposite for me, nobody else in my family is "car-oriented" at all but I was fascinated with mechanical things growing up. Our family owned boring GM and import cars and a couple Chrysler minivans, when I was 14 I started getting interested in muscle cars I had always thought V8's were super cool. Then when I was 15 I met a guy with a huge Mopar collection including a mint '67 Coronet R/T 440. He took me for a ride in his '65 Coronet Super-Stock lookalike with a built 440 and I was hooked.

Now I have my Duster and my Jeep, mom has a 2009 300C Hemi and dad has a 2007 Durango Hemi, all thanks to my Mopar obsession and trustworthy auto knowledge lol.

 

[moparmat2000]

It's the opposite for me, nobody else in my family is "car-oriented" at all but I was fascinated with mechanical things growing up. Our family owned boring GM and import cars and a couple Chrysler minivans, when I was 14 I started getting interested in muscle cars I had always thought V8's were super cool. Then when I was 15 I met a guy with a huge Mopar collection including a mint '67 Coronet R/T 440. He took me for a ride in his '65 Coronet Super-Stock lookalike with a built 440 and I was hooked.

Now I have my Duster and my Jeep, mom has a 2009 300C Hemi and dad has a 2007 Durango Hemi, all thanks to my Mopar obsession and trustworthy auto knowledge lol.

Now thats cool. Usually its the parents obsession with these things that trickles down to their kids, yours went the other way, and thats awesome. I bet your folks dig your Duster and its rightful V8 coolness, as well as appreciate your automotive knowledge. Its always good to have a mechanic in the family.

 

[66fyssh]

Your old man made you very "wealthy" @1970dartcustom !! You're lucky because he has given you the things money will never buy!

My old man (RIP) owned nothing but Mopars since before I was born. The first car I remember them having was a 66 Barracuda. I was into bicycles early in life and he bought me a Sears motorcycle when I was 6 years old. Then a Honda 50 and after that a Honda 70. He taught me to tinker and that if I could take it apart, I could put it back together. To get my first car, he had a family car dealer friend take us to the original Manheim Auction and had me walk the lot. I found a 72 Duster with L60's on the back and bitchin' red paint with stripes. After a couple of bids it was mine for $440. I've been hooked on Mopars since.

 

[1970dartcustom]

Your old man made you very "wealthy" @1970dartcustom !! You're lucky because he has given you the things money will never buy!

My old man (RIP) owned nothing but Mopars since before I was born. The first car I remember them having was a 66 Barracuda. I was into bicycles early in life and he bought me a Sears motorcycle when I was 6 years old. Then a Honda 50 and after that a Honda 70. He taught me to tinker and that if I could take it apart, I could put it back together. To get my first car, he had a family car dealer friend take us to the original Manheim Auction and had me walk the lot. I found a 72 Duster with L60's on the back and bitchin' red paint with stripes. After a couple of bids it was mine for $440. I've been hooked on Mopars since.

That would be sweeeeet...

 

[340doc]

I have been thinking today about why I attach so much meaning to some old car. Honestly, it comes down to the fact that my old man loved them. Growing up, I'd ride along with him on his quests to find Mo treasure out in the sticks, and find some we did.
He was always fixing up old Darts & dusters; Cudas & Superbees... He'd put lots of time and money into them and then a different one would catch his eye. He never had a lot of money, so usually one classic car at a time was all he could manage. So, he sold one and bought the other, or traded them, or whatever. Some old box of parts was a treasure trove to him.
He'd hang around with people named "Mopar Bill" and such (and still does). The point is, that I love old cars because my Dad did. I love Mopars because He does. I own a 1970 Dart because he gave me two when I was young, and got me my first car: a 1971 Scamp.
When he is gone, all I'll have is the legacy he leaves, the things he taught me, and some old Mo we fixed up together. But to me, that feels like a whole lot.

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Well said...

 

[1970dartcustom]

Well said...

Thank you

 

[rumblefish360]

I became a Mopar guy because I kept killing my Chevy's. My best friend told me "I need one of these!" And pointed to his '67 Cuda. So I got me one of these and haven't looked back since.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

My dad didn't a bottle cap from a gas cap. But he was still the reason for my love of Mopar. See my dad was a Police officer here in Tampa Fl. And it was as a kid when my mom would take me to the police station and when he came by the house on duty that I was first exposed to The old Mopars. See TPD fleet was all Chrysler. I remember sitting in my dads cop car a 64 Dodge 330 with rubber mats , plain vinyl seat covers and that awesome smell that I just loved, they all had that smell ( I know now was the smell of cigarettes). I can still remember it now. Anyway I remember the power those cars had, I'm sure they were 383's. Yup that started it all my first Mopar was a70 340 4speed Tor Red Duster. Ah the good old days! RIP dad 1924-2010.

 

[barbee6043]

i'm 68, my dad was early 40's when I was born. he got into mechanics as young man in depression era, joined the US Marines when they didn't take very many. he got into aviation. 20 odds years in marines, WW11, Korea, he retired a mentally shell shocked man. but, he loved his family, rural life. funny how he worked on our vehiles in private. no one was around?????? he never stepped on another plane.

in regard to OP opening, cherish those memories. they give you a regacy, a history, memories that no one can take from you! liofe is a collection of memories.

I never had a "fast" car till I was out on my own. my dad was smart. he knew I did not need speed. I liked speed. my idea of fun was to take whatever I had to drive, and see what the top end was. adrenalin..... speed kills.

 

[1970dartcustom]

i'm 68, my dad was early 40's when I was born. he got into mechanics as young man in depression era, joined the US Marines when they didn't take very many. he got into aviation. 20 odds years in marines, WW11, Korea, he retired a mentally shell shocked man. but, he loved his family, rural life. funny how he worked on our vehiles in private. no one was around?????? he never stepped on another plane.

in regard to OP opening, cherish those memories. they give you a regacy, a history, memories that no one can take from you! liofe is a collection of memories.

I never had a "fast" car till I was out on my own. my dad was smart. he knew I did not need speed. I liked speed. my idea of fun was to take whatever I had to drive, and see what the top end was. adrenalin..... speed kills.

Yeah, my Dad only got me slant sixes and then a 318 as a later teen... I never got anything too powerful till I was 20 or 22... and that was a truck!

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Yeah, my Dad only got me slant sixes and then a 318 as a later teen... I never got anything too powerful till I was 20 or 22... and that was a truck!

Hey that's what Dads are for. The first vehicle I bought my daughter was a 1983 short bed Dodge with a leaning tower of power. I told her if she would learn how to drive this that she would be a better driver in the future. And it paid off, that truck didn't have enough power to pull a fat girl off a stool! That was 1997, and it must have been the right decision because she is 35 now and never had a ticket or a wreck!