Dr.Jass
Pastor of Muppets
I don't know if you guys remember, but my friend Kevin had his restored 440/4-speed '71 Charger R/T featured in Mopar Muscle a while back. Other than some invisible engine mods, it's always rolled as a stone-showroom-stock restoration, which was his deal and I was OK with it... however, when we talked cars, I was always of the mindset that a straight restoration would bore me. I'd rather personalize the car somewhat and make it my own. We've had this discussion on the board in the past, and I think most of us are of the same mindset: straight-laced trailer-queen restos are important, and great for the hobby, but not in my garage. Personalize mine, thanks.
While Kevin's car has never been a trailer queen, it was always showroom stock for him. He took 2nd in the last Garlits show in '71-'74 B-body stock.
Anyhow, he calls me up a few months ago, and asks me if I still have a set of big-block M/T valve covers lying around. Of course, I'm instantly curious as to why. Turns out he's not so crazy about these showroom restos anymore... apparently the dazzle of date-coded coolant and numbers-matching brake fluid has faded a bit. Now, the car sports a Keisler 5-speed ("I still have the numbers Hemi 4-speed, but it's never going back.") and the plan is for a set of Ansen Sprint wheels, M/T valve covers, period Edelbrock intake, big Holley, headers, and so on. He's considering 3" pipes ending in Bazooka tips through the factory-correct valance (his car had turn-downs) as well as hideaway headlamps. The performance mods should really wake up that 440, which has been pretty-well built but was always choked by factory manifolding, carburetion, and ignition.
All the correct components he's stockpiled over the years will be safely stowed so the car can go back to Mother's original plan, should the need or desire arise.
This has me excited... I've always thought the stock route would eventually get boring, and while it took 12 years to happen, apparently my thoughts weren't misguided. I just think it's cool that this is happening to a magazine feature car that was already restored, so I thought I'd share.
While Kevin's car has never been a trailer queen, it was always showroom stock for him. He took 2nd in the last Garlits show in '71-'74 B-body stock.
Anyhow, he calls me up a few months ago, and asks me if I still have a set of big-block M/T valve covers lying around. Of course, I'm instantly curious as to why. Turns out he's not so crazy about these showroom restos anymore... apparently the dazzle of date-coded coolant and numbers-matching brake fluid has faded a bit. Now, the car sports a Keisler 5-speed ("I still have the numbers Hemi 4-speed, but it's never going back.") and the plan is for a set of Ansen Sprint wheels, M/T valve covers, period Edelbrock intake, big Holley, headers, and so on. He's considering 3" pipes ending in Bazooka tips through the factory-correct valance (his car had turn-downs) as well as hideaway headlamps. The performance mods should really wake up that 440, which has been pretty-well built but was always choked by factory manifolding, carburetion, and ignition.
All the correct components he's stockpiled over the years will be safely stowed so the car can go back to Mother's original plan, should the need or desire arise.
This has me excited... I've always thought the stock route would eventually get boring, and while it took 12 years to happen, apparently my thoughts weren't misguided. I just think it's cool that this is happening to a magazine feature car that was already restored, so I thought I'd share.
