March 2014. pdf

1970 HEMI CUDA 4 SPEED CONVERTIBLE ONE OF FIVE

MARCH 2014

’63 MAX WEDGE DARES TO BE DIFFERENT! MR. NORM SHARES HIS FAVORITE 426 HEMI STORIES 1964 426 RAMCHARGER ORIGINAL FACTORY INFO TIME TRAVELER: A STORY OF MOPAR REDEMPTION EXCLUSIVE: MR. NORM’S 2014 GSS RUMBLER REVEAL

January, 2014

MARCH 2014

IN THIS ISSUE Editor’s Page ...................................... 4 Norm’s Corner .................................... 8 COVER STORY: 1963 Dodge Polara Max Wedge Takes a Walk on the Wild Side ..... 12 Product Spotlight ............................. 22 Mr. Norm’s Vehicle: 2014 Mr. Norm’s GSS Rumbler .................................... 24 Members’ Story ................................. 27 EDITORIAL Publisher .......................................................... Mr. Norm Editor .......................................................... Larry Weiner Art Director ................................................. Deb Murphy

TECH: In the Shadow of Greatness, the 1964 Dodge 426 Ramcharger ........... 30 Women’s World ................................ 40 Millennium Musings ........................ 44 Specials ............................................ 50 Time Traveler.................................... 52 But Wait There’s More ..................... 58 DEALER SALES East Coast ...............................................Mike Staveski Midwest ................................................. Bob Longstreth

Editorial Assistant.................................. Debbie Weiner

ADVERTISING Steve Temple ............................................. 775-233-0083

Contributors ......................................... Linda Mandalas Howard Benjamin Andrew Schultheis

ON THE COVER: 1963 Dodge Polara Max Wedge Restomod — Photo by Toshi Akatsuka

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

Editor’ Editor’s Note As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 426 Hemi, this is the perfect opportunity to reflect on two separate, but related topics. First, how this highly sophisticated engine rewrote the book on performance, and in the process set the bar so high that that by the 1965 season, NASCAR in its zeal to level the playing field, severely handicapped Hemi powered Dodges and Plymouths so that other cars could compete. Second, how Mr. Norm stepped up and made this legendary engine package available to all performance enthusiasts at Grand Spaulding, when most other Dodge and Plymouth dealers chose to watch from the sidelines.

I

n February, 1964, Chrysler introduced the 426 Hemi engine in the Dodge and Plymouth BBodies at the Daytona 500. History was written that day, as the Hemi powered Plymouths and Dodges dominated on the track. Richard Petty won the race in his number 43 Plymouth Belvedere, leading an incredible 184 of the 200 laps. Following Petty across the finish line were two other

The Day t Stood

Publicity shot of Mr. Norm’s ‘64 Dodge 426 Ramcharger Max Wedge “Hustler I.” in front of Mr. Norm Collection.

Hemi powered Mopars, making the top three positions a clean sweep for Chrysler. In NHRA and AHRA drag racing, the results were quickly the same: Hemi dominance. The 426 Hemi engine was originally developed by Tom Hoover and his engineering team strictly for competition purposes. A limited number of the engines were produced

4

and made available to professional teams selected by Ronnie Householder, Chrysler’s Racing Director. Among them, they included Petty Enterprises (Richard Petty), Ray Nichels (Paul Goldsmith and Bobby Issac) and Ray Fox (Junior Johnson) who competed in NASCAR. In NHRA competition, The Ramchargers, “Dandy” Dick Landy and Bill

’s Page

the Earth Still

f Grand Spaulding Dodge. Left to right Mr. Norm, Pat Minick, Len Kraus. Photos from the

“Maverick” Golden were among those who campaigned Hemi powered Mopars soon as the engines were available, again with great success. After annihilating the competition at the Daytona 500, NASCAR quickly imposed sanctions on Chrysler that mandated the availability of the Hemi engine in production cars if they were to continue to use it in stock car racing. With this

edict, it was clear that a production version of Hemi in the same “basic” engine design would be necessary. In the case of Dodge, the result was the Hemi Ram, which was created to satisfy the minimum production requirements demanded by NASCAR. This demand may have been a blessing in disguise, because it forced Chrysler to build the Hemi engine for production ve5

hicles. Making a version of the race winning Hemi an available option for passenger cars allowed Chrysler to capitalize on the positive publicity generated by the racing wins. By offering the Hemi, along with the already successful 426 Max Wedge, Dodge and Plymouth had the most comprehensive lineup of high performance engines in the industry. In addition, by selling Hemi equipped Dodges and Plymouths to performance enthusiasts and independent racers, Chrysler’s presence at race tracks all over the country grew exponentially. This resulted in numerous class wins by local racers, further increasing awareness for Chrysler’s performance vehicles and engendering passionate customer loyalty for the brands. In addition, the influence of the winning Dodges and Plymouths not only generated sales of Hemi powered production cars, but also the rest of the product lines. Once enthusiasts found out about the impressive NASCAR and NHRA wins, many went to their local Dodge and Plymouth dealer and wanted to order a new car with the 426 Hemi engine. Most dealers didn’t know anything about them, and had little or no interest in ordering them even if they were going to be available. The Hemi Ram became a production option for Dodge and Plymouth B -Bodies in the spring of 1964, and was an immediate sensation, offering performance enthusiasts a winning combination right off the showroom

floor. The challenge was finding a dealer where you could buy one. The release of the 1964 Dodge Hemi Ram was tailor made for Mr. Norm and Grand Spaulding Dodge. With his dealership focused on selling high performance Dodges, Mr. Norm recognized the opportunity presented by the Hemi Ram and immediately ordered them for stock in both stick and automatic combinations. Norm was already campaigning a Max Wedge in Super Stock, with John Farkonis handling the tuning and Pat Minick doing the driving, and the release of the Hemi Ram was the next logical step for Mr. Norm to stay ahead of the competition. With its lightweight factory aluminum fenders, hood and front bumper, Mr. Norm’s Hemi Ram was a tough car to beat on the track. After being punished repeatedly by the Dodge, plenty of Chevy, Pontiac and Ford racers decided to make the switch to Dodge. Unlike most Dodge and Plymouth dealers who had little or no interest in learning about or selling vehicles equipped with the new 426 Hemi, Mr. Norm was ready, willing and able to satisfy performance driven enthusiasts who wanted a Mopar capable

Grand Spaulding Dodge full page ad in Drag News promoting immediate delivery for the new 1964 Dodge Hemi Ram. Note the tag line at the top “WHEREVER YOUR LIVE - I’LL PAY YOUR FARE FROM ANYWHERE.” This became synonymous with Mr. Norm, and many enthusiasts did fly to Chicago from all over the country and drive home in a new Dodge from Grand Spaulding.

of winning races right off the showroom floor. Between running a Hemi Ram in competition at tracks all over the Midwest, advertising on WLS, the megawatt AM radio station in Chicago and running full page ads in Drag News, everyone in the country knew that Grand Spaulding Dodge had Hemi Rams in stock for immediate delivery. And with his famous “Wherever you live, I’ll pay

your fare from anywhere” promotion, a person could fly to Chicago for free and drive home in a brand new Dodge Hemi Ram from Grand Spaulding, ready to blow away the competition as soon as they hit the track. Needless to say, Mr. Norm sold every 1964 Dodge Hemi Ram he ordered, and this vehicle was instrumental in helping build the reputation that Grand Spaulding was the dealership to go if you wanted a high performance Dodge that was ready to win races.

Unlike most Dodge and Plymouth dealers who had little or no interest in learning about or selling vehicles equipped with the new 426 Hemi, Mr. Norm was ready, willing and able to satisfy performance driven enthusiasts who wanted a Mopar capable of winning races right off the showroom floor

Mr. Norm’s 1964 Dodge 426 Hemi Ram Hustler II on the track. Sharp eyed readers will notice Pat Minick is behind the wheel. Note that Minick is not wearing a helmet, but a fedora! The “U/SA” lettering on the sail pillar refers the AHRA class the car was running in that day: Unlimited Stock Automatic. This was the companion car to Mr. Norm’s Dodge 426 Ramcharger Max Wedge Hustler I.

6

Mr. Norm’s Corner

C

hrysler has a lot to celebrate this year. In addition to th Dodge’s 100 Anniversary, Chrysler introduced the 426 Hemi 50 years ago, last month to be

exact. A harbinger of what the new 426 Hemi was capable of, Richard Petty won the 1964 Daytona 500 in a Hemi powered Plymouth Belvedere. It was only the beginning of what was to be an incredible winning streak for Petty and the Hemi that resulted in The King winning the 1964 NASCAR Grand National Series Championship as it was then called. The buzz around the Hemi, as much as the engine itself, was the image it offered for me as a Dodge dealer. It gave the entire Dodge product line a real kick in the pants when it came to capturing both the imagination of performance enthusiasts

and the impact it would have on increasing market share. Not only did the Hemi provide the power that enabled Petty to win at Daytona, a 426 Hemi powered “Big Daddy” Don Garlits’ Swamp Rat dragster to a 7.78 second e.t. in the quarter mile at 201.34 mile per hour. This gave Garlits the distinction of being the first racer to break the 200 mile per hour barrier in National Hot Rod Association competition. And, most important for Chrysler Corporation, and to Grand Spaulding in its second year as a Dodge dealership, it brought more people than ever into the store. Back when the muscle car era was in its infancy, Ford and General Motors had a

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. 8

commanding lead in sales over Chrysler Corporation. That Hemi engine gave Chrysler the ability to leap frog right over the competition when it came to performance. The engine design not only caught the imagination of the buyers, especially the kids, it also intrigued the competition. Ford bought a Hemi-equipped vehicle, took it apart and tested it. Everybody was impressed with the design and capability of the Hemi. The first vehicle equipped with a Hemi engine that arrived at Grand Spaulding was a ruby Coronet convertible. I sold it for just $200 over cost; it was like taking your finger out of the levee and letting the customers flood our showroom. I made sure that everyone in our sales force could talk Hemi. They were all high-performance experts, and were able to answer any question our customers had. To say that the Hemi was an instant success was an understatement. Grand Spaulding Dodge was unloading them off the trailer, into the lot and handing the keys over to our customers at an amazing rate. In fact, nearly one Hemi-equipped Dodge rolled off our lot each day. Of course, we were also into developing special packages for Dodges equipped with the Hemi engine. Our service department could dyno tune the cars to make even more horsepower than the factory rated them at, which made us the epicenter of the Hemi revolution in the Midwest. Between fresh vehicle designs and the Hemi engines, Dodge really took off. The Hemi opened people’s minds to the product line. On top of that, Bob McCurry, Vice President of Dodge kept the momentum going thanks in part to spectacular looking cars from Elwood Engle, who was in charge of design at Chrysler. I’ve always said that you could put a 1968 Charger with a V-8 in any dealer showroom and it would sell today just as well as it did in the 1960s. Of course, we put the Hemi in our race cars with spectacular success, but I’ll cover that in detail next month.

10

RESTORATION SERVICES

RESTORATION SERVICES

Call, fax or e-mail for consultation services

Call, fax or e-mail for consultation services

106 State Hwy. PP Scott City, MO 63780 Phone: (573) 264-2033 Fax: (573) 264-3821 E-Mail: [email protected]

P.O. Box 35300 Richmond, VA 23235-0300 Phone: (804) 275-2155 Fax: (804) 275-1969 E-Mail: [email protected]

When W

Cover Story:

Story by Larry Weiner Photos by Toshi Akatsuka

“W

here Route 66 meets the Autobahn,” was the tag line for the 2004 Chrysler Crossfire. The Crossfire was developed jointly by Mercedes and Chrysler several years after the merger of the two companies. One of the goals of the Crossfire was to capitalize on synergies between these two companies in the creation of new vehicles. It featured a proven Mercedes chassis that included SLK components that was married to a sleek Chrysler designed body. The Crossfire was a sporty two seater that, like the Viper, was offered in both coupe and roadster configurations. While the concept was impressive, vehicle production only lasted a few years, and by 2008 the Crossfire was little more than a footnote in history. On the other hand, the 1963 Dodge Polara that is featured on these pages is an excellent example of a vehicle that navigates a different intersection, in this case “where classic meets modern.” This rebirth of this vintage Polara quarter mile warrior is a perfect illustration of the restomod approach that is so popular with many of today’s enthusiasts and leading show car builders. In this case, a 51 year old Max Wedge Super Stock that was rode hard and put away wet more times than one can count has now been completely restored, and along the way, upgraded with numerous modern components. The result is ground pounding Mopar muscle that showcases the best of both

With its Ramcharger hood scoop, aluminum front end and purposeful stance

12

World’s Collide

e, this is one Max Wedge that looks like it ready to do battle, anytime and anywhere.

13

yesterday and today. The Polara is the vision of vehicle owner, John Creekmore, who wanted a Mopar with classic 1960’s looks and performance, but with the ease of operation and amenities that we take for granted in today’s modern high performance vehicles. He also wanted the vehicle to incorporate a subtle design theme that would celebrate Mr. Norm’s 50th Anniversary, so there was no doubt that it had to be a Dodge. Enter Mike Staveski, whose shop Rods Mods and Restos (RMR) in Hudson, Florida has built several vintage and late model muscle cars for John and is well known for building Mr. Norm’s branded performance vehicles. After brainstorming with Mike, and looking at a wide variety of possible candidates, John decided on a potent Super Stock from the golden era equipped with all of the go fast goodies that made them so exciting. The caveat was, he wanted the vehicle refined, so that it would not only be blindingly fast, but also a comfortable, dependable cruiser with the full range of creature comforts. While thinking like this would have been considered an oxymoron back in the sixties, an era when you could have one or the other, but not both,

Looking for all the world like it’s ready to make another pass down the quarter, this Ma

today it’s virtually expected and absolutely achievable. After sleuthing like Indiana Jones for several months, John

and Mike found a genuine 1963 Dodge Polara Super Stock for sale that was not only equipped with the vaunted 426 Ramcharger dual quad “Maximum Performance” wedge engine and push button TorqueFlite transmission, but also wore a rare factory aluminum front end ensemble, including the fenders, hood and front bumper. The Dodge had been a race car for most of its life, rolling up the miles a quarter at a time. It was in extremely good condition and still wearing its racing livery. The body was nearly rust free, and with a refresh, the Dodge could have been back out on the track and racking up some more class wins in short order. However, the The heart of the Dodge is this Hilborn stack injected Max Wedge that has been tuned by none other than Bob Ream at Imagine Injection.

14

ax Wedge was born to run, and it knows it.

new owner had other plans for this warrior. The first step was to disassemble the former super stocker down to a bare body shell, put it on a rotisserie, go over every inch from top to bottom and restore it to better than new condition. While this was being done, the 426 Ramcharger engine was machined by Scott’s Racing Engines in Spring Hill, Florida and assembled at RMR. A buildup that would make the most seasoned racer envious, it includes 11:1 compression Diamond Racing forged pistons, rebuilding the original Max Wedge connecting rods and machining the original crank to exacting tolerances. A new set of Edelbrock Max Wedge

aluminum cylinder heads not only provide enhanced air flow, but the additional benefit of lighter weight, while the hydraulic roller camshaft and roller rockers are Comp Cams pieces. Four tube exhaust headers, engine mounts, torque strap, and the engine gasket set were all sourced from Schumacher Creative Services. Bolted to the Edelbrock aluminum cylinder heads is a Hilborn stack injection system prepared by Bob Ream of Imagine Injection that replaces the original ram-induction intake manifold and dual Carter four barrel AFB carbs. A Fast EZ EFI, with an Imagine Injection harness insures that the engine runs perfectly every time the owner spins the key. The sweet sounds of the injected Max Wedge are provided by Dyno Max mufflers, while open headers always remain an option in the event that a call to duty for some quarter mile action beckons. Backing up the revitalized Max Wedge is a near bullet proof Chrysler A-727 TorqueFlite equipped with a Hughes 2800 rpm stall torque converter. Carbon fiber accents on the Max Wedge provide the perfect visual complement to the old and new approach utilized on the engine

Joe Hunt Magneto insures that all eight plugs fire on time, every time.

15

build. The Hilborn injection, the Mr. Norm’s 50th Anniversary logo valve covers and master cylinder cover all feature carbon fiber accents that are repeated throughout the vehicle. Adding to its dual personality, the Polara is now equipped with a Gear Vendors Under / Overdrive, which provides it with something of a split personality. Discretely located on the floor above the standard headlight dimmer switch is a second dimmer switch that actuates the Gear Vendors. One tap of the switch and the overdrive is engaged, tap it again and it’s disengaged. Thanks to the Gear Vendors, with a simple tap of the toe, the Polara can be ready for another blast down the track or life in the fast lane on the freeway, certainly something it never was able to do its last life. Out back, a Chrysler 8 ¾ rear end runs a Sure Grip with 3.55:1 gears, a near perfect choice for both street and strip duty. In a nod to tradition, the suspension has been completely rebuilt, and utilizes conventional Chrysler torsion bars up front, with leaf springs in the rear. Rolling stock begins with a set of vintage styled Coys C5 chrome wheels in a staggered fitment

At left: The front of the Dodge with its Ramcharger hood scoop and functional hood pins that retain the lightweight aluminum hood leaves no doubt about its purpose in life.

At right: Interior is a blend of function and form that complements the old and the new.

Far right: Push button TorqueFlite with carbon fiber accents.

Below: The view the competition is most likely to see of this Dodge when the s--- hits the fan.

consisting of 15 x 7 in the front and 15 x 8 wheels in the rear. BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires provide the grip, with 225/60R15 and 275/60R15 on the front and rear respectively. Master Power disc brakes provide safe sure stops, and the power booster requires only modest pressure on the brake pedal for the binders to pull the Dodge down from high speed. A stock Chrysler power steering pump makes spinning the steering wheel back and forth in the twisties easy. The body and paint on the Dodge is flawless and the Sherwin-Williams Planet Color Kona Blue looks a mile deep. The stainless trim was polished to a high luster and in a salute to its underlying modernistic theme, just as with the engine, subtle carbon fiber accents abound. From insets in the grille trim and head light rings, to the original accents on the quarter panel trim and even the chrome Dodge emblem on hood and trunk lid, carbon fiber has been tastefully applied. Inside, the interior is beyond the scope of what anyone could have dreamed about when the Polara was built on the assembly

line at Hamtramck. Glove soft saddle tan leather and suede covers nearly every surface, including the comfortable ’68 B-Body bucket seats. The surfaces that aren’t covered are painted Kona Blue and match the exterior. Like the engine and the exterior, carbon fiber accents provide the perfect detail for the show car quality interior. The dash, controls for the push button TorqueFlite, the tachometer cup and even the horn button on the Grant Industries wood steering wheel all benefit from the judicious use of this modern day accent. A Vintage Air system keeps the interior cool, calm and dry while a Kenwood tuner, Alpine amplifier and Polk Audio speakers from Crutchfield provide the sound quality far beyond what the standard AM radio of the day offered. Reflecting its original career as a Super Stock, the Dodge is still equipped with its original multi-point roll bar that’s now upholstered to match the interior, and as with most super stockers of the era, the rear seat has been deleted, giving the interior a purposeful look. This is reinforced by the no-nonsense stock factory dash that’s complemented by an

16

Autometer American Muscle tach strapped ‘60’s style to the Ididit tilt steering column. Additional gauges monitor engine functions, and are neatly integrated into a custom console that runs between the bucket seats.The Polara was shipped to us directly from its debut at the SEMA

SHOW where it was displayed in the Atech Motorsports exhibit. And while we only had a short time to drive and photograph it before it left for a premier placement in the Mr. Norm’s 50th Anniversary Exhibit at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Chicago, the time was well

17

spent. We immediately scheduled the photo and road test sessions, knowing time was of the essence. We were juiced to get behind the wheel of the Dodge and see what it was like to drive this super stock that had been injected (no pun intended!) with an alter

ego cruiser personality. With a twist of the key, the fuel injected Max Wedge immediately came to life. No fuss, no priming the carbs and hoping that it wouldn’t be cold blooded and cantankerous until it had sufficiently warmed up. The Bob Ream tuned Hilborn injection worked perfectly, and makes this once high strung race car very easy to live with. The rumble of the potent big block was unmistakable and sounded just like a Super Stock Dodge should. Operating the Push Button TorqueFlite was easy, and in its day was considered a novel approach to gear selection. The push button assembly was rebuilt by Schumacher Creative Services and functioned flawlessly. Sliding the parking brake lever over released the lock on push buttons, and as soon as we pushed the Reverse button on the TorqueFlite, it immediately shifted into gear. After backing out of the garage, we pushed the Drive button it shifted instantly into gear and we were off. The Max Wedge made all of the appropriate noises, our adrenaline was up and we headed down the road. The TorqueFlite shifted automatically into second and third crisply, and at the appropriate times. Driving down a two lane country road in a Super Stock Dodge is great fun. The steering was tight and responsive. The big (by today’s standards) B-Body had a taut feel and handled the turns and hills effortlessly. If we didn’t know better, it would have been easy to make the assumption that the suspension had been upgraded to upper and lower control arms up front and a four link out back with coil overs at all four corners. The fact that the suspension remains as Chrysler originally designed it speaks volumes about engineering that dates back over a half century and still works great. Thanks to the electronic fuel injection, the power band of the Max Wedge was extremely

A word of warning to the BowTie brigade, Big Chiefs and Blue Oval guys along with members of the rice rocket and Euro tuner set; whether you’re at the wheel of vintage or late model iron, think twice before taking on this Dodge.” broad, and regardless of whether it was at low or high speed, the engine was always ready and eager to plant you in the seat. It almost seemed as though the Polara actually enjoyed the driving sessions, and was always ready to come back for more. While our time with this amazing Max Wedge was brief, it was time well spent. Like a phoenix rising, this Polara has been reborn into a vehicle that conveys a vintage, near restoration like appearance that belies the state of the art technology hiding just beneath the surface of the classic sheet metal. And since all of the modern upgrades are bolt on parts, it wouldn’t take much to return the Polara back to its former status. As an example, by retaining the original suspension, it would be easy to revert back to a set of Cragar Super Tricks, Moroso front runners, Goodyear wrinkle wall slicks, a set of Lakewood 90/10 shocks and in no time flat, hit the track for some serious passes. The beauty of this Dodge is the fact that while it has

18

been up-fitted with a wide range of modern conveniences, it has not been stripped of its fundamental character. First and foremost, it’s still a Super Stock Dodge, much like the ones Mr. Norm sold when this Polara was new, and serious racers like Dick Landy or Bud Faubel would have felt right at home behind the wheel. A word of warning to the BowTie brigade, Big Chiefs and Blue Oval guys along with members of the rice rocket and Euro tuner set; whether you’re at the wheel of vintage or late model iron, think twice before taking on this Dodge. It may look like a relic from the old days, but it will kick your ass and leave you standing as though you were chained to a telephone poll. As one of my drill sergeants in basic training was fond of saying, a word to the wise should be sufficient.”

SOURCE BOX LISTING Rods Mods and Restos 9134 Eden Ave Hudson, FL 34667 Phone: 727-869-9577 Schumacher Creative Services 2025 NE 123 St. Seattle, WA 98125 Phone: 206-364-7151 www.engine-swaps.com Atech Motorsports 1234 Southeast Ave. Tallmadge, OH 44278 Phone: 800-517-1040 www.atechmotorsports.com Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes 101 Prospect Ave. N.W. Cleveland, OH 44115 Product: Planet Color Custom Paint 216-566-2062 www.sherwin-automotive.com

The following photos illustrate the process employed by Rods Mods and Restos in the rebirth of the Dodge Polara. The Dodge when it rolled into Rods, Mods and Restos. A warrior for many years it’s ready for a makeover.

Disassembly of the Dodge in preparation for the next chapter in its life.

Completely disassembled and mounted on the rotisserie.

19

Working over the body to make it better than new.

One of the few areas of rust on the vintage B-Body before it was repaired.

The Dodge is in the booth and the first coat of primer has been applied. The aluminum front fenders and hood have been hung for final check fits before they are removed that the Dodge is painted.

The Kona Blue has been sprayed and the paint is curing in the booth.


17

MR. NORM’S SPECIAL MARCH SALE! MR. NORM’S PACKAGE SPECIAL

PACKAGE INCLUDES GRILLE AND TAIL PANEL

SALE PRICE $499 REGULARLY $624 SAVE $125.00 *Grille is unpainted and ready for prep and paint ORDER THIS PACKAGE FOR YOUR CHALLENGER TODAY. CALL 760-612-6365 CHECK OF ALL OF THE MR. NORM’S PARTS AND ACCESSORIES AT

www.mrnorms.com Note: No other discounts can be applied to sale price. Shipping is not included in price Offer expires March 31, 2014

MR. NORM’S SPECIAL MARCH SALE! GRAND SPAULDING DODGE ORIGINAL NEW CAR PREP PACKAGE

INCLUDES ALL 5 ITEMS SHOWN ABOVE

SALE PRICE $37.95 REGULARLY $47.95 SAVE $10 Order yours today on the Mr. Norm’s website at

www.mrnorms.com Item Numbers Note: No other discounts can be applied to sale price. Shipping is not included in price Offer expires March 31, 2014

MR. NORM DOES IT AGAIN! 2 PERFORMANCE PROVEN

MR. NORM’S GSS RUMBLER PACKAGE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT 

MR. NORM’S RUMBLER VINYL GRAPHICS PACKAGE CLASSIC SPLIT TAIL STRIPES WITH FULL COLOR RUMBLER™ LOGO FULL COLOR RUMBLER™ TAILGATE LOGO  MR. NORM’S GSS RUMBLER™ HOOD GRAPHIC



MR. NORM’S WINDSHIELD BANNER



MR. NORM’S URETHANE AERO ROOF SPOILER



MR. NORM’S GSS SPECIAL EDITION FENDER EMBLEMS



MR. NORM’S / KATZKIN RUMBLER™ EMBROIDERED LOGO LEATHER HEADREST COVERS



MR. NORM’S RUMBLER™ EMBROIDERED LOGO PLUSH CARPET MATS



MR. NORM’S RUMBLER™ UNIQUE SERIALIZED NUMBER DASH PLAQUE



MR. NORM’S LOGO RED POWDER COATED CALIPER COVERS



MR. NORM’S EMBOSSED METAL LICENSE PLATE



MR. NORM’S GRAND SPAULDING DECK LID EMBLEM



MR. NORM’S SPORT CLUB WINDOW DECALS (2)



GSS RUMBLER WILL BE REGISTERED IN THE ORIGINAL MR. NORM’S GRAND SPAULDING DODGE REGISTRY

2014 GSS RUMBLER EDITION KNOW HOW SINCE 1963 MR. NORM SELLS DIRECT TO YOU AT DEALERS INVOICE!

NEW 2014 GSS RUMBER PACKAGE ONLY $1,195 CALL MR. NORM’S AT 813-789-6179 AND ORDER YOURS TODAY

MR. NORM’S GSS RUMBLER FEATURES

MR. NORM’S GSS RUMBLER GRAPHICS DETAIL The Rumbler wears its stripes proudly. The Rumbler logo pays homage to the graphics on Mr. Norm’s 8-second supercharaged ‘65 Hemi Coronet. Standard

RUMBLER TRUCK TAILGATE GRAPHIC Let everyone following you know you have a real GSS Rumbler. Mr. Norm made ‘em standard equipment on every Rumbler.

GSS RUMBLER HOOD GRAPHICS Bold Mr. Norm’s GSS hood graphics for regular and R/T hoods. Standard

MR. NORM’s AERO ROOF SPOILER Adding form to function is the Aero Roof Spoiler. The Rumbler looks ready for a lap at Daytona. Standard

SERIAL NUMBER DASH PLAQUE Every GSS Rumbler features a serial number dash plaque. Standard

MR. NORM WINDSHIELD BANNER Lets everyone know you have a real Mr. Norm’s Rumbler. Standard

PISTOL GRIP SHIFTER Inspired by the original ‘60s Pistol Grip. Optional

CUSTOM LEATHER Mr. Norm’s Katzkin custom leather is available in your choice of colors, with the Rumbler logo. Optional

RUMBLER CARPET MATS Rumbler logo plus mats are available in black or custom colors. Standard

LOWERED SUSPENSION Lowers the ride height for enhanced handling. Optional

CALIPER COVERS Red powder-coated with Mr. Norm’s logo. Standard

Member’s Story

The One That Got Away

Story and Photos By Paul Memi

L

ooking through some old photo albums, I came across these photos of a Hemi Cuda. And the story goes. Having been a mechanic at Flatlands Plymouth in Brooklyn, New York from 1972 to 1980, I had the opportunity to service and repair quite a few Mopar muscle cars at that dealership. Most of the mechanics working there were older than me. I was 18 and a real “gearhead.” They had no interest in working on muscle cars and so frequently that

work was delegated to me. I owned a mint 1969 army green (what else!) Hemi Road Runner that served as my daily commuter to work. I remember a particular 1970 black Hemi Cuda convertible coming in to have a new clutch installed. The car’s owner was a teacher and his first name was Dennis, but I don’t recall his last name. Being a Hemi car enthusiast, we quickly became friends. In about 1976 or 1977, we both joined the National Hemi Owners Association. At that time, they were very helpful in securing parts for overhauling the Hemi Cuda engine. I com-

27

Editor’s Note This story was sent in by Paul Memi, a Mr. Norm’s Sport Club member. With this year marking the 50th Anniversary of the 426 Hemi, it seemed like the perfect time to run this story. If any of you have a similar story and photos, please email them to [email protected]. We’ll try to run some in every issue of Pentastar Power.

pleted the job as a side job in my dad’s garage. I was able to get two N.O.S. carbs from the dealership at the time to complete the overhaul. When the car was completed, we took it out for a ride on a snowy February day in 1977. To my know-edge the history of the car was as follows. The car had been sold new in Massachusetts and somehow ended up in Florida with the top down stored outside. Dennis had bought the car in the early ‘70’s for $2,500. The car was black with a saddle tan interior

with no rally dash. It was a 4speed car with color coded bumpers, hood pins, no hockey stripe, racing mirrors, road lamps, rally wheels, power steering and power disc brakes. At the time it had the original paint and interior, which was sun bleached. It had an argent shaker of which the paint was quite worn. The car was in pure stock condition with no modifications.

26 28

Some years later after I had left the dealership and started my own shop, Dennis brought the car in for some routine service. The year was about 1982/83. When he mentioned that he intended to sell the car, he suggested that I buy it since I knew it better than anyone else. Having just bought my own shop, money was tight and I could not afford the $14,000 asking price. Also you might remember that Sunoco 260 racing fuel was history therefore driving it on the street would have presented challenges with leaded gas being phased out. I later heard that the car had been sold to somebody in Pennsylvania and that was the last I heard of it. Fast-forward to 2002 and we all know that a Hemi Cuda convertible 4 speed car, of which on 5 were built, which

makes it one of the most sought after Hemi cars on the planet. And that is the story of the one that got away. P.S. At this time, I frequently work on Hemi cars and own an original survivor ’68 Hemi GTX 4-speed car and am a Hemi enthusiast more so than ever.

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 426 Dodge Ramcharger: in the Shadow of Greatness

W

By Larry Weiner

ith all of the excitement about the 50th Anniversary of the 426 Hemi this year, it’s easy to overlook the 426 Ramcharger, AKA the Max Wedge. The Maximum Performance Wedge, nicknamed the Max Wedge, was offered in two configurations in 1964; the “426 Ramcharger V-8” was available in a choice of 11.0:1 (415 horsepower) or 12.5:1 compression (425 horsepower), both with two Carter AFB four barrel carburetors and was primarily intended for racing only. The “426 High Performance V-8” was offered with 10.3:1 compression with a single four barrel carb and was marketed as the engine that “leads two lives” as it was suitable for everyday driving and “ready to be unleashedwhen you want it,” which was another way of saying it was also ready to race when the need arose.

Both of the engines made their mark on the street and strip, and while the 426 Ramcharger did not put out the absolute power of a 426 Hemi, it were less expensive to purchase, easier to keep in tune and more consistent in the hands of the average enthusiast. In fact, many who drove a Hemi, especially on the street, soon found that the 426 Ramcharger could be very tough to beat. The following six pages are excerpted from an original copy of the “New 426 Ramcharger V-8” sixteen page brochure that Dodge handed out 2 1964 Chicago Auto at the Show. I was fortunate to get one of the brochures when I attended the show, and have kept it all these years. Even back then when I was just 14 30

years old, I knew that the 1964 Dodge Ramcharger was something special and definitely not a car to be trifled with. Join us in a fond look back at this legendary engine, one that, like the 426 Hemi, has earned its place in both the record books and in the hearts of performance enthusiasts everywhere.

4

3

31


33

34


36

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

37

YOUR SOURCE FOR ● The Latest Specialty & Component Vehicles ● ● ● ● ● ●

Cutting-Edge Design and Technology Tech Tips & How-To Installs Road Trips In Radical Rides Show And Event Coverage Engine And Drivetrain Features Cool Cars You Can’t Find Anywhere Else

SPECIAL OFFER FOR PENTASTAR POWER READERS

www.kitcarclub.com

Wome By: Linda Mandalas

W

omen....usually when it comes to age we are very evasive. When someone asks how old we are we tend to give the response "how old do you think I am"! Saying this leaves the asker with a dilemma; do they say what they really think (and get slapped) or do they just say something like "you don't look a day past 29", with the grin of all grins on their face! Well this year, 2014, Dodge is saying Loud and Proud; look at us, we’re 100 years old and looking better than ever! Let’s see if we can touch a little on how all of this started. Dodge will mark its 100th Anniversary as an automaker on July 17th of this year. That’s right, the day that it all started. However, if you look really hard you will see that we can trace the Dodge family back to 1629. Talk about showing your age! Ladies, when it come to our age or how we hide it so well; you all know those secret little "tricks" and "treats" we use but never share. You may be surprised to know that Dodge in many ways was even responsible for Ford's early success, as well as having a hand in the Olds Motor Vehicle Company, back when Ransom E. Olds owned the company before it was purchased by General Motors. Yes that’s right, but we’ll talk more about that in a later article.

Magazine ad for 1947 Dodge convertible illustrates that this vehicle was just a popular with women as was with men.

So as I mentioned, on July 17, 1914 the Dodge Brothers was formed and on November 14, 1914 the first Dodge car rolled off the assembly line. This vehicle was well built and had a strong, durable appearance that matched their reputation for fine quality automotive engineering. Over these 100 years, the Dodge line of vehicle, cars and trucks alike have gone through many changes, but when you think about it, they are the epitome 40

of the American Dream. Dodge is the perfect example that success in business isn't necessarily who you know but what you know and how you apply that knowledge. Women today make up over 52 percent of all new cars sold in the US and influence more than 85 percent of all car purchases. In addition, women are the fastest growing segment of buyers for new and used vehicles. Dodge is keenly aware that the woman of today

en’s

World Magazine ad with Plum Crazy 1970 Challenger “The Sports Car That Knows How To Treat A Lady” graphically illustrates how Dodge designed, built and marketed vehicles with women in mind.

not only makes purchasing decisions for their own vehicles but also for the family vehicle. The “Woman Factor” has had a big influence on Dodge regarding the design of the current crop of vehicles, to say nothing of the effect on up-coming models as designers, engineers and even marketers explore and implement strategic ways to assure that our needs are considered down to the littlest details. Features such as purse hooks and grocery bag storage, along with built in vacuums and even drawers for keeping beverages cold are just the tip of the automotive iceberg. They want to focus on our (women's) core values, including making cars safer, more practical, affordable and stylish. Just take a look at the new Dodge vehicles on the road today and you might be inclined to say “WOW!” Women today look for what they want and what they need 1957 Dodge Custom Royal Convertible with swivel bucket seats and multihued fabrics creates an inviting interior for trend setting women

when they make all of their purchases. If we are looking for shoes, this purchase is usually due to an upcoming event; when it comes to our vehicles, we want what we want, not what the masses say we want. Based on their success, it’s apparent that Dodge is listening and building the kind of cars, trucks and SUV's we want. As an example, women feel that like an outfit, an automobile should wrap its owner, be it male or female, in an outer shell, both protective and decorative. For many decades, Dodge has paid extraordinary attention to their vehicles, and in many ways, making them “Eye Candy” for the consumers. Remember back to the 1950's, the introduction of the color TV, the first Playboy Magazine and who could forget the "FRENZY" caused by Elvis gyrating on the Ed Sullivan's Show. None of this was not overlooked by Dodge. They rewarded our exuberance with vivacious tri tone colors such as La Plata Blue, Gypsy Green, French Gray and Corvo Green, many of which were seemingly 41

Dodge has a long history of being "fashion forward," carefully watching the trends of each era and moving onward and upward (can you say fins in the 1950’s!), designing and building vehicles that meet the needs of an ever changing world.” lifted right off the cover of Woman's Own Fashion Magazine, just to name a few. During the rebellious flower power, peace-love-not war ‘60's and ‘70's Americans, and women in particular were bursting with a wildness unlike any time in history. The result was landmark events

like the Birth Control Pill, JFK's "Man on the Moon" Speech and Betty Friedan who wrote The Feminine Mystique. Once again, Dodge was on top of the social climate and the mood change that was most obvious in the baby boomers, a dominant force among the new car buyers of the day. Everyone wanted to be seen the Dodge's Bahama Yellow, Hemi Orange, Sublime, Go Mango, Panther Pink, Go Green and Light Turquoise. Just as "HOT" as the covers on Cosmo or Vogue were the "COOL" advertisements from Dodge. Dodge has a long history of being "fashion forward," carefully watching the trends of each era and moving onward and upward (can you say fins in the 1950’s!), designing and building vehicles that meet the needs of an ever changing world. Today, the result is contemporary, thoroughly modern vehicles in a wide range of sizes and

Dodge Rebellion ad with 1966 Dart is highlighted by thoroughly modern women posing with both the vehicle and as a central point of the marketing campaign.

styles. Examples includes modern versions of the classic Challenger and Charger that speak to not only the baby boomers, but a new generation of auto enthusiasts who demand vehicles that are an extension of who and what they are, along with practical vehicles and a wide range of trucks and sport utility vehicles. With all of these choices, just imagine what’s coming next! And along with offering a wide range of models, Dodge is keenly aware of a woman's sense of elegance and sophistication in what they produce today. The availability of soft, supple, leather interiors, easy to view back up cameras, navigation and concert hall like audio entertainment systems are all examples of keeping pace with not only what we need, but also what we want. Throughout their 100

years (and counting), it’s obvious that Dodge has listened to their customers, including men and women, both young and old. It’s apparent that their goal has been to build vehicles that all of us will want to drive...for years to come! The Dodge Brothers set the bar high with the unveiling of their first automobile in 1914, and through the years, Walter P. Chrysler along with each succeeding generation who managed the division, has infused the Dodge brand with excellence that we women can see and appreciate. If you have any suggestions or input towards items you may hope to see in the future, take a moment and let Dodge know. You just might see your "idea" inside the Dodge of 2020! If you are thinking that Dodge would not give your "idea" a second look just re-

The Vogue Magazine cover of the February, 1969 issues illustrates the use of color in makeup and jewelry, a trend mirrored by Dodge’s use of exuberant colors, especially during the late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s.

42

member this..... In 1967 Mr. Norm developed the first 383 Dart on his own at Grand Spaulding Dodge. After extensive testing, Norm personally drove it to Detroit to show it to the "Dodge Boys” in Highland Park, Michigan. He made a good case to Bob McCurry, the Vice President of Dodge, explaining how the youth market wanted a compact performance vehicle like this and how it could enhance sales of the entire Dodge product line. McCurry and Dodge listened, and a few months later the 383 Dart became an available factory option! So, don’t discount your "ideas". You never know what will become of them. And let’s face it ladies...when we women talk, everyone listens. As Beyoncé says, Girls Run The World; as we say, The Automotive World! So here’s to wishing Dodge not only a Happy Birthday, but looking forward to seeing what they have coming in the way of exciting new vehicles during the next 100 years. Cosmo February, 1970 cover image and editorial features is a graphic example of how women’s independence was in full flower.

43

Millennium Musings

SRT Exhibit at Chicago Auto Show. Dodge Challenger SRT-8 and Chrysler 300 SRT8 are showcased in this photo. Courtesy Chicago Auto Show. Dodge Scat Pack Girls with the new Scat Pack Challenger (above)

2014 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW

MILLENIUM MUSINGS

2014 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW REVIEW By Andrew Schultheis Photos by Andrew Schultheis and the Chicago Auto Show Website PULL QUOTE

While walking the show floor, I noticed a bunch of guys hanging around the Dodge Scat Pack Girls. I'm not sure if it's that retro never dies or just girls in short skirts never go out of style. Either way, girls in the short skirts always get a guy’s attention. I had the opportunity to attend the 2014 Chicago Automobile Show and what a show it was. Held at McCormick Place, which is located in downtown Chicago on the shore of Lake Michigan, it is without a doubt, one of the most spectacular shows on the Windy City event calendar, especially if you love cool cars and trucks. Despite the massive crowds of people who attended the show, I managed to make my way through, and check out the new vehicles Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Chrysler and Mopar have to offer in 2014. The Challenger is still essentially the same car it's been since 2008, but it has quite a few upgrades and models that I'm sure all of you will enjoy. First off, Mopar showcased their latest and greatest Challenger model. They’re nothing if not consistent, and the new model is called the Mopar ‘14 Challenger. Like many of the other new Challengers, the Mopar ‘14 Challenger features the functional Shaker Hood that debuted last November at the SEMA SHOW in Las Vegas. I'm sure the Shaker Hood will milk a little more out of the already powerful Hemi engine. Secondly, and my personal favorite, was the Scat Pack Challenger, with it unique two tone paint job, a set of Torque Thrust style wheels and once again, the now ubiquitous Shaker Hood. While walking the show floor, I noticed a bunch of guys hanging around the Dodge Scat Pack Girls. I'm not sure if it's that retro never dies or just girls in short skirts never go out of style. Either way, girls in the short skirts always get a guy’s attention. Last, but certainly not least, was the 100th Anniversary Challenger. This car will commemorate 100 years of the Dodge franchise. Aside from the Shaker Hoods on the new Challengers, something else that revs my personal engine are the new side pipes that these vehicles were equipped with at the show. Not only do the side pipes look like a Challenger T/A throwback to 1970 but they just FIT the Challenger DNA. If they sound anything like the side pipes that were installed on Mr. Norm’s GSS Cuda that Bosak built for the 2012 Monster Mopar Weekend, we're all in for some tantalizing Mopar Muscle Music. Stay tuned for more info on these cool pipes. In addition to the displays of the cars at By theAndrew ChicagoSchultheis Automobile Show, another thing that really got my attention was the Dodge Track Ride. For this experience we went around a track in a new Header Orange Charger, accelerated to a high rate of speed and thenand came to a screeching Photos by Andrew Schultheis courtesy of the Chicago halt in about 100 feet! This was enough to make anyone's Auto Show heart race. The Jeep Dirt Track is also something at the show that you just couldn’t miss. For this event, we rode in a new Jeep Cherokee and went over many challenging obstacles including a hill that seemed as if it went straight up at 90 degrees.

I

had the opportunity to attend the 2014 Chicago Automobile Show and what a show it was.

All in all, the Chicago Auto Show is absolutely top notch. In spite of the rotten winter weather, it was worth the trip, and if you are a car guy or gal in the Midwest in February, I definitely recommend that you check out this incredible show. On a side note, I would like to give a special thank you to Greg Rush, our Chrysler Representative at Bosak Motors, who got me and sev-

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited on action course in Jeep Exhibit., above. Viper SRT-10 in exhibit with heads up display of speedo overlaying vehicle image , at right. Photos courtesy Chicago Auto Show

46

Held at McCormick Place, which is located in downtown Chicago on the shore of Lake Michigan, it is without a doubt, one of the most spectacular shows on the Windy City event calendar, especially if you love cool cars and trucks. Despite the massive crowds of people who attended the show, I managed to make my way through, and check out the new vehicles Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Chrysler and Mopar have to offer in 2014. The Challenger is still essentially the same car it's been since 2008, but it has quite a few upgrades and models that I'm sure all of you will enjoy. First off, Mopar showcased their latest and greatest Challenger model. They’re nothing if not consistent, and the new model is called the Mopar ‘14 Challenger. Like many of the other new Challengers, the Mopar ‘14 Challenger features the functional Shaker Hood that debuted last November at the SEMA SHOW in Las Vegas. I'm sure the Shaker Hood will milk a little more out of the already powerful Hemi engine. Secondly, and my personal favorite, was the Scat Pack Challenger, with it unique two tone paint job, a set of Torque Thrust style wheels and once

SRT Exhibit with Dodge Charger SRT-8 Super Bee front and center. Courtesy Chicago Auto Show

Dodge Viper on show stand with model explain vehicle features. Courtesy Chicago Auto Show

47

Looking down at the Dodge and Fiat 500 exhibit. Note the large Dodge 100th Anniversary sign in the background. Courtesy Chicago Auto Show

again, the now ubiquitous Shaker Hood. While walking the show floor, I noticed a bunch of guys hanging around the Dodge Scat Pack Girls. I'm not sure if it's that retro never dies or just girls in short skirts never go out of style. Either way, girls in the short skirts always get a guy’s attention. Last, but certainly not least, was the 100th Anniversary Challenger. This car will commemorate 100 years of the Dodge franchise. Aside from the Shaker Hoods on the new Challengers, something else that revs my personal engine are the new side pipes that these vehicles were equipped with at the show.

Not only do the side pipes look like a Challenger T/A throwback to 1970 but they just FIT the Challenger DNA. If they sound anything like the side pipes that were installed on Mr. Norm’s GSS Cuda that Bosak built for the 2012 Monster Mopar Weekend, we're all in for some tantalizing Mopar Muscle Music. Stay tuned for more info on these cool pipes. In addition to the displays of the cars at the Chicago Automobile Show, another thing that really got my attention was the Dodge Track Ride. For this experience we went around a track in a new Header Orange Charger, accelerated to a high rate of

48

speed and then came to a screeching halt in about 100 feet! This was enough to make anyone's heart race. The Jeep Dirt Track is also something at the show that you just couldn’t miss. For this event, we rode in a new Jeep Cherokee and went over many challenging obstacles including a hill that seemed as if it went straight up at 90 degrees. All in all, the Chicago Auto Show is absolutely top notch. In spite of the rotten winter weather, it was worth the trip, and if you are a car guy or gal in the Midwest in February, I definitely recommend that you check out this incredible show. On a side note, I would like to give a special thank

SRT Exhibit with Dodge Charger SRT-8 Super Bee front and center. Courtesy of Chicago Auto Show.

you to Greg Rush, our Chrysler Representative at Bosak Motors, who got me and several of my friends into the show and helped us escape the dreadfully long lines for the track events. Next month, I’ll be reviewing one of the Mr. Norm’s builds currently available for sale at Bosak, Home of the 24/7 Car and Truck Show. Check out their website at www. bosakmotor.com and email me your requests. Will it be the Jeep Wrangler FIVE STAR, the GSS 50th Anniversary Supercharged Charger, the Plum Crazy 50th Anniversary Supercharged GSS Challenger or maybe the GSS Rumbler Ram 1500? And of course, last but certainly not least, always remember friends, Mopar or no car!

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited climbing the ramp on the action course in the Jeep Exhibit. Courtesy of Chicago Auto Show

49

MR. NORM’S GRAPHICS SCOOPS & SPOILER PACKAGE FITS 2011 – 2014 DODGE CHARGERS* GRAPHICS, SCOOPS & SPOILER INFORMATION

The Charger Graphics Scoops and Spoiler Package was originally offered on the Mr. Norm’s 50th Anniversary GSS Charger. Due to popular demand, this kit was created especially for Charger owners who want to personalize their vehicle. With the GSS The Race graphics, bold three piece rear spoiler and aggressive door scoops, your Charger will Package look like no other. The kit includes a 12 piece graphics package, one pair of door scoops and a three piece rear spoiler. Graphics are available in Gold, Silver and White and provide the perfect contrast for all Charger colors.

PRODUCT MANUFACTURING INFORMATION The Mr. Norm’s Charger Graphics, Scoops and Spoiler are Made in the USA from only the highest quality American made products. The spoiler and scoops are made of urethane and ready for prep and paint. They attach with 3M Double Face Tape that is provided in the kit. The graphics are OEM quality & designed especially for 2011 –2014 Chargers. As seen on the cover of Auto Enthusiast Magazine

*Note: Kit does not fit Charger SRT-8

The Racers Net for the Mr. Norm’s 50th Charger Graphics Scoop & Spoiler Package is only $ 995.00 plus shipping. Mr. Norm’s website at www.mrnorms.com or call Mr. Norm’s at 760-612-6365 and order it today!

MR. NORM’S CLASSIC GRAND SPAULDING LOGO JACKET

ers Net for the Mr. Norm’s 50th e is only $ 995.00 plus shipping.

Charger Graphics Scoop & Spoiler

MR. NORM'S ORIGINAL GRAND SPAULDING DODGE EMBLEM EMBROIDERED ON THE FRONT JACKET HAS THE FOLLOWING FEATURES      

65-35 POLYESTER AND COTTON SHELL HEAVY DUTY METAL ZIPPER FRONT SLASH POCKETS ELASTIC CUFFS AND WAISTBAND INTERIOR CHEST POCKET WITH ZIPPER LOCKER LOOP

PERFECT FOR ADDING MORE GENUINE MR. NORM’S PATCHES

AVAILABLE IN THE FOLLOWING POPULAR SIZES S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL 4XL SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE AND EXTRA LARGE IS 59.95 PLUS SHIPPING LARGER SIZES SLIGHTLY MORE

ORDER YOURS TODAY AT www.mrnorms.com ITEM NUMBER 15 IN MR. NORM’S STORE SECTION

TIME TRAVELER

Story and Photos by Howard Benjamin Brochure Art from the Howard Benjamin Collection

L

ooking back on the summer of ‘67, I remember it vividly, as though it was only yesterday. Life was simple. I worked part time at Ford City, the new shopping mall on the southwest side of Chicago, did some chores around my parent’s house, and went to the drag races at US 30 with my friends. After Labor Day, I would be starting my senior year in high school. And while the war in Viet Nam was Wal-

ter Cronkite’s lead story nearly every night on the CBS Evening News, I wasn’t faced with its reality yet. The fact is, not much really stands out in my mind from that summer, except for one thing. That was the year my father bought a new car. It was a 1967 Chrysler, and I can still recall its distinctive new car smell. The brilliance of the Spice Gold Metallic paint reflecting the warm summer sun, the rich black vinyl interior with the center armrest that, when folded down, gave the front bench seat the appearance of being buckets, the exhilarating feeling of just sitting behind the steering wheel of a brand new car; it was like a dream come true. I also re52

member tuning the unique thumb wheel on the AM radio, setting a push button for 890, and listening to Light My Fire by the Doors, the number 2 song that week on the WLS Silver Dollar Survey. That new Chrysler wasn’t exactly mine, but it sure was close. Heady stuff for a 17 year old, coming of age in what became known as The Summer of Love. I must admit, the Chrysler wasn’t the car I had urged my father to buy. That would have been a ’67 Coronet R/T with a 440, 4 speed, buckets and a console. But it was not to be. Ultimately, he decided on a new Chrysler Newport two door hardtop, a choice no doubt influenced by my grandfather, who was a dyed in the

R

wool Chrysler man. “Take Charge, Move Up To Chrysler ‘67” was the tag line for the 1967 Chrysler ad campaign, and my father considered it a real step up from the ’60 Chevy Mr. Impala that had served our family faithfully since new. The day we came home in that big Chrysler, all of the neighbors on our block came out to see it, as was the tradition where we lived. Getting a new car was a really big deal in those days. Most of the families in our working class neighborhood only owned one car, many of which were eight to ten years old, so driving up the street in a new one brought everyone out of their houses. Admiring glances and congrat-

ulations were the order of the day. My favorite story about the Chrysler took place just a couple of weeks after it was purchased. My father wanted to have the car undercoated, and made that part of the deal when he bought it. An appointment was made, and a couple of weeks later, the day came to take the car back to the dealership, Mel Wolff Chrysler Plymouth Imperial on Western Avenue, to have the undercoating done. My father got a ride to work that day, and because I was on summer vacation from school, first thing in morning I was to drive it to the dealership. While driving the car to have it undercoated might not

53

Chrysler offered by both 383 and 440 cubic inch engines in 1967. The ad copy in the brochure notes that all Chryslers were equipped with large displacement engines. No wimpy small engines for a Chrysler in 1967!

seem very exciting, I had made some extracurricular plans that included my good friend, Bobby. Bobby’s father always drove a Pontiac, and at the time, had an Iris Mist 1965 Grand Prix that was powered by a 389 backed by a Turbo Hydramatic transmission. We decided to stage a drag race between the two cars on Ford City Drive. A

Cover of the 1967 Chrysler Brochure

favorite piece of road for street racers at night, Ford City Drive was exactly one mile long. It ran between Cicero Avenue on the west and Pulaski Road on the east, had two lanes in each direction with a wide medium and only one cross street. Ford City Drive was an access route for the shopping mall, and at Kostner Avenue, the cross street at the mid-point of the ‘Drive, it even had a traffic light, which also served as an

impromptu Christmas Tree. Some enterprising racer had even painted a white stripe on the pavement at the quarter mile mark as a finish line, making it the perfect place to settle disputes quickly, without having to drive over an hour to US30 Dragstrip in Gary, Indiana. Yeah, like our fathers were going to let us do that with their cars! Budding drag racers that we were, here was an excellent opportunity to see

whose family had the faster car. The result was a classic Pontiac versus Chrysler showdown. At the appointed time, Bobby and I met and drove our respective cars to the light at Kostner, carefully timing it as we approached, so that it would be changing to red when we got there. As if by divine providence, there was no traffic heading eastbound in front of us that morning, so we had the

Ford City Drive as it looks today facing east toward Pulaski Road, past the stoplight at Kostner. While the lanes are now overgrown on the edges, back in the ‘60’s, it was two full lanes wide in each direction.

54

road to ourselves. I pulled the column shifted Torqueflite into first, and eagerly watched the opposing traffic signal. When its yellow light lit, I moderately brake torqued the Chrysler in anticipation of seeing the green light for the lanes in our direction. I needed every break I could get, and was determined to leave on the Pontiac the instant that bulb lit, because the Chrysler was only equipped with the base 270 horsepower two barrel 383, while the Pontiac had a 55 horse advantage with its 325 horsepower four barrel engine. I knew that there

was no way the Chrysler was going to run down the Pontiac on the big end with the horsepower deficit, so the getting the jump at the starting line was going to be the key to winning the race. A split second later, the green light lit. I pulled a holeshot on the Pontiac, accompanied by a chirp from the Chrysler’s rear tire. Without a tach to rely on, I went with my instincts, and when it seemed like the 383 had reached its red line, I shifted into second, glanced in the rear view mirror and

saw that Bobby was a good two car lengths back of me. We were really moving now, and when it came time for the shift into third I looked in the mirror again, and could see the Ponti-

Other than the color, the 1967 Chrysler Newport 2 door hardtop in brochure is just like the one my father bought. Chrysler called the 2 door hardtop the “Fast-Top, thanks to the fastback style roofline. 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix in Iris Mist from original factory brochure. This Grand Prix is identical to the one Bobby drove in the race.

The factory brochures for both the 1967 Chrysler and 1965 Pontiac both feature beautiful portrait style art layouts rather than the usual factory photos. This trend was started in 1959, when professional artists Art Fitzpatrick and Van Kaufman were commissioned by Pontiac to create the art for brochures and many of the full page ads that were run in national magazines. Art Fitzpatrick was originally an automotive designer before transitioning into advertising art, while Van Kaufman started his career as a Disney illustrator. Known in the industry as Fitz and Van, Fitzpatrick drew the cars, while Kaufman drew the people and backgrounds. These two men created some of the most memorable automotive ads that have ever been published. Needless to say, they influenced automotive advertising for many years, and the 1967 Chrysler brochure mirrors the style they popularized.

55

ac closing in on my right rear quarter. The finish line came up quicker than I expected, and while the Pontiac was getting close, the Chrysler held onto the lead and was victorious, earning my eternal respect. I drove the Chrysler many

Today, life is all about second chances. And while it’s been written by some that you can’t go back, their assumption is wrong. There’s no better way to escape to a simpler time and place for me, than in my 1967 Chrysler.

times over the years my father owned it, but never had another adventure like that. Today, that wonderful car is long gone, sold in 1976 for the paltry sum of 650 dollars. Only the memories remain. In fact, they are much more than that, they are grand memories from another time and place. Memories of a young man and his first experience driving a brand new car. The thought of getting behind the large black steering wheel with the bright chrome horn ring, spinning the Pentastar emblazoned ignition key and awakening that big 383 are forever etched in my mind. So many times I think, if only I could just go back to that magical time and place…… The young man in the Chrysler who faced off against his friend in the Pontiac down that two lane stretch of blacktop so long ago is now nearly a senior citizen, but he’s still young at heart. And a chal56

lenge from the next lane, intentional or otherwise, still elicits the same response as it did then. All it takes is one look at the vehicle and driver, a quick downshift to first, a glance at the opposing signal to anticipate the green light and it’s time to lay waste to the would be protagonist. Unless I’ve underestimated the aggressiveness of the driver and the capability of his vehicle, when the traffic light flashes green, by the time he figures out what happened, I’m long gone. Some things just never change. Today, life is all about second chances. And while it’s been written by some that you can’t go back, their assumption is wrong. There’s no better way to escape to a simpler time and place for me, than in my 1967 Chrysler. Although my father’s original is now little more than a memory, I was fortunate to find another one, or perhaps it found me. Ultra

1967 Chrysler Town and Country in Spice Gold Metallic. It’s big, beautiful and incredibly roomy. Believe it or not, with the rear seats folded down, it will carry 4 x 8 sheets of

plywood flat on the floor. They sure don’t make cars like this anymore.

low miles, mint original condition, and sporting the exact same exterior and interior colors and trim as the original I remember so well, except that this one is a very rare wagon rather than a two door hardtop. Yes, it’s been 43 years since the Chrysler was new,

but the Spice Gold Metallic paint still glows with the same intensity in the morning sunlight as it did when it rolled off the showroom floor. The rich black vinyl interior with the fold down center armrest is just a comfortable as it was on that bright summer day in ’67. And the icing on the cake

is that it’s equipped with the 383 four barrel engine that produces 325 horsepower, along with a dual snorkel air cleaner and dual exhaust. Bobby, can you hear me calling you for a rematch? So, the next time you need a break from the stress and fast pace of today’s multi tasking world, join me for a trip back to a time when there were no smart phones or iPads. Just open the Chrysler’s door and get in. It’s the elusive portal that you’ve been searching for, where the memories are so strong that they can transport you back to that special time and place we all once took for granted, but now covet.

Interior of 1967 Chrysler with fold down armrest that offers bucket seat like style

57

But Wait, T

A

t the 2006 North American International Automobile Show in Detroit, Dodge unveiled a Challenger concept based on the new Chrysler 300 LX platform. Rumors had been swirling about the rebirth of the Challenger, and it was known in industry circles that the Chrysler Pacifica Studio in Carlsbad, California had been developing it as an answer to the wildly successful 2005 Mustang that evoked strong images of the 1967 ‘Stang. Needless to say, there was a high level of expectation for the Challenger, and when the cover came off, the Hemi Orange SRT-8 concept looked like the much heralded original, which was exactly what Mopar enthusiasts were clamoring for. With the new retro themed Mustang the only vehicle available in the segment for sale in the US, the market was ripe for some serious competition. After the Challenger debut, over in the Chevrolet exhibit, GM had unveiled a Camaro concept that was loosely based on the extremely popular 1969 car. It appeared that the pony cars wars were ready to start up again, with modern versions of the original players. The word from Chrysler at the Detroit show was that it would take 18 to 24 months for the Challenger to go from concept to production, and they were true to their word. When the new Challenger

Déjà v

Nr. Morn’s S/FX Coronet on the track at Lions. Photo courtesy of the Mr. Norm’s Collection

went into production in late spring of 2008, it not only delivered on the promise of the concept; in fact, it looked nearly identical to the prototype that garnered so much attention two years earlier. And much like the original in 1970, enthusiasts were not 58

only eager to own a new Challenger, but were biting at the bit to personalize them with performance and cosmetic enhancements just as they had done with the original. Later that year, the SEMA SHOW played host to the coming out party for customized

There’s More

vu

Dyer’s record breaking run at Lions made the front page of the Los Angeles Herald with the headline “8.63 It’s What’s Happening Baby,” and in the process, made Grand Spaulding Dodge a household name from coast to coast.

versions of the new Challenger. Just as he did back in 1970, Mr. Norm was leading the pack with a wide range of

Performance spoken here. Kenne Bell Supercharged 6.1 Hemi engine in Mr. Norm’s Super Challenger.

59

Mr. Norm’s Super Challenger on display at the 2009 Chicago Automobile Show in the Dodge Exhibit

performance parts and accessories ready to go for this exciting new Dodge. No stranger to making a big splash, Mr. Norm and his team arrived at the SEMA SHOW with not one or two, but a trio of exciting new Challengers, each strategically placed on the show floor and each distinctly different. The Mr. Norm’s Super Challenger that was displayed in the Katzkin Leather exhibit exemplified what modern muscle is all about. Looking something like Darth Vader on wheels, with its sinister black body, accented with a contrasting red stripe, it personified everything that Mr. Norm’s performance legacy stands for. Powered by a 2.8 liter Kenne Bell Twin Screw

Mr. Norm’s Super Cuda was featured on the cover of DRIVE! Magazine in the USA as seen above left and A-CARS Magazine in Japan , above left

Supercharged 6.1 Hemi, the Challenger rolled on bold 22 inch Rodtana multi piece billet wheels that were color matched to the black Challenger, right down to the contrasting red stripes. Pirelli Scorpion Zero Assimetrico tires provided much needed

grip for the blown Hemi, while SSBC V8 – 8 Piston disc brakes provided gforce like stopping power. Inside, a Katzkin custom leather interior continued the theme with its thoughtful integration of the exterior colors. In addition, the Challenger featured

Mr. Norm’s Super Cuda on display in the Hotchkis Performance exhibit at the 2008 SEMA SHOW

61

a myriad of aftermarket parts and accessories, making it a real show standout. Simultaneously, in the Hotchkis Performance exhibit, the Mr. Norm’s Super Cuda made its debut. Wearing a coat of Hemi Orange paint with a contrasting matte black hood and AAR Cuda inspired strobe stripes, the Mr. Norm’s Super Cuda didn’t stop there. It also showcased a 1971 Cuda style saw tooth grille, chrome hood pins and Cuda inspired tail panel overlay to accentuate the theme. The Super Cuda also featured the latest Hotchkis lowered suspension and sway bars for the new Challenger. Rolling stock consisted of bold five spoke billet wheels with a real vintage

Mr. Norm’s Super Challenger in the Katzkin

Mr. Norm’s Super Challenger and Super Cuda on display at the 2009 San Diego International Automobile Show

muscle car appearance, along with Pirelli tires and another set of massive SSBC V8-8 Piston disc brakes. Inside, Katzkin created a vibrant custom leather interior that was accented with ‘Cuda orange and black seat inserts. The third car was an over the top Mr. Norm’s Super Challenger. Decked out in a custom black over silver paint scheme, it wowed attendees in the Corsa Performance Exhibit. The Super Challenger featured a Kenne Bell fully polished supercharger, along

n exhibit at the 2008 SEMA SHOW

with a modern version of the iconic Magnum 500 wheels in a 22 inch diameter that were matched with Pirelli Scorpion Zero Assimetrico tires in a staggered fitment. Other features included a Katzkin custom leather interior, with the Mr. Norm’s Super Challenger logo embroidered in silver to match the body color. A Corsa cat back dual exhaust lent a bold aggressive tone to not only this Challenger but all three. After the SEMA Show, these three Challengers were photographed for numerous enthusiast magazines and displayed at shows and events all over the country, such as the Mopar Nationals, Mopars at the Strip, the San Diego International Automobile Show and the Spring Festival of LXs. Of particular note was the Dodge exhibit at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, where the silver and black Mr. Norm’s Super Challenger was a prominent part of the display. Just as he did back in 1970 when the Challenger first hit the scene, Mr. Norm continued to deliver on his

62

Later that year the SEMA SHOW played host to the coming out party for custom-

ized versions of the new Challenger. Just as he did in past years, Mr. Norm was leading the pack with a wide range of parts and accessories

ready to go for this exciting new Dodge

promise to offer Mopar enthusiasts new levels of performance and vehicle personalization. Thank goodness some things never change!