- Local time
- 8:41 AM
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2012
- Messages
- 59,218
- Reaction score
- 204,662
- Location
- Maskachusetts
How Do You Handle The Mopar Craziness?
- Thread starter Udderchaos
- Start date
Bruzilla
Well-Known Member
First Bill, welcome to Mopar Nation, and we're always glad to have another new face, and car, in the crowd.
The problem you mention has always been here, and it all goes to numbers. Chevy and Ford made thousands of cars for every one that Chrysler made, which is why you still see so many of them driving around. They were a dime a dozen then and they still are. I think the best example of this is when you consider Chevy made more Camaros in 1969 than Chrysler made Barracudas/Cudas and Challengers from 1970-1974! Since the odds of a guy needing a part for his small block Chevy or Ford is much more likely than for a Mopar, and since there's only so much space in a store, the dealers have always stocked up on what they were most likely to sell and we've been having to special order stuff forever. But it's a lot better now than it used to be. I remember having to wait weeks for parts instead of hours or a day, so things are getting better from a logistics viewpoint.
And you can forget going to service departments. There was a run on them from the late 1980s through the 1990s, and anything that could be considered NOS was cleaned out of there by guys wanting to make a fast buck off the collector car craze. There was no gradual turnover of stock or parts knowledge because all the parts just disappeared and the guys working there today usually have no idea about older cars because they've never been in the stockroom asking "what's this old thing for?"
The up side to all of this has been that Mopar guys tend to know a lot more about their cars than Chevy or Ford guys because we have always been left to our own devices to get what we need. You ask a Chevy or Ford guy where you can get a part, and they'll know Summit, Jegs, or a local chain store. You ask Mopar guys and they know junk yards, small shops, specialty stores, chain stores, buddies, online outlets, what all the prices are, who has the best stuff, who can you trust/not trust, etc., so having that patience has made us a lot more knowledgeable than our blue oval/bowtie brethren.
We used to have to wait a couple of months for the next Mopar car show to exchange all that information, but with forums like this you can get whatever information, or leads on parts, you need very quickly.
It can be a pain sometimes, but it does have its virtues too. I can ask a Camaro owner where to get some upper control arms, and he'll say he got a set for $500 from Summit. I can ask a Mopar guy where to get upper control arms and after rubbing his chin a bit he'll say "you know, I needed a set of those myself a while back, and I remember my buddy Jim's cousin Sam had a set sitting in his garage. I think he only wanted $100 for them. Here's his number. Give him a call." Then you get to meet Sam, get your control arms, and he gives you leads on other parts you need. Overall, I like our system better.
The problem you mention has always been here, and it all goes to numbers. Chevy and Ford made thousands of cars for every one that Chrysler made, which is why you still see so many of them driving around. They were a dime a dozen then and they still are. I think the best example of this is when you consider Chevy made more Camaros in 1969 than Chrysler made Barracudas/Cudas and Challengers from 1970-1974! Since the odds of a guy needing a part for his small block Chevy or Ford is much more likely than for a Mopar, and since there's only so much space in a store, the dealers have always stocked up on what they were most likely to sell and we've been having to special order stuff forever. But it's a lot better now than it used to be. I remember having to wait weeks for parts instead of hours or a day, so things are getting better from a logistics viewpoint.
And you can forget going to service departments. There was a run on them from the late 1980s through the 1990s, and anything that could be considered NOS was cleaned out of there by guys wanting to make a fast buck off the collector car craze. There was no gradual turnover of stock or parts knowledge because all the parts just disappeared and the guys working there today usually have no idea about older cars because they've never been in the stockroom asking "what's this old thing for?"
The up side to all of this has been that Mopar guys tend to know a lot more about their cars than Chevy or Ford guys because we have always been left to our own devices to get what we need. You ask a Chevy or Ford guy where you can get a part, and they'll know Summit, Jegs, or a local chain store. You ask Mopar guys and they know junk yards, small shops, specialty stores, chain stores, buddies, online outlets, what all the prices are, who has the best stuff, who can you trust/not trust, etc., so having that patience has made us a lot more knowledgeable than our blue oval/bowtie brethren.
We used to have to wait a couple of months for the next Mopar car show to exchange all that information, but with forums like this you can get whatever information, or leads on parts, you need very quickly.It can be a pain sometimes, but it does have its virtues too. I can ask a Camaro owner where to get some upper control arms, and he'll say he got a set for $500 from Summit. I can ask a Mopar guy where to get upper control arms and after rubbing his chin a bit he'll say "you know, I needed a set of those myself a while back, and I remember my buddy Jim's cousin Sam had a set sitting in his garage. I think he only wanted $100 for them. Here's his number. Give him a call." Then you get to meet Sam, get your control arms, and he gives you leads on other parts you need. Overall, I like our system better.
rumblefish360
Well-Known Member
Well, not having a "Me too" car has its pit falls. You learn to net work through places like this forum a d local car meets. Most of here do our own work on most everything. Resto houses a d speed shops cater to our needs more than a NAPA or AutoZone will. Though I have not had a big problem in getting parts locally from such places.
my thoughts exactly. i stopped watching MECUM auctions for the simple fact....IF I SEE ONE MORE FREEKIN 1969 CAMARO (vomit).......IM GOING TO VOMIT !....gawd !
eric383
Well-Known Member
I guess I have always been one of the guys that march to the beat of a different drummer. Sure it can be challanging to find parts but it sure makes up for it when you are one of a handful of guys that show up with a Mopar at a big show. Also the Mopar guys are just a little different(in a good way) and almost like a fraternity. Anyone can own a Mustang or Camaro, Chevelle, etc. but it takes a little more to own a Mopar.
marlabuck
Well-Known Member
When I relocated the alternator,I went to the parts store asking for alt belts in 4 different lengthes.He kept asking me what the application was,I told him I didn't want to confuse him.He insisted saying it was the ONLY way he could look it up.I had to leave and go to another store after I told him the application and he said it doesn't exsist:no:
100%...tis' true this ... I hate to say a 1973 Roadrunner to these kid techs...if it doesn't have a computer...it does not compute....Marla
You took the words right off my key board prop...it's the thrill of the hunt
rsd859
Well-Known Member
Isn't that the car Starsky and Hutch had ?
They drove a 74 Torino, similar striping tho.
Northwest
Well-Known Member
I think being a Mopar guy you understand the real fun in life is NOT following the crowd and doing all the same safe, easy, predictable stuff. Anyone can do that.
Its like this:
Most people go out to eat at a generic chain restaurant like Applebees or Chilis - when the real good food is usually around the corner in sub shop run by a guy named Vinny.
Most people go to Vegas and spend their time on the generic casinos on the strip - when the real fun happens off the strip on Fremont street.
Most people go to Florida and vacation in Orlando and trot around Disney world like a bunch of robots - when the real fun is in Key West.
Most guys doing muscle cars buy a Chevelle, Camaro or Mustang....
Its like this:
Most people go out to eat at a generic chain restaurant like Applebees or Chilis - when the real good food is usually around the corner in sub shop run by a guy named Vinny.
Most people go to Vegas and spend their time on the generic casinos on the strip - when the real fun happens off the strip on Fremont street.
Most people go to Florida and vacation in Orlando and trot around Disney world like a bunch of robots - when the real fun is in Key West.
Most guys doing muscle cars buy a Chevelle, Camaro or Mustang....
RustyRatRod
Well-Known Member
Yeah and it's amusing to me when I go to a car show (which is rare). All the chebbie guys like to huddle together grinnin and laughin and thinkin their stuff is the coolset, when, in actual reality, none of their stuff is fresh and has been done thousands of times before.
1mightymopar
Well-Known Member
Well put. It's like chasing women. Half the fun is in the chase. When I finally locate a part and finish the project, I get bored. I look for something else to hunt and work on. I think I spend more time in the parts area than the show area at car shows sometimes. It's all part of the fun of this hobby for me anyway.
Udderchaos
Well-Known Member
I see the many valid points. I enjoy the hunt myself. But stalking the game(part) is frustrating. I don't have that much patience. Delayed gratification, no..
I showed a pic of the Belvedere to a buddy of mine. Another feller saw the pic and asked what year Chevelle it is..Really.?? P L Y M O U T H is spelled out front and back.
The service tech told me of an old Mopar codger at another dealership. The tech told me "Jim" knows his MOPARS. But, he is a real a$$hole and a d!(khead when you ask for info regarding MOPARS. I never even tried.
I can't stand 67-69 camaros, 68-72 Chevellles 79-90's Rustangs . Almost like opinions and a$$holes, you know the rest..
At one of the box parts stores, I asked the counter guy if he knew anything about Mopars. He told me he didn't, pointed to another employee and said "He knows about Mopars". I went down to the "Mopar" feller and asked if he knew a lot about Mopars. He told me " I know better than to buy one". Okay then. Turns out, a majority of the places I go say about the same thing. The old school parts employees think the Belve is cool. I get the old school parts people saying "Bring that thing by when you get it done." Young kids look at it with the "What's THAT.?" look. No fart can, no computer=lost kids.
There are many rings of people with parts out there. One person knows a guy that has two of that part. He lives right over the hill. Go see that guy, he knows of another guy that has tons of parts. Then, you visit the guy with three barns of premo parts. He takes you in the barns, shows you seven Hemi's still in crates, tons of chrome peices still in wrappers and won't part with anything like it's his first born. Frustrating.. Why did you show me then.?
I raced off road for twenty years. I'm one to build something to make something work, than buy it from Summit, Jegs, Speedway or some other big name. Getting to know the vehicle like that is WAY more rewarding than buying and installing a part. Built, not bought theory.
Nice reading all the comments/replies. Again, not degrading Mopar or anybody, just going by what I've experienced.
I showed a pic of the Belvedere to a buddy of mine. Another feller saw the pic and asked what year Chevelle it is..Really.?? P L Y M O U T H is spelled out front and back.
The service tech told me of an old Mopar codger at another dealership. The tech told me "Jim" knows his MOPARS. But, he is a real a$$hole and a d!(khead when you ask for info regarding MOPARS. I never even tried.
I can't stand 67-69 camaros, 68-72 Chevellles 79-90's Rustangs . Almost like opinions and a$$holes, you know the rest..
At one of the box parts stores, I asked the counter guy if he knew anything about Mopars. He told me he didn't, pointed to another employee and said "He knows about Mopars". I went down to the "Mopar" feller and asked if he knew a lot about Mopars. He told me " I know better than to buy one". Okay then. Turns out, a majority of the places I go say about the same thing. The old school parts employees think the Belve is cool. I get the old school parts people saying "Bring that thing by when you get it done." Young kids look at it with the "What's THAT.?" look. No fart can, no computer=lost kids.
There are many rings of people with parts out there. One person knows a guy that has two of that part. He lives right over the hill. Go see that guy, he knows of another guy that has tons of parts. Then, you visit the guy with three barns of premo parts. He takes you in the barns, shows you seven Hemi's still in crates, tons of chrome peices still in wrappers and won't part with anything like it's his first born. Frustrating.. Why did you show me then.?
I raced off road for twenty years. I'm one to build something to make something work, than buy it from Summit, Jegs, Speedway or some other big name. Getting to know the vehicle like that is WAY more rewarding than buying and installing a part. Built, not bought theory.
Nice reading all the comments/replies. Again, not degrading Mopar or anybody, just going by what I've experienced.
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT....and be ridiculed and punished for it....but it sure is fun!
Sonny Black
Well-Known Member
E, that is so true....the Mopar people gather and B.S. like we know each other for years..
also driving up in a car that is the only one like it & sounds mean, gets looks, is pricless ( I love this $hit)
:hello2:
cr8crshr
Well-Known Member
- Local time
- 6:41 AM
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2009
- Messages
- 6,603
- Reaction score
- 11,807
- Location
- Northwest Nevada
For me it's simple...I got into MOPARS as a result of my Brother buying his first. We grew up in a Ford Family so it was natural to gravitate in that direction. Besides...That is what I started wrenching on in the first place. After taking the plunge into MOPARS, I now have a respectful affinity for them because of the challenges we all assume with this Marquee. Keeps me coming back for more. Now that I am somewhat an "Old Head" when it comes to MOPAR, I have discovered how really close we in this Marquee are to Ford. The Dodge Brothers initially worked for Henry Ford building his automobiles but left after some time to form their own building establishment. In fact a little bit of info to help you out here...
Say that you need to replace your MOPAR windshield Washer Reservoir and Pump. Now the MOPAR pump will set you back from anywhere in the range of 60.00 - 100.00 plus. The exact same pump from Ford is around 20.00-40.00 depending upon the sources. It is the exact "FREAKING" pump. Now the purists will say OK...But it ain't a MOPAR piece. I say to them...yes it is because the Vendor that made them for MOPAR also made them for Ford and some GM applications. Might not have the Pentastar Logo on it, but the rest is the same. For me if I need to replace one, I will go with the Ford unit over the MOPAR because I am not that concerned with "Concourse Correctness" as I build my rides to be driven and function.
We have a higher standard here when it comes to MOPARS and therefore have to spend more time in getting parts and accessories that we need to build and restore/replace parts on our cars. If you know what you are looking for, you most often times can use other Marquee's parts that are the exact same pieces/parts but at a fraction of the costs. I appreciate all Marquees and anyone who is in this Hobby. I am not nor have I been a fan of Chevy. Pontiac, Olds, Buick are some fascinating Marquees and do pick my interest, Mopars are my first choice and if I wern't playing with them I would be more inclined to be playing with Fords. And not just the Mustangs. Ford after all had some way over the top models of American Muscle that are just as awesome as our MOPARS. Just my 2 cents and where I am at in this wonderful Hobby...Tuck
Say that you need to replace your MOPAR windshield Washer Reservoir and Pump. Now the MOPAR pump will set you back from anywhere in the range of 60.00 - 100.00 plus. The exact same pump from Ford is around 20.00-40.00 depending upon the sources. It is the exact "FREAKING" pump. Now the purists will say OK...But it ain't a MOPAR piece. I say to them...yes it is because the Vendor that made them for MOPAR also made them for Ford and some GM applications. Might not have the Pentastar Logo on it, but the rest is the same. For me if I need to replace one, I will go with the Ford unit over the MOPAR because I am not that concerned with "Concourse Correctness" as I build my rides to be driven and function.
We have a higher standard here when it comes to MOPARS and therefore have to spend more time in getting parts and accessories that we need to build and restore/replace parts on our cars. If you know what you are looking for, you most often times can use other Marquee's parts that are the exact same pieces/parts but at a fraction of the costs. I appreciate all Marquees and anyone who is in this Hobby. I am not nor have I been a fan of Chevy. Pontiac, Olds, Buick are some fascinating Marquees and do pick my interest, Mopars are my first choice and if I wern't playing with them I would be more inclined to be playing with Fords. And not just the Mustangs. Ford after all had some way over the top models of American Muscle that are just as awesome as our MOPARS. Just my 2 cents and where I am at in this wonderful Hobby...Tuck
Bruzilla
Well-Known Member
Ah, that's a different problem all together. We never had that problem back in the 70s and early 80s. Most of us were eager to get rid of stuff that was taking up room, and we traded it or gave it away most of the time. But once 1987 rolled around, and all this former crap now had growing dollar signs on it, then everything changed. Another down side to the rise in values was the rise of operators who would come across as poor owners who couldn't afford the rising cost of parts and who would prey on the feelings of a lot of good-hearted people to give them stuff, then turn right around and sell it... often right in the face of the person who gave it to them! A lot of great bridges have been burned that way, and that's a shame. I have lots of stuff I could give away, but in most cases I have no idea who really needs something and who's just wanting something for free so they can turn around and sell it. That's why I like the Parts Wanted section of this forum as I have a better chance of finding someone who actually needs something I don't mind giving away.
You just need to accept that you have hoarders/collectors out there who don't want to sell anything; you've got guys who make a living selling parts and will demand top dollar; and then you've got guys who are just in it for the hobby who will help you get what you need at a decent price. Focus on finding the members of that later group and you'll do fine.
Perfect case in point was the carb for my 440. I found three 850 Carters for sale in my area. One needed rebuilt and the guy wanted $95. One had been rebuilt and the guy wanted $235 for it. The third had been rebuilt and was going to be used on a 440 being dropped into a mid-70s Monaco, but the owner decided to keep the 360 he had in there and didn't need the carb so he sold it to me for $50. He put me onto a guy I got the shift levers for the 727 I needed and I got those for free. These folks are out there. You just need to find them.
pabster
Well-Known Member
I have one of about 8 3rd gen Chargers in my county. I've only seen 2 others that looked great, the rest are chopped up and thrashed. I get more thumbs up, people chatting with me, telling me their Mopar stories than I ever have with any other car.
Granted, I'm really lucky to have gotten a total survivor that doesn't need much work, but I love the fact that I got into this hobby relatively cheaply, and I get all the benefits of being part of the Mopar crowd.
It's the love of the underdog, the uniqueness of our cars design, the rarity, the mystique. I think the awesomeness of classic Mopars far outweighs the annoyance with finding parts for them. I've never owned an old Chevy or Ford, but if you want worry free dealing with parts/prices, guess that's the way to go.
Granted, I'm really lucky to have gotten a total survivor that doesn't need much work, but I love the fact that I got into this hobby relatively cheaply, and I get all the benefits of being part of the Mopar crowd.
It's the love of the underdog, the uniqueness of our cars design, the rarity, the mystique. I think the awesomeness of classic Mopars far outweighs the annoyance with finding parts for them. I've never owned an old Chevy or Ford, but if you want worry free dealing with parts/prices, guess that's the way to go.
HT413
Semi Pro Bowler
One benefit is instead of having 10,000 morons on a Chevelle forum all f-bombing each other, you get a small group of like minded people trying to help, learn, and enjoy the hobby.
Propwash
Well-Known Member
- Local time
- 8:41 AM
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2009
- Messages
- 9,711
- Reaction score
- 4,312
- Location
- Island of Misfit Toys
That's a good point AL.....The guys that did the machine work on my engine and heads on the 512, none of them were under the mid-fifties or so. Scared to think what it's going to be like in 5-10 years. The knowledge and experience these guys have is priceless and there's no one following in their foot steps. Guess I'll have to be like Meep and start buying my own machine equipment or else it's looking like i'm pretty much up a creek.
Similar threads
