45.
Raised on a 1960's era dairy farm in the middle of nowhere WI, with Grandparents that grew up during and right after the depression. I was raised in a home that mirrored how life was with "the greatest generation" if that makes any sense. The stuff in the 80's that people thought was cool, was not part of my home but I saw it on TV lol. Internet was not a thing basically until I was about out of high school. Cable TV was for city folks. We still had the 1978 Curtis Mathis console in the living room. Farm was fully equipped with the best 30 year old machinery available when it went to auction lol.
I was a Ford guy in my youth, because we had a few on the farm. Trucks that is. And in the 80's and 90's, if you wanted a sports car with a V8 you were either chebby camp or Ford, and the chebby guys were zealot crazy in WI back then. Why not an old Mopar? Because this was WI. Either the car was a cream puff or half of it was missing.
I do have a soft spot for Olds. Grandpa had a Cutlass with a 350, the first car I remember riding in was a 1972 Delta 88 with a 455. Ma's favorite car ever. Growing up with 1960's era tractors of various makes you become inquisitive about how the engines work and why they are so different. it gave me perspective on the different brands. I liked Olds for it's gut power, I liked Ford small blocks because they were rev happy. I didn't get to drive a mopar until I was out of High School.
And that was what got me into them. First it was neighbor's 1991 Cummins. Then it was a 1986 D200 with a 318 and maybe the lowest gearing I have ever seen, I mean besides the '64 F200 we had(pumpkin on that old ford was massive, probably from an older bigger truck) and that 318 was smooth and reliable. First truck I bought when the trusty farm 79 F250 finally rotted away was a 2001 Ram offroad edition. That lead to my brand new '13 Charger AWD 5.7.
I had a Bronco, rotted out. Wanted another like 5 years ago. Bronco prices went full retard. So I bought a Ramcharger to fix up, because the neighbor had one when I was a kid and it was the coolest 4x4 I had ever seen. Driven by a 90lb tiny lady(not the typical farmer's wife lol) I am glad I got the Ramcharger, they are extinct in WI and everyone I meet with it has fond memories of them from decades back.
My 94 Mustang was sold to my son at steep discount to keep it in the family. My 2001 Ram went to my brother in law for pennies as he couldn't afford a truck and I had my eye on the mechanic's 2002 2500HD 8.1/allison crew cab. So I am not a zealot. My time with the numerous gas and diesel burning engines throughout the years, tractor, trucks, cars(chainsaws, lawnmowers, lol) I look at the drivetrain and not so much the nametag, but I do have my favorites
IMO, Mopar made a complete package lineup while the rest had shining spots and mega-duds. Even in the turbo years, Mopar has some nice projects I would like to take on, but cars are expensive lol.
The Ramcharger is done enough to drive daily to work all summer. I picked up a 78 Monaco police, detectives car(county detective, this is WI not Chicago) that is awaiting funding. I found a 98 Dakota 5.2/5 speed mini hot rod last year for a grand with 52k miles on it. I might be further along with things if I hadn't given away a couple vehicles like I did to family, but that is what you do for family, that's how I was raised.
These days, I lean towards old Mopar because I still can't stand dealing with local zealot chebby guys and anything newer then 1995, Ford lost their dang mind on. I still have a 74 Cutlass W30 on the bucket list, and a Warlock or Macho. maybe if things go right I will look for another smaller car, either an early 80's AMC Spirit(probably not) or something really out there like a Magnum swapped Conquest or somthing, something no one has done. But right now family first(always) and the country is in a bad way so that stuff is on hold.
Yes, this is long. I am not quite at Budnicks level but I give him a run for the money somtimes
