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- Joined
- Dec 3, 2020
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- Location
- western Maryland
I was born in '72 and Mom brought me home in this:
My cousin totalled it around '75 or '76 (we still haven't forgiven him). I'd seen it, there's pics of me as a kid playing around it, but like most of my generation I was (over)exposed to the Dukes of Hazzard and one day while watching, mom piped up "well you remember I used to have one of those, right?". She showed me a bunch of the photos of her, me, dad, the car...and it really lit the fire for me. Hers was a '70, EF8 green, green interior, green top, 318, factory a/c, Charger 500. Knowing hers was gone, I always wanted one and have been keeping an eye out forever. Usually when I find the right car, the wallet disagrees with the timing, or when the wallet has room I can't find one.
I have other cars I lusted after - the original Countach, naturally. Viper. Shelby Cobra. Grand National. But as a kid...they were pure fantasy. I've driven Vipers and they're fun, but now that I have a better handle on the concept of "maintenance" and "parts availability"...I'm not so driven to own one. Drove a GNX in '87, THAT was fun, but no way I could talk dad into buying it (and even LESS chance of buying one myself). Met Carroll Shelby and owned a few of his Mopars over the years (86 GLHS, 87 CSX, 89 CSX), he autographed my '89 for me, always loved the 427 Cobra...till I sat in one and tried to drive it. At 6'4", with size 13 feet...it ain't happenin'. So, that kinda cured that - along with their price tags.
I bought my '72 Satellite wagon in '92 because "it's the closest B-body I'll get to my dream Charger"...and it was $500. Still have it, still love it, still play with it, and am still waffling between the Gen III conversion or just throwing a procharger and Sniper setup on the 360. Fast wagons are cool. I play with my turbo cars; I play with my motorcycles; they keep me happy, and distracted from the fact I didn't have a Charger. I've bought, sold, built, killed, and parted dozens and dozens of cars, and been happy with what I've been doing.
Until last December.
I sold a house last summer, did OK on that, paid off a bunch of bills, and socked the rest of the money in the bank. Then, one slow day at work, I started poking around online to see what Chargers were out there. Found the usual "restored-don't-you-dare-drive-it" gorgeous cars, and the usual overpriced doorhandle-and-VIN-plate "project cars".
Then...I found MINE.
It's an FF4 car instead of EF8, but its still a triple-green 1970 Charger 500, 318, factory a/c.
Finally.
It's amazing the change in overall attitude. This really IS "the one" for me. I no longer compulsively look at other stuff to buy. Friends offer me "fun" little toy beaters like old XJ Cherokees, or other 2.2/2.5 turbo cars...and I pass. I no longer feel like I'm missing anything automotive-ly. I am...content with my garage, and my inventory.
And, the Charger is just about untouched. Completely. It's had one repaint at some point a while ago - single stage lacquer - and I think I've found a small spot of mud over the drivers rear wheel which would explain "why" it was painted. Other than that, and 50 years of maintenance (exhaust, hoses, belts, tuneups, tires)...it's original. Sheetmetal. Mechanical. Interior. It's honest, and real. And, it's not perfect - which I love. I'm not going to be afraid to drive it once the salt is off the roads. I enjoy owning it...but the whole point of owning one, is to DRIVE it and enjoy it!!
My cousin totalled it around '75 or '76 (we still haven't forgiven him). I'd seen it, there's pics of me as a kid playing around it, but like most of my generation I was (over)exposed to the Dukes of Hazzard and one day while watching, mom piped up "well you remember I used to have one of those, right?". She showed me a bunch of the photos of her, me, dad, the car...and it really lit the fire for me. Hers was a '70, EF8 green, green interior, green top, 318, factory a/c, Charger 500. Knowing hers was gone, I always wanted one and have been keeping an eye out forever. Usually when I find the right car, the wallet disagrees with the timing, or when the wallet has room I can't find one.
I have other cars I lusted after - the original Countach, naturally. Viper. Shelby Cobra. Grand National. But as a kid...they were pure fantasy. I've driven Vipers and they're fun, but now that I have a better handle on the concept of "maintenance" and "parts availability"...I'm not so driven to own one. Drove a GNX in '87, THAT was fun, but no way I could talk dad into buying it (and even LESS chance of buying one myself). Met Carroll Shelby and owned a few of his Mopars over the years (86 GLHS, 87 CSX, 89 CSX), he autographed my '89 for me, always loved the 427 Cobra...till I sat in one and tried to drive it. At 6'4", with size 13 feet...it ain't happenin'. So, that kinda cured that - along with their price tags.
I bought my '72 Satellite wagon in '92 because "it's the closest B-body I'll get to my dream Charger"...and it was $500. Still have it, still love it, still play with it, and am still waffling between the Gen III conversion or just throwing a procharger and Sniper setup on the 360. Fast wagons are cool. I play with my turbo cars; I play with my motorcycles; they keep me happy, and distracted from the fact I didn't have a Charger. I've bought, sold, built, killed, and parted dozens and dozens of cars, and been happy with what I've been doing.
Until last December.
I sold a house last summer, did OK on that, paid off a bunch of bills, and socked the rest of the money in the bank. Then, one slow day at work, I started poking around online to see what Chargers were out there. Found the usual "restored-don't-you-dare-drive-it" gorgeous cars, and the usual overpriced doorhandle-and-VIN-plate "project cars".
Then...I found MINE.
It's an FF4 car instead of EF8, but its still a triple-green 1970 Charger 500, 318, factory a/c.
Finally.
It's amazing the change in overall attitude. This really IS "the one" for me. I no longer compulsively look at other stuff to buy. Friends offer me "fun" little toy beaters like old XJ Cherokees, or other 2.2/2.5 turbo cars...and I pass. I no longer feel like I'm missing anything automotive-ly. I am...content with my garage, and my inventory.
And, the Charger is just about untouched. Completely. It's had one repaint at some point a while ago - single stage lacquer - and I think I've found a small spot of mud over the drivers rear wheel which would explain "why" it was painted. Other than that, and 50 years of maintenance (exhaust, hoses, belts, tuneups, tires)...it's original. Sheetmetal. Mechanical. Interior. It's honest, and real. And, it's not perfect - which I love. I'm not going to be afraid to drive it once the salt is off the roads. I enjoy owning it...but the whole point of owning one, is to DRIVE it and enjoy it!!