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1971 Charger R/T

I purchased this car in May 1982 from the original owner who, believe it or not, was a little old lady.  She told me she walked into Iversen Motor Company in Santa Maria, California late in 1970 wanting “something powerful so I could tow my trailer.” She indeed got what she wanted.  I found the car just a couple of miles from Iverson Motor Company (still in business selling new Mopars until 2009).  I paid $2200 for the car, and I remember at the time feeling like I paid too much.

By the time I got it, the car had racked up 67,000 miles.  The stripe stickers were cracked, there were some parking lot dings, it needed a brake job, and the front seat had been poorly reupholstered to accommodate “booster padding” so she could sit up a few inches higher (she was a small elderly lady).  Other than that, it was a very nice condition “survivor” (see photos below).

After torching the trailer hitch off, I enjoyed (and slightly abused) the car throughout high school and in my first year of college as my daily driver, until spring 1985.  At this time, the car went into storage until I settled down in 1997.  I then pulled the car into my own garage and began slowly but surely bringing it back to life. 

The only major deviation from stock has been the addition of a Direct Connection electronic conversion kit in 1984.

Major factory options include:

• A09 concealed headlamps

• N96 Ramcharger induction

• J81 rear spoiler

• S84 Tuff wheel

 These two pictures show the car the day I brought it home in Spring 1982.  It would today be called a survivor.  Unfortunately, the parking lot dings and cracked stripes were too much for this high school sophomore to take, so I quickly had it repainted.  I specifically remember yanking, and immediately tossing, the factory plug wires and slapping on a set of 8mms.

Above are some current pictures

 In the late 90s I had steel wheels on the car.

Me in 1984 heading off to my Senior Ball in my beloved Charger

My son headed off to his Senior Ball in 2019 in my beloved Charger.  Car was returned without incident.

1971 Chrysler Newport

I bought this Newport in 1997 from a high school kid who had recently purchased it.  He said he couldn't get it to start, and he wanted out.  I paid him $800.  It turns out the choke wasn't working right.  It was an easy fix.  The car is a 383 2bbl, and currently has about 100K miles.  I had it repainted in the original gunmetal in 1999.  It is a joy to drive.