These Van Nuys Mopar® events (both the Spring and Fall Flings) are actually like two events in one, a large “Car Show” area and a separate “Sway Meet” area. With 37 years of running, the Mopar community knows that twice a year if seeking hard-to-find Chrysler product parts and pieces, a visit to Woodley Park is the place to be! Here’s a recap of our walkthrough and sampling of what was offered at the latest Spring Fling Swap Meet:
RUST-FREE GTX PROJECT CAR
Partially finished Mopar Muscle Car project: 1970 Plymouth GTX, 440 engine out, Dana 60 rear, fully prepped for paint, no rust and straight.
Engine compartment shows definite evidence of Lemon Twist Yellow as the previous paint, as does interior roof area.
Seller has all interior parts as well; obviously a factory 4-speed car.
Underside of car has been prepped for Vitamin C Orange color swap, big Dana 60 differential said to be original to the vehicle.
TONY’S MOPAR PARTS TREASURES
Well-known Mopar parts guru Tony D’Agostino brought along some of his vast inventory of Dodge, Plymouth and Chrysler goodies! Vintage parts, posters, jackets and a full assortment of Mopar collectibles!
RARE POSTER
The cult classic Vanishing Point movie featured Barry Newman and “starred” a white Dodge Challenger; here’s one of the publicity posters. The only thing is, the car in the movie was a 1970 model, the poster depicts an (airbrushed) 1971 grille!
SCHUMACHER CREATIVE
Known as the #1 source for Mopar engine swap kits, Schumacher Creative Services had a display showing products. And sporting her vintage “Direct Connection” jacket, Bethany explained they offer everything from Slant 6 to SB, BB, Gen II and Gen III Swap Kits.
440 SIX PACK ESSENTIALS
Here’s a single purchase: 1969 1/2 Road Runner A12 Edelbrock intake with Chrysler part number, matching carbs, linkage and air cleaner assembly, plus related 440 valve covers. Add in the polished Street HEMI® engine intake, quite a score!
A purchase of this fiberglass A12-style Road Runner hood was just the ticket for the Road Runner project car!
340 SIX PACK ESSENTIALS
Tables and tables of Mopar items. Here’s an Edelbrock aluminum 340 “Six Pack” aftermarket intake, three Holley 2-bbl carbs and the rare “Mr. Norm” cast aluminum “Tri-Power” air cleaner lid. Grand-Spaulding sold Dodge Demon 340s with this upgrade back in the day.
1970 PLYMOUTH E-BODY PROJECT CARS
BARRACUDA GRAN COUPE
1970 Gran Coupe in Blue Fire Metallic factory paint, blue interior, roof-mounted consolette (fitted with Low Fuel, Door Ajar and Fasten Seatbelt warning lights), deluxe molded headliner, leather seats, “Barracuda” markings adorned with coachmaker crests. They were considered the luxury model in the Barracuda lineup. The car was offered for sale at the event and SOLD! Now the work begins…
Gran Coupe emblems on door panels, wood wheel, factory A/C car.
A vinyl top car, “survivor” albeit needing a LOT of TLC; however, it could be a gorgeous car when completed!
383 2-BBL BARRACUDA
Titled in California, 1970 383 2-bbl Barracuda originally in HEMI Orange with White interior, automatic. Has Fender Tag and factory rated at 290 horsepower.
WESTERN SPORT SPECIAL ’70 CHALLENGER
What started out as a 1-of-1,592 produced “Western Sport Special” 1970 383 Challenger, which was a regional option package available in San Francisco and LA County dealerships, it’s now powered by a stroker 440 and set up for drag racing, runs 12.0s at 111 mph. Well detailed, in the “For Sale” area and a true California car and 2nd owner, built in the LA Chrysler Assembly Plant as an Order Number A91 car. Clean!
PLYMOUTH SUBURBAN
1968 Plymouth Fury Suburban station wagon, base model, 122-inch wheelbase. Now fitted with a built 440, cam, headers, Gear Vendors OD on 727 TorqueFlite. 3:23 Sure-Grip, solid rust-free body, C-body big wagon!
SWINGER DART
Walking the massive swap meet grounds, we came up on this rust-free ’70 Dart Swinger small block, a great starting base for a cool project!
440 ROAD RUNNER GTX
Rare Bird! 1973 big block Road Runner, there is production listings that just 117 of these 440-cid U-Code cars rolled off the assembly line for the 1973 model year run. $241.90 got the 440 engine (which also required the $231.65 TorqueFlite transmission), which made it a “GTX” model, officially!
PARTS! PARTS! PARTS!
RB 2X4
“Lookin’ for a correct 2×4 intake with correct Carters for your 300? Yup, got it right here!”
Bucket seat for a Dodge D50 or Plymouth Arrow (import) mini-truck.
Brand-new “Genuine Mopar Parts” Grilles for Dusters and Valiants, just a small glimpse of items offered.
1970-74 Challenger hood, headlight bezels, random parts scattered and plenty of wheelin-dealin’ when multiple items are bought. Swap meet sellers and buyers, etiquette, negotiating along the way!
Rust-free pair of 1966 Dodge Coronet fenders, from a “Deluxe” base model car.
MORE OF EVERYTHING
Small parts, all organized and could be just the items needed to finish or complete that Mopar in the garage!
O.E. air cleaner assemblies, one of the first things that were discarded back in the day…available!
Max Wedge, 340 Six Pack, RB tunnel ram, Gen II HEMI cast aluminum valve covers… just a few of the rare pieces offered up.
World’s largest ‘Cuda emblem!
Service manuals for trucks, Jeep vehicles and modern Rams.
Mopar-themed T-shirts with both “California” and “Michigan” origins, something for every taste!
DODGE TRUCKIN’
1970 Dodge Medium Duty truck spotted in the Swap Meet Area, not for sale, just a totally dedicated and authentic vendor that walks the walk, vintage Mopar trucks still in operation!
Classic mid-’60s Crew Cab Power Wagon (4WD) W200 Sweptline, 160-inch wheelbase, 8-lug wheels, heavy-duty all the way! Vintage Dodge trucks are part of the Van Nuys fun!
This Swap Meet seller came with his personalized Ram pickup, and besides having parts and pieces displayed for sale, had this interesting sign posted: “1970 Gran Coupe Barracuda Convertible For Sale” $51K is the listed price. The Spring Fling is a Mecca for all things Mopar and as such, it’s a fantastic opportunity to network and get the word out about cars and parts that are not on site. The thing about the posted Barracuda, only 554 of them were produced!
Author: James Maxwell
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