Classics and Vintage Muscle Mopar_® Vehicles

Last time our coverage of this Ontario, CA, Mopar_® gathering revolved around the Modern Mopar scene; this second installment features the classics and vintage muscle Mopar vehicles! This event is really split right down the middle of the venue, showcasing traditional early cars and trucks on one side, featuring modern cars on the other – but in reality, it’s two great Mopar events in one!

Here’s a selection of the vast assortment of Chrysler-built vehicles that were displayed:

HEMI^® POWER WAGON

It’s a 1949 Dodge B-1 Power Wagon 4×4 (Civilian Version) that made its debut at the event. Extremely detailed front to rear, painted Critical Mass Yellow and built for function along with car show build quality!

Yes, a real HEMI engine powers this beast! It’s a Gen II 392-cid version fitted with Hot Heads aluminum cylinder heads, Hilborn electronic fuel injection, March serpentine system, custom-crafted headers (with electric cut-outs) and a whole lot of detail.

Rolling on a 114-inch wheelbase, the Power Wagon featured an 8-foot bed and was equipped to go almost anywhere! During the restoration, the decision was made to go with World War II Weapons Carrier Stockton “Combat Rims” and 37 x 1250R-17 All Terrain BFG rubber, Helitool 4-wheel power disc brakes and to give it the full treatment of modern upgrades without losing the overall vintage flavor. Well done!

Interior appointments include Contempo Castagna and woven leather upholstery, leather-wrapped three-spoke wheel, Moal Aircraft Bomber series gauges, overhead console with Alpine sound system, German square weave wool carpet, power windows and rearview mirror with fore and aft cameras. Check out that long handle pistol grip shifter that controls the NV 4500 5-speed manual gearbox!

1956 FURY

In 1956, Plymouth debuted a new “specialty high-performance” prestige entry called “Fury” and it was meant to be a limited production run of 1,500 units. They were equipped with the 240-horsepower “Hy-Fire” V8 engines displacing 303 cubic inches. (There were no HEMI Plymouth engines in the 1950s.) These 2-door hardtops featured gold-anodized side trim and gold-hued trim. Sales were impressive and production actually went to 4,485 cars. Here’s a well-presented survivor, slightly lowered and fitted with 1957 Dodge Lancer 4-bar wheel covers. Classic cruiser! 

1964 UTILINE DODGE PICKUP

What started as an ex-US Forestry truck has been transformed into a formidable “sport truck” albeit a vintage version! Running on a 114-inch wheelbase, it’s a 1964 Dodge D-100 Stepside, in factory speak known as “Utiline” and originally with a Slant Six powerplant. The stock I-beam front suspension was replaced with a custom-designed IFS arrangement, and fitted with adjustable coil-over shocks. AirLift air shock on the rear, with the stock leafs flipped to lower the ride height. 17-inch rolling stock gives it a more modern look, and every aspect of the rig was given full attention, including a solid oak bed floor done in a red-stained hue.

While the license plate has “HOMELY” lettering, today with fully detailed condition, plus the extra effort put into it to make a legitimate boulevard cruiser, it has certainly been improved upon as compared to how it rolled off the assembly line as a fleet vehicle. Then, when you add in the extra punch under the hood, Mopar purists give it their full kudos!

Now sitting between the frame rails is an .030 over 318 Mopar LA small block fully outfitted with Air Flow Research iron heads, Comp Cams 340-spec camshaft, Direct Connection electronic ignition, Edelbrock intake and authentic “old school” Carter 4-bbl carburetor, along with Doug’s Headers and Flowmaster low restrictive exhaust.

Beautiful Ron Mangus-upholstered seat in red (along with matching headliner), leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, So-Cal Speed Shop gauges, power window conversion, and a high-end sound system by Arc Audio (Riverside, CA). Gotta dig that long handle floor shift (complete with vintage microphone) for the TorqueFlite!

2ND GENERATION CHARGERS

When the new 1968 Dodge Charger rolled out, the 2nd generation of the model, the overall “fuselage” shape of the body was sleek, smooth and racy. “Coke bottle” styling by definition relates to “a double swell in the plan view contour”, which means the body is narrower in the middle section than over the front and rear wheels. And the Dodge stylists nailed it in this design! Add in the “flying buttress” roof lines (where the sail panels slope at a longer angle as compared to the more upright backlight) plus the reverse facing gills in the doors, subtle built-in rear spoiler, full-width grille, a winner all the way and sales shot up as compared to the previous ’67 Fastback Chargers.

The pictured ’68 R/T version, complete with Bumblebee stripe, is a pristine example of the breed and is equipped with slightly wider rear wheels to help fill out the wheel wells. Sweet!

1969 CHARGER

The designers did change the grille on the 1969 Charger, adding a center divider, and on the rear it received revised taillights. This is a “survivor” California car (note the DMV-issued blue with yellow license plates) and while it may not be a daily driver, it does see regular duty on the California roads and freeways!

1969 SUPER BEE

At first glance, this 1969 Dodge Coronet looked like a standard 2-door hardtop 440 model, being beautifully presented in its F5 Green glory. Then after viewing from the rear, the Super Bee emblem on the decklid is revealed. Yes, it’s a Super Bee model! When the owner restored the car, he decided to “downplay” it and not place the round Super Bee markings on the rear, let alone the Bumblebee stripe!

FATHER-SON PROJECT

Another 1969 Dodge Coronet Super Bee (purchased brand new by the grandfather) and now being brought back to showroom condition by the pictured father-and-son team! Factory 383 Magnum V8 power with TorqueFlite, 3.23 rear gears (8 3/4-inch rear end), same ingredients as sister car Road Runner from Plymouth. Options include power disc brakes, power steering, Sure-grip differential and W21 chrome stamped road wheels, vinyl top. Black Bumblebee stripe. MSRP price: $3,756.60

496-CUBE ’69 ROAD RUNNER

A former drag car, this 1969 Road Runner has been converted to a street car configuration and has the total look and flavor of what the Mopar muscle car scene was like all across the country back in the day!

Fully sorted aluminum-headed Mopar big block (440 enlarged to 496 cubes) has all the old-school “go-fast” upgrades and the visual presentation very impressive, it was done with extreme attention to detail!

Car owner Paul Polentz lists all the various modifications the classic ‘Bird has, including that it ran on the dyno delivering 574 horsepower with 632 lbs-ft of torque, and on 91 octane pump gas. Very streetable! American Racing Torq-Thrust wheels gives it the authentic era-correct look!

1969 VALIANT 2-DOOR SEDAN

It’s not always all about Road Runners, Chargers and ’Cudas! Here’s a happy family and their 1969 Plymouth Valiant, a model without the huge following as some others, but still, it has that same genuine Mopar affiliation!

1970 SATELLITE WAGON

1970 Plymouth Satellite Station Wagons ran on a 117-inch wheelbase and were all 4-door in configuration, and featured the two-way tailgate. This example was given the full Pro Touring style treatment, along with subtle body mods, including drip rail removal, tucked bumpers and frenched Charger fuel door. Very creative!

A fully detailed engine bay houses a re-worked small block now displacing 408 cubic inches, complete with aluminum cylinder heads Edelbrock intake with AVS2 650 cfm carburetor.

The customization continues into the interior, custom instrument cluster treatment, fabricated center console and bucket seats.

1973 CHALLENGER 340 FOUR BARREL

At first glance, it’s a 1974 Dodge Challenger, the big bumper guards being the indicator. Then the “340 Four Barrel” hood markings, which contradict the fact that the 340 engine was replace by a 360 for 1974 model year. So we ask the owner, who bought the car from the original owner. He confirmed that it is a ’73 model, and the first owner for whatever reason added the large federally mandated oversize bumper guards. He added those headlight rock guards as well!  

MOPAR PERFORMANCE

Glendora Dodge was in attendance and with an array of Mopar goodies! Included in their assortment were these cast aluminum Black Wrinkle-finish SB valve covers, just the right look for a resto-mod!

OMEGA M IN INK

There’s Mopar T-shirts, hats, jackets, decals, stickers, banners and, for those that choose, Mopar ink!

NEXT IN VINTAGE PART II COVERAGE

Lots more to see from this Southern California Mopar show, including the story of survivor family-owned Duster 340, fun at the event raffle program, plus coverage of the flawless V-code ’70 Challenger R/T that graced the event T-shirt art!

Author: James Maxwell