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Despite the economy, the show was bigger than ever, even with gas at over $4 a gallon!
The yearly Mopar Spring Fling, held in the San Fernando Valley's Woodley Park, was a success once again. Despite gas prices and a slow economy, Mopar enthusiasts brought their cars and parts to this gathering of the faithful. Just Dashes, fresh from the Mopars At The Strip in Vegas, again set up their display booth and brought their latest creation, a '65 Newport "billboard" display car. It was a hit with the crowd.
While attendance was good and the swap meet area full, we didn't see a lot of parts changing hands. There were several interesting project cars sitting on trailers, but the prices were unreal. But, having only attended on Sunday, we really couldn't get a handle on the business done over the whole three-day show. However, regardless of the asking prices, there was almost any part you could ever need laying on the ground.
The show field was full and included everything from AMC to PT Cruiser, Slant Six to Hemi and even Jay Leno's Chrysler Tank engine powered aluminum somethingmobile. The second Leno drove it onto the field both he and the car were mobbed. He hopped out, shook people's hands, chatted and hung out. He is genuinely a car guy!
Just Dashes was a show sponsor and had their new A-Body and B-body dash pad with gauges on display. These pads have been a hit at every show. Well, enough chitchat, lets get looking as some of the cars and parts available for inspection.
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Jay Leno drove his V-12 dual turbo Chrysler tank engine powered street machine to the show. It has an unreal sound and a racecar appearance. Needless to day, it's doubtful if it would fit in a normal garage, but then again, what's normal about Leno and cars?
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There was no lack of E-bodies at this show. Two rows of stock and modified show cars really worked out the class judges.
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This '70 AMC Javelin is powered by a 390 and detailed to the max. It's nice to see these cars being restored and getting out to shows. The owner has had this car for many years and has fine-tuned both the engine and suspension.
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This cross ram intake has been fitted with fuel injectors, basically eliminating the need for the outboard carbs, which now appear to be throttle bodies, This is really a sanitary conversion, and so subtle many unfamiliar with this induction never even noticed the change.
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There was a substantial turn out in the Pre-1950 class. A nice variety of colorful early Mopar iron was represented.
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Two Hemi's were parked in the swap meet area. Yes, they were for sale, and no we don't have that many zeros in the computer. Both were beautiful restorations and certainly the right colors.
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This wild show 'Cuda was on display in the vendor area. It's obviously a well-designed and detailed street machine.
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B-bodies on Parade! Obviously they are giving us the hood salute as we walked by. Every color from the sales brochures was present at this show.
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There were several In-Process cars on the field, nestled between restored examples. The two-tone primer has to be the give-a-way here!
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This black on black 4-gear Hemi Road Runner was stunning. The sheet metal was perfect, as was the engine and under car detailing. We're sure this car took home an award.
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This flamed custom Charger was incredible. It was done inside and out and under as well. The side marker lights were hidden under the paint scheme and the craftsmanship was flawless.
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The same Charger had a completely custom interior. Check out the flamed hand made dash. This car is definitely an over the top custom.
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This is a concours quality restoration. The '70 T/A was perfect from end to end and probably one of, if not the best, restoration at the show. It wasn't a color we would have ordered, but the work was beautiful.
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Here's a custom treatment on the new E-body design. The new Challenger body style has been revamped and converted to a 'Cuda. It looked great, particularly in Plum Crazy!
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We found only three wing cars on the display field. The red Daytona at the left was what appeared to be an original paint car. It was in all original condition with various dents, dings, rust, etc. from 38-years of existence.
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This was the only MOD TOP we saw at the show. It just didn't seem right on a Road Runner, but that was then and this is now.
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There were quite a few early B-bodies on display. Everything from Grandma stockers to Super Stockers were giving the hoods up salute. There were some stunning restorations in this group.
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The Just Dashes crew was there all day Friday and Saturday with their new '65 Newport shop vehicle on display. Business was brisk, and as in Vegas, there was a lot of interest in the new A and B-body dash pad with gauges.
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Need a block or a boat anchor? This trailer was sinking into the grass from the weight of all this Mopar iron. If you were looking for a Chrysler block, this guy had a little of everything.
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Here's an altered wheelbase racer ready to be finished. A good job was done to this point, all it needed was your money!
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The gentleman in the jean jacket had this 1958 experimental slant six aluminum block on display. Apparently, Chrysler made less than 40 of these and this is the only one left. He purchased it from a Chrysler engineer many years ago and now wanted to send it to a new home. We didn't see an asking price.
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This disaster was touted as an original V Code, Plum Crazy car. Along with rust, dents, a destroyed interior, etc. was the price of 24-thousand, sans engine. Whew, has it come to that?
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This vendor was well organized and had a great assortment of parts. Most were clean and looked ready for installation.
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Here's a rare sight. Under dash mounted 45-RPM record players. You had a choice of AVON cologne in car bottles at $5.00 or a record player at $500. We passed on both.
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This is a very nice start on a clone Hemi Challenger convertible. The detailed engine was sitting in a spotless engine compartment, and most of the parts to finish the car came with it. The asking price was 70K and it attracted a lot of attention.
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There were several engine re-builders with displays. This is an early dual-quad Hemi ready for installation. Just add money!
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Now this is a vendor! These guys had everything from trim parts to finished engines. You can see them lined up on a trailer in the background. Except for the sheet metal, everything was cleaned and painted, marked with what gears, applications, etc. He had it all together. | |
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Organization of parts at a swap meet can mean the difference between selling and sitting. Again here's an organized vendor who knew where everything was stashed.
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That's all folks! | |
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