Hey Dad, How Much is That Charger in the Window?

My dad is the business manager for Norco Auto Group (Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge dealership) in Pottstown, Pa. I get your magazine every issue and love the Reader Rides section. I purchased this 2006 Dodge Charger Go Mango from my dad’s dealership. When the car first came into the dealership I fell in love with it. My previous vehicle was a 1997 Jeep Wrangler that I used for off-roading. I ended up going down to the dealership the day it came in so I could check it out and hope that one day I could get a car like that.

I asked my dad what he thought the payments would be. We sat at his desk and worked out the numbers. I’m only 24 years old, so I figured the payments would be extremely high and I wouldn’t be able to afford it, but I was still curious. The payments were lower than I expected, plus I got a great deal on the car since my dad works at the dealership. I decided this was the car for me. Ever since I’ve had this car I’ve kept it in mint condition, cleaning it about three times a week and never driving it in the snow. I’ve also added some performance mods. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoy driving it. Every time I step into this car it gives me a rush.
Jonathon Ludwick
Reading, Pa.

Mopars Forever

Here’s a shot of my 1969 Plymouth GTX. I bought this car for $500. Since it was a non-matching numbers car, I changed the color from dark green to my favorite color—orange with a black vinyl top. My GTX is a basic muscle car with a 440 engine, 727 automatic trans, 8 3/4 rear with 3.23 gears and manual drum brakes. It only has the power steering option, AM/FM radio, and bucket seats with console. My other toy is a restored 1970 Panther Pink Charger 500. We’re a total Mopar family as our other vehicles are a 2003 Dodge Caravan and a 1993 Dodge Dakota, 4WD pickup. Mopars forever!
Tommy Faulconer
Via e-mail

Lightning Arrestor

Check out my “Lightning Arrestor,” a 2006 Ram SRT10® and my wife’s 2007 Charger SRT8®. We have entered one car show and took first and second in our classes. We also have a 2006 four-door HEMI® Ram for towing vehicles. It’s been great sharing time with my wife at car shows. I look forward to retiring and entering shows around the country!
Bruce and Connie Gerfen
Collinsville, Ill.

PT (Pretty Terrific)

I’ve been a Mopar fan since my teenage years when I raced my Plymouth at the local drag strip. My current ride is this 2001 PT Cruiser. It’s taken two years to get to this point. As you can see, it’s been time well spent. I handmade the grille and fit the roll pan and wing myself. I also installed the Lambo door hinges and doors with the good help of Ron Swickard, body shop manager at Burger Chrysler-Jeep® of Terre Haute. The car has a 1,600-watt sound system that uses the factory stereo and a Power Acoustik amplifier and subwoofers. It also has 16-inch ARE wheels, a Lund sun visor and a lot of green lighting inside and out. With the help of my nephew and a friend, my graphics make the car a real “head-turner” that’s enjoyed by many of the custom car fans here in town. My nephew also helped design the custom subwoofer box in the back and in ordering all the parts we have used so far. I really enjoy driving this car around with all the attention it gets.
T. Jay Favre
Terre Haute, Ind.

Up to the Challenge

I purchased this 1970 Challenger in 1999 and started a restoration project that was completed in 2002. At my first car show, I took best Mopar and best paint honors. It’s a real 1970 R/T with a 440/4-speed, and Dana 60. This car shows as well as it goes. The engine is all Mopar Performance, with a Purple Shaft cam, plus the original Carter AVS carb.
Tony Seneca
Galdstone, Ore