Mailbag

A Worthy Request)

I have been made aware that my brother-in-law’s car was featured in the Reader Rides section of the November/December issue of Mopar® Magazine. Unfortunately, he died of cancer and never had the opportunity to see his car in print. As his brother-in-law/friend/mechanic, I have been given the car as part of his estate and would like to have a couple of extra copies of the magazine for his wife, and to keep with the car as it sees regular cruise and show duty. I plan to show the car in his memory during the 2008 season. If possible, I would like to finish out his subscription and renew in my name. However, the first priority is to secure the back issues. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
John Schlinkert
Marysville, Mich.

First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on the passing of your brother-in-law. Of course we’d be delighted to send you some copies of the magazine and switch his subscription to your name. In fact, by the time you read this, you will have received the magazines. Your brother-in-law’s 1973 Dodge Charger is a fine- looking car, and we’re sure it will continue to be a hit on the show and cruise circuit.—Ed.

Half a Million and Counting

Dodge makes a good truck. I have a 1999 Dodge 3500 Dually 4x4 with automatic transmission. I just hit 501,000 miles. I use the truck in my business transporting cars and other vehicles. I got 300,000 miles out of the first automatic transmission before I had to replace it. I put a deep pan on the transmission to keep it cool, plus a four-inch exhaust—what a difference! This truck works as hard as I do and gets an oil change every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. It stands up to all the demands I put on it. Basically I just replace different things that wear out and it keeps going. I also own a 2002 Dodge 3500 Dually 4x4. Your magazine is great. Keep up the good work.
Buck Buchanan
Gardnerville, Nev.

Half a million miles is quite a milestone, Buck. Goes to show you that when you combine a good product with proper maintenance you can go a long way.—Ed.

Almost Half a Million Miles and Counting

Hi there. Just wanted to let you know that I own a 1998 Jeep® Wrangler with a clock that just turned over to 450,000 miles. I was on the Rubicon Trail when the big 450 hit, which seems fitting somehow. I have abused this Jeep every which way you can—on- and off-road—and I can’t get the damn thing to break. Part of me wants a new Jeep, but another part of me wants to know just what it will take to put this thing in the ground. I have a neighbor who will only buy Japanese cars because of the quality. Hey, pal, put this in your Civic and smoke it.
Ben Seese
Via e-mail

Wow. Guess you’re what we call a Jeep loyalist. That’s great news, Ben. Jeep has been doing it right since World War II. Your neighbor may love his Civic, but let’s see how far up the Rubicon it gets.—Ed.

Long Letter … But a Great Story

I’m e-mailing to say that while looking through the January/February issue of Mopar Magazine, I got to page 54 and noticed a picture of my car. It’s the lime green 1969 Plymouth Sport Satellite in the top right corner of the page. I wanted to thank you for putting the picture in the magazine because it is very rewarding to see after all of our hard work and long hours put into the restoration. Also, I thought you might like a little more information about the car and myself. I’m a 17-year-old high school student from North Adams, Mass. That Satellite is my first car and titled in my name. My grandfather and I spent three years restoring the car before we completed it. The engine is a 383 Big Block with a small cam and Don Garlits-signed valve covers. It has 20" Plymouth Prowler wheels in the rear and 18" Coys wheels in the front. Now almost everything besides the wheels and the front seats are original to the car. The picture that you ran in the magazine was taken at last year’s Chryslers at Carlisle show. This show was the beginning of the “Green Monster’s” maiden voyage and the first stop of many. My grandpa and I went on from the show to drive it to Fort Bragg, Calif., and on up to Grants Pass, Ore., before returning home from the four-week adventure. Louisville and Bowling Green, Ky., Boulder, Colo., Las Vegas, and San Francisco were just a few of the main stops along the way. While in Bowling Green we stopped at the National Corvette Museum and took pictures of my car in front of the museum to show the Chevy guys what a real car is supposed to look, sound and act like. The trip was excellent and best of all, like a true Mopar, the car ran great.
Anthony Milazzo
North Adams, Mass.

Thanks for the note, Anthony. Our man on the scene at last year’s Carlisle show snapped the photo. Congratulations on a fine restoration job. Between the work itself and your four-week trip, you’ll have many fine memories of time spent with your grandfather.—Ed.

Flight Path

I just received my January/February copy of Mopar Magazine. All I can say is WOW! The cover shot is a stunner with the truck in the air. It almost has a surreal “moonscape” appearance to it. Great job guys!
Bill Hecker
Via e-mail

Thanks for your note Bill. Now that Mopar and Dodge are back in the off-road business, hopefully we’ll be seeing more action shots like that in the future.—Ed.