Keeping Pace

Here is a picture of our 1971 Dodge Challenger Indy Pace car. We purchased the car in 1993, not having any evidence that it was an Indy Pace Car. Being a high school history teacher, I decided to do some research. Eldon Palmer (sponsoring Indy Dodge dealer), documented it for us as “one of the original cars driven in the Festival Parade plus the pre-race parade on the track on race day.” Though the car that actually paced the race was a 383 4-barrel, most others, including ours, were 318s.

We enjoy cruising down the strip at Hampton Beach, N.H., during our summer vacation. We also have driven it to the Chrysler Nationals at Carlisle, where it was the feature car in 2001 on its 30th anniversary. Our daily drivers are a 300M and Sebring, with maybe a new Challenger to keep our pace car company.
Gene and Dianne Piurkowski
Rindge, N.H.

Hate the Hot Rods

I purchased this 1965 Dodge Dart new from the Dodge dealer I used to work for: Joe Phillips Dodge in beautiful downtown Burbank. Joe hated “hot rods,” and he kept this car hidden from display until the end of the model year. I bought it in September of 1965, when Joe’s second son, “Crazy Harry” Phillips browbeat me into taking it (Harry was a lot bigger than me). It was (and still is) a Dart GT pony car. Originally it had a 273 cid, high-performance V8 and a 4-speed manual gearbox. My friend, Jim Vernazza of J&L in Sunnyvale rebuilt the car for me in 1995–1996 with a slightly hotted-up 318 V8. It still has the 4-speed, but with a more robust rear axle from a 1968 Dart.
Ken Layne
Via e-mail

Grand Prize Winner

Here’s a shot of my 1958 Chrysler New Yorker Station Wagon. It was the Grand Prize winner at the 2007 JBArrowhead Club Car Show held at Johnny Carson Park in Burbank, Calif. Proceeds from the event benefit the John Burroughs Football Program. If anyone wants more information on the event, drop by www.jbarrowheadclubcarshow.com.
Per Blixt
Via e-mail

[Editor’s Note: Per is the paint and body man at the southern California garage of Tonight Show host Jay Leno. Jay is an avid car collector and counts a number of Mopar’s among his impressive collection. To learn more, see page 10 of the July/August issue of Mopar Magazine.]

Head of the Class

Here are a few pictures of my 1970 Road Runner, including one that we took at my wife’s school, the 3rd grade class at Jefferson Elementary in Wausau, Wisc. The kids seem to enjoy looking the car over, and it’s become a yearly thing. As for the car, we purchased it about four years ago. It’s been treated to a 440 4-barrel instead of the original 383. It feature a four-speed, 355 Posi in the rear, a fiberglass six pack-style hood and a Go Wing in the rear. We enjoy taking it to cruise nights and car shows and have won some trophies, although it is still a work in progress. We don’t hesitate to drive it anywhere. Thank you for your consideration for Reader Rides. I thoroughly enjoy reading the magazine.
Estus and Renee Webb
Mosinee, Wisc.

Duster + AAR = DustAAR

What do you get when you cross a Duster with the AAR racing package? A DustAAR! From the beginning in 1970, the Duster was overshadowed by the Barracuda. The Duster was limited to be a more practical alternative for people who couldn’t afford the ’Cuda. We thought the Duster deserved to be more than just something a person settled for.

The AAR ’Cuda is arguably the best all round ’Cuda. It handled well, was fast off the line and had styling that would catch anyone’s attention. We applied these characteristics to the DustAAR. The DustAAR has front and rear spoilers, side exit exhaust, wide rear tires, AAR-inspired hood and last, but not least, the mighty 340 six-barrel. We didn’t want to be limited by what was offered from the factory. We made this car unique and built it the way we would have wanted to order it in 1971 if all the options of the day were available for this car. No part of this car has been overlooked and only the best parts and craftsmanship have been used in creating this one-of-a-kind car.
Rodney Chapman
Via e-mail