Mailbag

Our Readers Sound Off.

Tanks a Lot

Please let your readers know that one of the multi-bank tank engines shown on page 54 of the September/October issue of Mopar Magazine is on display at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum (www.chryslerheritage.com) in Auburn Hills, Mich. This rare find was discovered in a South American country and almost didn’t get here because it was classified as “war materials” and held in the port of entry. Our congressman, John Dingell, had to intercede to get it through U.S. Customs. As you may know, it is five, six-cylinder engines lashed together to propel the newly designed 28 ton tank prior to World War II. It was a quick solution to providing the power needed by using proven and tooled components. Enjoyed your A-311 article [page 33]. Development of that engine led to the first tunnel ram intake manifold on the Ramcharger’s High & Mighty 1959 drag car, the tuned ram intake manifolds on the 1960 Chrysler 300-F and subsequent car engines up to and including today’s engines. Seeing that engine on the dyno stand was instrumental in Tom Hoover’s (Ramcharger leader and father of the 426) decision to join Chrysler.
Bob Lees
High & Mighty II Team Leader
Via e-mail

Wow. Thanks for the insider information, Bob. It strikes us how many of the company’s early leaders posses so much knowledge about the products we all love today. —Ed.

Virtually Amazing

You can ask anyone who’s ever been around me, I’m a Mopar freak! I love anything to do with Dodge, Plymouth, Chrysler or Jeep®. Nearly every other shirt in my closet has something to do with Mopars or Dodge. I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 Mopar ball caps. Every vehicle I’ve ever owned has been a Mopar. My first car was a 1972 Plymouth Satellite Sebring and I currently drive a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 with a 5.7L HEMI.® Citing the fact that Mopars are growing not only in popularity but in price, it’s much harder for fans of the “Big Blue M” to have one (much less two or more) Mopar muscle cars in their garage. Not being made of money, I’ve settled for the next best thing. I own several Mopars online inside the vastly popular SecondLife.com virtual world. I enjoy each and every one. I’m hoping to collect every Mopar I come across, and then possibly open a virtual Mopar museum. I’ve included two pictures for your enjoyment. Here are the cars I own thus far (from top left): Dodge Viper GTS, Jeep Wrangler, 1969 Dodge Charger, 1957 Plymouth Fury, 1970 Plymouth Road Runner, 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8,® 2004 Dodge Ram 2500, another Dodge Viper GTS and my custom NHRA Mopar Funny Car. As you can see, whether it’s real life or second life, it’s still Mopar or no car! If anyone is ever in the SecondLife world and wants to talk Mopar, give me a shout. My name on SecondLife is “Jayson Faulkner.”
Jason Harris
Benton, Ark.

Very cool virtual collection, Jason. And you’re right; the price of admission for the real deal is getting high for the average collector, so why not have some fun in the virtual world.—Ed.

Jeepers!

If you look real close, I’m well past the start line. This shot is after my launch and this view is me riding the wheel stand for about 30 to 50 feet. It was a wild ride. I ran 9.30 at 146. I won’t stop until I run in the 8s. I did run 9.17 at 147.
Anonymous
Via e-mail

Very cool shot. It’s amazing how you can abuse vehicles and yet they keep coming back for more. —Ed.

A.J. Under the Skin

I thought you might be interested in seeing my Allen Johnson tattoo. I would love to have a copy of the magazine when it comes out if you use these photos. Don’t forget to send it to Allen also … ha, ha. Thanks for the opportunity to be in your great magazine.
Melissa Rizzo
Oak Lawn, Ill.

That kind of enthusiasm for one of Team Mopar’s drivers will get you some coverage anytime. Thanks for sharing, Melissa. —Ed.