Mailbag
Our Readers Sound Off.
STOP THE HUDSON
I truly enjoy Mopar Magazine and liked the article “Brakes Here Now” on page 30 of the May/June issue. I was interested in the photo of the 1950 Hudson Commodore. Hudsons had a dual-brake system, which used a secondary mechanical parking-brake system that activated the rear brakes when the pedal traveled beyond the normal reach of the primary system. A mechanical emergency brake was also used. This system was a prelude to the dual master-cylinder system which is used today. Mopar always!
David W. Sachs
Via e-mail
Here’s a 1948–54 Hudson brake control diagram showing the 1950 Hudson Commodore braking system that you so well described, David. And, for anyone interested in Hudson Motor Company heritage, there is a museum at the site of the world’s last surviving Hudson dealership, in Ypsilanti, Mich. For more information, visit www.ypsiautoheritage.org.—Ed.
MOPAR® GLASS
I read the Mopar Glass article in the online version of Mopar Magazine and would like to find a location to install a Mopar windshield in my 2008 Jeep® Patriot. I called one of the local dealerships in my area and they told me they sub contract their glass repairs. Since I want a Mopar windshield, how can I locate a company close to my area? Thank you.
Brad Parker
Via e-mail
We have two Mopar Glass dealers in Missouri: Marty Cancila Dodge Chrysler Jeep, Florissant, Mo. and Glendale Chrysler-Jeep, Inc., Glendale, Mo. If they are not close to you, any dealer can order you a Mopar windshield; then you can have their glass contractor install it for you. Or, you can go to an approved installer that can order a Mopar windshield and install it for you. Space limitations don’t allow us to publish the list, but we’ll provide a list, if needed.—Ed.
HEMI® CHALLENGE RACE SERIES
What are the HEMI® Challenge dates and locations this year? How many events will there be? What’s the payoff? Thanks for the info.
George Smith
Via e-mail
George thanks for sending your inquiry. For Mopar HEMI Challenge race series information, please turn to page 7.—Ed.
HEMI-POWERED MANDELLA
Here’s my 392 HEMI-powered 1963 18-ft. Mandella flat-bottom v-drive boat named STINGER. Originally owned and piloted by Arne Olofson, this SK class boat once raced in California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. The first motor was a Keith Black version. After that, the motor was by Columbia Racing Engines (Ed “The Ace” McCullogh, Art Whipple of Whipple Superchargers and Earl Floyd). In 1965, STINGER was 1st in points in Region 10 and 3rd in the nation. After being converted to a ski boat, it was sold to Arne Olofson’s friend, Bert, in 1969. Bert had the boat until 1999 and sold it to me (Arne’s son)—I used to work on it during the racing years. In 2002, the motor was rebuilt for the first time since its racing days. At the time, the engine was at 463 horsepower on the dyno—today it should be around 500 hp, after a few modifications. It’s now used almost every summer weekend for water skiing, wake boarding, tubing and the occasional FAST run on Devils Lake in Lincoln City, Ore.
Jerry Olofson
Portland, Ore
Your HEMI-powered vessel looks great! We have a few boaters at MM and they all love it! Thanks for sending the photographs and sharing the history on your boat.—Ed.
