Carl, the father, was 46 at the time he ordered the car from S & M Motors on Geary Blvd in S.F. Because he had two small boys, a family car was required but Carl wanted something more potent than the 265 horse power-pack in his trade, a '55 Chevrolet. He ordered a D-500 ram-inducted 383 with "power-lok" differential housing 3.23 gears and fronted by a pushbutton TorqueFlite, power steering, brakes and Phoenix dress.
Almost 40 years later, the trunk contained the original carbs, factory cam, air cleaners, heat elbows, pistons and every part that had ever been on the car in its lifetime plus several NOS parts needed to restore everything back to OEM. Installed were many period "go-faster" parts including a huge Mallory transformer and massive Holley carbs. The seats were covered in plastic and the odo said 74k. The interior looked about 3 years old. The paperwork was truly the deciding factor as to purchase or pass. Every repair order for the first 7 years plus original window sticker, sales order, application for CA license and receipt for the $27.68 Carl spent to have the dealer remove the 11" brakes and install 12" at time of delivery (!) Plus....the September 1961 time slips from Half Moon Bay Drag Strip showing 15:18 et @90.9 mph. This was "stock" and the sons doubt that the car got much quicker with all the aftermarket stuff they added later.
After a year of weekend and morning restoration, DodgeDifferent was ready to show to its original purchaser. Carl, now 86 years old, drove the 30 miles from San Francisco to Redwood City in his current car, a 1968 Dart 340 with four speed. With him were his two sons, their wives, and a grand daughter, all wanting to see "Old Mo" again. We visited for more than three hours including rides by all concerned. In the end, it was clear to all that the car had been sold to a good home, so I was made an honorary family member. The last hour was full of stories of the sons' misbehaviors in Dad's car when they were growing up. I think Dad was secretly proud of them for telling the truth with such gusto. The granddaughter certainly got some lowdown on her uncle and dad. When the reunion was finally over and I was leaving the industrial area we had met in, I stomped on the gas and left twin patches of rubber 50 feet long. The folks in the rear view mirror were waving and cheering.
Photos of this amazing Dart can be found at http://photos.yahoo.com/JettLarry and feel free to discuss the car through my e-mail at RedwoodLse@aol.com.
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