Today is the anniversary of Gary's unfortunate death. This forum was renamed in his honor as a result.

Lots of people on here knew him personally, but I was simply another Challenger owner with whom I'd swap PMs and do the occasional parts deal. Nobody but me probably knew the rods in his last engine build came from me. I even forgot until I came across the letter recently in which he sent me the payment while I was getting rid of old paperwork.

Never met his wife, but I hope she's been able to move past the tragedy of losing her husband years ago.

Regardless, just a reminder for everyone.

I remember, it was a sad day on moparts.

Was a great guy and an asset to this site. Tragic accident for sure as he was just doing his job trying to protect others...

I got the chance to meet him at the Mopar Nats in 2002 I believe. Great guy. Hope Mrs. Davis is doing well.

Looks like I'll be eating chicken wings for lunch in his honor today. RIP Gary

The first time I was going to drive my RR up for the Dream Cruise, Gary offered for me to stay at his house as his guest! Now, the only place he knew me from was here on Moparts! It was a great trip and we had a lot of fun. Gary was one of the nicest people I have ever met. If there was a poster boy for a great cop, it was Gary, and that would be above and beyond him being a great guy off duty. He is sorely missed.

Still got it on my car.

I still have one of the Unlawful memorial pins on my backpack. I met Gary a few times, he was always positive and helpful. I regret not going to his funeral.

I built the 517 in my Charger as an Homage and a Tribute to Gary, only about a week before he passed away he told me he wanted to build a stroker low deck with Max Wedge heads for his challenger, we talked about all the details of the build and I built my motor about the exact same way we discussed doing it.

When I fired it up the first time, I said "This one's for you, Gary!"

And it lit off on the first hit of the starter, and when I was throttling it up I could swear I could feel him smiling down on me. True story!

I would love to have a custom cast valve cover set made with a cnc engraving of the Michigan Unlawfl license plate on it.

I knew Gary fairly well... in my sig I still have
"180 watching over us... that was Garys badge number..
when he took his car down to Cobo for the hot rod show
he used my enclosed trailer

I don't want to dampen the mood or come off as a jerk but I'm sure others are wondering... what happened? I assumed it was a member that had passed on but don't know any back story. RIP

Gary was a moderator here and had a really nicely done 10 second Challenger. He would host Moparts parties at his house north of Detroit.

He was a police officer for Bloomfield Township if I recall correctly. One night he had arrested a guy for DUI, when he pulled his car out into I-75 after making the arrest another guy who was drunk and speeding crested a hill, hit the side of Gary's patrol car, and he died from his injuries. I believe the guy he arrested, and the guy who hit him, both lived.

RIP, Gary

Wow that's terrible. Thank you for the information tho, I hope it didn't seem distasteful for me to ask about it. Very cool to honor him with this great forum

Spareparts, it is fine for you to ask about Gary. As long as a man is remembered by his friends, he is never truly gone. Now you can be one of Gary's friends and help preserve his memory.
Thanks for asking.

I met Gary at the Mopar Nats as it was the first and only time I met him and he got me a parking spot and then offered me a cold drink and something to eat. What a great guy as he helped me out at the Mopar Nats as it was my first time there and he gave me alot of help. In my eyes he was a first class act and I am proud to say I knew him personally. And I do miss him. Ron

From Moparts main page: In Memory of Gary Davis - Unlawfl

Never met the man, just knew him from the board and exchanged a few PM's with him, but his passing hit me just as hard as loosing a family member.

He was one of the best. And he is missed by all he he touched in his short life.

I only got to meet & talk to Gary once at Norwalk, great guy.

I knew Gary a bit, not as much as some here. Blsmbl is pretty right on as far as the story goes.......2nd time DUI, fireman celebrating graduating his training, in a Ford Focus, blacked out drunk in excess of 86+ mph, 3 cop cars with ALL their light strobing, the guy crests the hill.....and in the time Gary checked his sideview and then his rrview mirrors, he proceeded to pull out across the hwy, it blindsided him.
His Challenger still looks as nice as ever. Russ A. Brings it to an occasional cruise and/or Woodward.

Gary loved all American musclecars. He didn't care as long as you were into it too.