Moparts: The Year In Review 2004

Where was the online car show this year?

Saying goodbye to a dear friend had to be the hardest part of my year. I still don't think I have quite been able to come to terms with the whole 'goodbye' thing.

I think I'll pick 'see you soon' instead.

So no, this is NOT just another chat board. There are people on the other side of these computer monitors with real feelings, and genuine hearts.

I still shake my head in amazement at the new friends I have gained since Gary's death (Iron's family) and just have to sit back and say... "wow that is so like Gary, even bringing people together as he is leaving".

To those of you who know me personally, (and even those of you who don't) please know I wish you all every good thing. Happy Holidays from me to you and yours. I look forward to many more years in review through the good times and the bad.

Thanks to Tom for giving us a place to laugh, talk shop, rejoice, and even cry and thanks for making this the best place in cyber space. You are all greatly appreciated.

Peace,
DG

Unfortunately the most memorable moment was Gary's tragic passing. Wish it was something happier.

On the other hand, Remember when they banned us from saying Ch*cken?

DS with all the Smilies.

Cal Gecko making a ton of progress on the Dart. Cal having pics to said progress to post.

Me having to pay someone else to make a ton of progress on the Challenger. Me being too inept to get off my butt and get a digital camera to take before/after pics.

Khal440 and I frantically asking the Tech Board for advice in the middle of his Dart buildup. And being evicted for always working on it at my place.

Andy, Feets, 71TA and all the other guys installing and fabricating piles of cool stuff to retrofit.

Meeting members Bones, MidPenMopar, Pink68, 909Hemi and FINALLY meeting CalMopar.

Going to 909Hemi's with Pink68 to check out a challenger. Taking 2 "sick" days to do so. Being woken up at 3 AM in the middle of the valley with 4 more hours to go, and Jim holding the shredded spare trailer tire "I don't think we're gonna be safe on 3. Are you awake enough to drive the Challenger?"

Prowler finally catching the Chicken.

And of course...Diplomat Wagon's Dune Buggy Dart!

I have to agree that the moment that stands out most was Gary's tragedy.

There are countless other moments, but there was another added to the list within the past week. Who would have thought that Wingcars (Dave) would have given a ride to cheapstreetdustr (Jim) as a child, and they would stumble across each other so many years later on this site? Small world. Thanks, Tom, for creating this site and giving Mopar fans the world over the ability to have reunions like this.

Dan, thanks for doing the "year in review" thing this year. I had done it last year and was thinking of doing it again this year but every time I would start to thinking about stuff for the list, the first thing thar would come to mind is Gary's death and I would get to thinking about that and the list would go nowhere.

I would definitely have to say that Gary's untimely passing was the biggest thing that happened here but as DG said, even in death, Gary brought people together. R.I.P. my friend...

several members bought cheeevies this year didnt they

Even though I haven't been on here long, you guys all make the newbies feel welcome. No matter how simple or stupid of a question, it always gets answered. If someone needs something, people lend a helping hand. I have only personaly met one member, but I feel like I can count on alot of you if I needed something done. Keep up the good work guys, there is some sort of bond here (even with the humor and ranting) that is very strong.

Funny... I was just reading back over last year's thread that John started in Best Of Moparts... got me to thinking about this year as well.

As everyone has said, and I completely agree, Gary's passing is without a doubt the biggest thing here in my eyes too that we all shared. It really is amazing how he affected folks whom he never met, and all around the world as well.




On the more positive side..

Weather has, as always been a popular topic here

I got to meet up with yet more members this year, which is always a pleasure!!

Got to bring over a few more Chargers (and lots of parts)amoungst other Oz cars

We have expanded the Moparts Zoo to include a few new animals this year

As Primer pointed out.. Chicken, Hippo, and a few other terms were briefly (luckily) banned

Moparts was names in the top 11 things affecting the future of Mopar in Hot Rod or Car Craft (I forgot???)

DirectSubjections idea for a gift exchange was also a hit and hopefully will be a great yearly event

i just joined this past year and i had been on in months from like feb. to june. but i remember in july i read the things about gary. i had never had the pleasure of meeting him. but reading all of those brought a tear to my eye. i could tell how good of a guy he was and for people to come together and have a place like this to go is amazing. u guys are too funny and also veryu helpful. but i just wanna know if anyone has any pics of the funeral precession. i remember seeing a bunch w/ cars. i just think that was an awesome tribute to such a great man.
thanks for the memories
devin brand
68 super bee PROJECT

Helping match up two broadcast sheets in the Moparts "lost and found" section were the highlights for me personally.

One went to Sweden and the other to Ohio, thanks again to EVERYONE who lists them, matchups do occur and will continue to occur. The more people that participate - the more often it will happen.

Thanks Moparts!

Barry

Post deleted by DirectSubjection

i don't post all too much here more of a lurker i supose but in teh 2-3 years i've been here its shown me just how awesome te people are here.

i'd have to say that day i sat down and read about garry's death was the mosst memerable, it was kinda odd to me i never met the guy before, just talked to him once or twice here and i cried for him, i've never done that over someone i have never met before.

And let's not forget the blown C-Body Chris F Posted!

I think the most memorable and saddest was the loss of a good friend in Gary, and also the loss of Dram's wife this week. I never thought I would be emotional about two people I have never met, but their loss is so much more than a statistic. I am amazed by the compassion of those on this site by their heartfelt sorrow.

I also was able to meet DG at MATS, but unfortunately didn't spend much time chatting. When I got home she mentioned that it was possible to get a hotwheels Hemi under glass toy and have it signed. I think I mentioned that I didn't realize it and wished I took the opportunity, as Dad was impressed bigtime with how the car ran, and also how drag racing had leaped so far ahead since he used to race in the late 50's before Me...Then DG sent me an extra HUG signed car she bought.. wouldn't accept even shipping. Thank you DG.

And my accident last week, buying a hemi truck replacement and the discount received by Yeller-rt that allowed me to come to the bright-side instead of buying a generic truck , which was almost a given since it will tow our 66 charger to the racetrack in STYLE.

And also to my good friend from the north Rob Reid, without whose generosity toward my son in getting us a wicked engine, our changing from a 65 fury to put the engine into, to a duster project that would still be a dream due to my slowness, to the 66 charger turnkey minus engine purchase. Michael had to move it from the garage to the shop today, drove it 1/4 mile to the intersection and back today, and came back shaking from adrenaline from the ride....I know, I owe Rob a video, and will get one from the track, but this car just hauls the mail. I hope it does low 11's off the trailer and can be tuned to it's potential soon.

So for me the friendship, along with the saddness of the two events that bring tears to my eyes -will never be forgotten. For Dan I hope the words from us and his family and friends will heal his wounds. I can not fathom the experience, but realized when I saw my trashed car at how fragile we are, and to take life as it is dealt, but try and add some good to it while we are here on earth.

Merry Xmas, and happy new year.

Allen

On a personal note...I thought the responses on the 2006 Charger thread showed a real level of Moparts intensity...

.....and of course Garry's passing revealed an awesome display of humanity from the whole board....

hard to go beyond those two..

did someone mention Hughes cams?????

And next year someone's gonna mention me painting the Duster.

Yeah, right... and I suppose yer gonna change yer name to "PaintedDust318"

A few things I forgot in my earlier post.


I to got a lost broadcast sheet from the alaskant/a. I now have 2 for our fm3 t/a. I am really happy about that. Thanks again

I also got started on my dream car. I always wanted a 69 4 speed road runner. when I was 17 my dad and I went and looked at several cars and he had the finally say on what I could buy. I looked at a factory original 383 gts. He said no. to much motor for that little car. I looked at a 4 speed road runner. he said no. no 4 speed for your first car. Finally I looked at a 70 383 baracuda, bench seat auto on the column. Original owner, blue with a white painted top. a/c, power windows, power locks and a factory trailer hitch. Cool. I hated the car, but I bought it because dad finally said yes to a car.
I kept the car for 10 years and only put a 1000 miles on it. I had 11 mopars and sold it for a down payment on a house. any ways to cut this short this last year I got a 1969 383 post road runner with a 4 speed and a dana 60. It had the original 383 in it and I will keep the motor, but will be installing a siamese 4.5 bore hemi with a 3.75 crank. 477 hemi with a 4 speed and a 3.54 dana 60. It goes to be painted the first of January. I am so happy.

I wish all on here well this next year. I hope to see many of you at the nationals and the classic events. I will be there in my max wedge dodge until the road runner is done. Stop by and say hi.

Best wishes to all from the reasoner family

the fact that I am still upright and breathing and able to tell all of my moparts brothers and sisters, and especially the ones I met this year, just what a wonderful group of mopar mainiacs you are, and I intend on meeting more this next year,, the year in review for me,,,with all of the good's and bad's, is a year to remember!!

I have only been on here for a little over a year and I have really enjoyed it. Several memories, some sad such as the passing of Unlawful who I met at the Nats once but didn't realize it until later when I got on here and recognized his picture.
The help and friendship shown on this board brings out happy memories while stories like the Barn Find Hemi Cuda in Texas, the weather jokes, the hippo/chicken/penquin jokes bring out the controversy and laughs and the cars that are restored, restified and found and kept as survivors serve as inspiration. It has been a fun year or so, but it has cut into my restoration progress at times.

Happy New Year everyone.

Shannon

Well, from where I sit...

- I bought my '69 440 Six BBL Road Runner and actually have a Mopar to drive again.

- Another year went by (going on 5 now) w/o my Challenger being back together and running.

Oh, and my second son was born. But this is Moparts, so I gotta have my priorities traight.

And, yes, I really do think that Gary's untimely death was the biggest bummer of the year. Won't be easy to forget the date of the accident, either, since it's the day before my birthday.

wow this is cool! I never had a sticky before!

lets not forget the ongoing debate on how the new Hemi is not a Hemi

you're the original International Man of Mystery, Mark

at least you were until you came back

For me, the most memorable experience was finally graduating from the Air Force Academy after 5 long years out there. Prep school year plus the 4 at the Academy, it's been the longest, hardest thing I've ever done, and I barely made it. I hate academics! but life as a 2Lt is tons better than as a cadet. I forgot what it was like to be treated as an adult, and not a prisoner

my second biggest memory for this year, was my dad and I going out to Carlisle together. My first national level car show, plus it was with my own car. During the drive, everywhere we stopped, my dad's van was ignored, and everyone gawked at my 'Cuda, and my dad was talking about that, I told him that once we get to the show, my car will be ignored parked next to all the pristine concours cuda's, and his van will get all the attention. I doubt my car got a single vote, my dad took home 2nd place with his van.

The loss of Gary was tragic. Right after the accident, there was a mopar show in Denver at Bandimere race track, and one of our members here (CRT Transmissions?) donated a transmission shield to raffle off, and sent he money to the family. They were making anouncements all day at the show, so everyone at the show knew who Gary was, even if they were members of Moparts.

I met a few moparts members this year, Moparcollector out in Colorado, with about 10 classic mopars, all in various shapes of restoration, from freshly restored to needing new floor pans, drove accross the country with Mark Nixon delivering cars, hanging out at his place for a day, and a few other members at Carlisle, although I missed the main get together that everyone was at.

all in all, I'd say that 2004 was a pretty darn good year.

GARY "UNLAWFL" DAVIS

he's the 1st member i met on MOPARTS(not in person)...i IMed him one night and THAT WAS IT!!!!instent FRIENDS!!!!...talked SEVERAL times on the phone about my duster and my 4th daughter EMMA...a VERY KIND,GENEROUS,SELFLESS,GIVING, SOFT-HEARTED MAN!!
HE IS TRUELY MISSED!!!