Entering a non-running Charger into a Mopar show

[69bronzeT5]

Hey everyone....I was hoping to get your input and opinions on something in regards to an idea I've been kicking around.


I've had my '69 Charger for 14 years now. I got it when I was 6 years old for Christmas and I'm 20 years old now. It's been a project since I got it. It's been in the garage the whole time and rarely sees daylight. I was thinking of maybe bringing it to Mopar Madness, our local BIG Mopar show this July. I think it would be a cool experience and it would be nice to get the old girl out in the sun and get some exposure on it. I was thinking of just doing Display Only because the Unfinished/Project class has a rule where the car must run and drive to be in that class. The car doesn't run at the moment and needs a bit of work to make it running or even driveable. The 383 hasn't run in about 9 years. At this point in time, I don't have a space to work on it as my garage is full of my grandpa's and uncles stuff (the car is in my grandparent's garage). If I were to bring it to Mopar Madness, I would need to trailer it and winch it on and off the trailer. Of course I would do this early in the morning before the bulk of the entrants show up and load it back up after everyone leaves.

What are your opinions on this? Would you bring a non-running car to a Mopar show?

[spoolinhard]

I trailered my barely running car to a car show once. It was not a pleasant experience. Maybe instead of going through the effort to trailer it to the show, pull it out of the garage and get it running instead.

[69bronzeT5]

Some pictures to get a better idea.....

[XH29N0G]

....I got it when I was 6 years old for Christmas . ....

That is inspired. 

I would spend the time trying to make progress on getting it running.  The hours add up.....but if it means a lot to you to show it...

[Charger-Bodie]

I would use that time to work on models of Chargers for people.

[Indygenerallee]

I don't want to come off sounding like a asshole (but I probably will  ) I don't think most people go to car shows to see a non running plain jane car? (even if it is a 69 Charger) If it were mostly done and was like a restomod wild concept I can see that as most shops to that to promote further projects, but for a individual to do it with a plain janer, I would say it would be a waste of time. I frankly would be a bit embarrased myself.

[AKcharger]

Cody I'd take it to the show, just get there early and leave late. Meeting and talking to people is fun. I really enjoy just hanging out at the car and hearing "I used to have one of these...but it had a hemi" "hey honey remember Scott had one of these in high school"

Plus it will give you encouragement, connections and perhaps volunteer help to complete!

[69bronzeT5]

Problem is it needs fuel lines, fuel tank, brake lines, brakes etc etc....probably about $2,000 worth of parts to make it road worthy and I definitley won't have that before July....

[AKcharger]

I would use that time to work on models of Chargers for people.

Like this!

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Problem is it needs fuel lines, fuel tank, brake lines, brakes etc etc....probably about $2,000 worth of parts to make it road worthy and I definitley won't have that before July....

Unload some of those other cars of yours and you will!

[Baldwinvette77]

i say get it running and wear a biker helmet to keep the bugs out of your teeth, Hotrodding at it's purest 

[71green go]

I have to admit...waste of time unless its for sale

[Dodge Don]

In retrospect, with over 12,000 posts you probably racked up around 150 days online......if you had spent that time working on the charger it would likely be done already. Just saying is all.....but hindsight is always 20/20.

[Paul G]

Why even take it off the trailer? Sitting on a trailer though people will think it is for sale. Truthfully, I would not take it unless it was running and driving. If you do decide to take it I am sure you will get a lot of attention.

[Patronus]

Sorry Bronzie. I voted no. If you want to impress your friends, you gonna haveta spray all day, sand all night.

[JB400]

What's wrong with taking the Challenger instead?  You've worked hard for it, why not be a little proud of it and show it off instead?

[greenpigs]

I said no also, the money would be better spent on parts to get it on the road.

[projectanimal]

I have to admit...waste of time unless its for sale

X2   Hope you can work on it and drive it to the next show!

[Cooter]

Hey everyone....I was hoping to get your input and opinions on something in regards to an idea I've been kicking around.


I've had my '69 Charger for 14 years now. I got it when I was 6 years old for Christmas and I'm 20 years old now. It's been a project since I got it. It's been in the garage the whole time and rarely sees daylight. I was thinking of maybe bringing it to Mopar Madness, our local BIG Mopar show this July. I think it would be a cool experience and it would be nice to get the old girl out in the sun and get some exposure on it. I was thinking of just doing Display Only because the Unfinished/Project class has a rule where the car must run and drive to be in that class. The car doesn't run at the moment and needs a bit of work to make it running or even driveable. The 383 hasn't run in about 9 years. At this point in time, I don't have a space to work on it as my garage is full of my grandpa's and uncles stuff (the car is in my grandparent's garage). If I were to bring it to Mopar Madness, I would need to trailer it and winch it on and off the trailer. Of course I would do this early in the morning before the bulk of the entrants show up and load it back up after everyone leaves.

What are your opinions on this? Would you bring a non-running car to a Mopar show?

Sh*t Cody, I bring mine on trailers all the time and don't give a rats ass who don't like it. I don't go looking for trophies anyway. Sometimes, you just need to have someone else look at the progress and give you the old   every once in a while. Besides, it makes you feel alot better about the work you've already done. Just be prepared for PLENTY to ask if it's for sale. Personally, I would LOVE to see any younger kid at a cruise night/car show with an older Musclecar. Running or NOT. The fact that he was attempting such a feat would get MY attention long before that trophy queen Hemi whatever would. I personally think Taking the newer cars to a car show is just Typical. People can see those at the local dealer, they come to a "Car show" to see OLD CARS. This is one of them.  "embarrassed" shouldn't even enter your mind. I take it and have FUN. Afterall, that is what it's about, not whether or not your "embarrassed" to be seen with it.

[1974dodgecharger]

What cooter said......

[ODZKing]

We have an "in progress" class at our show however that is usually folks that have a car they are working on and drive under their own power.  Road worthy but need paint or interior, that sort of thing.
I agree with most here, get that thing on the road!   

[bill440rt]

Good points from both camps.
Since your poll asked what I (the reader) would do, I voted No.

By all means I would go to the show enthusiastically. Instead of spending that money on a trailer, gas, entry fees, etc etc I would bring it with me to spend in the swap meet & hunt for deals to round up parts for it. If motivation is your thing, then meet people, talk to them, make friends, etc and bring that motivation home with you as well. If you know of certain tasks you are unsure of doing then get references & business cards.
Then, I'd roll up my sleeves and get to work.

[PocketThunder]

Problem is it needs fuel lines, fuel tank, brake lines, brakes etc etc....probably about $2,000 worth of parts to make it road worthy and I definitley won't have that before July....

Unload some of those other cars of yours and you will!

  I had more than one car at a time once, and all it did was drain my tiny amount of money between two cars.  Sell off everything and keep the Chally and the 69, use that money to make the 69 roadworthy.   

[daytona71]

I agree with Bill. If the Mopar Madness show you refer to is the one held in July at Langley BC, the host club runs a very good show. I don't recall non-running cars being on display in the show area. I would suggest that if you wanted to display your car in its present condition, it should be on a trailer in the swap meet area. You will get a lot of attention(mostly the same question"how much you asking?) There are members of the club that are expert bodyman/painters, transmission re-builders, cooling and a/c service technician and others that you could gain valuable information from in regards to restoration of your car. You may find people willing to help you with either information on different aspects of restoring and /or links to obtain service and parts you need to complete your car. Owning your car for so many years is great, and you will want to show it off once it is completed. Something to be very proud of. Good luck with your restoration

[kab69440]

No way would I do it. It's just too much hassle. I hear all the time that I should tow mine to this or that gathering but I just don't have that kind of ambition. Heck, less than a week ago in the Speedway I heard two old timers lamenting that there hasn't been a 69 Charger in this town for umpteen years, so on and so forth. I didn't mention they were standing less than a quarter of a mile from one and it's been at that location for almost 23 years now.