ROGER JOHNSON......Fact or Fiction?

[ECS]

"All of this speculation based on the testimony of a mail man in 69.  Usually, a person is a mailman at a corporation for a reason.  No one wakes up in the morning and says I want to be a mailman for that corporation.  Unless this guys' story is the basis for "The Secret of My Success", I'm going to throw in the fact that maybe this person didn't know that much about cars."

A coupe of weeks ago, a thread about a 4 Door Barracuda Concept Car was heavily debated here.  Most of the controversy centered around the commentary provided by Automotive Historian & Writer, Roger Johnson.  The quote above conveys the sentiments that wasted approximately 10 pages of speculation about his qualifications.  Ironically however, an article was written by Mr. Johnson that answers the questions surrounding his "memory" of the Chrysler Corporation in 1969.  Below is a link to that article in the publication of Cars & Parts. 

http://www.carsandparts.com/Articles/Mopar/Features/back-in-the-day?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=#.UzSqT1aDItM.gmail

[chargerjy9]

So what, proves nothing regarding the issue behind this discussion... the photo in the article is wrong for the time period,(69-70) any ways. The styling center and dome didn't even open til 1971. He said "ALMOST any place". In the photo he marked off the catacombs, that was a series of hallways that allowed one to walk all over the complex underground. So he did have access to get to many areas, but in many cases, he couldn't get behind  the closed doors down there. I know this as I walked all over the complex down in those same catacombs. I can guarantee you that as a mail room clerk he never got past the front desk in the styling department. I know this because I know someone who worked that desk for a short time during that same era ( same parallel to your story). I know this because I worked there as well.

[bill440rt]

.

[bakerhillpins]

[JB400]

 

[ECS]

I know this because I worked there as well.

Please share with us the article(s) that the Automotive Publications have commissioned you to write about regarding your personal Chrysler experiences. 

[HemiFish]

  

[ECS]

 

After spending so much time disparaging the Gentleman, I didn't think anyone would mind learning that Mr. Johnson was more than just a "mail-boy" who probably didn't know anything about cars.  Below is another article that he wrote about that time period and some of his experiences.

http://www.carsandparts.com/Articles/Mopar/News/back-in-the-day-1

[HemiFish]

I know Roger personally. I have his cell number in my phone. A couple of years ago, he did a magazine story about my car. He wrote the story and shot the photos.  I am not disparaging Roger in the least bit. I like him and he is a great fellow. I was saying this whole subject has been beat to death. What is the point in opening another thread that repeats the same subject matter of the thread that was locked down? Just wondering....

[ECS]

What is the point in opening another thread that repeats the same subject matter of the thread that was locked down? Just wondering....

There has been significant information gathered since those locked threads!  I like to distribute the data one piece at a time and let people cement their positions before striking that final blow.        

[HemiFish]

What is the point in opening another thread that repeats the same subject matter of the thread that was locked down? Just wondering....

There has been significant information gathered since those locked threads!  I like to distribute the data one piece at a time and let people cement their positions before striking that final blow.        

That's cool, but I haven't seen anything new?    I guess I could just call him and ask him and report back what he has to say....

[ECS]

I like him and he is a great fellow....

I agree!  He seems to be a very honest and knowledgeable person with regards to the Automotive World.  If you recall, he was raked across the coals for writing the statement below.  He was dismissed as a "confused" man and not credible in his observations regarding the Concept Car he wrote about.

4-Door Barracuda
As an employee of Chrysler Corporation in 1969-70, I had the opportunity to see many things the "general public" never
did.  Not because I was that  important, but because I worked in the mail room and delivering the mail was that
important. One such sight was a bright red 1970, 4-door Barracuda.  It was parked for only about two days on a kind of 
loading dock attached to the back of Chrysler's World Headquarters building in their Highland Park complex.  This was
around November of 1969.  The dock seemed to be a temporary holding cell for an assortment of interesting cars.  It was
the same building Lynn Townsend, Virgil Boyd and more importantly Tom Hoover worked in. Naturally, Chrysler never
made a 4-door Barracuda but the one I saw looked surprisingly good.  I always assumed it was created around a B-body
chassis because the proportions still looked just right despite the obvious body stretch necessary  to pull it off. Having
seen this car is even more significant now since the Autoweek story about Ford using their new Mustang platform to
build other, less sporty cars - like a 4-door.

[dyslexic teddybear]

What is the point in opening another thread that repeats the same subject matter of the thread that was locked down? Just wondering....

There has been significant information gathered since those locked threads!  I like to distribute the data one piece at a time and let people cement their positions before striking that final blow.        

That's cool, but I haven't seen anything new?    I guess I could just call him and ask him and report back what he has to say....

That's a great idea!



Eagerly and patiently anticipating ANY documented proof.

Not to prove anyone right or wrong......I'm just interested in historical Mopars.

[HemiFish]

As a matter of fact, Roger is the person who actually shot the pic of the engine in my car that I have in my avi....   

[ECS]

I guess I could just call him and ask him and report back what he has to say....

PLEASE do just that!  Let him tell you the story firsthand.  Roger Gibson is a good Friend of mine and spent yesterday at my office.  Roger Johnson called me while I was at lunch with Roger Gibson.  (I know.....too many Rogers....lol)  Anyway, I handed the phone to Roger Gibson to let Mr. Johnson tell him the information about the 4 Door Barracuda Concept.  They actually knew each other and talked for quite a while.  Roger Gibson certainly believes the story and even knows a couple of people that worked with Chrysler designing in 1969.  He is going to contact those guys to dig up additional information. 

[HemiFish]

I will call him over the weekend. Can't do it from work. My boss doesn't allow extended personal phone calls unless it's an emergency. I need to ask him about something else anyway....

[JB400]

I like him and he is a great fellow....

I agree!  He seems to be a very honest and knowledgeable person with regards to the Automotive World.  If you recall, he was raked across the coals for writing the statement below.  He was dismissed as a "confused" man and not credible in his observations regarding the Concept Car he wrote about.

4-Door Barracuda
As an employee of Chrysler Corporation in 1969-70, I had the opportunity to see many things the "general public" never
did.  Not because I was that  important, but because I worked in the mail room and delivering the mail was that
important. One such sight was a bright red 1970, 4-door Barracuda.  It was parked for only about two days on a kind of  
loading dock attached to the back of Chrysler's World Headquarters building in their Highland Park complex.  This was
around November of 1969.  The dock seemed to be a temporary holding cell for an assortment of interesting cars.  It was
the same building Lynn Townsend, Virgil Boyd and more importantly Tom Hoover worked in. Naturally, Chrysler never
made a 4-door Barracuda but the one I saw looked surprisingly good.  I always assumed it was created around a B-body
chassis because the proportions still looked just right despite the obvious body stretch necessary  to pull it off. Having
seen this car is even more significant now since the Autoweek story about Ford using their new Mustang platform to
build other, less sporty cars - like a 4-door.

This is the same thing that you've posted all over the internet that you've been chasing Tufcat with.  This is not new.  Personally, I think you ought to bring him candy and flowers (or a package of Oreos) and just get a room.

[resq302]

The cars and parts article is new to me.  Interesting read.  Certainly would like to know more about the behind the scenes stuff that went on.  Either way, I gotta give Roger a lot of credit.  Excellent idea with having that "job" or internship or whatever it was.  Think of all the contact people he made cause of that stepping stone position!  Lets face it, today especially, it is all about who you know with what job you get.  What better way to rub elbows with the higher ups and get in good with them?

[ws23rt]

Hey ECS---I've been reading most of the posts on this topic in the other threads that were locked and wondered why you bring this all back.

I haven't contributed to the banter because I have nothing to add on the topic. But do feel compelled to post a question.

Why do you keep coming back with this?  It has been hashed out over and over on all sides.

Is it your intention to convince all that read these posts that you are on top and wearing the crown of correctness.   Is it not true that what you want is for those that doubt your assertions to bow out and give you the crown?

BTW do you golf?   If so would you please.

[ECS]

Why do you keep coming back with this?  It has been hashed out over and over on all sides.

I thought I made it clear why this thread was started in my first post!?  The previous threads had many Members posting that Roger Johnson was nothing more than a confused, insignificant mail-boy who probably didn't know much about Cars.  That was one of the main reasons he was called unreliable regarding his testimony about the 4 Door Barracuda. Those close minded people were not aware of his Professional Automotive background.  They were providing nothing more than erroneous opinions based on their limited knowledge of Mr. Johnson and his credibility.  The NEW information I posted in this thread proves that Roger's credentials are far greater than many were giving him credit for.

[ECS]

I know Roger personally. I have his cell number in my phone....

I talked with him today and told him that a Member on this Forum said they knew him and wanted to contact him.  He said to call anytime and he would be happy to tell you about the Concept cars he saw while working at Chrysler.  You can reach him at the number I provided in a PM.   

[ECS]

Interesting read.  Certainly would like to know more about the behind the scenes stuff that went on..........

Below is an email Roger sent to me earlier this evening about some of his Car experiences prior to writing about the 4 Door Barracuda Prototype he described in 1969.  I think it's obvious the Man knew Cars and wasn't "confused" about the Concept vehicle he saw.   

Mopars - Owned and Driven
Cars have always been a dominate force in my life.  My dad was a traveling salesman and bought a new car every two years while putting 70 to 80 thousand miles on each one.  My family traveled to all of the lower 48 states by car including every capital and most big cities. For entertainment my brother and I counted different makes of cars. By the time I was fifteen I talked my dad into leaving his beloved Pontiac brand for a new 1960 Dodge Dart. This would be the first car I would drive. It was a Poly-head 318 with a pushbutton TorqueFlite.

The first car I actually bought was a 1959 Plymouth Fury, but this one had a 318 with a 4-barrel.  Next, was a 1962 Dart 440 convertible with a 305 horsepower 361 B-block. I ran a dual quad setup on this car most of time that was sourced from the 343/383 police option. I would often change induction systems during lunch hour wearing a white shirt and tie. This was towards the end of 1965 and I was working at a Dodge dealership selling cars for extra money while I attended college.  About the same time a friend of mine purchased the ex-race car from a local dealership named Fredrick Dodge. This was a 1964 Max Wedge Dodge 330, 2-door post and a legitimate lightweight. I had the opportunity to drive this car on the street routinely. I was barely 21 years old at the time.  Mac was one of my best friends and his dad owned a 1960 Chrysler 300 F. This long ram tube, dual quad machine somehow found itself with me in the driver's seat on numerous occasions.

After the '62, I bought a 1965 Dodge Dart GT with a hi-po, solid lifter 273 and a 4-speed. I kept that car until I moved to Detroit in 1969.  That's when I bought my 1967 Formula S, fastback Barracuda from its original owner. It was a 383, TorqueFlite car with manual quick ratio steering and power disc brakes up front along with a 3.55 Sure-Grip out back. This was my daily driver until after I moved to Atlanta in February of 1970.
 
In 1971, I bought a nice 1967 Dart 4-door sedan with a slant, AC and full power – except under the hood of course.  In 1972, I bought a 1964 Austin Healey 3000 without an engine or transmission. I installed a 340 and a TorqueFlite from a 1971 Duster.  I sold the Healey in 1974.  By 1976 I bought a 1966 Formula S Barracuda with factory front disc brakes and air conditioning. This one had a transplanted 340 installed by the guy I bought from.  I switched to Ford Mustangs after that since Chrysler gave up on rear wheel drive during this period. Today I'm driving a 1994 Lincoln Mark 8 with the 4-cam Cobra Mustang engine. It looks like a Street Hemi setting under the hood. I always thought this is what a 1969 Dodge Charger 500 would have looked like if they continued producing it into the Nineties.  At heart, I guess I'll always be a Mopar guy.