So what happened to Galen Govier

[Ghoste]

I forgot about the toilet comment, remember that now.

[Lord Warlock]

The day I put in a replacement block and transmission in my charger, was the day I stopped caring about a certification by GG.  Back in the 80s I'd heard about him and wanted to get my car checked out, have to remember that the Internet really didn't begin until the early 90s, I ran a BBS before there was an internet.  (at least to the general public, I used the internet in the early 80s when I was in the military). 

I'd still love to get any expert certify my car to be 1 of ? made, all I know is that I've never seen another like it since I bought it in 30+ years of looking.  Wasn't till last year sometime that someone on this site bought a car that was almost identical, even has the same build date as mine. Although his wasn't an RT SE. 

Personally, if my car is parked at a show with the hood down, and an admirer wants to pop the hood and look, I wouldn't have a problem with someone touching my car or moving a paper on the dash so he could see the VIN, but if that same person unscrewed the fender tag or unbolted anything under the hood, they deserve to lose their fingers (or arms). 

It isn't that hard to say the wrong thing when talking from a position of authority on an internet forum.  Some people get butt hurt way too easy and lash out which gives every limp dick poser a chance to join in to the flay fest online.  Been there done that on a couple forums, finally gave up trying with the younger generation that doesn't seem to pay respect to elders who know more than they do.  I'm pretty much neutral here, it isn't worth the stress of trying to explain life to newbs still living with their parents. 

I respect GG for what he did for the hobby, regardless of how it looks today.  He served a very useful purpose that no one else was providing at the time.  At least not for us mopar nuts.

Now, while I know my car is pretty rare, and it came equipped with odd or rare options that made it unique, since it isn't a NM car It will never be worth what the BJ people want for big money...that and the fact that I just don't have the skills necessary to rebuild the car from scratch any better than I actually have.  Today it is worlds better than it was when I got it in the summer of 78.  But it would be a find for someone that wanted to do a rotisserie restoration later.  Not many  old chargers have been stored safely in a dry garage for 30+ years.

[ws23rt]

The day I put in a replacement block and transmission in my charger, was the day I stopped caring about a certification by GG.  Back in the 80s I'd heard about him and wanted to get my car checked out, have to remember that the Internet really didn't begin until the early 90s, I ran a BBS before there was an internet.  (at least to the general public, I used the internet in the early 80s when I was in the military).  

I'd still love to get any expert certify my car to be 1 of ? made, all I know is that I've never seen another like it since I bought it in 30+ years of looking.  Wasn't till last year sometime that someone on this site bought a car that was almost identical, even has the same build date as mine. Although his wasn't an RT SE.  

Personally, if my car is parked at a show with the hood down, and an admirer wants to pop the hood and look, I wouldn't have a problem with someone touching my car or moving a paper on the dash so he could see the VIN, but if that same person unscrewed the fender tag or unbolted anything under the hood, they deserve to lose their fingers (or arms).  

It isn't that hard to say the wrong thing when talking from a position of authority on an internet forum.  Some people get butt hurt way too easy and lash out which gives every limp dick poser a chance to join in to the flay fest online.  Been there done that on a couple forums, finally gave up trying with the younger generation that doesn't seem to pay respect to elders who know more than they do.  I'm pretty much neutral here, it isn't worth the stress of trying to explain life to newbs still living with their parents.  

I respect GG for what he did for the hobby, regardless of how it looks today.  He served a very useful purpose that no one else was providing at the time.  At least not for us mopar nuts.

Now, while I know my car is pretty rare, and it came equipped with odd or rare options that made it unique, since it isn't a NM car It will never be worth what the BJ people want for big money...that and the fact that I just don't have the skills necessary to rebuild the car from scratch any better than I actually have.  Today it is worlds better than it was when I got it in the summer of 78.  But it would be a find for someone that wanted to do a rotisserie restoration later.  Not many  old chargers have been stored safely in a dry garage for 30+ years.

I can relate to all of what you've said here. I met GG 12 years ago when his inspection reports were worth his asking price but at the time I just wanted to add to the cars history/documentation without a future goal in mind.
My car is a lot like yours in that I fixed it for myself to enjoy.  I also wanted to avoid needless mistakes with regard to it's originality. After all my intent was to have the car be like it was made to be and drive it.

Some like the challenge and satisfaction of bringing something from their past back to life.  Some want to just enjoy something from their past. And others want to perhaps help us with our desire and make a living from it.---the flippers---  We all are here because the cars are fun.

[ACUDANUT]

Off topic. Chad, don't all chemist have the same degree. Wither working in metals, wet digestion or meds ect ?

[Chad L. Magee]

Off topic. Chad, don't all chemist have the same degree. Wither working in metals, wet digestion or meds ect ?

Yes and no, it depends upon the degree level and knowledge needed to earn that level.  I have an ACS (American Chemical Society) approved bachelor's degree, which means that I took additional STEM classes above what a normal chemistry bachelor's degree would have had to take.  (It also means that I had at least a math and a physics minor with that particular degree, on top of my history minor.)  When you get to the post-bachelor degrees, the degree level is the same, but not always the amount of knowledge that needs to be known/applied to earn the higher degrees.  Certain areas are much harder to earn Masters/PhDs than others within my discipline of science.  With my particular PhD, I had to show mastery in both organic (ligands), inorganic (metal cations) and analytical (instrumentation) areas at the same time in my research project (designing environmental sensors).  If I had a lack on any of those areas, I would not have been able to pass my defense and graduate.  In a nut shell, I was basically a chemical engineer (CE) in practice without that specific designation on my degree...

[Redmanf1]

I know some of his fees are kind of expensive but people are entitled to profit off there knowledge
I met Galen Govier when he came and inspected my superbird in 6/11. At first he seemed to be a little standoffish but as conversations went on he was a little more relaxed. Maybe things got in runaway mode as his services were wanted and as many other things it can change us. Who knows but he was professional when he inspected my car, (picture attached).


Nelson

[Highwaystar]

So what happened to Galen Govier? still alive? still documenting cars? Any new news since 2014?

[xs29j8Bullitt]

So what happened to Galen Govier? still alive? still documenting cars? Any new news since 2014?

He is doing just fine...

[Benji]

Someone mentioned GG earlier in a post about a Hemi Cuda.  I don't know which car GG was checking out and was suspicious but I do know for a fact that at least one of the eleven 1971 Hemi Cuda convertibles around today is a re-body, although I have not been able to find the guy that did it in 1974 (he would be well into his eighties by now). He did it because he recognized the car was rare and wanted to save it.  I know he changed the fender tag and the dash pad with the attached VIN number but I doubt he changed the number on the cowl or under the trunk lid gasket.  My guess is someone else did that later on when it was discovered that the numbers didn't match. The car had been wrecked in Cleveland Ohio and there wasn't much left of it when I saw in on the back of a roll away wrecker when it arrived at Nick's body shop in St. Clairsville, Ohio. Nick bought a 1971 'Cuda convertible in Wheeling WV with either a 340 or a 383 in it. It was red. He ordered a new K member and various other hemi specific parts that were needed to bring the car back to life from Richland Motors in St.C. He then  swapped everything over, added a Dana 60 differential from a 1970 Challenger, painted the car blue with black hockey stripes and sold the car for around 4800 bucks.

Benji

[birdsandbees]

Who cares.. 13 years and still waiting for my 'Bird fender tag from GG. He did my 'Bee paperwork, registry (#3 of 6   in Canada) etc and then unless I paid to talk with him on the phone couldn't get him to complete my Superbird requests that were sent right in the same package as the the 'Bee information along with my CC number. The Bird would have been easier for him to do, with me supplying 1 and a 1/3rd build sheet copies for the car!

Thankfully David Wise took care of me nicely last year.  

[A12 Superbee]

Ahhh, I remember leading him around at Chrysler Engineering in 1985, back when this was all strictly a HOBBY!!!!
His eyes were BIG as I showed him the HUGE warehouse FILLED with documents going back through the ages!
That's all been torn down for decades. Wonder where it all went??     
 

I heard it all went into the dumpster. The new cover story is it got lost in a fire.  LEON.

I heard that GG ended up with unescorted access to these 'old files nobody wants' and walked out of there each time with heaps of documentation, hence why 'only he' knows or has info on certain cars. He trickle feeds the community and has a constant cash flow from it. If its true we can only hope he has some real treasures thought lost for all time and one day releases it to the community, for free!

[1974dodgecharger]

you guys cant blame him he is making money off the history of the classics......so many people missed out on making money from the old times hence why current mopar fanatics are doing what they are doing now documenting everything down to the time they bought their car and pictures galore....like I said before I know a guy who did not start his hellcat challenger when he paid cash he had a tow truck come get it in the dealership, tow it out, then unloaded it in a garage with a bubble I mean literally a BUBBLE WRAP!!!!  he said this car is like 1970 all over again where people missed out on making money...should be worth 3 million dollars.


Dick Landy was the same way.....he claimed he missed out on the HEMi craze when he was doing dual plugs setups, helping folks, etc..not making any money back in the day, but did it for the love of cars and racing....then as he got older he needed money to be able to live and then he started to charge folks 5 grand to verify if it was his car he drove back in the day so then people would restore them and sell em off his name.....

[birdsandbees]

Nobody.. at least not me.. is blaming GG for making money off hard earned knowledge. Just do what you were asked and paid to do and we'd all be happy! 

[FJMG]

Who cares.. 13 years and still waiting for my 'Bird fender tag from GG. He did my 'Bee paperwork, registry (#3 of 6   in Canada) etc and then unless I paid to talk with him on the phone couldn't get him to complete my Superbird requests that were sent right in the same package as the the 'Bee information along with my CC number. The Bird would have been easier for him to do, with me supplying 1 and a 1/3rd build sheet copies for the car!

Thankfully David Wise took care of me nicely last year.  

Sure is interesting how some of us are treated differently by the same people, when I wanted someone to inspect my car before I started the resto, i was told to give Wise a call, after he finally returned my call I offered to pay his rate and his flight/food/accommodations but he told me "not interested in your unrestored car" and to call him when I felt my car was complete and he would then be willing to perform the inspection and let me know what I need to change.
Called GG up, we set up a date whereupon he performed everything I hired him to do and more, even took us out for a meal. My wife and I bump into GG at most of the shows we attend and he always makes time for us.

[DAY CLONA]

i was told to give Wise a call, after he finally returned my call I offered to pay his rate and his flight/food/accommodations but he told me "not interested in your unrestored car" and to call him when I felt my car was complete and he would then be willing to perform the inspection and let me know what I need to change.

What's wrong with some of these self anointed chalk mark gurus, "I'm not interested in your un-restored vehicle, call me when it's done" I'd want to know what to "correct"  BEFORE the resto, not AFTER! plus how much faith can you put into some of these guys?, I've been present at a few of these so-called "inspections", I usually leave with an even lower opinion of the individual performing the "inspection" after seeing some of the glaring errors or missed observations they make on some cars, and sometimes it appears more like a rushed gloss over, with the main goal being for a check/cash in hand for "services rendered"

[FJMG]

I'd want to know what to "correct"  BEFORE the resto, not AFTER!

Exactly my way of thinking!

I posted because some people assumed mr. Wise "does everything" and pointed me in his direction. When i spoke with him on the phone he was polite, professional and very clear with me, "complete your restoration then call me". The call cost me nothing.

My point is, unless your car is restored, you need to look elsewhere.

[69bronzeT5]

I spoke to Diane in early December about my early built loaded GY3 '71 R/T dealer demonstrator car. Asked about the full package they offer and just pricing to verify optioms it has and could of had (1/4 of my broadcast sheet is gone).  Went back and forth for two days with her. Sent her tons of pictures and every form of documentation I had that she wanted. She said she would talk to Galen and get back to me on a price. Never did. I emailed her at the beginning of January asking for an update and never got a response. I've heard tons of stories of this happening and have never been a big fan of him but thought I'd give him a chance as his services are quite unique and valuable but it seems the stories are true.

[birdsandbees]

So what did that cost, you, to supply GG with free documentation for his files?? 

[moparnation74]

You supplied him free information.......

Waste of money

[Magnumcharger]

I was "friends" with Galen on Facebook.
One of my real friends posted on a Facebook thread about sending a cheque to Galen along with the proper information to get a data tag made.
Happy anniversary! Two years later it's still not done.
I don't know what kind of business model he has at "Galen's Tag Service", but I know I couldn't survive long in any job with that kind of service attitude.

Anyhow, I said something on that thread that defended my friend, and offended Galen, obviously.
So he sends me a message, behind the scenes on Facebook messenger.

Its taken me awhile to get over the loss...but I think I'll survive.
LOL!

[Ponch ®]

at some point, this obsession w/ the car's "history" and absurdly trivial "options" becomes a circle jerk.

Look, cant argue against the fact that a mopar is objectively more rare than a mustang or a nova and thus there's some more value to it.

then, you can say that a B body is rarer than an a 4 door a body.

then, well, a car with a HEMI is rarer than a 318 or 383. So far so good.

then, a winged car is rarer than non winged car. Still makes some sense.

But when we (and by "we" i mean mopar enthusiasts, and i guess car guys in general) start arguing - and actually believing -  that a car is worth $50K more than a nearly identical one because it was built at the L.A. plant in October of the previous year and has super rare dome light ring that didn't come on cars built after November at the Hamtramck plant...well thats the kinda thing that makes it an unattainable hobby, and then we wonder why young kids would rather buy Scion FR-S instead of a muscle car.

[birdsandbees]

I was "friends" with Galen on Facebook.
One of my real friends posted on a Facebook thread about sending a cheque to Galen along with the proper information to get a data tag made.
Happy anniversary! Two years later it's still not done.
I don't know what kind of business model he has at "Galen's Tag Service", but I know I couldn't survive long in any job with that kind of service attitude.

Only 2.. like I said I'm 13 years and counting.. 

[1974dodgecharger]

people do it for, 'value' nothing more......thinking Galens name on it adds value to car, but yes you guys are correct we keep sending him information for his vault and he never gets back with you guys is rude.

at some point, this obsession w/ the car's "history" and absurdly trivial "options" becomes a circle jerk.

Look, cant argue against the fact that a mopar is objectively more rare than a mustang or a nova and thus there's some more value to it.

then, you can say that a B body is rarer than an a 4 door a body.

then, well, a car with a HEMI is rarer than a 318 or 383. So far so good.

then, a winged car is rarer than non winged car. Still makes some sense.

But when we (and by "we" i mean mopar enthusiasts, and i guess car guys in general) start arguing - and actually believing -  that a car is worth $50K more than a nearly identical one because it was built at the L.A. plant in October of the previous year and has super rare dome light ring that didn't come on cars built after November at the Hamtramck plant...well thats the kinda thing that makes it an unattainable hobby, and then we wonder why young kids would rather buy Scion FR-S instead of a muscle car.

[Lennard]

I called my buddy G.G. a couple of months ago to come check out my '68 and make me a new fender tag, since the original fender tag was long gone when I bought it.
This is what he made me... and he didn't charge me anything. 

[RCCDrew]