At what years do you think Mopar quits?

[Crimson]

Someone I was talking to the other day mentioned their Dodge Neon and used Mopar in the same sentence. No offense, but is this really still the Mopar we know and love? (unless you own one) But at what year do you think that "Mopar" kind of quit and "Dodge" took back over haha.

[greenpigs]

I would say 74 would be a good date of death for Mopar(cars)..when they were reborn is the bigger debate.

[TruckDriver]

I think Mopar was gone by the mid 80s. The police Diplomats and the Furys were that last of the good cars.

[Hemidoug]

Nope, you are all wrong...Mopar died when Benz took Chrysler over. They beat it to death and now they are kickin' it to the curb.

[bordin34]

I think it died with the K-Car (excluding shelby chargers)

[is_it_EVER_done?]

As an old guy, and lifelong Chrysler addict, I can tell you that the word "MOPAR" was used by the Ford and Chevy guys as a highly DEROGATORY reference, NEVER by an enthusiast. These cars, parts, and hobby used to be referred to as "Chrysler" by us enthusiasts, and others that weren't trying to get under our skin. It's still hard for me to refer to them as Mopars even though that is, not only the accepted term, but is a source of pride nowdays! It's kind of like referring to Fords as FOMOCO's or Chevys as DELCOS.

This posts original question is at what year does Mopar cease to refer to performance? I have no clue, as I'm still trying to figure out how they EVER became Mopars in the first place?

[Hemidoug]

As an old guy, and lifelong Chrysler addict, I can tell you that the word "MOPAR" was used by the Ford and Chevy guys as a highly DEROGATORY reference, NEVER by an enthusiast. These cars, parts, and hobby used to be referred to as "Chrysler" by us enthusiasts, and others that weren't trying to get under our skin. It's still hard for me to refer to them as Mopars even though that is, not only the accepted term, but is a source of pride nowdays! It's kind of like referring to Fords as FOMOCO's or Chevys as DELCOS.

This posts original question is at what year does Mopar cease to refer to performance? I have no clue, as I'm still trying to figure out how they EVER became Mopars in the first place?

Oh, I don't know about that...I've been around Chryslers all my life, as well as enjoyed Chrysler muscle when they were just considered gas hungry POS used cars. We always refered to our cars as Mopars for as long as I can remember. I'm with ya on the Cheeby and Ford bubbas trying to get under our skin, but they always backed off when it came time to run. We always refered to Chrysler performance cars as mopars with pride.  The saying "Mopar or no car" has been around since I can remember...all the way back into the early 70s. Maybe it's a geographic thing......

[is_it_EVER_done?]

...all the way back into the early 70s....

all the way back to the 70's!  

Sorry, I'm just having fun, no offense intended. ... I'm pretty sure I said I was an OLD GUY! I still think of the post 69 cars as late models . Beleive it or not, what I said is absolutely TRUE!

[Ghoste]

I think it ended with the sellout to Daimler as well.

[71ChallengeHer]

As an old guy, and lifelong Chrysler addict, I can tell you that the word "MOPAR" was used by the Ford and Chevy guys as a highly DEROGATORY reference, NEVER by an enthusiast. These cars, parts, and hobby used to be referred to as "Chrysler" by us enthusiasts, and others that weren't trying to get under our skin. It's still hard for me to refer to them as Mopars even though that is, not only the accepted term, but is a source of pride nowdays! It's kind of like referring to Fords as FOMOCO's or Chevys as DELCOS.

This posts original question is at what year does Mopar cease to refer to performance? I have no clue, as I'm still trying to figure out how they EVER became Mopars in the first place?

The name Mopar came from the parts division , Motor- Parts.

[Hemidoug]

The name Mopar came from the parts division , Motor- Parts.

Oh, I know exactly where the name came from, I was speeking about how it was/is used...

[6pkrunner]

I've been around the cars since the early 60s and Mopar was on the parts boxes and lubricant drums but really not used that much in day to day conversation. Dodge and Plymouth were the most used terms and the FoMoCo and General guys called everything a Dodge -whether it was a Dodge, Plymouth or Chrysler.
As far as it dying - same as the rest of the industry died I'd say, mid 70s or so.

[Brock Samson]

FYI: from allparcom

http://www.allpar.com/ed/chryslertakeover.html

  I.M.O.
   I concider the 300 M and Plymouth,..  ooops,..    sorry the "Chysler" PT Cruiser the last of the real mopars, the cutoff would have to be  the Pacifica and anything that has followed, and  i've never heard the MOPAR label as being dirogitory myself and I've been following cars religiously since 1966.  but  perhaps the VIPER could be grandfathered in..
  don't forget the corp. was planning a four and rear wheel drive V-8 LHs intill the "Takeover".
   BTW: I'm voting with my wallet.
   no DCX products for me...





   

[Ghoste]

What an appropriate cartoon.  You know my wife and I have started new car shopping and for what we want and like, so far Chrysler is the only thing that has anything really new to offer.  It's really too bad the mid size Dodge four door is such an ugly car to us both because it would be perfect from a functionality standpoint.  We did see a Magnum we really liked though.

[hemihead]

1983

[Lowprofile]

I don't know........I have a 93 RamCharger, and its a pretty good truck.

[Dennis K]

1978 was the last year you could get a big block V8 with a 4 bbl carb in a 2 door rear wheel drive car. That's the last car Mopar ever made that left any impression on  me.

[71bee]

Daimler killed it. plain and simple. Thanks a bunch Dr. Z! (friggin' JACK ASS!!!) 

I cringe every time I see a Mercedes these days. 

[Ghoste]

You have to blame the former Chrysler execs and major shareholders who sold the company to them a little bit too.  Just so they could line their pockets.
Of course, maybe you could blame Kerkorian and Iaccoca too.  They tried to initiate a hostile takeover and that was what panicked them into selling for a better deal in the first place, wasn't it?

[41husk]

I don't think it,s dead yet, it became very ill in the mid 70s and was near death in the early eighties.  The K car put it in remission and got it of the reperator.  Cars like the PT cruizer have given a fresh look to the Company and seemed to keep it heathy.  The enteire U.S. auto industry is in poor health at this time.  If not for the Mustang ford would already be dead and buried, Gm is looking to the Cammaro to turn around their condition, and many believe the Challenger will be the Dodge life saver.  Only time will tell if these companies can get healthy or even stay alive in a global economy, that is seeing other countries building quality transportation for less money.  This allows them to sell world wide cheeper than this countries auto makers can.  Now granted,  I prefer a stylish old school look with all the new creature comforts, but I won't be buying 50,000 of them no matter how sweet they look.  If American Auto makers don't find away to keep prices competative with Hyundi, Kia, and toyota the entire U.S. industry may be terminaly il.

[Ghoste]

Well, having spent a good part of the weekend wandering car lots, I can tell you that for what you get, the Dodge pricing is extremely competetive. 

[41husk]

The problem is there is a market out there that doesn't care what you get.  They see a new car they can get for $10k less than a Dodge, Chevy or Ford.  They have no loyalty to a brand or U.S built.  all they care about is the monthly payment, and the stereo that will replace what ever comes in the car, that will also be manufactured in some other country.

[FJMG]

I agree 100% ghoste, especially with your comment on the new charger. I don't know how they got to that new style from this concept:

[Ghoste]

I agree with what you're saying Husk but what I found was that Chrysler cars were less than the competition when you were comparing similar models and you usually had more features to show for it besides.  When you get to the ultra cheap stuff like Kias or the lower Hyundais, DCX doesn't really play in that market (locally anyway) so I discount those.  As for the vastly overblown Toyotas, the styling is last year and the prices are as much as any American car.  Before someone replies about their incredible reliability, I noticed when I was on their lot that their service department was just as big and just as full as the American ones and it sure as hell didn't look like too many of them were just in there for an oil change.  Then again, maybe they only ship the junky ones to my little town.

[Paul G]

I think that Mopar still applies. My 01 Ram truck is a Mopar. Viper, Crossfire, PT Cruiser, Pacifica, 300, Durango. I would consider all of these Mopars. As long as the Pentastar is on the body and it is US built it is a Mopar. IMO.