Is it me or is all the big, cool Mopar stuff on the east coast?

[bull]

Maybe I'm suffering from false jelousy but it sure seems to me that all the cool Mopar stuff is a long, long ways away from us out here in the west. All the big car shows, parts suppliers, classic car dealers; even most Ebay sellers seem to be east of the Mississippi. Is this the case or does the grass just look greener on the other side? Even California seems to be short on this type of stuff.

[b5blue]

Well I find allot of cool cars and parts on the west coast but shows and such you may be correct. (I don't get around much lately)

[1969chargerrtse]

I've lived in Ct all my life and yes the East Coast is full of Muscle Cars from FL TO Main, across to Ohio and PA.   

[68X426]

I think you are right Bull, not your imagination. The grass is greener in the Midwest especially. 

I'm up here in the mountains in Northern California, but I get east of the Big River often enough to say that the Midwest (especially Ohio and Indiana) is tops for Mopar and the east coast is right on their heels.

It's just different demographics, culture, passion, etc. and yes Caleeeeeefornia is way behind.

[Cooter]

Well, I guess when DVAP got pretty much EVERY "Desert" find out in the Navada/Arizona Desert, all the "rust free" stuff has seen an incline in money making ability on said cars. Therefore, the only thing left is the east coast "Rust buckets" and nobody wanted them when the "Boom" was going on, but now that those cars [Desert cars] are all priced accordingly, these are all that's left....We have to come up with the Sheet metal and what not for the "Rust Buckets" ...Just one man's .02

[Charger440RDN]

You would think the west coast, especially the south west would be like mopar heaven, considering how many rust free chargers are still out there.
Some of these cars have floor pans as clean as the day they left the factory. In California it's not that big of a deal to see old cars on the road.

A LIFETIME OF NO SALT + NO SNOW = GOOD FOR OLD CARS   So the west coast still has the advantage with the weather, plus out there you can drive your Charger year round.

It sucks here in Illinois, you never see old muscle cars unless it's a car show in the summer.

[bull]

I think the east coast people bought up all the west coast rust free survivors. What I don't get is why the demographics seem to dictate that people on the east coast are just more interested in muscle cars. Seems the vehicles people in my area are most interested in is bicycles, Toyota Priuses, rice-burners, Harleys and Subaru Outbacks.

[Charger440RDN]

Seems the vehicles people in my area are most interested in is bicycles, Toyota Priuses, rice-burners, Harleys and Subaru Outbacks.

That is a shame  and they have the perfect weather to drive a muscle car or classic car year round  what a waste.

[bull]

Seems the vehicles people in my area are most interested in is bicycles, Toyota Priuses, rice-burners, Harleys and Subaru Outbacks.

That is a shame  and they have the perfect weather to drive a muscle car or classic car year round  what a waste.

Well, no so much in my area (Portland) but California and pretty much all of the southwest is ideal.

[Dans 68]

Yes, I've too long held the opinion that all the big shows are around and about the east coast. It may be that the population density has a bit to do with that, Chargers included. Or it could be that those poor souls that reside in 4-season country have to plan a bit more, with shows and exhibitions, to enjoy their cars. 

But, in the Bay Area (aka the Left Coast) there is usually a show every weekend during the summer, with a few large shows in and about during the year (I'm hopeful that MATS will continue). And we can drive every day of the year.     I think it's an equitable situation.                 

Dan

[472 R/T SE]

Years ago the Spring Round Up was a must see event for left coasters'.  Drag racing on Saturday & show/swap meet on Sunday.  All the Mopar magazines used to show up.  Then they started their nomadic ways & the following suffered.  I sure hope they're able to stay put in their new digs to hopefully rekindle what used to be.

But yes we suffer from the lack of the big events up here.  I don't think I remember even the Power Tour coming any farther west than the Rocky Mountains.

[68X426]

I beg forgiveness for denegrating the western territories without having attended Hot August Nights.

I am told by everyone that Hot August Nights in Reno is the greatest show on earth. I haven't attended, I hope to next year (I am number 6000 on a waiting list of 6000, it might happen ).

So until I get to Hot August Nights, I should withhold saying the Midwest rules. Then again I am told HAN is way light on Mopars, filled with Brand F and Brand C. So we will see.

[TexasStroker]

I've never understood it.  As cited above, I personally feel it has a lot to do with population density and the location of media outlets.  The east coast is basically a megalopolis now.  Out west you have wide open spaces.  I knew a few girls in college that came from the northeast and they were down right terrified to be driving around here on a highway with no sign of life (cars, people, builldings, cities).  There are some great shows in our area, but they never really get "pushed" much farther than say a 250 mile radius at the max.  You can see pics from people that make some of these shows and wonder why they are not covered by major media outlets or promoted better.

It is one heck of a drive to Ohio, which I believe to be the mecca, despite having never been there...perhaps that is the concentric circle displayed on Moparts, idk.  But in general they seem to have the highest ratio of Mopars, Mopar people, and Mopar parts in the nation and are always within a reasonable drive of anything else "major."  That said there are solid shows in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Ok City, ABQ, all over KS and yet outside of a few valiant pioneers you won't hear anything of them.

Maybe I am an idiot or too optimistic, but I am hoping to change that.  I have wanted to go to MATS since I knew of it, but have yet to get to go.  It always fell the week before spring break here, and subsequently the week of midterms    Being on scholarships you sort of have to take those things seriously.  But still, Vegas is a sort of intermediate location for those across the southwest, a drive for people around here and in the Pacific Northwest and just a luxury trip for those back east that can afford to make the trip.

Amarillo may not have an ocean or casinos, but by gosh we have flat land, hotels, and long, straight roads.  I am willing to do whatever it takes to get large scale shows and cruises set-up here, even if we serve as a half-way point for ABQ and OKC.  Just think of throwing the NM and OK Mopar scenes together...coupled with what we can bring up from down South.  Kansas and Colorado would come for that!  Have a successful event and word gets out.  The next year you've got AZ, WY, MO, AR, LA...It just spreads.  You have to start somewhere.

I am weird in the fact I prefer just to go to a show to see the cars, meet the people behind the cars, hear their stories, and take pictures.  I don't really need awards to make me feel special.  I would much rather put on 40 miles of cruising with a pack of old school Mopars than have a trophy or plaque.  If you have people that think like myself you can start to eliminate costs.  The idea of hauling a car cross country and then shelling out $$ to park it just doesn't gel well with me.  I know the bigger the event the more you need (facility, food, restrooms, staff, security etc) but really if people are just self-sufficient and work for the greater good you can save on those costs. 

The way I see it, the goal at hand should always be to have fun.  Fun doesn't have to be associated with cost.  I always see complaints from people about the NATS or Carlisle or some other huge marquee event that a lot of us would just be estatic to attend.  If you get to the point that you can just knit-pick the lack of "quality" cars or how nasty the corn dog is you are really taking things foregranted imo. 

I do not know why events out west do not seem to garner the same praise as stuff back east, or why the attendance is down.  Common sense would dicate you go to what is the closest and attend it regularly if financially able.  If you live in Virginia and can spring to go  to MATS, what an experience!  Same for the guy in Oregon that gets to trailer his car to Columbus.  I really wish some of the "bigger" Mopar shows would bounce locations...Columbus, Nashville, Atlanta, OKC, DFW, St. Louis, Chicago, Denver, ABQ, Vegas, LA, Seattle.  You know just let everyone in on the action.  All those cities are well capable of handing the events.  I don't know if Amarillo would offer the venue or the likes for something of that magnitude, but by gosh I'll try it. 

I want the east coast to continue to thrive and offer a trip for Mopar enthusiasts, but I hate it when people outside of the region feel like we are getting the shaft...which is kind of a mutual feeling. 

I don't know what it is worth to anyone, but I will gladly help work towards getting something set up in this area.  Whether it is ABQ, DFW, or OKC I will gladly do what I can with the AAM membership to get word out.  Events have to start at some point and if the desire is for something on the scale of the big shows, it will require more work.  Again for what it is worth I am willing to do my part to help anyone out.  I don't care if you are having something in Seattle, Phoenix, or even Ohio for that matter. 

I've always thought it would be cool to see a series of local, regional, and national shows that kind of stretch across show season under one collective banner, but that is probably too far from reality to even mention.  Just something where if a person was so inclined they could tour the country while hitting up Mopar event after Mopar event.

Anyway, I'll quit rambing...this stuff happens when you never sleep   

[Supercharged Riot]

Mine came from New Mexico.  Not quite east coast I might say

[1969chargerrtse]

My point is we had them from day one.  All the high school kids had vettes and Muscle cars, and I'm talking the 60's and 70's.   Muscle cars and cruise nights were everywhere, I remember Daytona's and Birds used as daily drivers all over the place.  Big Muscle car state here in Ct and all across the East Coast, nothing has changed, we didn't get into the hobby recently and buy them from dry states.  We always had them and will continue to have them here. 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

All the really cool cars are up in Canada

[bull]

Yes, Like Texas says the distance thing is probably a big issue in the west. There was an event in California a few years back where they tried to get people from all over the west to attend. I think Brock was helping to advertise it, but as mentioned before it is pretty difficult to get people to drive vast distances to an event when there's no assurance that many people are going to show. I don't know how far people generally drive to get to the MATS but for someone from Seattle to drive to San Francisco is about 800 miles; 1,100+ to LA and Vegas is a little bit farther. How far do guys generally drive to get to the big east coast events?

[charger490]

i live in western new york and go to car shows every week in the summer sat and sun and see 15 to 20 mopars at the shows. the mopar show in syrcuse has 125 to 180 cars

[68X426]

I beg forgiveness for denegrating the western territories without having attended Hot August Nights.

I am told by everyone that Hot August Nights in Reno is the greatest show on earth. I haven't attended, I hope to next year (I am number 6000 on a waiting list of 6000, it might happen ).

So until I get to Hot August Nights, I should withhold saying the Midwest rules. Then again I am told HAN is way light on Mopars, filled with Brand F and Brand C. So we will see.

Thought I should update this topic. It was a very good one.

I attended Hot August Nights and the Mopars were fantastic, the handful that were there that is. At best 2% was Mopar. The A&W show, not connected to HAN, was incredible, but maybe 80 cars tops.

So cross off Reno and HAN, the Midwest and the East rule.

[Ghoste]

I thought I once read something about Chrysler sales figures being much stronger in the northeast region
back in the day and especially their muscle cars.  That would make sense since door slammers were a lot more popular than rails in the same area.
Of course that should make for a strong Chrysler showing in areas where NASCAR was popular too
back when it was worth seeing.

[PocketThunder]

Yes, I've too long held the opinion that all the big shows are around and about the east coast. It may be that the population density has a bit to do with that, Chargers included. Or it could be that those poor souls that reside in 4-season country have to plan a bit more, with shows and exhibitions, to enjoy their cars. 

But, in the Bay Area (aka the Left Coast) there is usually a show every weekend during the summer, with a few large shows in and about during the year (I'm hopeful that MATS will continue). And we can drive every day of the year.     I think it's an equitable situation.                 

Dan

4 season country?  what are you talkin' bout?     Here in the midwest we have 2 seasons, winter and road construction!   

[68X426]

Yes, I've too long held the opinion that all the big shows are around and about the east coast. It may be that the population density has a bit to do with that, Chargers included. Or it could be that those poor souls that reside in 4-season country have to plan a bit more, with shows and exhibitions, to enjoy their cars. 

But, in the Bay Area (aka the Left Coast) there is usually a show every weekend during the summer, with a few large shows in and about during the year (I'm hopeful that MATS will continue). And we can drive every day of the year.     I think it's an equitable situation.                 

Dan

4 season country?  what are you talkin' bout?     Here in the midwest we have 2 seasons, winter and road construction!   

And, least we forget, deer season. 

[chargerboy69]

Here in the midwest we have 2 seasons, winter and road construction!   

  That is the truth.

[PocketThunder]

Yes, I've too long held the opinion that all the big shows are around and about the east coast. It may be that the population density has a bit to do with that, Chargers included. Or it could be that those poor souls that reside in 4-season country have to plan a bit more, with shows and exhibitions, to enjoy their cars. 

But, in the Bay Area (aka the Left Coast) there is usually a show every weekend during the summer, with a few large shows in and about during the year (I'm hopeful that MATS will continue). And we can drive every day of the year.     I think it's an equitable situation.                 

Dan

4 season country?  what are you talkin' bout?     Here in the midwest we have 2 seasons, winter and road construction!   

And, least we forget, deer season. 

i thought that was just Wisconsin, where i'm from.  the whole state shuts down for 9 days in November and everyone is ok with it.  That reminds me i need to start saving up for my license this year. 

[moparstuart]

Yes, I've too long held the opinion that all the big shows are around and about the east coast. It may be that the population density has a bit to do with that, Chargers included. Or it could be that those poor souls that reside in 4-season country have to plan a bit more, with shows and exhibitions, to enjoy their cars. 

But, in the Bay Area (aka the Left Coast) there is usually a show every weekend during the summer, with a few large shows in and about during the year (I'm hopeful that MATS will continue). And we can drive every day of the year.     I think it's an equitable situation.                 

Dan

4 season country?  what are you talkin' bout?     Here in the midwest we have 2 seasons, winter and road construction!   

And, least we forget, deer season. 

i thought that was just Wisconsin, where i'm from.  the whole state shuts down for 9 days in November and everyone is ok with it.  That reminds me i need to start saving up for my license this year. 

you already have had your quota   

[Ponch ®]

At the risk of being Captain Obvious, we have a huge car culture here in SoCal. There are multiple car shows and cruises every week (esp. during the summer). If you're just talking about MOPAR stuff and why there doesn't seem to be as many as the other makes, it's true to an extent. But if you have a cruise/show with 500 cars and only 50 are mopars, they certainly are not dominating the scene. Still,  50 mopars is more than you get at some MOPAR only shows in some parts of the country. You may not see a classic mopar 'just driving around' every day, but they do come out for the big events.

As far as shows, we have Spring Fling (300-400 cars), MATS, the one in NorCal (sorry if I can't remember what its called), and if you wanna count the modern stuff, the LX Spring Festival, which has gotten so big (expecting 1000 cars for the 2011 show) that it got Chrysler's attention and  it now cooperates with the guys that organize the show.

Here, take a gander at the car show / cruise calendar in SoCal for the next couple of months...

http://socalcarculture.com/events.html

[Old Moparz]

Cool cars are on the east coast for an obvious reason. That's where all the cool people are.       

[chargergirl]

We went North once without a trailer...never again.

[dangina]

 

[chargermike]

colorado has a very big mopar family and car shows all the time.  the golden super cruise happens every 1st. sat of the month. may thru oct. 2000 hot rods in the town and the town puts it on. this is something to see. on average about 50 or more mopars. and we all hang together. we call our selfs the car freaks that rode the SHORT BUS. if your ever in colorado you want to check this out. or go to the golden super cruise.com.  and a ton of nice mopars here.

[69 OUR/TEA]

Maybe I'm suffering from false jelousy but it sure seems to me that all the cool Mopar stuff is a long, long ways away from us out here in the west. All the big car shows, parts suppliers, classic car dealers; even most Ebay sellers seem to be east of the Mississippi. Is this the case or does the grass just look greener on the other side? Even California seems to be short on this type of stuff.

I don't know about that bull,my ultimate charger that I truely wanted was a factory 3x9 69 R/T stripe delete,always kept an eye out(even though I had a 69 R/T b5 blue),and if it came up would have to act.Hence the one I have now which ended up being a R/T SE to boot,and loaded w/fact options.It came from CA in 2003,and now I realize inspecting this car more closely,little things that to me make a difference.....the vent window chrome is very nice,can def stay,the check moldings also,you would swear they are rechromed,and even the chrome tailight bezels are unbeleivable as being orig,and also won't need to be replaced.NTM,from there not being sand on the roads for winters,all my side glass is mint,not having sand sitting in the wipes,and by not having ice on the windows,noone ever had to scrape the glass also putting scratches on them.
So basically,I'm thrilled that my car is from cali,gonna be a pleasure to restore this one,and wish I had more from there.As far as the east coast,yes,there is alot of shows Mopar related around here.My fav,Chryslers at Carlisle.Where I'm from in CT,there is a Mopar club that puts on a pretty decent size Mopar show every month,May till Oct.And a Mopar catered cruise night every Sat from April till Nov night at a BK,which Rob(1969chargerrtse)NEVER goes to!!!!!!
Plus alot of good people out here.

[bakerhillpins]

As far as the east coast,yes,there is alot of shows Mopar related around here.My fav,Chryslers at Carlisle.Where I'm from in CT,there is a Mopar club that puts on a pretty decent size Mopar show every month,May till Oct.And a Mopar catered cruise night every Sat from April till Nov night at a BK,which Rob(1969chargerrtse)NEVER goes to!!!!!!
Plus alot of good people out here.

Man I am going to have to keep an eye on the events calendar here and go down to some of those shows if they are big Mopar shows!

As far as where the cars are for sale... seems to me the mid-west and west have the most cars for sale. Maybe because it's the only part of the country where they were able to survive in the wild that long.

[SFRT]

California is Chevy country. Old Chevy's outnumber everything else. Around the Bay Area theres also a huge amount of vintage Buicks. Mopars are thin on the ground. theres got to be 200 Chevelles for every Charger, easy.

[1969chargerrtse]

Yep, it's here.

[71ChallengeHer]

Cool cars are on the east coast for an obvious reason. That's where all the cool people are.       

   

[maxwellwedge]

Seems the vehicles people in my area are most interested in is bicycles, Toyota Priuses, rice-burners, Harleys and Subaru Outbacks.

That is a shame  and they have the perfect weather to drive a muscle car or classic car year round  what a waste.

Well, no so much in my area (Portland) but California and pretty much all of the southwest is ideal.

Bull - I have 4 cars from out of Portland and the metal on them looks pristine......they are all mint. Something out your way agrees with the cars!

[maxwellwedge]

All the really cool cars are up in Canada

Maybe one or two or three or....................