SJV Mopars Madera CA 10-8 Show w/ Pics

[68X426]

Saturday 10-8-11 San Joaquin Valley Mopars Fall Finale at Madera CA. Great event, well organized, excellent location. Smaller turnout than last year, but it was top flight quality as always. Many fewer of the new generation Charger-Challenger-300.

So I'll brag. I took home a first place in the Hemi-Winged-Wedge group. It is quite satisfying (I won't kid anyone) because it is a vote of the car owners. Thanks folks for the recognition. The group included not one but two restored Superbirds and a fantastic 65 Hemi Belvedere.

Lucky me to get first place, because the Hemi Cuda was stunning. It was in the Convertible group and took first there. If it had been in the Hemi group I think it would have won.

[68X426]

More pics. The 66 GTX was first in the Race Car group. The 63 Plymouth was a very fine Petty tribute car (yes it is Petty Blue but doesn't look that way in the pic). The AMX is my friend Keith's and took first in the Other category. I love the black steelies on the Charger.

[FlatbackFanatic]

Wow!!! What great pics!! That 71 Cuda is very nice looking!!! Thanks for posting.

[twodko]

Dan, congrats!!!!! I was unaware you had wing car............holdin' out on me. Your compression shot of the 2 Plymouth wing cars is a.............WINNER!

[Budnicks]

Congrats Dan,  I love the photos  .....

[68X426]

Tom: no, no, I don't have a Wing car. I wish. Just my old Hemi. I'll clear up the confusion.

Here's what the San Joaquin Valley Mopar Club does for their big show. They have a category that can (emphasis on can) include all Hemi cars along with all Max Wedge cars and Daytonas/Superbirds. No other club designs a class like this that I have heard of. Every club should, SJVM is way ahead on this one.

Face it, everyone will admit that these are three unique vehicles (whether you love them or hate them, they are special).

I think it's great for several reasons. One, if you have a Hemi car, you have to chose the group you deem appropriate for you: B, E, or A Body, Convertible, or Hemi. It opens up the first four of those classes to move some of the Hemis out and into their own select group. I hear it all the time at shows - "not fair, your Road Runner is a Hemi". I get that, there is a bias (wow factor) in favor of a Hemi. There is also a strong anti-Hemi bias. I hear plenty of crap about Hemi at shows from the Hemi haters. So everyone is happy if the Hemis are separated out.

Also there is a bias in favor of Max Wedges in the early Bs. A separate class helps to open up that group. And of course it's never, never, ever, "fair" to have Winged cars in the Charger/Road Runner group. Strong bias there too.

I think every club could solve this dilemma doing what SJVMopars does. Of course a Wedge can still enter B-Body. And there were numerous Hemis in the E, B and Convertible groups at the show. The owner has to chose where to enter.

Anyway, I don't have a Wing. 

[randr]

Wow! Great show! Thanks for sharing

[Dans 68]

Thanks for sharing the great pics, Dan.    Looked like a great time and day. If the '68 was presentable I would have been there.

Dan