Greetings to one and all...
My name is Robert and I am new to the board, but a long-time MoPar nut and former Drag Racer. I am eager to get involved in the forum and pursue my latest project.
I grew up working in my family's restoration shoppe and started building Flathead Ford V8's, under my dad's supervision, at the age of 12. I went on to manage the firm's machine shop and engine facility. By the age of 16, I had my first MoPar; a Silver & Black 1969 383 Plymouth Road Runner with A/C delete and a 4 speed. From that day on, I was hooked.
I traded the Road Runner for a 1969 Dodge Charger RT/SE and moved up to a 440. That was my daily driver throughout high school and it was the first car I restored for myself.
In 1988, I had the opportunity to trade the Charger for a 1967 Dodge Coronet R/T, Bench Seat, Column Shift Automatic with a Hemi. The car ran, but the thrust was gone and the crank floated back and forth when it was running. I traded the car straight across and turned the Coronet into a race car.
We were sponsored by Iskenderian racing Cams in the 1980's and it was during that time that I began to design my own camshafts. I had great success with this and to this day, I still design and sell camshafts for a variety of engines.
I campaigned the Coronet for 2 years in NHRA Division 7. I later sold it to a collector in Southern California.
I switched to Ford for one season in 1990, running a 1966 427 Fairlaine and a 1972 429 SCJ Tornio. I quit my racing career altogether in 1990, ran the family shop until 1991 and became a police officer in 1992.
Today I am a Sergeant with a municipal police department. I work on cars now as a hobby in my spare time.
I currently own a one owner Silver & Black 1975 Firebird Formula, A/C Delete, powered by the stock 350. In storage I have a 413 CID Pontiac V8 with Roller Camshaft, M-20 Muncie and Disc Brake 10-Bolt Differential with 3.23:1 gears.
Ever since I saw Vanishing Point when I was 14, I wanted a 1970 Challenger. However, over the years, I have never, ever been able to find one, especially an A/C delete car with a stick. I finally gave up and put my emphasis on other vehicles.
Recently, I found a plum crazy, 1970 Challenger with a slant six and A/C delete. The car has the usual rust under the back glass, but floors and quarters are solid. The deal is currently under negotiation, but it looks like the purchase will go through.
To that end, I am planning to build a close replica to the VP Challenger with some exceptions. My car will feature gusseted K member & lower control arms, 1.00" torsion bars, 1.125" front sway bar, 1.00" rear sway bar, 3600 lb rear springs, 15 X 7 Rallye's up front and 15 X 8's in the back, 8-3/4" differential with Lincoln Mark VII rear disc brakes, a custom 440 (built to a 1989 recipe for a iron headed 9.50:1 440 that made 425 HP) and the classic A-833 4 speed & pistol grip without console.
The exterior will feature monochromatic Alpine White body with body colored mirrors, R/T exhaust, radio & antenna delete, no fender mounted turn signals and the famous R/T hood. The grille and headlight surrounds will be charcoal (instead of black) and the car will not have the 'black out' treatment around the taillights. All the R/T emblems will be fitted in their correct locations as a mater of course!
Right now, this project is in the dreaming stages, but it looks as though the deal will soon go through. I have a ton of Pontiac parts I can sell and/or trade for MoPar items and the 1975 Formula will be eventually sold to finance the restoration of the Challenger.
Expect me to ask lots of questions and share my knowledge of building competition engines over the years. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.
Best of luck on your projects...Robert
