Author Topic: In search of a 70 Challenger  (Read 5896 times)

Offline Phils other half Sue

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In search of a 70 Challenger
« on: August 28, 2011 - 05:03:51 PM »
Hi Guys, thought maybe someone could help me out here, I was Phil Alepa's fiance' of 14 years. Phil raced with the American Power Boat Association (APBA) in the Pro/Stock class where he is a two time National Champion and also was known as Mr. Mopar. Phil had owned a 1970 Dodge Challenger since 1973, he had bought the car with only a few thousand miles on it. As the owner of Alepa's Auto Works he restored the car to a custom showroom  masterpiece. His Challenger was in many car shows all over but mostly at the Jacob Javits Convention where it always took 1st place wins. His Challenger was his most prized possession! Phil lost his life on September 14th 2007 in his STV boat while out with a couple of buddies. Phil's car was sold by his family shortly after his death. The last I had heard about the car was that it was sold at the Borgota Casino in Atlantic City in 2007 at the G. Potter King Car Show. I know this is going to sound crazy as to why I am posting this message here. I woke up out of a dead sleep a couple of weeks ago from a dream I had about Phil, and in that dream he told me to FIND HIS CAR!!! I don't know how many of you believe but this dream was so real...the reason for this post is to just find out what happened to his car. If any of you have or know any information on this car please can you let me know. His car was a one of a kind so it not hard to remember! Thank You so much! as I said this post is for NO other reason but to know what happened to his car...many of you can understand the way Phil was about this car!!!  :angelwings:











Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: In search of a 70 Challenger
« Reply #1 on: August 28, 2011 - 05:27:37 PM »
Welcome to the site Sue  :wave:
I have split this into its own thread so more people will see it .
 Sorry for you loss , I hope you can locate the car though .
 NEil

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline Phils other half Sue

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Re: In search of a 70 Challenger
« Reply #2 on: August 28, 2011 - 05:40:11 PM »
Thank You so much Neil!! I really appreciate it!!!

Offline TorOrange

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Re: In search of a 70 Challenger
« Reply #3 on: August 28, 2011 - 07:14:37 PM »
You should also post this on http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php so you'll have a better chance of finding it. I'm sure you will Good luck.
WANTED 71 cuda / barracuda project. Prefer Black but open.

Offline 67vertman

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Re: In search of a 70 Challenger
« Reply #4 on: August 28, 2011 - 07:16:49 PM »
Sue, That must have been some powerfull dream. I wish you the best of luck on your search, and Phil built one bad a$$ ride.  How much information do you have on the car? such as Vin Number, past owners, and did you contact the auction company to see if they have any leads?


« Last Edit: August 31, 2011 - 10:20:34 PM by 67vertman »



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Offline Phils other half Sue

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Re: In search of a 70 Challenger
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2011 - 10:12:18 PM »
Hi! thanks for your posts guys, I didn't see the last onE from 67vertman until just now...
yes, that was a powerful dream!!! this is something that I have to do! When Phil had his accident and passed away, I was totally still in a state of shock for quite a while...I was also taking care of his dad who was sick, and his life ended when his sons did,  Phil was his only son. You know the old story his family came in and sold everything that belonged to him, including the things I had bought with him. His father did't want to sell the car but he was to weak and frail and he would have been overpowered anyway. But that is all in the past! Phil bought the car in 1973 from one owner and it remained his until his death, he lived and breathed that car!!! he used to rent a garage just to keep it safe. I know if you are a Challenger owner and Classic Car lover you can associate with his love of his car. As far as the tags go, let's just say that Phil had them hidden, he always told me if someone ever stole the car they would never get full value for it. Many years ago someone from Jackson Barrett had looked at his car, he was offered a substanial amount but no amount of money would suffice, he loved that car, it was his baby! He also had a very rare 1970 convertible Challenger which he was restoring but that got sold too! I could tell you stories that you would not believe that happened after his death so when I have a dream as vivid and powerful as the one I had and his words were FIND MY CAR...I AM GOING TO FIND IT! LOL!!! I think that it would bring peace to both him and I to know what happened to his car! I loved him so much, he was my soul mate! and I miss him to this day! thanks guys, I appreciate your help!
« Last Edit: September 04, 2011 - 10:08:02 AM by Phils other half Sue »

Offline Jamiez

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Re: In search of a 70 Challenger
« Reply #6 on: September 01, 2011 - 06:24:46 AM »
The VIN number is also on the insurance paperwork, if you have any of that laying around.  Or if you had any joint policies you might be able to convince the insurance company to give you the VIN.

Offline DAYTONA

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Re: In search of a 70 Challenger
« Reply #7 on: September 01, 2011 - 06:56:44 AM »
...sometime in early 2008 the car was for sale and I nearly bought it, not exactly sure why I didn't, but I backed out on the deal...maybe the missing fender tags ?...don't remember who I talked to (several times), but they seemed to not know much about the car, kinda like the story changed and the cars details changed during the sale...

...in the summer of 2008, the Challenger was at the MOPAR Nats in Columbus Ohio and I took lots of pix, didn't meet the new owner and haven't seen the car since

Offline torredcuda

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Re: In search of a 70 Challenger
« Reply #8 on: September 01, 2011 - 07:43:07 AM »
Do you know which tags he had taken off and hidden?If he removed the vin tag from the dash it most likely now has a tag from another car on it.If it was only the fender tag than hopefully you can find out the original vin number as it will be a big help.There are a number of registries around that keep lists of cars and vin numbers and there are a couple on Challengers specifically.

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/
Jeff
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Offline dutch

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Re: In search of a 70 Challenger
« Reply #9 on: September 01, 2011 - 08:56:48 AM »
welcome to the site Sue  :2thumbs:   I hope you find the car.  Sounds like a good dream to chase  :wave:
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Offline Phils other half Sue

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Re: In search of a 70 Challenger
« Reply #10 on: September 03, 2011 - 08:44:45 AM »
OMG!!!! Daytona, OMG you just brought me to tears!!!!!!! I have been spending time with my granddaughter and did not get a notification of your post....I cannot believe that you found Phil's car, here is another piece to the puzzle!!!!! your name Daytona...well Phil had a Dodge Shelby Daytona he had restored which was also sold, I will post you a pic later, the engine work was all custom and that car could hit a 100 by tapping on the gas lol! Phil's best friend Matt tracked that car for 2 years. There is a big story behind it, I have to run to work now but when I have a few minutes I will write about it. I can't tell you what you have done for me, this just blew my mind! Your name Daytona, how apropoe...I will answer your questions about the 70 Challenger when I come back, I have a few appt. today!!!!! THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART THIS IS JUST UNBELIVABLE!!!! PHIL LEAD ME TO YOUR SITE AND YOU FOUND HIS CAR!!!!! SUE

Offline Phils other half Sue

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Re: In search of a 70 Challenger
« Reply #11 on: September 03, 2011 - 08:57:27 AM »
DAYTONA, CAN YOU PLEASE POST MORE PICS!!! I HAVE FRIENDS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD THAT ARE GOING TO WANT TO SEE THIS....PHIL WAS A ONE FAMOUS GUY, WITH FRIENDS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. GOOGLE HIS NAME PHIL ALEPA AND SEE!!! I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT THIS MEANS TO ME...

Offline DAYTONA

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Re: In search of a 70 Challenger
« Reply #12 on: September 03, 2011 - 12:21:28 PM »
...some pix

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: In search of a 70 Challenger
« Reply #13 on: September 03, 2011 - 12:45:56 PM »
Maybe you can track the plate # down , 398-OL8 , Maryland maybe ?
 there is a clear picture of the plate on it in Daytonas pix
http://www.riverracer.net/forums/showthread.php?64249-Farewell-Phil-Alepa-PS-101-Freedom
« Last Edit: September 03, 2011 - 01:17:56 PM by Chryco Psycho »

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline 72rtchallenger

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Re: In search of a 70 Challenger
« Reply #14 on: September 03, 2011 - 03:37:57 PM »
hope you find it,,maybe the plate number will lead you to it,,good luck  :thumbsup:
72rtchallenger
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