“The Newsletter” September 2008- VOL.22 No.9 Official Publication of Mid South Mopars

On the web at http://www.midsouthmopars.com http://www.msmopars.ning.com E-Mail at [email protected]

The Original And Still The Best!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dedicated to Promoting, Preserving, and Enhancing the Name ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEXT MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 AT PERKINS RESTAURANT ON GERMANTOWN PARKWAY Mid South Mopars Officers for 2008 The Prez Sez By Prez. Rick Sorak

President- Rick Sorak Man moving is hard work when you've been living in the 901-399-0245 same spot for 20+ years. For those of you who don't know I've bought Ray Fudge's old place on Egypt Central as of August 15th. The garage space and the rural area it's in, plus the great price, cinched the deal for Vice President- Don Thomas me. Thanks Ray! My cars are loving staying 901-278-3198 inside and dry. Now I can buy cheap classic car insurance (Haggerties, Grundy, etc) as I have a locked garage to store them in!!! Treasurer- Mike McKenna 901-854-8156 Sorry for missing last month's meeting, but my best friend in the world, Kiah Pickering, died after a short fight with cancer on July 27th, he was only 36. And at the time Asset Manager- Fritz Crombie of the meeting we were dealing with his stuff. 901-754-8066 Speaking of which Does anyone know where in town to get a rebuilt steering box for a '75 M300 Dodge Motorhome chassis? Editor- Kenny O’Neil 901-383-9851 I went to the Motorsports park Fri nite test-n-tune with Ed Becker and Herman Blankfield, Aug 23rd, and had a great time watching them run. Ed has a new 440 Secretary- Jerry Morris in a '65? Plymouth and was running consistent 11.85's. 901-385-0643 Herman has a 360 in a Studebaker and is trying real hard to break into the 11's. There was also a man there with a beautiful original '68 Hemi Super Bee, it SGT at Arms- Margie Buffalo was show car clean restored and had 4.56 gears in the 901-388-0105 rear and was running on original bias ply redline tires....needless to say he had huge traction issues. I plan to run my '70 451 Challenger up there soon and Events Staff- Duane Abrams have ordered it set of long wheel studs to mount the 901-751-2028 wheels and ET streets I have. Remember the NHRA is coming to Ed Becker town Sept 26-28th. 901-744-7205 I'll see you @ the meeting Sept 2nd, this is another very Bobby Buffalo early in the month meeting don't let it catch ya off guard. 901-388-0105 Looking forward to life returning to a more normal state, your president. Fritz Crombie 901-754-8066 Rick Russ Kauerz 662-342-1144

Photographer- Keith Holley 901-490-3549

“The Newsletter ‘ is a monthly publication of the Mid South Mopars car club of Memphis, Tennessee. The word Mopar® and the pentastar and associated logos are registered trademarks of Chrysler Corporation and are used with expressed written permission granted by Chrysler Corporation. SOAPBOX TREASURY REPORT August ‘08

The newspaper article I read about antique fans featuring VP Don got me to wondering; what other Beginning balance: $3,295.46 interests besides Mopars do our members have? Don Deposits: $ 51.49 (sales, int) obviously has an interest in old electric fans. I am Disbursements: $ 0 interested in 1930's airplanes and warbirds. How about End Balance: $3,346.95 the rest of you? Some people are into Coca Cola things, some computers, some like to fish or hunt, some folks just like to sit in front of the tv and veg out. Whats you're thing? Send me some info about your other interests and I'll put it into the newsletter. AUGUST MEETING MINUTES I'd like to thank Fritz and Bobby for being the only two so far to answer my request for newsletter input and Mopar The August Mopar meeting had a great Of The Month features. No matter what you may think turnout of 21 members and 3 guests. David and your car doesn't need to be a 100 point show car, just Devin Burrell along with Michael Revelle were our something you're proud of. So here's the drill: If you guest. have a car, send me some photos and a little Vice President Don Thomas called the information. I have included the Mopar Of The Month meeting to order at 7:16pm. Don Thomas ran the form from the midsouthmopars.com website for you to meeting because Rick Sorak was out sick. Don use as a guide. It's really simple, only takes a few talked about the Mopar Maddness Club and how minutes, will help me out immensely, and who knows, they misunderstood those that went to their car there may be someone else in the club with a car similar show. Everyone left because the weather was to yours. Same goes for newsletter content. If you have bad. (It did turn out to be a nice day but it was some trivia, tips, ideas, or just want to step up on a raining earlier that morning) Don suggested we soapbox and vent, this is your newsletter so send it to not mention the name Mopar Maddness again me and I'll put it in. You can get your submissions to me because whatever we do to settle our differences by several ways- email it to [email protected], Mopar Maddness seems to misunderstand what snail mail it to Kenny O'Neil 6885 Quailfield Lane Bartlett we are trying to do. TN 38135, or just bring it to a meeting. After all that we moved on to new business. Mike McKenna gave his Treasury To all officers: I am also creating a deadline for officer report. We talked about several upcoming car reports; currently I put together the newsletter content shows and cruises. The Delta Fair Labor Day and then forward it to Rick, since he still has supplies for cruise will line up at Dillard’s at Wolfchase Mall mailing and also posts it on the club website. Beginning and cruise to the Agriculture Center. Cars will line in September I need to recieve your officer reports no up at 9:30 am and Memphis police will be there to stop traffic. Rags to Riches Tour will be August later than 1 week after the meeting, so I can do what I th have to do and then get it to Rick so he can do what he 16 and will leave at 9:30 at Olive Branch City Hall. We will have a Show and Shine at Stan and has to in order to get it out in a timely manner. th You've all seen by now that the Bartlett Christmas Martha Walkers home on October 4 . We will talk Parade has been listed as an upcoming event. With more about this later. The Bill Heard Car Show thousands of spectators lining Stage Road, participating was cancelled because Bill Heard is selling out to in this event has the potential to provide our club with Landers. considerable positive publicity. However, with this club's There was also talk about letting Kenny recent history of non- turnout at events, I must ask, is O’Neil have full control over the newsletter. The there enough interest in doing this as a club event, or format needs to be changed and someone needs should it just be left to the individual to enter as he or to proof read all articles. We should watch what she sees fit? If we go as a club I need a definite number we publish. With our newsletter on the net, no later than the October meeting; the parade anyone can pull it up and read it. coordinator must have that in order to organize the Bobby Buffaloe had a program showing layout of the several other antique cars, high school old products that were available 40 years ago. bands, floats, etc. Otherwise I'll enter myself and Bobby showed us the Hot Spark and VX-6. Both whoever else wants to enter will have to fend for products are still available through J.C.Whittney. themselves. Meeting was adjourned at 8:05 Jerry Morris A DESOTO STORY BOBBY BUFFALOE

It was the summer of 1960. I had just graduated from high school in Memphis and was visiting my dad in Panama City, where he had moved several years earlier after my parents divorced. Daddy was working as a mechanic at Sala Motors, a DeSoto- Plymouth dealer, and that is where I first beheld the stunning new 1960 DeSoto's. WOW! I loved those extreme fins and boomerang shaped tail lights. Someday, I dreamed, I would own one of those beauties! (It only took me 40 years later.) However, that summer I needed a car, and I settled for a 1951 Plymouth that I bought for $50 and daddy helped me fix it up.

By the year 2000, I had owned over 55 cars, mostly Mopars, but still no '60 DeSoto. Then I ran across a small ad in "Old Cars Weekly" for one, and I called the owner for info and pictures. Thus began a three month process of intense negotiations and communication with the owner. He was an elderly gent, and loved his car deeply, but health problems and moving dictated that he must give up "Rose", the name he had affectionately given this red and white beauty.But he was very determined to be very particular about whom he would entrust to become the new custodian of his beloved, delovely DeSoto. I finally convinced him that I should be that person, and based on mutual trust and respect, I finally purchased the car sight unseen.

The DeSoto arrived in Memphis in an enclosed transporter, and I keenly anticipated that first view. I was not disappointed- the car was actually better than he had described. Fritz had driven me to pick up the car, and I drove it home. It felt right!

For several years I kept in touch with the previous owner, sending him pictures of improvements I had made, or trophies I had won, or activities I had enjoyed with "our" DeSoto. He knew without a doubt "Rose" had found a good home, and that gave him great comfort.

Margie and I have enjoyed many car shows, cruises, special events, and even a brief appearance in the recent Johnny Cash movie "Walk The Line" . It's fun having a car a little different, and since DeSoto production ceased in November of 1960, many folks have little recollection of this once proud make. I guess the worst insult I have suffered was when someone at a car show asked me if it was an Edsel! I like it better when kids sometimes say it looks like the Batmobile!

I also fondly remember the old radio and TV jingle: "It's delightful, it's DeLovely, it's DeSoto!" I agree.

DeSoto Specs: 1960 DeSoto Fireflite 2 dr. Engine: 383 Mark IV Adventurer, 325 hp Trans: Torqueflite TRIVIA HOT OFF THE LINE

The member to correctly answer the trivia question each month will be the eternal envy of their fellow It is reported that legendary Mopar racer Al Eckstrand, members. the famous "Lawman" stock and super stock racer, has died at age 79. Did anybody guess the answer to last month's question, In what year did Lakeland International Raceway close? Thanks to Bobby Buffaloe for this information. The Bill If you guessed 1979 then you got that right! Heard show has been cancelled due to a pending sale of the dealership. The prospective owners apparently The question this month is: What do the Dodge Brothers have no interest in holding a car show at the dealership. share with the Wright Brothers? Future plans for an alternate site are uncertain at the time of this writing.

Also from Bobby, there is a new cruise- in in Bartlett, CLUB SPECIALS every Thursday at the Stage Center Shopping Center at the corner of Stage and Kirby Whitten. I attended on 2006 anniv. shirts- s, m, l, xl- $5.00 August 14th, and it was a very nice time, with some great cars even if there were only four Mopars. We license plates- blue- $5.00 should consider this as a club function since it is pretty Key fobs & Pencils- 5 for $1.00 accessible, spacious, well lit, and plenty of food nearby. Hats- 3 styles- $5.00 Fast Jack Beckman drove his Valvoline/ MTS Dodge Charger to the winners circle in the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals in Reading, PA on August 17. MEMBER NEWS If anybody's interested, Northern Tool on Summer Ave. Mike Tate’s family grew by one on August 30, 2008 when has several 1/6 scale 426 Hemi's. They're $30.00, and his oldest son Michael got married. look very detailed, and have a 'Cuda shaker bubble on them. VP Don Thomas got himself in the Commercial Appeal on July 26, 2008 in an article about antique fans.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Classic Car Cruise In- Delta Fair- Sept. 1, 2008 (See Delta Fair website for information)

Arlington High School Car show- Sept. 6, 2008

Hot Rod Drag Week, Memphis Motorsports Park- Sept. 12, 2008

NHRA Mid South Nationals- Sept. 26-28, 2008

Bartlett Fall Festival Car Show Sept. 27, 2008

Music City Mopars show- September 27- 28, 2008

Club Picnic @ Stan and Martha Walkers- Oct. 4, 2008

Tennessee Baptist Childrens Home Show- Oct.18, 2008

Cruisin' The Coast- October 5-12, 2008

Emerald Coast Cruizin- November 3-8, 2008

Bartlett Christmas Parade December 6, 2008 FOR SALE

1- Dana 60 super stock rear end, 4.10 gears & 3.54 ring & pinion. $1200 firm 2- 2006 Chrysler 300 Heritage Edition, black, Hemi, all bells and whistles, leather, moonroof, take up notes. 3- 1941 Plymouth business , 318 auto, ac, ht, pb, ps, $16,500 Ray Fudge 901-476-7572

1- Mopar Performance A904 deep trans pan, brand new never used, $75 2- Edelbrock D4B small block intake, good used condition, $60 3- E Body dashmat, black, barely used, $15 4- Small block Mallory dual point distributor, $35 5- One pair (2 seats) three point retractable seat belts, grey, brand new in package, $85 Kenny O'Neil 383-9851

WANTED A free, or at least very cheap ($50 or less) long block pre- Magnum small block engine. Busted to smithereens is fine as long as it has crank and heads and water pump housing. Kenny O'Neil 383-9851

‘64 Fury 426 street wedge block, please email or call, thanks, Jerry 865-382-8216, [email protected]

73-4 B-body front windshield- no tint- must be mint- George Mueller 832-3917

1991 Dodge service manual Keith Holley 901-490-3549

1972 A-body AM-FM radio. I collect patches and I am looking for Mopar patches. Jerry Morris 901-385-0643

CAR SHOW REPORT

New Bartlett Cruise

On August 14th, I attended a new cruise that Bobby Buffaloe told me about, at the Stage Center Shopping Center at Stage and Kirby Whitten. This is put on by one of the Chevy clubs but all makes are invited to attend. There were several dozen cars in attendance that night, from pre- 40 rods to a late model GTO. A late arrival was a retired deuce and a half Army truck, it's supercharged diesel whistling away. I saw four Mopars while I was there; my own 1936 Dodge Brothers business coupe, Bobby and Margie's Chrysler LeBaron Pace Car, a '73 or '74 Charger, and a late 40's Dodge business coupe. The cruise takes place every Thursday evening, goes until about 9:00 or so, there are plenty of places to grab a bite nearby, and it's a nice way to spend a couple of hours away from the TV! JOKE OF THE MONTH

An old man went to a wizard and asked if he could remove a curse the man had been living with for the past forty years. “Maybe,” the wizard said, “but you will have to tell me the exact words that were used to put the curse on you.” The old man said without hesitation,”I now pronounce you man and wife.”

THE REMEMBER WHEN DEPARTMENT

1. ET stood for a wheel company or quarter mile times. 2. Hookers were exhaust headers. 3. Goats referred to Red Rams. 4.The “Forward Look” brought you Lawrence Welk. 5. Grumpy built and drove Chrysler products. 6. Richard Petty won a race.. 7. Those crazy colored, ugly Superbirds appeared at the dealerships and were laughed off the road. 8. The Hurst shifter in your Belvedere was over two feet long and had two twists in it. 9. You could drive your car to the strip, win, and drive back home in the same car. (Wait, that was yesterday..) 10. Adults were always telling you that the younger generation was going to the dogs. 11. You wore a black leather jacket with the collar turned up and girls wore hip huggers. (Wait, that was yesterday too!) 12. The last double sided hit for the Beach Boys was “I Get Around”/ Don’t Worry Baby”. 13. John Fogerty sang with his brother. 14. You put a dollar’s worth of gas in the tank to cruise all evening long. 15. Car Craft didn’t exist. 16. A boom box was a case of dynamite. 17. About the worst thing that could happen in school was to be caught with cigarettes (that cost 25 cents a pack).

MY SUMMER VACATION Karmesines, and many more. Some of the cars date to By Kenny O’Neil the earliest days of drag racing, including a replica of Garlits’ first drag car. There is also on display the car he Late last summer, I took a vacation to Panama City lost half of his foot in when the clutch exploded, and the Beach, Florida. I arrived just as a tropical Depression famous “Swam Rat 30", the one he had his blowover in made its way ashore. If you have never seen a storm 1986. His sidewinder dragster, his first rear- engined moving in off the ocean, well I can see now why some dragster, and many of his old firesuits are on display. people want to stay during a hurricane. It was There must be well over a hundred drag cars in this absolutely awesome to see the black clouds, so low it building. looked like you could reach up and touch them. It just made me realize how small and insignificant I am in the You must go outside to get to the second building. That overall scheme of things. building features antique cars and old school hot rods. There is an area covering about 900 or so square feet A couple of days later the weather forecasted some that looks exactly like the inside of an old service station. rain. I had a couple of rainy day side trips in mind, so I There are also period banners from dealer showrooms used that day to head south to Ocala, to the Don Garlits hanging everywhere. This area is of many different cars, Museum Of Drag Racing. It took about three hours to not just Mopars but they’re still nice to look at. get there, Ocala being about 200 miles from Pamana City Beach. Once I got there, wow. The museum covers If you ever have the chance I’d definitely recommend several buildings, two of which are the main display visiting the museum. You might luck out like I did and buildings. The site also contains his race/ restoration actually see Big Daddy there! shop, and the surprisingly small house he and his wife live in.

Outside the building are a walkway of fame, featuring hundreds of drivers. There is also an A7 Corsair II Navy fighter on display. You enter the museum through the gift shop, and once inside I was awed by the massive COMING NEXT MONTH amount of race cars there. Not only nearly every car “Big Daddy” ever drove but also cars driven by others The October newsletter will feature full coverage of the such as Don “Snake” Prudhomme, Tom “Mongoose” 2008 Mopar Nationals, along with the usual dose of McEwen, TV Tommy Ivo, Darrell Alderman, Chris frivolity and mirth.