“THE TORQUEFLITE TIMES” January 2011 Mid South Mopars- since 1986 VOL. 25 No. 2 The Official Publication of Mid South Mopars, A Car Club Dedicated To Promoting, Preserving, And Enhancing The Chrysler Name On the web at http://www.midsouthmopars.com or http://msmopars.ning.com Email at mailto:[email protected] Newsletter submissions at [email protected] The Green Hornet Photo by Hall Prewitt Your Club Officers for 2010 President- David Whittaker 901-871-2698 Vice President- Jerry Morris 901-385-0643 Treasurer- Mike McKenna 901-854-8156 Secretary- Fritz Crombie 901-754-8066 Newsletter- Stan Walker [email protected] 901-292-6656 Membership Director & Club Asset Manager - Ray Dietrich 662-429-3845 SGT at Arms- Jim Willis 901-291-4125 Events Staff- Mike Davis 901-229-2220 Bobby Buffaloe 901-388-0105 NextPhotographer- Meeting: DalesHall Restaurant Prewitt 226 Main Street (Stateline Road) Southaven Ms. Webmaster- Rick Sorak 901-399-0245 THE PREZ SEZ David Whittaker Hello Mopar Friends, I hope everyone had a great holiday and now that the New Year is here. It is time for us to get things started. For 2011 we are planning to have some fun events for everyone. We are currently working on a picnic, garage tour, and many other fun things for everyone. We have openings for two or more event staff and I hope to have these spots filled by the end of February. If you haven't paid your dues please do so. I have a new contest going on and all you have to do is get a person to join the club. At the end of the year we will see who has the most people joining the club. For those of you who are not sure what this is. It's called a membership drive. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at our February meeting at Newk’s. Be safe, David FROM THE DESK OF THE VP Jerry Morris I was so pleased with the turnout we had at Dales Restaurant, it was the largest turnout in quite some time. I will try to book them again this summer. As proud as I was of the turnout I was ashamed of the RUDENESS some people were. When the officers tried to talk they had to yell because some people would not be quiet. When I was talking I stopped twice and told David that I refused to talk over other people. We are all adults, give the speaker some respect. If you have any places you would like to visit, please let me know and I will try to get us in. If you have a favored restaurant with a private room, please let me know. I could pick places but I am trying to make this your club not mine. Please talk to your officers, let them know your commits. Jerry Morris [email protected] 901-385-0643 MEETING MINUTES Fritz Crombie The January Meeting of the Mid South Mopar Club was held at Dale's in Southaven, Ms. Although,there was an initial mix up concerning our room, it did get straightened out and Russ Kauerz said he will handle the arrangements the next time we meet there. We had a large turn out, 31 members plus some guests, so the trip to Mississippi seems to be worth it. David Whittaker opened the meeting kind of late due to the meals being served rather slowly. It worked out O K since we did not have a program planned for the meeting. After Officer's reports were given, David and Jerry Morris both talked a little about upcoming events and ideas to make the Club better and more fun. Seems like a picnic and a garage tour will be in our plans for late spring/early summer. David also asked for input concerning a membership drive and a program to acknowledge the member that brings in the most new members in 2011 Ray Dietrich mentioned that he has a source that can provide just about and item that could be needed to repair automotive heaters or air conditioners. He also mentioned that Continental Western Insurance is now available to members of any Car Club at extremely good rates. Contact Ray at 662-429-3845 any time 24/7 for more info. A prize was given out for driving a Mopar and for wearing a Mopar Shirt, So, before you head to our next Mopar Meeting at Newk's Deli on Germantown Parkway on Feb. 1st, remember to think Mopar, drive Mopar and wear Mopar. A good time was had by all who attended so try to make it to the next meeting. NEW MEMBERS: Johnny and Julia Lansdale MOPAR OF THE MONTH Name: Hall Prewitt How long have you been a member of Mid-South MOPAR? Since 2010 What are the year, make and model of your car? 1955 Chrysler Windsor Town & Country Deluxe station wagon How long have you owned your car? That’s debatable, but it’s been in my garage for around 8 months. What made you decide to pick this model? I was minding my own business, when one day my phone rings. It’s a guy I’ve rented cars from for different movies, including “Walk The Line.” He said, “Hall, you’ve got to help me save my wagon. I haven’t cranked it since the movie (6 years ago) and it’s been sitting outside, uncovered, at my old house.” His “old” house, located right near the University of Memphis, was now a rental. His tenant periodically moved it around the driveway with his pick-up. I drove over (it’s near my house) and checked it out. I thought, “Holy smoke! It’s lucky some drunken frat-boy hasn’t smashed the windshield or stolen the hubcaps!” I told my friend we needed to get it covered ASAP. The next day, we cranked the car using a small gas can we put under the hood and drove it to my garage with only the parking brake to stop. Over the next few weeks, as he wondered what he would do with it, I started cleaning it and getting attached to it. I finally convinced him to sell it to me. After it sat in my garage, I started doing some research on it. There were only 1,983 of them made, so you can imagine how many are still around. I also saw a YouTube video of a 1955 Chrysler New Yorker Town & Country station wagon (type in: 1955 Chrysler New Yorker) that was just beautiful. It belongs to a guy in the Chrysler 300 Club International from Garden Grove, CA named John Lazenby. I enjoy having a vehicle that not many people have seen. Tell about the restoration of your car. Be sure to include any unusual challenges during the restoration. I have several challenges… Mainly, money is tight. All of the “Memphis” movies have been going to other cities that offer better tax incentives than Tennessee, so work has been slow. Another big factor? I don’t work on cars! I am slowly learning different things and I owe all that to Fritz Crombie (who drove it before I did!). He’s been a tremendous help. I don’t really mind getting dirty; I just don’t know what to do. The brakes right now are the biggest challenge... Describe some interesting experiences or trips you have made with your car. See above! Complete the following statement: The thing I like most about my car is… The Twin Tower taillights and the locking, roll down rear window. What is your future plans for you car? At some point I’ll need to have some floor pans welded in. The car is “presentable” (it might win something at a show because of it’s rarity). I plan on just getting it in good running condition and, unless I win the lottery, leave it pretty much as is. It’s missing most of the outside emblems; I would like to replace those. Name any other MOPARS you have. I used to have an ‘89 Dodge Caravan SE and I also owned a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. CLUB MERCHANDISE FOR SALE License Plates $5.00 Hats- two styles $5.00 Blue Polo Shirts (new style) $10.00 Blue T-Shirts (new style) $7.50 20th Year Anniversary T-Shirts $5.00 Pencils and Key Fobs $.25 each or 5 for $1.00 UPCOMING EVENTS ****Please send me any event dates you know of so I can list them in the newsletter. Weekly Blue Plate Cruise- In Returning in March 2011 @ Stage Center, Stage @ Kirby Whitten, every Thursday starting at 6:00 pm American Musclecar Club Cruise-In- Every Sunday @ Sonic on Getwell in Southaven SWAP MEET Newsletter ads will run for four months. After that they will be dropped and you will have to resubmit them if you want them to rerun. Submit any ads to [email protected] FOR SALE 1965 Dodge Dart GT, 318, Auto, 8 3/4” rear, highway geared, many new parts. Blue exterior, Black interior - No rust. $4500.00, also 1963 Dodge 440 2 Dr Post. Max Wedge clone. Pushbutton, TTI Headers, Cage, Ex Racecar - not Showcar. Looks good from 30 Feet. $13,000.00 Both cars for sale by Russ Kauerz Call 662-342-1144 (8/10) 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger- 6 cyl, factory air, 42,000 miles, all original, looks and drives great. Interior great, exterior looks good, gold w/ white vinyl top. $7000 obo, Jerry Morris 901-385-0643 (09/10) Hot Rod, Car Craft, Street Rodder, Mopar, etc magazines mid 60's through 90's 25 cents to $1.