I bought my Charger back in Feb. 2011. We were trading in a Monte Carlo and a Durango. I was wanting a nicer Car and my Wife wanted a smaller 4 door SUV. So She got a 2009 Dodge Journey R/T and I ended up with a brand new 2010 Dodge Charger SE. The base model. Didn’t even have Fog lights or a spoiler. But that’s fine with me. I like to make cars my own. With in the last 12 months. I have been saving, buying, mod’ing, sanding, wrenching and painting. I have bargain shopped and saved close to $2k on upgrades. Now I have spent well more then that.

What I have Done so far …

68 Danko Grille w/ Mesh and Color Matched
Danko Front Spoiler Color Matched
Street Scene Hood with Matching Danko Mesh
Fender Stripes
ST Coil-Overs (Flex Wheelers first set) Dropped 2.5 in.
Koni SRT Rear Shocks
20×9 Factory Reproduction Machined faced Viper Wheels
Nexen HP 275/40/20’s on all fours
Jones Full Boar Performance V-Tube Muffler
Dual Exhaust with 4in x 12in Resonated Tips
Daytona Rear Air Diffuser with match Danko Mesh
OEM Rear Spoiler
Custom Painted Side Markers with “M” Logo Color matched
Custom painted Rear Tail lights color matched
Tinted windows
7in Touch screen DVD Player
Big Bully Cold Air Intake
BT Oil Catch Can
73mm Ported Throttle Body
Hypertech Max Energy Tuner

What I have in store for the next couple of weeks..

SRT8 Front and Rear Sway bars
Dropping the Front 5 in. more
False Trunk wall w/ 10″ Memphis Sub & Fosgate Amp.
Strut Tower Brace…

I have done all of this in the last 12 months. It may not be the fastest car on the road. But it looks mean, handles great and is still a joy to drive.

Jarod Morey

The post All in A Year’s Work appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

Now a SRT8 owner, in ’08 I did the SRT experience and saw the ’08 Magnum SRT8 had a different front end and interior? Real soon I heard that they were stopping production! The hunt for a ’08 started, and after 3 years of no luck I found an ’08 in Maryland. I live in Philly so looking at the car online showed it to be steel blue, and a search on the Internet showed production numbers for the ’08 Magnum SRT8 to be 240 cars: Black 124, Torred Red 52, Silver 34 and Steel Blue 29. I knew I had to have the car but I was scared. I was scared because the picture of the car had some defects. The front seats did not have the SRT 8 logo on the headrests, and I figured the car was a flood car so the check of CarFax started. I found nothing wrong so I took the trip 200 miles to buy the car. Once there I found out the car was on the lot for 4 months! Everyone came out and were checking out my ’06.

I was in a state of shock as no one knew what was sitting in there lot and I did everything I could to stay cool! When I checked out the ’08 it was clear it was a car that was just used, no mods, lots of chips in the paint, acid rain and covered in tar? But when I opened the door and saw a 02/08 build date I knew it was one of the last ones built! And when I saw the window sticker in the glove box and saw a special order car with all 3 option packages … but the sun roof was missing, the seats were different and the steering wheel was missing the red stitching! I knew I was buying the car. I stole it, but was sad to see the ’06 go as it gave me a lot of fun! And a lot of trophies.

But to have an ’08 Dodge Magnum SRT8, the lowest production color 29 and was just no way I could walk away from the car! So I bought it! When I brought it home the first thing my wife said was “Are you kidding, this car can’t walk in the shadow of the ’06! It’s ugly!” All I could say is when we take it to the car shows you will see people’s reactions!

Now the hunt for information began! I was lucky to find someone that could run every ’08 vin break down the SRT8s and then provide the Chrysler build sheets on everyone of the SRT8s built. This created the spreadsheet on all 240 cars built. Just so everyone knows, car 240 was not built even though it had a destination to go to! I think Chrysler has it. (?)

Anyway, in the end I have become the historian of the ’08 Dodge Magnum SRT8 as I have every production sheet on every car built and the list of what car was built when and where it went.  I offer any information to any owner of a ’08 Magnum SRT8 that asks for it.

So now about my car and what I have done. I am trying so hard to keep it looking stock and every part taken off of the car I have. In the end right now I have done the following:

Interior:
Made a custom baby car seat.

Exterior:
Rims painted Brilliant Black, custom Front end Bra and custom 6.1 Hemi emblems made

Engine:
High House Performance (HHP) Stage 2 Racing package: HHP/BES Stage 2R Custom High-Lift Camshaft: 6.1L SRT-8 HHP61CAM2R, HHP/BES CNC Ported & Polished Race-Grade Cylinder Heads (& Optional Intake Manifold), Precision Industries Double-Plate HEMI Torque Converter (Street & Strip), SLP Harmonic Balancer & Underdrive Pulley, HHP CAI, Magnaflow Cat back. 180 Stats, HHP CMR tune and Gutted Cats!

And while I truly understand the car that I am lucky to own I do once in a while drive her!

Thank you,
Claude Lacombe

The post Magnum Historian: Third Time’s a Charm appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

The wife called me from work a couple of days later and said YOU have to see these cars. I couldn’t understand what she was excited about. So we went there after work. They had TWO Dodge Magnums, one 06 SRT and one 05 R/T. After checking these out, I fell in love with the SRT; a dealer demo with 1,700 miles on it. Two weeks later… no PT Cruiser but a very nice 06 Magnum SRT.

THEN is when it started, the wife said I want one too. We looked for about a month and found her an 06 SXT 3.5L, custom head and tail lights, Dropzone springs and new 22″ wheels and tires. Nice low mileage of 17,100. She was in HEAVEN….UNTIL abour a month later at 19,000 miles all the lights in the dash came on, several problems; all electrical. Took it to our local Dodge dealer; Ut OH, they told US this was a Louisanna Flood CAR!!! After dealers, after dealers to private shops, NO ONE could fix it. This was in the course of a year! Wife was so disappointed so I secretly started looking for another one for her. Found a ONE OWNER 05 R/T in immaculate shape, 42K miles. Talked to the wife and she said we can’t afford it as we still have to pay for the flood car. I told her I was going to take it out of my IRA and get it anyhow. We did and she was elated. (So now THREE) We got the R/T for her on a Thursday and someone told us to check with ONE more dealer that thought was GREAT. Dropped off the flood car.. the next day it was repaired and running GREAT. (she now has TWO; seemed unfair)

I doubt I have EVER loved a car like my SRT and got to admit, I’m really paranoid of something happening to it, there fore I NEVER drive it in any inclement weather. Currently @ 11,200 miles.

NOW this is where it get interesting…
A friend called us; lost his job and asked US to buy HIS. We said NO we have THREE. Two days later he called and says I’m selling it to a dealer; I have no choice. Sorry for him we talked and then hung up. A couple hours later, he calls back and says “I’d much rather have YOU and YOUR WIFE get this car vs the dealer. YOU give me what their offer was and it yours!” OK, now we have FOUR!

Then we met a guy and asked him to join our car club; he was selling as he was loosing his license that Friday for speeding. Lotta miles but not a bad car; another 05 BLACK R/T. He said take over payments and it’s yours. Hmmmm, an everyday driver; wife and I said “WHY NOT!” ~ NOW FIVE!

ONE month later we see another magnum and stop to talk to THIS GUY and get HIM to join our car club. WHAT!!!!!!!!!! He’s selling too; taking over payments on his friends HONDA. YUP, what can I say ~ another high mileage car and it is NOW my everyday driver! Well that’s how we ended up with SIX ~ Crazy ~ YUP, I admit it. ON the forums my screen name fits “NOTPAID4” and my wife’s screen name fits her too… “MRS.PAID4 R/T”

This is “MY STORY” and I’m sticking TO IT!!!

Jim & Theresa DeBoyace
“The NOTPAID4s”

The post From One to Six! appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

So, where do I start? My name is Ray and I live in Lewisville, right outside of Dallas. I bought my 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona back in December of 2010. I had no idea what I was getting into, it changed my life completely! I’ve been shown another type of subculture that I had never experienced. It opened up my life up to so many experiences and events that I never knew existed. I was able to join the greatest car club, DFWLX. I joined them but I didn’t realize how close this “family” is, and how helpful they ALL are. Took me in like one of the family. From there I got ideas for modifying my car to a level that I don’t even recognize it anymore, but in a good way. I love the fact that it’s a muscle car and a family car all at once, so I’m glad they didn’t have the Mini Cooper my wife wanted at the dealership. Or I would be in DFW MINI COOPER. I named her Lola, don’t know why, it just fit (at least to me). At first I wanted to go with the Transformers theme but then realized that this car is far much more mature for that, not that there’s anything wrong with that but I wanted to go a separate direction. I’m no where near done but it’s coming along slowly but surely. And I must say that I have never known what it is to drive such a beautiful and powerful car until now. I keep saying to myself, “Where has it been all my life?”. But it’s here now, a new life and friendships have started and there’s no turning back now, MOPAR OR NO CAR!

The post Charger R/T Changed My Life Completely! appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

When you think about a station wagon, pure modern muscle is HARDLY the first thing that comes to mind. More like the Griswold’s family vacation. When I first saw the Dodge Magnum, I knew that was one stereo-type that was just BEGGING to be broken. Having just opened the doors at The Chop Shop’s new location, and in serious need of a real head-turner to showcase what I do, I set out on my quest to turn an ordinary grocery-getter into something a bit more unique!

Working closely with Ken from 3Gcustomz, I started stockpiling all the parts that I needed to complete my vision. Vertical Doors, exhaust, suspension, lights, I thought I had everything covered I could possibly want! I had almost everything done to the car, when I decided on a complete change of course.

One of the goals of this build was to be unique. So off-the-grid different, that it would stop people in their tracks. Even with all the mod’s I had already completed, the mag was still lacking the wow factor I was looking for. Scratching my head for a few days….it finally hit me. I decided to combine the magnum, one of the sexiest cars Dodge ever made, with the mean looking front end of Dodge’s other flagship muscle, the Dodge Charger. The end result was a Chargum, dubbed The UnNatural Disaster. I had seen only a couple of Chargum’s in the past, and knew the look was exactly what I was going for.

In the 2 years since the build, the Chargum has taken me places I would never have thought possible. From one end of this country to the next, I have made lifelong friends and family, all brought together by the love of our cars. The culture, the excitement, the pure addiction to something as simple as a car, and as modern as a Mopar.

Ross Stumpf

Mod List:
Custom steel Chargum conversion fenders by The Chop Shop
Flat Black exterior with custom green jams by The Chop Shop
Grip Tuning front fascia
TruFiber 1” cowl induction hood
AAC Bling Ringz Green LED halos
AAC CCFL Green gauge cluster halos
US Speedo Green custom gauge overlay
22” Foose Nitrous Staggered, 9’s and 10.5’s
Pirelli Scorpion rubber
DMH Low-Pro electric exhaust cut-outs
Tenzo 2” lowering springs
4-Door Vertical Door conversion
Custom fitted box w/2 12”
Shaved hatch wiper and handle
85mm Ported Throttle Body
Airhammer gen1 stainless intake
Full underhood dress-up kit by 3GCustomz
Diablo Predator programmer

All work performed by Ross Stumpf and Sheldon Stoskopf at The Chop Shop in El Dorado Kansas.

The post From Grocery Getter to Custom “Chargum” appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

I have owned classic Chevy trucks since I graduated high school a little over 20 years ago. The first vehicle I purchased with my own money was a 1954 Chevrolet pickup that I pulled from a snow covered barn in Missouri and brought back to Texas with my grandfather. Since then I have owned three other Chevrolet trucks from the Advanced Design era. They were my passion and at the time I had an eye for no other vehicle. That is until 2008 when a company by the name of Dodge decided to recreate this awesome car, the Challenger.

The moment I laid eyes on this car there was something about it that stirred this feeling inside me. However this feeling would have to be squashed once I found out the price. With two teenage kids driving, our daily driver, and the old pickup, the budget was not going to budge on my purchasing this “dream” car so I would have to admire from a distance. So I’d admire and dream of driving this Mopar while still driving my old truck on the weekends thinking….someday.

Then opportunity would poke it’s head into my world. The air-conditioning on my daughters “hand-me-down” car went out and the cost to fix it was more than the car was worth. We could not have our daughter driving around in the Texas heat without A/C, so the car hunt began. As we hunted for this “new” car, my internet searches would stray to looking at that car again, the Challenger. It was during one of these stray searchings that my wife saw what I was looking at and I said the first thing that popped into my head, “How about I get one of these and give her the daily driver”. Which in retrospect wasn’t bad for my daughter as this car was a brand new 2010 Mazda 3, so of course her feelings weren’t hurt. At this point my wife floored me with what she would say next. Her reply was “Sure, just sell the old truck”. Was she serious; was this a dare? I was almost immediately in contact with the dealership to get “the Chally”. You see, this Challenger that I had found at a local dealership was already on it’s way to customization and I don’t believe the dealership was really aware of what they had. It wasn’t advertised in the ad but it was fully loaded, had full dual Magnaflow exhaust and an AirRaid cold air intake. As I arrived at the dealership there were three other people waiting in line behind me for this car so I knew it was a “find”.

Well, the old truck found a new home in Houston shortly there after and I would become a Mopar man. Catching the “mod” bug, which I have found to be incurable. It is through this fabulous vehicle that I would find the DFWLX club and the family of friends that would come with it; making what I hope to be life long friendships. As a member of this club I was even given the opportunity to meet the original owner of my Challenger! He had traded what would be my “new” Challenger for an R/T.

So you see, a life-long Chevy man can be converted to a Mopar man. Who would of thought that a car could have such an impact on a person’s life; everyday enjoyment of the drive and the enrichment of the best “family” and friends a person could ask for.

Signed, a Mopar man.

Owners:
Mario & Kathy Baltierra
Midlothian, TX

2009 Dodge Challenger SE

Performance Modifications:
AirRaid cold air intake & custom intake tube
Dual cat-back exhaust with Silverline quad tips
Diablo Predator Tuner
Ported Throttle Body
Eibach Proline Suspension

Appearance Modifications:
Mopar hood struts
Mopar Challenger stainless steel door sill guards
Mopar T-handle shifter
Mopar pedal kit
Custom stripes
Painted calipers
Underhood Billet dress-up kit
20″ Boss 338 staggered wheels with Nitto tires
LED glow headlights
Chrome fuel door
Custom SE grill badge
Red gauge trim
Red grill trim
Red interior/exterior badging

The post Can a life-long Chevy man be converted? appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

It was May 2001. I had to leave my Chevy truck at home when I departed for Air Force Basic Military Training. My dad gave me that truck while I was in high school and I loved that thing. So many memories that I was leaving behind. I was so excited to get it back once I finished my training and settled into my first permanent duty station. I found out my brother had taken it over and suddenly, I needed a car – the first car that officially marked my independence, my official separation from living with my parents. It was a ’97 Chrysler Cirrus LX, already modded up with 17″ chrome Limited Alloy Wheels, with a not-too-loud exhaust note from its V6 motor, tinted windows, and Pioneer stereo. I was in love with the car and I had a new appreciation of Chrysler ….. then, I caught wind of the beautiful 2004 Chrysler 300M Special. After I deployed overseas a couple of times, I knew that had to be my car.

It was May 2003, and drove off the lot in Wichita, KS, in its Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl model, and as that was officially my first brand new ride, it also officially made me a MOPAR fan for life. Its stout 255 horsepower 3.5L V6 pulled that front wheel drive thing of beauty through all kinds of roads ….. but after the HEMI was announced to be released in a newer style of MOPAR the very next year, I craved more muscle and growl – I new what my next set of wheels was going to be at the first sight of this gorgeous 300C in 50 Cent’s music video.

It was May 2005. I had just returned from overseas and was eager to head over to a dealership in Augusta, KS and test drive a brand new Chrysler 300C ….. but when I got there, I saw something – a wagon, a grocery-getter, also in Brilliant Black, and sitting with so much potential, just screaming for me to get in there and floor that gas pedal.

I drove home in a 2005 Dodge Magnum RT, with its potent 345-bhp HEMI V8, and I knew this beast was here to stay. The looks I got everywhere I drove this thing were amazing. I had the car for 6 months and started the never-ending modifications that changed this wagon into MY wagon, My MOPAR – with the help of some good friends, I installed the first modification that completely altered the look of my Magnum. The Eibach Sportlines set the styling cues that I have carried out throughout my build. It had to sound mean, so the Flowmasters went on. It had to be sleek, so I tinted my taillights and added menacing “eyelids” to its headlights. Before I knew it, three years later, and out of the military, my drive for full out customizations continued and grew when I searched for “Modern Mopar Car Club in Dallas, TX” on Google and stumbled upon the DFW LX CLUB. From the first meet and greet I attended, I was hooked, and this Modern MOPAR enthusiasm was fueled each time a member of The Club introduced a new modification, showed off a set of wheels, bombarded a thread full of pictures of our rides and their custom tweeks and styling, and provied insight and assistance whenever fellow gear heads needed help. Now, as the Club’s Lead Graphics Designer and Videographer, I have the opportunity to help portray a unique vision and originality that represents DFWLX to the nation’s Modern MOPAR enthusiasts.

After learning that the Magnum was to be discontinued, although shocking and pretty disappointing, it made me love my MOPAR even more – I never want this baby-hauler to leave my sight, it’s unique, it’ll become rare years from now, and it STILL turns heads to this day, especially since I installed Inertia Motorsports’ Spartan Max Camshaft and coupled that with a roar through some SLP Loudmouth pipes that has actually made little kids cry (I’m not really all that proud of that one, but ….. it is what it is). Each time I have driven through a parking garage and started up car alarms by, well, idling on through; each time I cruise around town; every day I drive to and from work; and every time I turn heads at my kids’ school because I don’t drive a minivan or quiet, little good-for-the-economy kid-transporter, I can’t help but smile at Chrysler/Dodge’s ingenuity.

The Dodge Magnum, although discontinued in the MOPAR lineup, will be around for years and years due to the fact that they are no longer available for new purchase, yet tons of them can be seen driving around and showing up at events such as Spring Fest’ and a majority of car shows around the country. I have put over 133,000 original miles on this 5.7L and will continue its use as my daily driver for as long as it runs; then, a new motor and drivetrain will carry it on several more years, repeat cycle as necessary.

This is and always will be my grocery-getter that hauls precious cargo, stands out in a crowd, and draws attention wherever it sits – which means I am officially Modern MOPAR for life.

MODIFICATIONS
Performance …..
-Inertia Motorsports Spartan MAX Camshaft
-Inertia Custom Forged Pushrods
-SRT Valve Springs
-Frankentake III Intake
-ExaTorq Ported Throttle Body
-180º Thermostat
-JBA Shorty Headers
-Gutted Catalytic Converters
-SLP Loudmouth I Catback
-Billet Technology Satin Oil Catch Can

Sex Appeal …..
-Tinted Windows (15% all around)
-All emblems removed except Brilliant Black “HEMI” emblems
-Door moldings removed
-Eibach Sportline Lowering Springs
-Tinted/Painted (Brilliant Black) Taillights [for car show purposes only]
-20″ Boss 335 Black/Machined Wheels
-Painted Calipers (Red) with “GONZO” decals
-Brilliant Black painted “eyelids” on headlights
-Headlights with black housings and AAC dual-color LED halos (white/red)
-Shaved and painted intake manifold (Brilliant Black)
-Fiberglass engine half covers (Brilliant Black)
-Taylor Shorty Spark Plug Wires (Red)
-ABS Cover (Brilliant Black)
-“DFW LX CLUB” decals
-Shaved rear wiper with Brilliant Black Chrysler Wing Emblem
-Custom-Designed (by me) Front Fascia fabricated by Rob Medellin
-Custom-Fabricated iPad-in-dash on passenger side

David Gonzales “GONZO”
GONZOsMAGNUM
DFWLX

The post Officially Modern MOPAR for Life! appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

My to do list for Saturday July, 10th 2010 when we were ready to buy our car:

1. Go to closest Chevrolet dealership.
2. Must be a SS Camaro.
3. Must be red with white stripe.
4. By no means buy a Black Car.

After several months of researching, both my husband and I were finally ready to buy. I knew exactly what I wanted. However, within a couple of hours and one short visit at a Chevrolet dealer? I soon realized I was clearly mistaken with my choice cars. Who would buy a muscle car as famous as a Camaro that drives like your Grandmas Buick? ..and unless my 10 year old son shrunk about a foot there was no way in hell he was going to ever ride comfortably in that back seat!

I really felt deflated. The car I researched for so long, and was literally dreaming about at night… turned out to be about as exciting as a piece of plain white bread.

And then…..I walked into a Dodge dealership. Angels dropped from the ceiling and church bells rang. There she was. A beautiful 2010 Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, 6 speed Challenger R/T sitting on the showroom floor as if she was sitting there all along waiting for me. Was it a Camaro? Nope…was it red with a white stripe? Nope…she was a sleek black muscle car that oozed of speed, shifted like the Mopars of the 70’s that had a seat that hugged around me like a race car drivers car. I was in love, but what I didn’t know was what came along with this car, that I couldn’t have got from any other car was a truly priceless gift.

You see, this car came with package. A package that gave me hours upon hours of fun. More compliments and thumbs up that I have ever seen in my life and a permanent grin that pretty much never leaves my face the minute I get in. But wait, there is more. Along with all this power and fun, comes a group of people that became some of my closest friends ever. The kind of friends you will have forever. The kind of friends that understands that you cant go out on nights that its raining and that parking your car 1 mile from the front of any store is pretty much normal. They also know and understand why you cry like a baby the first time your car gets a chip or a ding…and that driving 20 miles out of your way to avoid a “gravel” road is a given. They don’t laugh when you tape the front of your ride with painters tape in hopes to avoid any serious chips or bug guts for long road trips…and lastly… they know and understand that saying just 4 letters can bring a grown man to his knees. H E M I. I love mine and I am forever grateful for the fun & friends that it brought into our life.

Michelle & Brian Modica
Jacksonville, Florida

The post Seeking Camaro; Found Challenger! appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

4 ½ yrs ago I walked into a dodge dealership looking for a powerful everyday 4 door driver. I purchased a brand new 2007 Charger BASE RT model.

For day one, I knew that I was going to make this car unique and my own. Little did I know that I will create a daily driver that will be used for weekend car shows as well.

My car is a daily driver, currently sitting at 99,000 miles and being that I go to car shows on the weekends. This car is my EVERY NIGHT cleaner as well.

Takes me about 45 – 60 min’s every night to dust off, wipe off exterior, rims and engine bay area. I vacuum my car 3 times a week. Some call it an obsession, but I call it unconditional deep love.

The way the car is today with 99k miles looks better and cleaner than some brand new cars. LOL. And it’s still a big winner at car shows.

Going to car shows is a passion I have.. Not only do I get to show my car, but I get to contribute to local charities that are dear and close to my heart.

It’s a great honor and privilege for me to be able to use my passion to give back to the community. A Car Club that I helped form (jam!) lives on giving back to the community. jam! (Jacksonville Automotive Muscle) (www.jamcarclub.com) is a car club that was founded on deep family values and giving back to the community. We plan major community events every 6 mths.

Last Christmas we started “Sponsor A Family for Christmas”. As a group we choose a family that is in great need and provide Christmas gifts and joy. We plan to do this every year. We signed up with “Homes For Our Troops”. Our last car show that we put on jam!-fest raised close to $2,000 for Homes For Our Troops. This will also be an annual event for us.

We also recently signed up with Barnabas Center of Nassau County a local non-profit charity that helps local residents with crisis assistance including food, medical and dental services. Our Fall car show jam! Out Hunger will benefit this organization. This too will be an annual event. Again it’s a great honor and privilege to use the love and passion for our cars towards these great causes.

My car is my daily driver….. Every day it feels like I am driving it for the first time. When I am at a red light, people roll down their windows to give me commitments. As I drive by people turn their heads to see the car. When I a parked at stores people want to see more of it and are amazed that I drive it every day. “Are you not afraid of getting into an accident?” I am often asked. I reply by saying, “I am afraid of leaving my house everyday and not coming back alive. However that doesn’t stop me from leaving my house every day”. I have too much heart and soul into my car to have it stored away. It was meant to be driven every day so others can enjoy it as well.

At work I park in a SUV only spot . These parking spaces are double the size of your average parking spots. When ask by security why do I park in a SUV only spot.. I said because my car is a SUV… a “Specially Unique Vehicle”. Still park there today with no problems. =o)

Jesus Velazquez AKA Bullish
Jacksonville Florida

The post Taking a Daily Driver to a Whole New Level appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.

How does a guy convince his wife that it is time to trade in her cute Pontiac Solstice for a man card keeping Dodge Charger? Well luckily in my case it did not take much convincing at all. Just a trip down to the local Dodge dealership and a test drive on some curvy roads and it was sealed. Once my wife, Zoraya, climbed behind the wheel and we sped off I watched with eager anticipation for that light to come on that Zoraya was as in to this Modern Mopar as much as I was. That light came on as soon as our salesman said to mash the gas. She responded to his urging instantly and mashed down on the gas of what would soon be our 2009 Dodge Charger Super Bee and I knew at that moment that my man card would stay safely in my possession from that moment forward.

The unmistakable power and sound of the SRT8 6.1L Hemi engine sold itself to the both of us instantly and from that point on we have not looked back. The Super Bee is a throwback to the past and the unmistakable Hemi Orange paint and badging is an eye catcher everywhere we go. Whether it be at a car show or the grocery store people will approach us to ask us about the car. We are always happy to talk about it and have an opportunity to educate people on the past and present of Mopar greatness.

The two of us have worked together since that June 2009 purchase to balance the power modifications with the appearance modifications and it has been a fun project for us both. The car is in our opinion a great balance between show and go. We have met many people because of the car and have developed strong lasting friendships as well.
So fellas for any of you that may have that man card in hand ready to hand it over to one of your buddies, maybe all it will take is for you and your wife to take a quick trip down to your local Dodge dealer. It saved mine and maybe just maybe it will save yours!

Blaine Callaway
DFWLX Club and Member Relations Staff Member

Performance Mods –
1. Exatorq Tuning and Performance: Ported Throttle Body, Ported and Polished Intake, Custom CMR Tune, and Spartan Max Cam
2. JBA Catback Exhaust
3. Magnaflow High Flow Cats
4. Aria Cold Air Intak
5. Billet Technology Catch Can
6. Powerbond Under Drive Pulley
7. Jet 180 Thermostat

Appearance Mods –
1. 3G Customz Color Matched Super Bee Under Hood Kit
2. Fasty’s Garage – Custom Wheelie Bee Color Matched Side Markers, Color Matched Headlight Housings, Custom Wheelie Bee Color Matched Tail Lights, Color Matched Interior Trim, Color Matched Stealth Auto SRT8 Pedals, Color Matched Removable Magnetic Front License Plate Holder, Color Matched Ashtray Mounted Switch Plate
3. Advanced Automotive Concepts CCFL Halos Including Demon Eye – Installed by Fasty’s Garage
4. Carbon Fiber Interior Trim by Immersion Solutions
5. AFE Carbon Fiber Radiator Cover
6. Super Bee Valve Stem Caps
7. Super Bee License Plate Screws
8. Killer Glass
9. Billet Technology Under Hood Cap Kit

The post How I Kept My Man Card appeared first on Modern Mopar Magazine.