I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED .

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. ....

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND I AM THANKFUL:
FOR THE crazy people I work with
BECAUSE they make work interesting and fun!
? ? ? ? ? ?
AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL and OFF THE WALL COMMENTS

BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

I just read on yahoo news that George Carlin died Sunday of heart failure.
Awesome comedian, his offbeat sence of humor will be missed.
God Speed George.

The Mopar Enthusiasts Car Club of America, now has a new Message board, it is a lot better than our old board. We have upgraded to this board to better serve our members.

Along with our new board, we have added CHAT!! Cool huh?

Go check it out

http://71char...com/index.cgi

Thanks
Scott (71 Charger)

Please keep in mind, this is my opinion only.
I do not speak for anyone else. If you agree with me, Fine, if you disagree with me, that's fine too, this is just my 2 cents worth.

I hear people every day, whining and crying about the price they have to pay to enjoy their cars. Most of the people that I know are into "Muscle Cars", yet I hear others complaining about the same thing, "The Price Of Gas".
Well Here's What I Think......

Yes the price that we are paying for gas is outrageous, infact, it is at an all time high in the US. Oil has topped $100 a barrel, which trickles down to the consumer. We are currently paying anywhere from $3.00 to $4.00 a gallon for regular unleaded gasoline.

STOP WHINING!!!!!!!!!!

This is what you chose!!

I am no economic genius, but haven't you been paying attention?
All my life, oil based products, not just gasoline, has been on a constant and steady uphill climb. Price and demand. And personally, I don't see it EVER going down, price or demand. So, what is it I'm trying to say here?

I chose to own a Muscle Car, I made the decision early on, that I wanted to have a hobby that was going to cost me money every time I wanted to participate.
As the old saying goes....."You Got To Pay To Play The Game"

I have talked to people that have put "MEGA BUCKS" into their cars, and now are refusing to take their car to a car show or cruise because "The Price Of Gas Is Too High".
BULL!!!!!!! I say, You Got To Pay To Play The Game.
You have to go to the shows and cruises, they are not going to come to you.

What good is that Classic Muscle Car, or any customized or modified car gonna be sitting in the garage? You were willing to spend all that money for a car, but now you're not willing to send a lil more to cruise, or show it off. Then I say, sell it! Cut your losses and get rid of it.
You Got To Pay To Play The Game.
If you think it's too expensive to do it today, surprize,
it isn't gonna be any cheaper to do it tomorrow.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to give you all an update on our Mopars In May car show that will be May 2-4, in Branson.

We are honored to have on display Rodney Chapman's DUSTAAR.

DUSTAAR is a 71 Duster that has been modified with an AAR package.

This car has been featured in Mopar Action Magazine & Mopar Collectors Guide.

Prior to being at Mopars In May, this car has only been displayed for the public once since it's completion.

Check out the pictures below, then come see it in preson at Mopars In May.

For more information on this show go to

http://mopare...asts.1afm.commoparenthusiasts.1afm.com or
[url=http://www.moparsin may.com]www.moparsin may.com[/url]

Thanks,
Scott

Ok MOPAR People!!!

Are you wanting to attend the MOPARS IN MAY Car Show in Branson, but just haven't gotten around to making up your mind yet?

We need to get as many "Pre-registrations" as we can. Why you ask?

Our pre-registered attendance figures saves our club money. The more people that we can guarentee them are going to attend, the better our rates are on what we have to pay out in our portion fo expenses for the show.

So here's what I am going to do!!

All of you that contact "me" and tell me that you are going to attend, I will send/e-mail you a "special" registration form, with a reduced registration fee rate.

We will keep these registrations seperate from the others that have already "paid full price" to register.
On May 4th, the last day of the show, we will randomly pick two of these participants to receive something special, that none of the other participants will receive.

So, pm me, 71_Charger, and we will get you signed up for the show.

Thank You

Scott Pennington President
Mopar Enthusiasts Car Club Of America
The "MECCA" Of Mopar Clubs

Mopar Enthusiasts Car Club Of America will be hosting
MOPARS IN MAY at AREA 57 of the Dick Clark American Bandstand Complex, on the 76 Strip in Branson, MO.

We reached an ongoing agreement with AREA 57 to host MOPARS IN MAY on the first weekend in May. The show for 2008 will be May 3rd & 4th. There is a fun time guarenteed for all that attend.

If you would like more information, you can visit our web site at
moparenthusiasts.1afm.com or e-mail us at


Scott Pennington President
Mopar Enthusiasts Car Club Of America
The "MECCA" Of Mopar Clubs

The Mopar Enthusiasts Car Club Of America
has finally received their window stickers, they are awesome, Check them out!!

http://www.mo...kers_for_sale

I first saw this car about 5 years ago. Of course being a Mopar man, I had to inquire about it. The guy that owned it said that it was not for sale. "I'm gonna fix it up some day".
YEA RIGHT!
Well, that wasn't the answer I wanted to hear!

It sat in the back yard of the house directly behind mine for a couple of years, grass & weeds growing up around it. I talked to the guy about it several times, but being nice, I never got too pushy.

One day I was out just walkin around in the back yard, drinkin a beer, mindin my own busness, when he came across the alley to my back fence. I went over and started talking to him, when behold, he asked the magic question! "Are you still interested in buying my Charger?" I'm getting a divorce and I don't want my wife to get it, she hates that car.
I couldn't say YES fast enough. Well, we made the deal, and what a deal it was. After I paid him for the car, he said that it didn't run anymore, and that he didn't know what was wrong with it. I told him that I didn't care.

Well me and my brother-in-law went over, trampled down the 5 ft weeds that had grown up around it, and pulled it across the alley to my yard. I went out about a week later to check it out and see why it wouldn't run. Ah, there's the problem!!
I went to Wal Mart and got a new battery, then stopped by the local Bumper To Bumper and picked up a new fuel pump and fuel line, spark plugs, and plug wires, then headed for the house.

After about an hour of working on the car, changing the fuel pump and tuning it up, I climbed inside. I inserted the key into the ignition, I have buzzing and a dome light, THIS IS GOOD! With my right foot, I vigorously pumped the accelerator, I crossed my fingers and turned the key. The engine turned over about four times, then fired up like it had only been setting overnight! DAMN, I WAS A HAPPY MAN!

Since that day I have been driving it on a regular basis, As Much As Possible!

And that is the story on how the "Large Charge" came to be.

Mopar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mopar (short for MOtor PARts) is the automobile parts and service arm of DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group. The term was first used by Chrysler in the 1920s and has been in continuous use ever since.

Mopar has passed into broader usage among car enthusiasts as an unambiguous reference to the Chrysler parent company, as the Chrysler name also refers to a company brand. The term has thus become an inclusive word for any Chrysler-owned brand, but generally any Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Imperial ,or DeSoto, and later AMC or Jeep, vehicle. Thus, for example, a car club for owners of any Chrysler Corporation vehicle might describe itself as a club for "Mopar enthusiasts."

The term Mopar is most closely associated with the muscle cars produced by Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth during the 60's and into the early 70's. They were famous for the wide selection of engines and carburetor combinations available for their cars. Class "LA" engines included the 273, 318, 340, and 360, and were predominantly used in the base model cars. Class "B" and "RB" included the high performance engines including the 383, 400, 413, 426 wedge, 440, and 426 Hemi. The 440 was available with a single four barrel carb (magnum) or three two barrel carbs (six pack). The Hemi (named for its hemispherical combustion chambers) still serves as the pinacle of power in Mopar automobiles.

A journey through Chrysler's HEMI engine history.

The Birth Of The HEMI

1939 - Chrysler begins design work on first HEMI, a V-16 for fighter aircraft.


The Birth Of The HEMI As We Know It.
1950's

1951 - Chrysler stuns automotive world with 180 hp HEMI V-8 engine.
1951 - Chrysler New Yorker convertible paces Indianapolis 500 race.
1951 - Saratoga first in Stock Car Class; second overall in Carrera Pan-Americana road race.
1951 - Briggs Cunningham chooses HEMI engines for his Le Mans race cars.
1952 - A special HEMI is tested in a Kurtis Kraft Indy roadster; it's banned by racing officials as too fast.
1953 - Lee Petty's HEMI Dodge wins five NASCAR races and finishes second in championship points.
1953 - Cunningham's C-4R HEMI wins 12 Hours of Sebring and finishes third at Le Mans.
1953 - A Dodge HEMI V-8 breaks 196 stock car records at Bonneville Salt Flats.
1954 - A Chrysler HEMI with 4-barrel and dual exhausts makes 235 hp.
1954 - Lee Petty wins Daytona Beach race in a Chrysler HEMI.
1954 - Lee Petty wins NASCAR Grand National championship driving Chrysler and Dodge HEMI's.
1954 - Cunningham HEMI's win Sebring again, third and fifth at Le Mans.
1954 - Dodge Red Ram HEMI convertible paces Indy 500.
1955 - Chrysler introduces the legendary 300 as America's most powerful stock car.
1955 - Chrysler "300" with dual 4-barrel 331 c.i.d. HEMI is first production car to make 300 hp.
1955 - A Carl Keikhaefer-prepared Chrysler 300 wins at Daytona Beach with Tim Flock driving.
1955 - Chrysler bumps HEMI to 250 hp in New Yorker and 280 hp in Imperial.
1955 - Frank Mundy wins AAA Championship in Kiekhaefer-prepared Chrysler 300.
1956 - DeSoto Fireflite HEMI convertible paces Indianapolis 500.
1956 - Chrysler 300-B HEMI increased to 354 c.i.d. and 340 hp with dual 4-barrels.
1956 - Buck Baker wins NASCAR Grand National Championship in Chrysler 300-B with 14 wins.
1956 - Chrysler 300-B sets World Passenger Car speed record at Daytona Beach - 133.9 mph.
1956 - Don "Big Daddy" Garlits begins 46-year winning association with Chrysler HEMI's.
1957 - Chrysler 300-C HEMI increased to 392 c.i.d. and 375 hp.
1958 - Last year of HEMI engine in Chrysler 300 models.
1958 - Don "Big Daddy" Garlits breaks the 170 mph barrier in his "Swamp Rat" HEMI dragster.
1958 - Chrysler 300-D HEMI sets a Class E speed record at Bonneville at 156.387 mph.
1959 - Original Ramchargers debut "High & Mighty" HEMI-powered C/A (altered class) '49 Plymouth to win NHRA Nationals.


1960's

1964 - A.J. Foyt wins Firecracker 400 at Daytona; Plymouths or Dodges lead every lap.
1964 - Chrysler introduces the 426 c.i.d. race HEMI into competition.
1964 - Richard Petty debuts the 426 HEMI and laps the field while winning the Daytona 500.
1964 - Three HEMI -powered Plymouths and a HEMI Dodge sweep Daytona 1-2-3.
1964 - HEMI-powered stock cars win 26 of the 62 NASCAR Grand National races.
1964 - Richard Petty captures his first of seven driving championships with eight wins, 37 top-five finishes.
1964 - Don Garlits breaks 200 mph quarter mile barrier in HEMI® dragster - 201.34 mph in 7.78 sec.
1964 - Jim Thornton wins 1964 U.S. Nationals in Ramcharger's "Candymatic" 426 HEMI Dodge.
1964 - Jim Paschal wins NASCAR World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in HEMI-powered Plymouth.
1965 - NASCAR outlaws HEMI by setting minimum production levels for street use.
1965 - Bob Summers sets present 409.227 mph Land Speed Record in "Goldenrod" using 4 HEMI's in tandem.
1965 - Shirley Shahan becomes first female to win major NHRA event driving a HEMI Plymouth.
1966 - Chrysler builds the "Street HEMI" and returns to NASCAR racing.
1966 - Richard Petty again wins Daytona 500 in his HEMI Plymouth Belvedere.
1966 - HEMI Dodge Charger wins the NASCAR Championship, Plymouth is second.
1966 - Norm Nelson wins USAC stock car championship with seven wins in a HEMI Plymouth.
1967 - Richard Petty wins an incredible 27 Grand National races in HEMI Plymouth; 10 in a row.
1967 - Richard Petty wins his second NASCAR championship in his HEMI Plymouth.
1967 - Don White's Charger gives HEMI cars second USAC championship in a row.
1968 - Sox and Martin win three major AHRA events; Ronnie Sox named AHRA Driver of the Year.
1968 - Dodge and Plymouth produce a limited number of 426 HEMI Super Stock Darts and Barracudas.
1968 - Road Runner, first budget muscle car, is introduced by Plymouth; available with 426 HEMI option.
1969 - Dodge introduces Charger 500 HEMI, which wins 22 NASCAR races.
1969 - The "winged" 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona with HEMI power reigns over NASCAR superspeedways.


1970's

1970 - Buddy Baker is the first to break 200 mph on a closed course in a HEMI Dodge Charger Daytona stock car.
1970 - Bobby Isaac sets a closed course speed record - 201.104 mph - in a Dodge Charger Daytona after winning the NASCAR championship.
1970 - Sox and Martin HEMI Plymouths win 17 major championships and are runners-up in all other major events.
1971 - Bobby Isaac breaks 28 records at Bonneville in a Dodge Charger Daytona; top speed is 217.368 mph.
1971 - Richard Petty wins his 3rd NASCAR Grand National championship in a HEMI Road Runner.
1971 - Don Garlits introduces HEMI-powered rear engine dragster at NHRA Winter Nationals.
1971 - Sox and Martin win six of eight NHRA events; they represent drag racing at a presidential reception.

In 1971, due to economic reasons the HEMI disappears.


1991

1991 - Al Teague sets 409.986 mph wheel-driven Land Speed Record in the Supercharged class with single HEMI.


The HEMI Today, And Into The Future.
The Return Of An ICON.

2003 - 5.7-liter HEMI "Magnum" develops up to 345 hp and 375 lb.-ft. of torque.
2003 - 5.7-liter HEMI "Magnum" in Ram 2500/3500 series trucks delivers best-in-class power, acceleration and towing capacity.
2003 - 5.7-liter HEMI "Magnum" is 56 lbs. lighter, has 41% more power and 12% more torque than the 5.9-liter Magnum wedge head engine it replaces.
2003 - 5.7-liter HEMI is the first Chrysler production gasoline engine with electronic throttle control or "Drive-by-Wire".
2003 - The 5.7-liter HEMI meets all federal emissions standards, delivers 8-10% better economy than the engine it replaces.
2003 - 5.7-liter HEMI "Magnum" is the first Chrysler production engine to use two spark plugs per cylinder.
2003 - 5.7-liter HEMI features "Leak Free" design with a cast-in drain through on the oil filter pad.
2003 - HEMI architecture produces power comparable to an overhead cam engine, yet is less costly to build.
2003 - 5.7-liter HEMI is the first Chrysler production engine to use two spark plugs per cylinder.
2003 - The new HEMI is named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines.
2004 - The Ram 1500 and all-new Dodge Durango are available with 5.7-liter HEMI.
2004 - The 5.7-liter HEMI is named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines for the second year in a row.
2005 - Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum R/T are the first modern, production North American vehicles to feature cylinder deactivation – the Chrysler Group Multi-Displacement System (MDS) turns off four cylinders in the 5.7-liter HEMI engine when V-8 power is not needed for up to a 20-percent fuel savings.
2005 - The Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team develops a 6.1-liter version of the HEMI to power future Chrysler Group SRT8 models – the 425 hp engine is the highest-rated specific-output naturally-aspirated V-8 ever offered by the Chrysler Group. Its 69.8 horsepower-per-liter rating exceeds even that of the legendary 1966 “Street HEMI.” Torque is rated at 425 hp at 6,000 rpm 420 lb.-ft. at 4,800 rpm.
2005 - The 6.1-liter HEMI engine has more displacement with larger cylinder bores compared to the 5.7-liter.
2005 - The compression ratio was boosted from 9.6:1 to 10.3:1 for more energy in the combustion process.
2005 - Engine breathing in the 6.1-liter was increased with new high-flow cylinder heads, a specially designed intake manifold and exhaust “headers” with individual tubes encased in a stainless-steel shell. Exhaust is routed through a 2.75-inch exhaust system.
2005 - A unique camshaft profile maximizes power in the 6.1-liter HEMI.
2005 - The Chrysler 300C SRT8 is the first two SRT8 products announced – both packing the new 6.1-liter HEMI engine.
2005 - For the first time ever, a HEMI is available in a Jeep® – the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee is available with 5.7-liter HEMI.
2005 - MDS is standard equipment with the HEMI in Jeep Grand Cherokee – the first time cylinder deactivation is offered in a sport utility vehicle.
2005 - The 5.7-liter HEMI is named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines for the third year in a row.
2005 - The one-millionth modern HEMI engine roars off the assembly line.
2006 - The all-new Dodge Charger R/T powers it's way back to the streets and racetracks across America with 5.7-liter HEMI, paying homage to the muscle cars of the '60s, and adding 21st century performance and functionality.
2006 - The Dodge Charger Daytona includes a unique high-performance exhaust and induction system to allow the 5.7-liter HEMI to produce 350 hp with a distinctive throaty exhaust tone.
2006 - Chrysler Group is the first to offer cylinder deactivation in a pickup truck – MDS made standard equipment with the HEMI 5.7-liter engine.
2006 - MDS is added to HEMI-powered Dodge Durango.
2006 - Chrysler Group MDS is standard equipment on Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum R/T, Charger R/T, and it is standard on 5.7-liter HEMI-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander, Dodge Durango and Ram 1500.
2006 - The SRT lineup is expanded to now include the Dodge Magnum SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 – all powered by the 6.1-liter HEMI.
2007 - There will be nearly one million vehicles on the road equipped with Chrysler Group’s MDS.
2007 - With the addition of MDS to HEMI-equipped Dodge Durango and Ram, MDS-equipped vehicles through the end of the 2007 model year will save more than 60 million gallons of fuel each year.

Information submitted by
Scotty DeWitt VP
to
Mopar Enthusiasts Car Club Of America
The "MECCA" Of Mopar Clubs