1972 Dodge Challenger

This is the granddaddy of the bunch. My Dad, Roger, bought it brand new in July 1972 when he was stationed in New London, CT. It’s been in the family all its life. It was the family car when my brother and I were babies and toddlers, and I must confess I’ve had my eyes on it ever since I could walk! However, my Mom, Rose, never quite got the hang of driving it, though she doesn’t mind riding in it every now and then. The Challenger sorta became mine over the years as I slowly started "restifying" it, a job that continues to this day. Needless to day, I was one of the lucky few in high school who didn’t have to worry about saving money to buy a car! It was also my car through my college years and my folks gave me the title to it for my 21^st birthday! I then took it with me to Alabama after college for my first job there. I think it was more homesick than I while in Alabama as it seemed to break down every month! Finally, after nearly two years there, I had it shipped back by trailer to my parents’ house in Bremerton. It’s run like a champ ever since returning to WA!

It’s surreal that after all these years and many wonderful memories, my Challenger is still in the family, and now my wife Tricia and little boy Simon get to enjoy it as I have all these years! It’s a wonderful feeling cruising around town in it with them on the weekends knowing I was the little kid in the backseat not too long ago! I’m sure Simon will have his little eyes on it soon! Oh, and yes, it was the "getaway car" for our wedding in July 2006!

The Challenger is pretty much stock, with a 318 and Torqueflite 904. The 318 has never been rebuilt, with a little over 114, 500 original miles. Over the years, I’ve added dual exhausts (Thanks Kitsap Muffler!) and a 3.23/Sure-Grip combo in the 8 ¾" rear. I’ve also added front and rear sway bars, upsized the torsion bars to 0.90", and replaced the leaf springs. Other than that, it’s pretty much the same car it’s been all these years. It’s a work in progress, though, as there’s always more work to be done!

1997 Plymouth Neon Expresso

Due to all the mechanical breakdowns my Challenger was having in Alabama, I needed a more reliable car to get around town, and so that’s where my Neon comes in. I bought it new in Montgomery, AL, in March 1997, and it’s forged a history of its own in the 11 years I’ve bought it. It’s quite the traveler, as it’s been with me from Alabama to California to Washington, and everywhere else in between.

The Neon is pretty much stock, with only Mopar Performance coil springs and 16" rims from a ’01 Neon R/T being the only major deviations from stock.

2007 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

The family car…need I say more? Actually, with the birth of our son, Simon, we needed a bigger and more versatile vehicle to ferry all his things and to make it easier to get him in and out of the car (we basically had to become contortionists trying to get his car seat in and out of the back seat in the Neon!) My wife Tricia loves it and I love the room it has to haul stuff that I couldn’t even dream would fit in the Neon or Challenger!

2002 Dodge Neon SE

This is actually my parents’ car (my Dad Roger is an associate member). This is their current workhorse and commuter car, though I’m trying to steer them towards the new Challenger to enjoy their golden years in!

1972 Challenger Photos:

My parents, Roger and Rose, in Honolulu, Hawaii, February 1974, with the Challenger. My Mom is 7 months pregnant with me in this photo.
 

My Dad and I, with the Challenger, in Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1975

My wife, Tricia, and I, August 2007, with the Challenger. Tricia is 7 months pregnant with our son Simon in this photo. A little deja-vu, eh?
 

With my son Simon, and the Challenger, June 2008
 

Daddy and his little boy, with the Challenger, June 2008

1997 Plymouth Neon Photo

Our 1997 Plymouth Neon Expresso. Try going camping and stuffing all your camping equipment in it…we did…somehow!


2007 Grand Caravan Photo:

Our 2007 Grand Caravan SXT, the family car

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