On 5-2-04 RHMIII and MOPAR buddy Lantz Newberry attended the MOPAR Spring Round-up in Carnation WA. We arrived shortly after 7 AM to have our crack at the Swap Meet Parts as they were coming off the trucks. I had a pretty extensive shopping list and was able to knock out 50% of what I was looking for. The purchased parts are on Parts & Inventory Page 3.
The trucks were unloaded in a typical Seattle drizzle. This however did not hamper the parts vendors participation or the MOPAR fan base. I talked to people from as far north as Kelowna British Columbia and as far south as Las Vegas Nevada. The cars themselves were however from the BC,WA and OR areas. I estimate attendence to have been a total of 4,000 people that came through the gate.
One of the main parking lots was for the designated SWAP MEET. Otherwise known as one huge pile of parts, for people to sift through, rummage past and hopefully find that most illusive part. There were reproduction parts vendors like Kent WA's Layson's Restorations www.laysons.com to Mom and Pop vendors that sold their wares out of the back of their traveling RV's.
In all, I would saw there were probably 400-450 classic MOPARS represented. Some even brought modern MOPARS to show. I talked to a woman that was more excited about her 86 Dodge Shadow than an owner of one of the legendary and very rare 69,70 Winged Warriors. It was great to see the pride people took in their transportation. It was also very amusing to see what types of people owned what cars. The uncanny match of the MOPARS personality and the owners personality were almost always spot on. It was easy to tell why some people identify with their cars. The cars were a reflection of them in every way.
Eventually the rain cleared and the clouds went away giving the day a wonderful blue canopy. The sun came out, the humidity went up and the Classics made their way in. When they were all in their respective parking places, there were probably 150-175 in the actual show. The rest of the MOPARS in the main parking lot looking cool as well.
One of the best things about the day was that I won the raffle. I won an oil change pan, which I am going to pass along to RHMJr pretty shortly for his upkeep of ourCoronet. It took me a good 4 hours to give each car a glance. I then doubled back to my favorites and chatted with the vehicle owners about their cars.
The day however belonged to the CUDAS'. The E-Body muscle car clearly outnumbered all others. There were HEMI CUDAS and 6 Pack Cudas of all colors and years. They were a truely awesome sight.
We were greaced by the presence of 6 Winged Warriors. 1 70 Dodge Daytona and 5 Plymouth Superbirds. It was excellent seeing 6 of the now remaining 700 cars that forced the government to mandate Catalytic Converters and Restrictor Plates.
Sadly there were no 1968 Coronets present of any model. This forced to me realize just how special the car we are restoring is. If 6 Warriors made the show and no 68 Coronets, I question which one is the rarest MOPAR in 2004. To the right are pictures of other Coronets that did make it into the show. A majority of them were the popular Superbee models. The highlight of the show for me was seeing a 1969 Iron Gentleman, a Dodge Coronet R/T. I voted it for best in show..but I'm just biased. What a beauty.
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