Most car restorers master one or two skills, such as body fabrication, spray painting, interior trimming, or mechanical work, but few achieve mastery across all these disciplines. Brian Dowel is a notable exception; he's a rare all-rounder. In this episode, Fletch meets the man behind an incredible personal collection of nine fully restored Mopars, each meticulously restored by Brian himself (except for the wheel alignments, which he outsources).
Brian, who grew up as a Ford enthusiast, transitioned to a Mopar fan in the late 1990s. Now, over three decades later, he boasts a remarkable collection of Mopars, drawing on the skills he picked up as a fitter and turner and years of hands-on experience.
Fletch invites Brian to share the story behind each vehicle during the visit, starting with a stunning 1970 Plymouth Road Runner featuring a 440 six-barrel and four-speed transmission, purchased in New York, Brian transformed it from a bare shell into a registered road vehicle in just 25 days. After completing the restoration, he drove the car from New York to San Francisco in a mere seven days before shipping it home for a complete restoration.
Next, Brian presents a 1968 Dodge Daytona Replica, equipped with a 6.4 SRT Hemi and a 5-speed transmission. He confesses that while some cars are restored to their original specifications, others are done to reflect his taste, what he affectionately refers to as 'his way.' Brian recalls this particular project as his best restoration ever. Initially started by someone else and left unfinished in a shed for 20 years, the Daytona features engineering inspired by NASA, utilising wind tunnel technology, and it proudly claims to be the first car to break the 200mph barrier. The rear tail fin is a particularly striking characteristic of this iconic vehicle.
The Mopar classics keep coming, featuring a 1970 Charger 550 equipped with a 61 Hemi engine. A 1968 Road Runner, owned by Brian for 17 years, and his 1970 Plymouth Super Bird tribute car, painted in the iconic Paddy Blue with a stock black interior, which he has cherished for 15 years.
Brian also possesses a rare 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst Convertible, a special model with only 1,175 units ever built. Its extensive features include a fibreglass rear, built-in spoiler and a fully collapsible soft top. The collection also consists of a 1968 Charger, a model Brian has a particular affinity for and a 1969 Dodge Dart that remains untouched and unrestored, aside from replacing its slant-six engine with a '57 Gen 3 Hemi and adding air conditioning for added driving comfort.
Last but certainly not least is a 1971 Dodge Demon that Brian restored for his wife, who he proudly claims to be his greatest supporter. This car has undergone a complete restoration, including an engine upgrade to a 360 Magnum V8, a complete interior makeover, and air conditioning.
Overall, Brian's Mopar collection is an impressive testament to his passion and exceptional skills in automobile restoration.
