USA 2024 - Rare Classic Dodges: Classic Restos - Series 56
Fletch continues his journey across the USA to York County in Pennsylvania to visit the home of Joel, whose family has a strong car culture. Joel is the proud owner of two classic Dodges that reflect his passion, exceptional restoration skills, and top-notch fabrication work. Each classic car has its own unique story and Fletch is eager to learn the inside story of each one.
First, Joel shows Fletch his 1971 Dodge Charger SE, equipped with a 383-magnum engine and 4-speed ‘Pistol Grip’ car. Only just over 15,000 of these cars were produced, but Joel's Charger stands out as one of only 2 known to exist, thanks to its rare power sunroof and '4-speed Pistol Grip' gearshift—a Superbee masquerading as a SE.
Joel's journey with this Charger began at the age of 17 when he purchased it in 1986 for a mere $300. He initially rebuilt the front end and the original engine. However, in 1989, he embarked on a full restoration of the car, gutting it, only to become a little overwhelmed with the task, leading the car to sit idle for several years. After juggling life's responsibilities, including marriage, children, homeownership, and career changes, Joel reignited the restoration project after spending time in drag racing. Seven years of dedication led to the completion of the restoration in 2012.
As impressive as the Charger's restoration is, Joel's deep passion lies in the restoration of his father's 1968 Dodge Coronet RT 440, which he affectionately refers to as his "true love." His father purchased the Coronet new in 1968, opting for the 440-magnum 4-speed model with a distinct V8-sounding motor. He recalls when his father went to work as a truck driver, and he could hear him take off down the road. It was music to his ears and great memories. Unfortunately, the car lost fuel pressure in 1978 and was subsequently parked. Following his father's passing in 2018, Joel and his brothers took on the responsibility of restoring the car as a tribute to their father.
Restoring the Coronet proved to be a significant undertaking due to severe rust issues caused by salt put down on the roads in winter. During the engine rebuild, they uncovered a broken crankshaft as the cause of the loss of oil pressure. The crankshaft was replaced, and the 383 engine received a complete overhaul. Although the project is a long way from completion, the meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship required for such a restoration is evident. Joel eagerly anticipates the day when he can take it out for a drive.
Continuing his journey, Fletch makes a stop in Ohio to visit his long-time friend and regular on Classic Restos, Murray Park. This time, Fletch is treated to a glimpse of Murray's 1970 Chrysler Imperia. Murray shares that a devoted Chrysler enthusiast in the local area previously owned the car, and he had been familiar with it since he was 18 years old. With only 71,000 miles on the odometer and finished in Jubilee Blue, this fully optioned model remains in pristine original condition.Murray proudly considers this car a permanent addition to his collection and feels honoured to be its owner.
