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What would you tell your younger self if you could? Maybe give some stock tips? Urge yourself not to have that second helping. Or ask yourself to buy an original 1970 Hemi 'Cuda or a 440 6-Pack Road Runner and park it in a garage?
The Mopar Survivors isn't a club. It's not a registry nor a car show. Instead, it's a collection of immaculately maintained and unmolested authentic Mopar products. But cars this original are increasingly hard to find. For over 20 years, Founder Mel Major collected a database of 750 such vehicles. Those only affected by the age of time and untouched by a restorer's hands. Wear-and-tear items can be replaced. However, to qualify as a survivor, you must meet a strict guideline of no improvements or repainting.
Unfortunately, Mel passed away last month, August 2022. Luckily, his knowledge and passion did not leave this earth with him. His son, Greg, runs the Mopar Survivors with the same strict attention to detail.
It started at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals in 1997. Mel was invited to display his own 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda at the show alongside two restored cars. Parked beside two pristine restorations, the impact of an all-original Mopar was lost on most. "People would point out flaws and complain. He got tired of having to explain it," said Greg, "and he became discouraged." Mel sought out more original Mopar's. Once they began displaying at the Carlisle show, more people came to Mel, allowing his list to grow.
However, not all qualify, and Mel and Greg built an impressive ability to find survivors. They use tools like a depth gauge to determine the thickness of the paint, as repainted cars' paint is often thicker. Mel would collect information and assemble the groups at shows. "Some people have been surprised to find out they didn't own a survivor," said Greg.
This year's collection at the 2022 MoParty Is a variety of those top-quality standards Mel established long ago.
Robert Wills purchased this 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner 20 years ago, and a car-show spectator insisted that he call Mel. The Ivy Green Metallic Roadrunner was ordered with the Super Track Pack, and the 426 cubic inch Hemi. The Super Track Pack included a 4:10 Dana Sure Grip rear-end, and the A727 Torqueflite automatic features a cooler behind the grille. According to Robert, it's one of only 162 made like it.
The emphasis of the group isn’t on the quality of the cars themselves, but the originality. They call them “reference originals,” those cars so original that restorers would use them as examples. This was a common topic of conversation from spectators at MoParty. For instance, Robert pointed out the rust alongside a piece of rear glass trim, where the factory would often chip the paint when installing them new.
Bruce Wheeler purchased this 1970 Roadrunner with the intention of drag racing. However, upon taking possession, the class rules changed, and therefore car was parked. It was a special order car, with a 440 cubic inch with the three 2-barrel "Six Pack" carburetor setup, 4-speed, and 4:10 gears. Today, son Scott Wheeler maintains the car, keeping it as a one-family vehicle with original documentation and only 9,000 miles on the odometer. According to Scott, only 1,846 440ci 6-pack 2-door hardtops were made.
The lot's most well-preserved and documented car was the 1978 Dodge Aspen Street Kit Car. Both Dodge Aspens and Plymouth Volaré models could be ordered with option code A43, which took the standard Sport Coupe body and added two-tone paint (Crimson Red Sunfire and Tapestry Red Gunfire for Dodges, Cadet Blue/Starlight Blue for Plymouths), 15x8 wheels, GR60x15 Goodyears, wheelwell flares, spoilers front and rear, quarter-window louvers, window retention clips up front and straps on the rear glass, decorative (and non-functional) hood pins, a Tuff Wheel, heavy-duty suspension system, power steering and brakes, sway bars and the "43" and "360 CU. IN" decals. Owner Jerry Harris purchased it with the sole intent of maintaining it showroom-fresh. It did run and drive for us to take photos. However, it's never technically been street driven with only 7.2 original miles. When the Aspen turned 25 years old, Jerry joined up with the Mopar Survivors. According to Jerry, there were only 145 ever made.
Jason Hephner was only 16 when he first drove this 1966 Charger. His boss bought the car, and Jason instantly fell in love. Fast forward to 1998, he made a deal with the previous owner to purchase it. It may look familiar as it's the same silver paint and red interior as the press and marketing vehicles used on magazine covers and advertisements of the time. This marked the first year "Street HEMI" (previous years featured a race tune) backed by a Torqueflight automatic and 3.23:1 Sure Grip 8 ¾ rear axle. The Charger has 65,000 original miles.
The car that started it all was Mel's 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda. It was a special order by Mel himself, an In-Violet 440 'Cuda. It still has only 3,600 miles on the odometer. The car had not seen sunlight for over 20s until Mel brought it out in the mid-1990s.
Greg intends to continue his father's work with Mopar Survivors. “We like it here. This is a great show, and we hope to return," said Greg, who intends to return to Carlisle and MoParty.
