How did you become a Mopar A-body Enthusiast?
I actually like a variety of muscle cars. Started out with a '72 el Camino in the late 80's. When I was in the Marine Corps, my parents moved and sold it without telling me (which I bought with my own money, still torqued about that). I went a few years without muscle, other than a mud truck, and in '96, my ex-wife and I saw a '64 Barracuda sitting at a shop. She was actually the one who liked it and wanted it, so I talked to the owner, and he said he wasn't selling it. About a year and a half later, I found it for sale by a different owner, and bought it.
It was my first resto-type project. Man, what a challenge before the internet was what it is now. I found everything through catalogs, mail and email lists, junk yards, and little on ebay when it was just starting out. I had a second job solely for funding the project, and spent about a year getting it to where it is now. The motor was already done, so it was all body, paint, and trim that I did (well, paid to have the paint done). When we got divorced, I got the car and still have it.
During a deployment in 2008, I got the itch for more power. At first, I was just going to soup up the Barracuda, but then I found out that my in-laws' neighbor had a 74 Duster for sale. I was able to get an email out to him, and he held it until I got back. It had a 318 in it and was in fairly good shape, other than some rust in the right rear quarter. I got it with the intention of making a hot rod, but ended up with a 414 stroker making 515HP and 526Lb/Ft, a race-built 904 with low first, and manual reverse pattern (scored for $400! Hangs the hoops for about 20') and had a Dana 60 built.
I was running the Duster at a (then) local track for T&T and other non-sanctioned events, but don't have a bar, and run well under 7.35 in the 1/8. Got orders, and it has pretty much sat (both have) for the last 5 years, other than occasionally starting them when I'm home. I just retired after nearly 27 years in the Marine Corps, and just moved to TX, but haven't got all my junk moved out here yet. Looking for a house with a good sized workshop so I can back to playing with my toys!