Mopar Manipulatin’ , HRM August ‘69

mario03srt said
know of guys who did that and took the big reinlistment bucks to buy thier dream muscle cars.

tonysrt said
Back in 68 my bonus would have been about $10,000. I felt I would make that my first year back in civilain life. I actually made $8000 first year back and it only went up each year. When I left the Service I was making $180 a month and that was with the $30 for separate rations. I bought a 68 Road Runner Hardtop in Jan. of 68 and was paying $90 a month on the note. Good thing I got out in Oct of 68 and started a real job in Nov. of that year. Even when I was in the Service I worked 2 jobs and even with my real job. Extra money paid for Vacations and always had a new car.

I got an $8000 reenlistment bonus in 2008 and spent every dime of it on my 1970 ‘cuda. Went to Iraq and spent nearly all my extra earnings on that car too.

My dad’s friend was on a Navy ship. A guy was going ship to ship taking orders for the big 3 and he ordered a 1969 Cobra Jet Mustang. Still has it to this day. Always garaged and waxed it so much the paint is wearing thin.

It’s amazing how some things haven’t changed. I was born in 1980 (9 years before the article was written) and for some time, as I watched I Love Lucy and Beverly Hillbillies re-runs, I actually thought the world was black and white. I mean, I was like 4-5 years old.
I don’t really subscribe to the whole Generation X,Y,Z framework. I was raised like my parents were raised. Different cast members. Raised in the church and raised on Mopars and classics.
Whether I’m 41 or 61 I would still be hunting these intake manifolds and blowing my money on Mopars. Would still have the same morals. Same everything. You old guys are lucky you had these things when they were new.