Gazing Into the Mopar Crystal Ball
I am writing this as 2007 comes to a close, two weeks before the calendars go to 2008. It is shaping up to be a year of somewhat uncertainty, what with the polarizing presidential campaign, questionable issues on the economy, and an ever-tightening noose of environmental radicalism and irrational science guiding many decisions nationally and internationally. Indeed, when it was stated in the British press in early December that one Albert Gore Jr. had amassed no less than $100 million dollars since leaving politics due to the global warming theory he champions, losing the presidency might have been the best thing that ever happened to him. But we are talking Mopars, so I’ll get off my soapbox and take a brief look at where I think things are going for our hobby during the coming 12 months.
For the enthusiast and basic enjoyment fan, it would appear that the present trends are going to continue fairly unabated. Street-purposed car projects have drawn on some fairly distinct fashions during the last couple of years, particularly in terms of engine theory. Despite the serious increase in fuel charges over the last 24 months, stroker motors will likely continue to be desired by many weekend cruisers since those cars get mainly local mileage put on them; in Mopar terms – too much is just enough. Availability in crate formats had added to this side of the business.
The 21st Century transmission technology now available (four- and five-speed) is also a popular swap, but both high initial costs and required installation mods keep these from being done in wholesale numbers; such transmission changes are being utilized more in the higher end custom marketplace than by the average car builder. What has not happened is more late-model OEM Chrysler technology being applied to vintage cars the way the LS packages have been embraced by the Chevrolet crowd. Other than a handful of small-volume builders, the level of work needed to swap 5.7/6.1 engine/driveline combinations makes this a difficult challenge. Computer control functions only make this more complicated, and we are still seeing many more stroker 360s than late-model Hemi package cars.
 Late model swaps like this spectacular example done by Dave Weber are best left to the experts; Stunkard does not think this will overtake the advent of inexpensive stroker motors. |
Vintage vehicle availability is becoming more heated, and we will be a full 40 years out from 1968 this year. As a result, even pedestrian vehicles are commanding real money in the present marketplace; if you can buy into a solid rust-free body for less than $5,000, consider yourself lucky. Regardless of driveline, expect to pay at least double this if the car is in running survivor (unrestored) condition needing minimal work, as such vehicles are now becoming collectible as cars outside of the performance-oriented marketplace.
