About two years into the project, Dave realized that the direction he was taking the Road Runner pointed directly towards the Mopar Nationals' OE Certified judging. His restoration methodology, heretofore, was such that no backtracking or reworking was needed to keep the project on its new course. At the time of his decision, Dave secured his spot to be judged at the '99 Nationals (only seven cars are judged in the OE Certified class each year, and all must submit to a two-year waiting period), and the Road Runner was finished a scant three or four days before last year's event.
The result? Thanks to his thorough research, tenacity, and attention to detail, Dave's Road Runner bypassed the Stock and Senior Division classes and headed straight for OE Certified, where it earned a Silver award for its debut showing. For an additional accolade, the Road Runner earned The Paddock's Pick award. This award was presented by The Paddock (sponsor of the Mopar Nationals judged showfield) to the one judged car that The Paddock employees felt best represented their all-around dream car in terms of model year, body style, powertrain, and equipment combinations. We give this spicy Road Runner a "two-thumbs-up" salute as well.