The Paint Matches His Hair
Who: John Dempsey
Where: Seffner, Florida
What: '05 Dodge Magnum R/T
Fine Print: After purchasing this R/T, John was forced to relinquish control to his wife, who uses the 5.7 Hemi-powered wagon as a daily driver. His wife, a musclecar enthusiast, initially wanted a classic Mopar to ride around in, but because of the two-year backlog at J.D.'s Paint and Body Shop, they purchased one already painted. John has snuck the silver four-door out on several occasions, once for a leisurely cruise at upwards of 130 mph.
Shirley, You Must be Joking
Who: Shirley Hirsute
Where: Hoboken, New Jersey
What: '04 Dodge Ram 1500
Fine Print: Surely, you can recognize this shortbed, standard cab is no Viper SRT-10 truck. but enamored with the look and stance of the venerable snake rig, Shirley opted to dress her inky black truck with all the cladding, fascia treatment, and aggressive hood of the SRT-10's fame. Also included in her redesign was a set of blacked-out 22-inch rims and Scorpion rubber. The engine compartment is just as impressive, sporting all stainless braided hoses and lines, a chrome-polished cold-air intake tube and box, and an equally polished set of aftermarket headers. With everything looking the role of the Viper, but for a quarter of the cost, this winged sport truck really does a number on the unsuspecting on-comers.
Voiding the Warranty
Who: Neil Davis
Where: Greenfield, Indiana
What: '05 Dodge Daytona R/T Charger
Fine Print: A fan of the classic Dukes of Hazzard TV series, Neil grew up wanting to straighten the curves and flatten the hills like the Duke boys. When the opportunity arose for him to purchase a new Charger, Neil jumped at the Daytona option because of its available Go Mango Orange paint and stylish retro graphics. Neil jokingly plans on being one of the first to convert his new '05 Daytona into a modern-day General Lee with the available aftermarket decal package. There's no word yet that Neil plans on welding all four of the doors shut, but we have to wonder about how the 4,000-plus-pound sedan will fare on the landing after jumping Snake Creek.
The Lap of Luxury
Who: Mike Greener
Where: Ft. Wayne, Indiana
What: '05 Chrysler 300C
Fine Print: Mike wanted to be the first in his town to enjoy one of the first luxury/performance sedans built by Chrysler since the early '70s with the Hurst 300s. Mike checked all the right boxes and selected the right options to custom order his own personalized 300C. With the signature grille and taillights available only with the 300C option, this 5.7 Hemi-powered sedan proves to be just as aggressive with the pedal pinned down, as it is comfy and manageable on the road. Mike was in attendance at this year's Mopar Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, and was proud to present his new purchase next to some of Mopar's finest machines.
Orange Squeeze
Who: Harold Palms
Where: Pocatello, Idaho
What: '05 Dodge Ram Daytona 4x4 SLT
Fine Print: With the return of the infamous Daytona marquee to the Dodge line-up, what better to tow your new Daytona Charger to the races than with a Daytona Ram? Harry opted for the Go Mango truck when he saw that seductive rear wing. Sure, it might not offer any additional down force, but with the side decal and the SRT-10 hood, Harry had to have it. Harry boasts that his truck has visited the triple-digit neighborhood with the greatest of ease on several occasions. We just hope he wasn't towing anything behind him!
Stings Like a Bee
Who: Ruth Campbell
Where: Blountville, Tennessee
What: '04 Dodge Ram 4x4 Rumble Bee SLT
Fine Print: Most of us know that the Rumble Bee option wasn't available for a 4x4. Well, Ruth wanted both--the terrain-mastering capabilities of the Dodge 4x4 and the distinctive look of the Rumble Bee dress-up package. made from a SLT quad-cab with the Sport bumper package, Vin Devers in Sylvania, Ohio, installed the nonfunctioning hoodscoop, air dam, and step rail, along with the signature bumblebee stripe around the rear quarter. Inside and out, Ruth's Bee is almost indistinguishable from the real McCoy, so much so, that even her title and paperwork claim it as an additional cosmetic package.
Smoke 'Em If Ya Got 'Em
Who: Johnny Couch
Where: Lebanon, Virginia
What: '03 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT
Fine Print: It's always amazing to see those massive quad-cab 4x4s melting the rubber off nice, newly polished chrome wheels. Johnny's work rig might not stand an extra foot in the air, or spit and snarl like a musclecar, but with the Flowmaster exhaust pumping out into twin pipes, his truck has enough bark to match the bite. The hefty five-speed automatic transmission holds up to all the punishment that the 345-horse 5.7L Hemi can throw at it without as much as a hiccup. It's great to see a reliable four-door pickup with enough space and size to accommodate nearly every level.