Muscle Car – Karl on Cars

Flash Back Friday: 1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye

On June 21, 2019

In Dodge, Dodge Challenger, Flash Back Friday, Muscle Car

I purchased my first Dodge Challenger in 1991 while I was still attending college

I grew up a car guy for several reasons, not the least of which were two older car-guy brothers. Their influence had me reading about muscle cars, with a particular focus on Mopars, before I was 15. I was well schooled in all the various Mopar muscle cars before I got my driver’s permit, and while I gravitated toward the Plymouth Superbird and GTX I also had the same fondness for E-bodies that every Mopar fan has. The Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda are two of the most iconic muscle cars ever created.

My Dodge Challenger Rallye’s interior was in relatively good shape

I’ve never owned a Plymouth Barracuda, but I’ve had two original Dodge Challengers. The first one, a 1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye, was purchased in 1991, during my last year in college. It was equipped about as well as that year’s Challenger could be, with a 340 V8, pistol-grip 4-speed transmission and factory air conditioning. It was also an original B5 Blue car with a black vinyl top, though when I got it the top was stripped off and the roof was painted black.

Flash Back Friday: 1970 Plymouth GTX

By Karl Brauer

On May 31, 2019

In Flash Back Friday, Muscle Car, Plymouth GTX

The clean styling of the 1970 Plymouth GTX made it my favorite year

Last week’s Flash Back Friday featured my 1969 Plymouth GTX, the third car I owned (before I turned 16 and got my driver’s license…) and my first car that actually ran when I bought it. That GTX provided me with a wealth of memories, enough to justify another blog of its own, but as much fun as it was my fifth car (second running car), a 1970 Plymouth GTX, brought me even more joy.

This car provided a lot of joy during my high school years

I actually owned both GTXs at the same time for over a year. I bought the 1969 Plymouth GTX in April of 1985 for $2,200. The car was far from mint, but it was complete and ran fine, which makes that price seem all the more amazing 33 years later. I bought the 1970 Plymouth GTX in September of 1986 for $4,000. The ’70 was in near mint condition and all original with just one repaint. I sold the 1969 GTX in December of 1987 for $2,500, which was a monetary loss because I’d put an easy $1,000 in that car before it left. I couldn’t justify keeping both of them on my high school car budget, and I loved my 1970 Plymouth GTX far more. I kept that one for 24 years.

Owning two GTXs in high school was a bit nuts…and expensive

Ford GT: The Ultimate American Muscle Car

By Karl Brauer

On July 27, 2018

In 2005 Ford GT Ownership, 2005-2006 Ford GT, Ford GT

Ford GT Dodge Challenger Pontiac Firebird Muscle Cars

The Ford GT is the latest, and best, in a long line of muscle cars I’ve owned

My first automotive love was the American muscle car. I had a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T before I had my driver’s license, followed by a 1969 and then a 1970 Plymouth GTX before I graduated high school. The concept of a powerful, torque-rich V8 engine was core to my earliest driving experiences and expectations, and I continue to appreciate these traits in vintage and modern automobiles.

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Tag: Muscle Car

Flash Back Friday: 1973 Dodge Challenger Rallye

Flash Back Friday: 1970 Plymouth GTX

Ford GT: The Ultimate American Muscle Car