A teen age memory

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,880]

Prior to his 17th birthday my best friend Walter received his first car.  It was a 1970 Charger 500 with a 383 4-speed and Dana 60 in the rear.  The car was unbelievable, but it wasnt good enough so we took out the 383 and popped in a 413.  The 413 was taken from a junk yard, pistons hammered out with a sledge hammer, bored, crank cut and built incredibly well (I did some of it).

 

Walter joined the Navy and while on shore leave he was murdered by some crack head (who only got 7 years!).  I lost touch with his family, but yesterday found his brother who still has the car.  I am so happy to see that it hasn't changed.  I wonder if he'll let me drive it?  I was the ONLY one who Walter allowed to drive it when he was alive.

 

I loved the car and Walter.  Here's the pics...

 

 

[JimD 3,347]

Karl, my condolences on the loss of your friend many years ago. The car is beautiful. Enjoy your memories of you and him and that car.

Edited August 21, 2013 by JimD

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,880]

He had just turned 21

[dclarke 4,082]

Special memories, Karl..... Sorry to hear about your buddy.

[squonk 43,714]

A friend of mines' dad ran a Dodge dealership. Once in a while one of those super cars would come in on trade. Cool and fast cars. My only complaint with them was the poor sound insulation they had. When the roads were wet it sounded like the windows were open. Later when I worked in a shop I got to work on a guys collection of late 50's and early 60's Mopars. Push button trannies, giant steering wheels and lot's of interior chrome.

[KC9KAS 4,744]

Very sorry for the loss of a good friend.

You have the memories of the good times you had with your friend.

 

I too had a good friend/neighbor while growing up. We were class-mates and ran around together a lot of the time.

He died from cancer before he turned 40 years old....very sad.

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,120]

Sad story but with an interesting end to it. Even if you didn't drive it I bet just sitting in it would bring back a flood of memories.

Mike........

[welderman85 53]

Sorry about your friend but very nice car I love old mopar iron

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,527]

I really like that car for sure. Reminds me of my buddy's 1970 442 with 455 and 4:11 gear. We drove that car back from Carlise (where he bought it). I was the only one he would allow to drive it similar to your friend Walter with you and his car. Reminds me of that sceen in grease when John Travolta drove his buddy's car in the race. Oh to be 17 again .............. I need to get a few pics of my car. Same color as Walter's.. 

[JC 1965 1,532]

WOW !!  That car really brings back some good old memories for me. When I was a teen eager I saved all my money from putting up hay for the local farmers. I had one goal in mind ( a new car ) preferably a convertible .When i turned 18 i bought a 1965 mustang convertible. Three months later i got drafted in the Army  After that i lost interest in the car and had my step father sell it. I still think about those days , It was the best of times and the worst of times. Sorry about your friend. Thanks for sharing.