Members News / Letters

Blower installation at Mr Norms Garage

MN show and Rockford show

Mr Norm with Tim Barth at the Mr Norms grand opening Saturday June 12th of the Mr Norms Garage in Rockford IL where Norm and Tim are checking the Dyno where Tims Challenger has just pulled 1350 HP, that's what is happening, Congratulations to Tim carrying the torch forward to the 21st century, "performance proven know how"

More Chicagoland Area Modern Mopars Pictures from the Mr Norms Garage in Rockford IL Open House and Pasta Bella - Thanks Crystal "eviltrycycle" Taylor

two cars owned in the New Orleans area the #1 cuda and # 1 conv both with catch this 426 hemis dynoed out at 900 h.p. built by Mr Norms Garage in hudson Florida

Pictures from the muscle car and corvette show featuring the Mr Norms garage display including the s/s demon dreamed of by Tom Hoover factory engineer and his dream came true by Mr Norms Garage 40 years latter

Mr. Norm,
Thanks again for signing my 1968 G SS Dart and selecting it as your Top A-Body this past weekend in Carlisle. It was a pleasure meeting you. I've attached a couple of pics.
Thanks again, Paul Ernst - Buffalo, New York

pics from mecum auction in indy

Coming soon, buy direct from Mr Norm or Mr Norm's Garage

Mr.Norm,

I just wanted to say thank you for having my family and I over to your house.I had a great time and I wanted to ask you a bunch of questions but I forgot because I was overwhelmed.I am purchasing the 64 Dodge 330 on e-bay in the near future so when I get it I will get ahold of you to have it signed and registered in your registry if you don't mind.If you want you can just hold on to the registration for the 68 Dart and when I get the dodge 330 I can just bring the car to you and pick up the registration for the dart then.I also wanted to know if you have anymore plum crazy purple challengers left?If you do could you hold one for me? If you still have my credit card info you can hold the car on that if you would like.I am ordering it for a friend of mine,and when I get the 330 I can contact you and hopefully arrange for pick-up like we did on wednesday.I really appreciate all you have done for me.It really means more than you'll ever know.I am very greatful to have met you face to face.....at your house! Thanks again Mr.Norm!

Your biggest fan,
Kyle Knautz Jr

Hello Mr. Norm ..This is Jeff Klawitter Sr. ... Attached below is a picture of my daughter Amy and her new husband Chad. They were married on Sat. Oct. 4th. She is Jeff's twin sister. They had asked if I would bring my Dart to the wedding, and drive them from the wedding site to the reception. Of course I said yes .. I did it for Jeff's wedding also. The picture below is us getting ready to leave and head to the reception. No burn out picture, as I was on a gravel road.. I sure would have liked to do one though. I thought maybe you could add this picture to your website. Making the escape from the wedding in a 6pac powered MOPAR. What could be better !!!!!!

Mopar Nats 2008

Volo Show 2008

A Body Winner

Bill and Mary Vollrath from Woodstock, IL with their beautiful all original 1967 Plymouth Barracuda sporting a 273 V8 four barrel with a automatic and a 3.23 gear. Congratulations!

E Body Winner

Chuck Rowd from Lake Zurich, Il and his awesome 1970 Cuda 410 stroker, 5 speed Kesiler, and a 3.54 geared Dana. Cogratulations!!

C Class

Dave and Penny Walsinick brought their gorgeous Plymouth to the show to take top honors in their class sporting a 350 Golden Commando V8, 700R4 transmission, and a 3.31 geared 8 3/4 rearend. Congratulations!!

Belvidere Show 2008

Belvidere A-Body Winner:

Jim Rhinehart took top A-Body awards this year with fantastic Australian Valiant with a 245 inline Hemi 6 and a 4 speed. This car is right hand drive equipped and runs great thanks the it being "Rhino Tuned"!!

Belvidere E Body Winner:

Ken Katarynchuk from Alberta, Canada took top E-Body awards with his beautiful 1970 Dodge Challenger. This car is a true panther pink car with a pink stripe! It is packing a 383 Magnum with a pistol grip 4 speed!! Congratulations Ken!

Belvidere B-Body winner:

John Bodoki from Illinois brought his Beautiful 1969 Dodge Charger R/T SE 440 4-speed car to the show this year to take the top spot. Every year John has something new up his sleeve and this year he added the 440 billboard stripes to really give the car some flash!!! Congratulations John, I can't wait till next year!!

Carlisle A-Body Winner:

Dan Wasvany From N.Y. brought his beautiful 1973 Dodge Dart to the competition which was fierce this year. This car is packing a 340 Six Pack and a 4 speed with an unbelievable mirror like black paint job that pictures do not do justice. Congratulations Dan!

Carlisle B Body Winner:

Charles Greyer from York, PA brought his one owner green 1969 Dodge Coronet R/T to he show that was bought from Grand Spaulding Dodge. This car has all the paperwork and to this day is running great from the Dyno Tune he had performed 39 years ago!! This car is equipped with a 440 Magnum, a 4 speed tranny ,and the original Kelsey Hayes wheels. What a show stopper!!

b class winner at Carlisle 2008,
note the tune up repair order.
When questioned customer noted' it still runs great'
That's a long lasting tune up
Norm

C- Modified Winner:

Steve Chervinsky from Canada brought his white 1963 Dodge Polara with a 550HP 472 Hemi and a 727 tranny to Carlisle this year to take top honors. This car brought back many memories for Mr. Norm of the old days when these cars were pulled off the trucks new in 1963. Congratulations Steve!!

This is a picture of my 69 Charger at “Spring Fling” Mopar show in Van Nuys Calif. Held by Chrysler Performance west. There were about 500 cars there. I attended the show with members of South Bay Mopars Car Club, which I joined last year. Picture of Jay leno and me at Spring Fling and the car he drove in. Ken

Hi Norm, That is very nice of you to send another shirt. Thanks. It is ( Item 12 drag strip t-shirt – black in 2XLG )

A short story of how I knew about you. I started working at Rock-ola in 1972 (jukebox company at the corner of Chicago and Kedzie Ave.) I was 18years old, just out of high school and started working in Engineering Dept. building proto-types. My brother who is 5 years older bought a new 1968 super bee from you. We went to US30 from the late 60’s to the early 70’s where we saw your cars many times. I would often walk over and dream of one day owning one of your cars. But didn’t make much money and never could.

In 1992 the Rock-ola company was sold to a guy building Antique jukebox reproductions in Torrance California. Donald Rockola told new owner to be Glen Streeter that he should talk to Ken Urban about working for him. He said Ken can get you started and train your people.

Well, things worked out great. I now run production, shipping, and the facility here in Torrance, Calif. I got married 11 years ago and have a 10 year old son. Before I got married I bought a 1969 Dodge Charger w/383 for $5200. which I still have. I now have worked at Rock-ola for a total of 35years and still love it ! Check out the web sight at www.rock-ola.com

Thanks again for being so kind – Ken

Automania 2008 - Click Picture for More Pictures

club member jeff Klawwitter testing his new challenger

UNCLASSIFIED

Well, unfortunately I probably won't be doing anything anytime soon. I think the new house will win out over the new Hot Rod! It has been great talking to you and thanks again for all you've done. One quick story about the only factory big block Dart I ever rode in. It was 1983. I was about 15 and a friend of mine was getting his driver's license soon. His parents had a little bit of money and were going to buy him a car. We found a blue, 69 GTS Dart with a 383 at a car lot in Indianapolis. We rode with his mom to the car lot and the guy that owned the lot told us to meet him in the alley behind the shop. We were standing in the alley, and the guy turned the car into the alley and stomped on the gas and just roasted the tires for 100 yards down the alley. As you can imagine, his mom was a little apprehensive about buying her son a car like that. After he took us for a ride in it, Mike and I were all smiles, but the fact that the guy was driving the hell out of the car pretty much made up his mom's mind that it wasn't what he needed no matter how much we begged. Anyway, that memorable moment was possible because of the things you did in the late sixties. Thanks again for the memories and dreams. On a sidenote, my friend ended up with an all original, 1970 Buick GS455 Stage 1. It was quiet and rode good and his parents never knew that it was a tire melting musclecar.

Tim

Norm, Thank You so much for your input over the years in the development of these vehicles, especially the latest entry!
Historically speaking: In 1969 I had a 375 HP 396 Camaro on order for six months during the strike. I had read about the Dart 440 GTS in a magazine (Popular Hot Rodding?) and how 105 were being sold at Grand Spaulding and 20 at Saddleback Dodge in Southern California. As it turned out, a good friend went to work at one of the aircraft plants down there and we set off to visit from the San Francisco area. One thing led to another, we ended up at Saddleback for a test-ride, and the salesman put $1.25 into the tank! On return from that ride we called my credit union in SF, and I drove it home! I did in fact get my deposit back from the Chevrolet dealer, but even if I hadn't that car would still be my favorite vehicle, of many! I will always kick myself for relinquishing that vehicle, at 26,000 miles, in favor of room in the garage for bicycles, but then I am first and foremost a husband and father.
If I had it to do over, I'm sure the children (now grown) would understand. I am not in a position to order one of the latest forty Dart GSS production vehicles, or I would be beating down your door trying to buy your dinner or whatever! The Dart holds an irreplaceable place in my memory, and I wish you well on the program.
Ken Manley, Pacifica, California.

Hello I would like to extend an invitation to you to attend one of our up coming 2008 events.

March 1-2 indy mopar club booth at the Chryler trade show Indianapolis state fair grounds.

May 3rd Palmer Dodge all mopar show Registration 9-12 awards at 3pm Check www.indymoparclub.com for more details all proceeds go to juvenile diabetes.

May 10th Fletcher used auto Edinburgh,In This is an open show proceeds go to juvenile diabetes check indy mopar club web site for more info.

July 12th Fletcher Dodge Franklin ,In. all mopar show proceeds go to juvenile diabetes check web site for more info.

Sept. 20th Danville Chrysler Danville , In. check indy mopar club web site for more info . Thank you hope to see you at any or all of the upcoming events .

now thats what I am talking about,walking up the drive to a car b que by a member of the Mr Norms sport club and wow theres the members sign,way to go and a big thank you for having me there and giving my wife and I a wonderful after noon. It doesnt get any better than that until I walked into his barn and well you look at the picture ,.GSS darts there on display,its a beautiful thing. Notice the walls in the back ground and imagine all mopar signs and memborilbila, thats whats happening and I will try to make it happen.
I accept all suggestions at mrnorm1013@aol.com

Mr. Norm Interview, Pt. 1
How the '68 Dart GSS Was Created