Event&gt;&gt;spring Fling Xxv Pt.1

Here in car-obsessed Southern California, there is NEVER a shortage of automotive things to do. Fords were the order of business last Sunday at Knott's Berry Farm, and this weekend it was time for the Mopar folks to step into the spotlight at Spring Fling XXV at Woodley Park in Van Nuys.

After seeing the positive response that my coverage of last year's show got, I decided to make the trip up the 405 again this year. Even with temps reaching near 90 degrees F in the San Fernando Valley, hundreds of Chrysler cars converged on the wide spaces of Woodley Park.

Upon entering the showgrounds, I was drawn to this NASCAR-spec Dodge Charger Daytona sitting on a trailer. It was bitchin', and needless to say I grabbed a few extra pics for an upcoming spotlight.

There's just something about the Mopar crowd that is different from the followers of other brands. This is the church of the Six Pack, the Sure Grip, the Shaker, and the TorqueFlite.

As with last year, there was an incredible assortment of Mopar history out on the grass. Some, like this '64 Plymouth Savoy Max Wedge car were looking pretty stock on the outside.

This Charger meanwhile was done in a more aggressive pro touring style.

Quite simply, the '68 – '70 Charger is part of the fabric of America. You can thank the Duke boys, the thugs from Bullitt, and even Mr. Vin Diesel for that one.

Speaking of the Duke boys, what do you think of this updated version of the General Lee?

There was plenty to be found in the swap meet area again this year, both parts and project cars. That early Barracuda could be built into something very cool with a little creativity!

Quite a lineup of reproduction Pistol Grip shift handles. It doesn't get any more Mopar than this.

The big Hemi and 440 engines are what gave the Mopar muscle machines their steet cred, but the small block offerings can be equally as potent in a lightweight chassis like this Duster 340.

The finned lines of the '57 and '58 Plymouths have to be some of the best of the 1950s. Movie buffs will also recognize this body style from the horror film "Christine" about a possessed '58 Fury. It's a great film, add it to your Netflix list.

In 1969 things in the muscle car war were getting out of hand, that's when Chrysler engineers decided to drop 440's with three Holley carbs into the Plymouth Road Runner and Dodge Superbee. The Hemi cars might be more iconic, but the 440-6 cars packed about the same punch.

The 440-6 Road Runner and Super Bee were also known for their uncovered steel wheels and redline tires.

I asked my wife what she thought about the idea of going camping in this Dodge station wagon RV setup, and her response was not particularly positive…