The Story Of The First Car I NEVER Owned - Junkyard Death By Forklift

The first generation Dodge Charger is an acquired taste for some, but for 15 year old me, the dark green big Block '66 I found in a junkyard was the most perfect thing I'd ever seen.
I bought it, I got it running...but it never came home with me. Here's what happened.
#classiccar #musclecar #dodgecharger #mopar
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[@devilish2319]

Nice to hear the bit of the origin story about parents who want nothing to do with cars, as a young guy (23 now) it felt like a huge hurdle to overcome knowing others were welcomed to use family shop space, full sets of tools, free labor, and put their cars in the garage or even driveway. But then finally getting established, scrounging up some money, and learning everything on my own felt a lot more rewarding.

[@theendarkenment]

Same here, every time I wanted to work on anything it was "no no you cant mess with the BRAKES that's what makes you stop, it's dangerous to mess with that, leave that to a professional" kind of reaction. Had to get out on my own, find places to work when I lived in apartments. Now I am 38 and have a 3 car garage and do whatever I want. You'll get there! My family still isn't interested in my shitboxes but they love to call when they need help :)

[@LEOHACKMAN247]

The first car I never owned was an 80 Camaro. My father bought it for $100 around 1993. I was about 14 or so. We were in the process of doing a driveway resto when my parents decided to get a divorce. The car was about 1/2 done when the flatbed came for her. Broke my heart.

[@yurimodin7333]

THANKS MOM......

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

Wow,that sucks. ☹️

[@basssq3]

Hate stories like that man. My family owned a sweet vintage Land Rover my whole childhood. When I finally got my license I asked to drive it one time before they sold it, and it got sold without even letting me know. Spent my whole childhood dreaming about this thing, just to have it ripped away the second I could drive it.

[@LEOHACKMAN247]

@@vintage76vipergreenBeetle Yeah. But I look back fondly. My father gave me a decent foundation to build on during our time working on that car. He has since passed away, so the time we spent working on it is a plethora of treasured memories at this point.

[@judgegixxer]

@@yurimodin7333 Ya no doubt, my dad had a 78' Silver Anni Vette that was supposed to be mine when I finished university. Mom made him trade it on a fucking minivan.

[@benjaminmorgan6]

I purchased a 440 powered '66 Dodge Charger right after my 18th birthday way back in 1974. The engine was not original but the rest of the car was in very nice original condition. Hands down the most awesome car I have ever owned, it set the standard for every car I have had since then. Currently I own a 440 powered '66 Dodge Coronet.

[@joewilley7776]

The 440 is a beast I have had a few but my 1967 Coronet R/T 440- 4- speed Dana 60 with 4:10 gears the memory still nakes me smile . Mopar

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

There was a 67 Charger I never had. In high school I drove a 68. I got a tip about a wrecked 68 Charger that I ended up stripping of everything. But the old fella had a 67 out front that had been sitting for a while. Originally a Hemi/automatic car, it had a seized 383. Itd been repainted Plum Crazy, and had a Go-Wing added to it in the late 70s, along with air shocks and fat slots. I worked on buying it for over a year, and he was so close to giving in he even brought out the title once. But we never could quite reach a deal. I think we were haggling in the $400-500 zone, which tested the limits of my $3.35/ hr wage at the time LOL, it was 1988...

[@UnfinishedProjectDartSport]

I have a similar story 😂 15 year old me was going to purchase a 67 dart out of a junkyard for $300. I spent 2/3 of the day getting it running and making sure it would move. I told the man that I would take it and he said not for that price. The shikester upped the price now that it was running😢 He’s dead now so I guess I won that one😂

[@randysinger2673]

A friend of mine who is now 78, has a 1966 Hemi Charger, Auto, Yellow, black interior, bought it brand new, not sure of the miles, but he still brings it out in the summer and drives it. All Original, Inside and exterior looks new still, Motor has never been messed with, still as it came from the factory, True untouched original Car, Wonder how many real 66 Hemi Chargers are still around of the 468 that were built ? Many have tried, he won't sell it. Can't Blame him for that, if i had it i would keep it until i died, he has many other old cars stashed away as well, when he is gone, going to be one heck of a auction.

[@williamjenkins5132]

Holy crap-memories! We used to go to a junkyard in Rhode Island in the early 80's. We'd bring a tool box full of beer on ice, and sit in several cars enjoying a cold one. Big block convertibles were so cool to have a cold one in. Then we'd actually get to work fetching whatever we came there for. The yard crew all put up with us, we never hurt anyone or anything, paid for our parts, and on occasion would share a cold one while we were acting like we were cruising. Good times!

[@shaunclifton5281]

That's great living 👍

[@DobermansRock]

They got cops at our junk yard. No having fun anymore. Beer is super illegal but passed out on pills benzos heroine is ok.

[@musclecarmitch908]

Cool story! It's amazing how similar the things us boomers went through in our early days of getting into cars! I sure miss the days of junkyard's being full of muscle cars and parts!

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

Im GenX, but know what you mean!! The mid-late 80s still had tons of amazing Mopars in wrecking yards...cars we'd give body parts to have today!!! When I wrecked my first 68 Charger in high school, it ended up in the local yard, right next to another one!! Further down there was a 70 Sport Satellite, a 68 RR, a 72 Challenger, a 66/67 Charger, a few 71-74 Satellites and Chargers, a few big block wagons, and a long ROW of Darts and Dusters... Ahh the good ol days....!!!

[@drussell_]

Yeah, late gen-Xer here, but I used to be able to go the the junkyard any day of the week and get anything I could possibly need or want. 273 adjustable rockers? No problem... 440 big block? A whole row of them... Full size van parts and pieces? Dozens of them, _ROWS_ of them!! Anything you need, right there, every day! 😥 I wish now that I'd had the room to *stock up* back then! Geez, a *whole, complete engine* was only $95 in those days!

[@joewilley7776]

The Cop cars and Taxi's had the good parts

[@chumleye1112]

Used to be full of North American cars and not the import junk.

[@kevinbrown559]

Hahaha, that story brings back a great memory from when I was a kid, I was probably around 12 years old and the old man and I go to a junkyard to get parts for the family car, and all of our family cars were buckets, so we come out of the yard with whatever part we needed and the old man goes running across the parking lot screaming at/to the yard operator who has our car in the air taking it to the yard. He thought the car was junk. We had the windows down so the forks went through without any damage. Afterwards everyone was laughing and became a funny story whenever the family got together. It was a 73ish chevelle or grand prix. The G.P. had the rear window blown out, so we would try to sit as close to the front seats to try not to get wet, then he just silconed plexiglass glass into place. Hahaha. Good times.

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525]

Man that's a fantastic story! Made me think of something I forgotten about thank you. Now I'm real man taking my son to the salvage yard. There's a number time when we were taking Parts off of cars that looked better than what we were putting them on. One time at salvage yard with a 60 Chevy the yard worker came in and said you just want me to take that one straight to the wrecking yard. That's where they took the Good enough for parts! funtimes like you said

[@SweatyFatGuy]

There was a car my dad brought home that would have made me into a mopar fan, but he decided against it and took it back. It was a 64 Barracuda, had a 318 with a 2 barrel and a 4 speed behind it. I liked it because it was different, the 4 speed was like yeah well thats what it has, and it sounded great. You don't see those often, and it would have been lots of fun with a 360 swapped in it later. I looked at a 71 Duster with a 340, 4 speed, headers, and dad said definitely no because he thought it would be too fast for me. Mom wanted me to buy a 76 Volare that was bright orange, had a cream colored interior, and a cream quarter vinyl top. It looked like a clown car with a receding hairline... and it had a slant in it. Mom said it was "Neat" apparently mom wanted to ensure I never got lucky with a girl. So I got the 67 Cougar instead which I still have, and bought a 72 GTO on my 17th birthday, for $175 from a junkyard, it was hit in the front... and that GTO eventually ran mid 12s with a mild 400 in it a year later. As for getting girls the Cougar and GTO worked fabulously. GTOs have a rather large back seat and even more room in the trunk for .... lets leave it there.

[@kimmogensen5390]

a clown car with a receding hairline ,,, heh

[@nummnuts22]

At 9 me and my siblings were aloud to pick out a car in the back to restore hopefully being done by the time got our license or graduation. I picked out a 63 lark hardtop, had tons of time and money into it almost ready for paint. I still had the interior to do but after my parents divorced when i was 12 I got to work on it a few times and that was it.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

I've always admired these American made fastback cars of the 60's and early 70's and yes we had no idea the value of what was being called junk.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

My dad used to race motorcycles, and my mom was totally against getting anything with an engine on it. I couldn't even get a go-kart. When I was 12, I bought a moped from my neighbors and she had a fit. My dad was kind of okay with me being into things with engines. Before that moped, I was always asking my buddies if I could ride their go-kart and stuff like that. Even at the age of 49, you could put me on a three horsepower mini bike and I get a smile from ear to ear, I blame mom LOL

[@firebird77clonefirebird89]

I was maybe 19, Dad out of the picture recently because of the divorce. I came across the opportunity to buy a 75 kawasaki 175 with broken piston. (Motorcycle). I borrowed the station wagon and brought it home, I paid about $70. When mom came home, she saw the bike against the house and we had the shortest conversation of our life. She said "I didn't say you could buy that." "I didn't ask", I replied. "You're not riding that without helmet and insurance ." "I know that" End of conversation.

[@yurimodin7333]

it was probobly just mom not wanting you to kill yourself on a bike. When I was in HS my buddy and I wanted to build a go-cart/dune buggy with a crotch rocket drive train. We knew a guy with a junkyard that had some wrecked 4 cyl Suzuki or Kawasaki but we could never get him to actually give us a price. Dude was probobly trying to keep us above ground.

[@richardthompson6366]

My older sister moved away and left her Pontiac Ventura behind, Mom didn't like me driving it so she sold it. I was 17 at the time, thanks Mom.

[@livewire2759]

@@richardthompson6366 My brother has a '76 Ventura, small cube v8 (not sure exactly what size). He'd probably sell it cheap... it's a rusted, worn out pile of junk, but if you really want one... it's red, had a white vinyl top that mostly rotted away now...

[@chadfield376]

I am 47 myself and I rode gas powered 2 wheels from age 7-45 (sold my Harley Sportster 2yrs ago due to having a family and no more time to ride in the given future). Now as a retiree with a 4yo son and 3yo daughter, looking forward to getting them started on a mini bike like I started off on. And I too would get a great smile and kick riding a little 3hp mini bike again myself 😊

[@chuckthebull]

Even when I see older films where they wreck some classic I feel agony.

[@mattmurray3183]

My first car WAS a green 66 charger that I brought at 14 and drove to high school. I'm 53 now and still think about it all the time. There are 3 pictures in my room of it. I'm so looking forward to seeing you get this back into shape

[@randallfabian6640]

First car I never owned was an orange 69 GTO in 1981. Someone had put a 455 with tri power in it. It ran like crap but I thought I could fix it. Dad said "no way" and I was heart broken. A couple days later I saw it on the side of the road. I stopped and talked to the guy and he had just bought it and it was blown up! Dodged a bullet thanks to dad!

[@mathewm7136]

Great video and thanks. 1979 -First car for me was a '65 Impala SS. Bought it out of a garage two blocks away non-running for $400. Pushed it with help to the street in front of my old mans. Was under the hood when a car pulled up and the driver offered me $750. Done. It was gone before my dad got home from work.

[@drippinglass]

My first “car” was a 1959 International Harvester A-120 4x4 panel truck. It had a non synchro strait cut gear 4 speed. I learned to double clutch in it… the only way to downshift! 😀

[@raybrensike42]

First car I never owned was a '63 Dodge Polara convertible when I was 16. Mom said I couldn't have it, and just like that, it was as if a forklift destroyed it. It could have made my life better or worse because there was that girl in my driver's training class.

[@anthonypritchard7710]

I loved going to my dads junkyard as a kid in the 90s. And the 66-67 charger is the best looking charger hands down. I said what I said.

[@kevinmcguire3715]

I like 66-67 chargers too. I used to keep up my friends red /white inside w/318 in good repair back in1972-1973 . I found a 1960 4bbll manifold for it and put an AFB on it which he loved. I could never figure why these cars draw lower prices as 426Hemi cars than most other OEM 426 cars.

[@DobermansRock]

Use your gun to your temple. Thats why retard.

[@marksaylor3123]

1986. My friend Denny and I are cruising and I spot a Nova in a drive way. We stopped and the guy is working on it and friendly. It's a 73 SS with a 454/4 speed and he's excited about it. In front of it is a 68 Malibu with no motor that Denny eventually gets. As we're talking I look around and see a Charger sitting out back next to a shed. It's a white 70 Charger R/T in super condition. It had an automatic with console but had 4speed pedals. No carpet, but no rust in the pans. I remember it well. I brought my step a hole to see it, we put a battery in it and it fired right up. The front brakes were frozen so he said no way, the car is junk. The guy who had it was a Marine and he said one of his Marines abandoned it but he had the title. 150$$ buys it. He was a Chevy guy, no interest in a Dodge. This was Jville, outside Camp Lejeune. Oh well...

[@colenashem8903]

Hey Tony I love hearing the stories from back in the day since I wasn’t able to experience those times, I’m really looking forward to the 69 charger video, keep up the good work!

[@redchris97]

I feel empathy for you there uncle T, my parents were not very supportive either when I got into the car hobby, but oddly enough they are the first ones that call me when their cars need something done.... weird....

[@jerkygutts8386]

I have fond memories of going to the junkyards in Ft. Worth with my Dad in the late 70’s early 80’s. It didn’t matter what I was doing I would drop it to go and would explore as much as I could. So many of those old school cars & trucks were complete just nobody wanted them then. Old chevy business coupes, panel wagons , 50’s crown vics Cadillacs , 60’s Muscle cars and Apache trucks. Poor mans car show for me I guess.

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

That car fits you perfect . There is no doubt in my mind that youknow exactly what you're doing . Your a REAL gearhead .

[@michaeladamo1188]

That’s actually a sad story. I heard the same thing about junkyards back in the late 70s from an older guy I knew he said I would cry seeing the stuff that just got crushed for no reason other than no one wanted them

[@Beandiptheredneck]

Theres a lot of cars getting crushed today that we'll say the same thing about 30-40 years from now. It's kinda funny how that works

[@michaeladamo1188]

I can’t see that total loss hellcats sell at co part for 30000 for drivetrain swaps

[@Beandiptheredneck]

@@michaeladamo1188 I don't mean just the real fancy ones that immediately come to mind, someone some day is gonna want to restore a 2007 impala, a 99 grand prix GTP, you know that's gonna be on someone's want list, a 2010 civic, hpw many young guys had those as first cars? How many will want to find another to relive their youth in 30 years. Classic cars will always be a thing, they just won't be the same cars we consider the classics now

[@robertbarnes3915]

Tony, Loved the story of the first car. I drove a 4 door 61 catalina when I was 16. My local yard had a 62 grand prix that was stripped of its drive train. I wanted that grand prix so bad and would go check on it regularly but they could not sell me the car as a whole due to the laws in my state with the salvage state of the title.

[@aspman97]

Love that car, Tony! Odd thing; on my dad's 66 in the early 70s he added the 67 fender turn signals and the 68 side markers front and back. My all time favorite car.

[@billypowell4936]

Thanks for the 1st Gen content. My dad bought our first Charger when he came home from Vietnam. The second 66 Charger 383 we bought in 86 and is in my garage. Keep up the great work. Mopar for life.

[@bryanbressem5026]

I remember seeing 6 hemi in a pile, nobody wanted them, today they would of been worth something, we all had muscle cars, mine was 69 firebird.

[@rogerstella458]

Uncle Tony I finally put 2+2 together!! You just mentioned Yaccarino’s Junkyard, that’s where I know/heard of you. I’m the Guy that you mentioned in your live Christmas feed… I said Merry Christmas from SI Ny and you read it live and mentioned Pastosa’s. Anyway,the junkyard was owned by Danny n Joe Yaccarino(brothers) My uncle Joe Yaccarino,95 yrs old and a WW2 vet,was also their uncle,mine through his wife n my mom are sisters….you get it!?!. Anyway back in the early mid 80s we cruised Hylan Blvd on Thursday nights. My cousins,Steve n Joe Yaccarino,Joe sr boys, Steve had an orange 69 Camaro names “Twist n Shout” later became a full drag car and Joe had a69 442,were friends with Niel Vanapprey and …?.. from Vaniderstien. Even though I’m younger,54, they would take me with them. Moral of the story….I was the 13yr old hanging out on school nights and I’m sure we met 40 years ago. What a small world! Have a Happy n Healthy New Year!

[@jamesblair9614]

I distinctly remember what the local wrecking yard looked like about 1972, the previous couple years Mopars, most with nearly factory fresh high impact colors, and nearly all with heavy front end damage, it was a high water mark for bright colors. Today, the same yard would be fifty shades of grey.

[@1PacificRedwood]

Yeah....most all of the cars on the road here in LA these days are either white silver grey or black.

[@paulfulton5078]

Great story Tony! The first car I never owned, was a '68 fastback Barracuda. I'm just a couple years younger than you. So around 1979 a friend of mine and I, came across the Plymouth, it was just a roller with no engine or transmission. The guy wanted $100 for the car, so we each paid him $50 bucks, and asked him to hold it for a week. Well story goes, neither of our fathers, would have anything to do with this Barracuda! My friend and I had plans of finding a 340 /727 for it and fixing it up...no dice! The guy who was selling it, wouldn't give us the money back, since it was 2 weeks, that had gone by, at that point. Lesson learned!

[@billthomas5555]

I love the stories about how people fell in love for their first cars. I also have a story of my first encounter of my first 1967 dodge charger. I used to accompany my dad to the Dodge dealership to look at the latest models and fell in love with a used car on the lot a 1967 dodge charger. 42 years later I can say my love affair is still strong. I love my 67 charger as if it is was my first true love. It is truly a connection I feel more than anything I I have felt from anybody I have met in that time. I continue to work towards restoring her to her former glory to the time that i first layed eyes her when I was a teenager just out of high school. God loves the the first generation charger.

[@ChadieB]

I have the unfortunate honor of claiming a 70 Cuda' (340) as my "one that got away"... would've been my first car, but parents threw winters, gas milage and the high probability that I'd kill myself as reasons that I should get a different 1st car... I'll never stop kicking myself for passing on that one PS everything you said about the 66 & 67 Chargers is spot on... they're gorgeous cars

[@aussiebloke609]

I remember junkyards like that in Oz - people over there kept their rust buckets and bombs longer, so the mid '80s was when you started finding the more of the muscular models like GT Falcons, Monaros and Pacers/Chargers. "Misspent" childhood for the win! 👍

[@TalkswithPop]

My first interaction with a 66 Charger was when I was 15 and working at the local garage. Mr. Martin was a local retiree who owned a white 66 with a gold interior that he bought brand new, this was 1985 so it was almost 20 years old but he was meticulous about it, it still looked brand new.. He would bring it to the garage to get regular maintenance done on it and sometimes I would get the honor of bringing it in and changing the oil in the 318 poly. I remember the owner of the shop making a point to tell me don't leave any greasy paw prints on it.

[@nbs-spike5822]

I think it would be a good idea to ask Kiwi to come by and look at it before you start, you know, so you don't make it his problem after you get in over your head... I would love to see that episode.

[@c.n.9074]

Good idea... we have all seen UTs bodywork on the Valiant!!!

[@MattC-ly9lr]

I to remember the junkyards in the 70s and 80s it would drive me nuts sometimes to see such awesome cars in there

[@williamdozier5190]

My first car was a 1964 Impala SS with a 409, Dad sold it after catching me drag racing ,

[@WoodShedPerformance]

Definitely feel we should hear more stories from back in the day. Love the stories

[@georgewetzel4380]

Special place in my heart too; the first car I saw in a dealer showroom was a 67 Charger I KNEW my parents wouldn't buy, and I think it was that metallicish green, the second color as the Coronet they bought.

[@georgewetzel4380]

...same color...

[@tarstarkusz]

For looks, no muscle car comes close to the AMX Javelin. I absolutely love the body lines of the 71. Chargers are cool looking too, but the Javelin just looks better and more classy and doesn't even look that out of place today.

[@General_Proton]

I love seeing you with this car , I remember when you took it on that Appocolypse run and tell you what , I actually like this model more than the newer ones , yes Majestic is an excellent definition for this car !!! I would love to see this car in a actual apocalyptic movie , it seems very fitting.

[@2HacksGarage]

There was a nice 66 Hemi Charger by me, it was called the Bloomington Ghost. Extremely low mileage all original car that was like brand new. Was an odd color, I think it was called mauve. Absolutely a time capsule

[@shaunclifton5281]

Is that the Gorgeous one that makes all the shows ? I saw it in the 90's in Paris, Tennessee at a Mopar show. Seems like a little old lady named Cora bought it new.

[@moparbenny5674]

Love the UTG '67 charger. My '69 Plymouth Sport Satellite 2dr HT is black primer with torque thrust wheels and BF Goodrich radial t/a 's. Got it when I was 15 and STILL have it!

[@panic-revv85]

I've wanted that setup for years, I love how classy and sleek they look.

[@GenasysMech]

Don't pass on a ride on Kiwi's lift so we can see what you're talking about and also see the expression on Kiwi's face when you tell him your plan...that'll tell the tale right off the bat ;-) To have a friend who's been there and done that, aka a metal maestro, is priceless.

[@TruckMan-zp3lb]

My Dad bought a 66 Hemi Charger with a 4 speed when I was 10 and it was the best car I had ever seen. The dash to me is a work of art. I remember the hemi option was over $800 and the cost of the car was $4600, quite a lot of money in 66. I bought a 66 with a 383 and an automatic in 75 for $800 the gas crisis just killed the first true muscle cars.

[@tractorfix]

I've always loved 66 67 Chargers. Could never find a decent one or afford the ones I found. Thankfully I'm a closet Ford guy and a 68 XL fastback fills the Carger void nicely. Fastback, hideaways buckets and console. All good.

[@peterhughes7180]

I'm 62 I retired last year I totally LOVE the first generation Charger ❤so I found and bought my self a 67 Charger with a 383 four barrel big block the body is in mint condition. I TOTALLY LOVE ❤️ IT and driving around in it ( it's like sitting on a couch and going down the road) I think there under rated I wouldn't trade it any other vehicle. I think and feel this is the BEST ONE ever made

[@grantodamax]

Hey Tony, my question is did they ever refund you the money you spent on the car?

[@robertwest3093]

My parents had a 1970 Ford Torino. It was just a 302/C4 car but it was completely rust free and straight. I couldn't wait to get that car. When it was getting close to getting my license in early 1987....my parents sold it in the Summer before in 1986. They wanted to get a "newer" car. WELL......newer to them was 5 years newer! They brought home a 1975 Buick Lesabre...all 2+ tons of it! It was the first year for catalytic converters and that meant it had one of GM'S flat pellet filled converters that sapped about 50 horsepower from even the mildest engine.

[@mdcuddy3286]

My first car was a '59 Anglia English Ford a wonderful flathead four cyl with a 3-speed non-syncro tranny. First gear was on the tunnel and second gear was 39" to the dash then back to the tunnel for third! after wrecking it, my family purchased a '65 Chevrolet Corvair Monza with a 110 horse, 4-speed (syncro!), PosiTraction car. I modified the blueprinted motor and put it on 14" Keystone mags. My father was furious that I could go through a set of tires in three months! Then came the '63 Mark II Jaguar 3.4 l, 4-speed/overdrive on wire wheels and 4 doors. I traded it for a '70 English Ford Cortina GT, 1600 cc, with a 4-speed and a tuned header. Racing came to a halt with the trade-in of it for a '73 Pinto station wagon, automatic with ac. Marriage was coming! Multiply cars and trucks since then. My father never understood my affinity for autos, only disparing remarks! I am right with you Tony!!!!

[@rustyrobinson8027]

My first car was in 1976 it was a 1965 Dodge Coronet 440 4 door red 318 ci man those were the days

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525]

How can you say young man in 15 and I feel bad for him. If I see a fella now that stuck with his passion and became quite successful. A on person who gains that much knowledge and applies it is an example of a success. My 1977 stories although I was younger were 57 Chevys being driven up on the car hauler to take to the recycling plant from the salvage yard. They hold up between 30 and 50 of them that day car haulers like you see hauling new cars I remember one convertible they put the top down so the guy could see better. My dad pointed it out and said this something they call fuel injection. It don't have a carburetor son. There were two nomads hardtops two doors four doors post etc. Not all of them drove on. My dad had a couple 57 Chevys and so did his brothers. So we were there that day to get the parts because the old man with salvage yard said 10 cents on dollar for every part we pulled. Believe me we pulled a truckload! My dad was in the cars I'm sorry that yours wasn't. My grandfather wasn't except when he was delivering certain homemade beverages for medicinal purposes. My dad his brothers and even one sister a really good mechanics. And I never thought about why my dad said don't use choke on those old cars when we hauled them out and Farmers back 40 acres.

[@richarda996]

My first not owned was a 1957 Plymouth station wagon. When you got on the four barrel carburetor, you could hear the intake and exhaust. Watch the speed increase and the gas gauge decrease,lol.

[@toejam503]

1972, I was 16 and a cook I worked with, bought a '66 Hemi Charger off the lot for $840. That was the fastest I ever rode in a car.. 137mph!

[@Jaybird66sweptline]

I bought a 67 Coronet recently. The front end needs work, and any videos on the front end repair of the Charger would be swell, as you know they're basically the same. Cheers.

[@chrisguite1029]

Love seeing your Gen1 updates. We have a 66 383 four speed still in its original paint. It’s living in the UK now, of the 11-12 gen one’s over here it’s the only four speed and the only original paint car

[@Oldcarnut63]

Tony my first car was a 1965 Plymouth fury III with the comando 383 , I paid $275.00 for it and it was mechanically fine sure miss her.

[@jasonfitch7977]

Lookin forward to Tony's at home frame repairs using the wrecker

[@yurimodin7333]

AND fluxie

[@vinylcrafters4758]

Mid 70's, Brooklyn NY, Foster ave. Auto Gobbler. Silver 69 Chevelle SS 396 sitting on top of a pile of other cars, all waiting to be crushed. You're right, nobody was interested in gas guzzling muscle cars back then. Luckily, I still have two Malibu's today, one a convertible, the other a 454 big block. Thanks for the memories!

[@Joesmusclecargarage]

What you said about people in the comment section is the exact reason I got off of facebook and various message boards. There are so many “experts” out there, you would think they’re all engineers with how adamant they are when they spew their nonsense. 99% of the know-it-alls have probably never turned a wrench in their lives, but they either “read it in a facebook group” or their best friends brothers cousin who is currently in prison but may get out one day said so, so it must be true. It gives me a headache even taking my cars to shows or Saturday night cruise-ins anymore, as all of the “experts” have migrated there as well. The only difference is, they don’t bring their fake sets of balls when they’re there in person. It’s sad what has happened to the car hobby in the last 15-20 years or so.

[@BigBeavrSlayer]

Try convincing those guys you can run a engine on wood chunks. Their eyes get real wide when you slam something in their face they think isn't possible

[@Joesmusclecargarage]

@@BigBeavrSlayer Oh I know. I gave up trying to “school” clowns like that. I built a 68 Charger way back when. It was originally a 318/904 car. I literally had people come up to me, look at the VIN or fender tag, and say “that’s the wrong motor. It’s supposed to be a 318”. Like, which one would you rather have in a big B-body?! 🙄 Everybody has something to say, but when you ask them where THEIR car is or what they built, they get shut down real quick!

[@BigBeavrSlayer]

@@Joesmusclecargarage in most cases they never built anything, they bought it, or payed someone to build it for them. No experience except "here's my dyno sheet I'm better then you!" Oh piss off they ain't worth your breath 👍

[@Joesmusclecargarage]

@@BigBeavrSlayer I don’t take part in “judged” car shows, but what pisses me off like you wouldn’t believe is when someone buys a restored car, or pays someone to build it for them, and proceeds to accept awards and trophies for work that someone else did. I love calling people like that out!

[@BigBeavrSlayer]

@@Joesmusclecargarage the only judgments I get into are state patrol telling me to get my junk off the road 🤣

[@dtruth5769]

Where's the x-ray glasses?

[@Oldcarnut63]

🤣🤣🤣I know

[@minecrafthacker9582]

Makes a lot of sense with the choke, you can always choke it more but un-flooding a car is a real pain. I love your story its hilarious it reminds me of buying first vehicles and constantly fighting parents who are against what I showed genuine, natural interest and talent with machines that go loud and fast. Anybody can drive a fast car, in fact most people would say they enjoy it. You will find far fewer who show a genuine passion by asking the right questions, What makes a fast car fast? What can I do to make sure it runs smoothly for long periods of time? most importantly: How can I manifest that into my project

[@dadalebreton184]

It is as beautiful as any mopar fleet. Specialy with this patina but its my opinion. We had a forest green 1968 440 RT and when i look at this one, i absolutely love it.

[@gabrieldimarco9646]

The Charger looks bad ass and those mags add a nice touch to it.

[@graywolf4206]

Well... in 1984 or so I walked away from a $1500 '69 Charger. Daytona. Running. I still think about it.

[@HarleyHawk1]

That's a bummer about your first car. I'm fortunate enough to still have my first one. It's the 1979 Pontiac Bonneville I hit the black bear with on the way to meet Uncle Tony. I'll never get rid of it.

[@hayneshvac2]

Love the charger...really loved this cars presence in the movie "Big Fish"...beautiful car, thanks for the story Tony...I grew up helping my brother work in a junkyard myself...what I wouldn't give to have the cars that were in there back in the late 80's to early 90's...In fact I helped him build his 73 Dodge charger in that junk yard, came from that yard in fact. It was a 73 Column bench charger that he converted to a Ralley SE hybrid with a 440 HP sourced from a 76 New Yorker, originally had a 318 with a thrown rod that magically drove into the garage...lol

[@MikkJogi]

Love the car, Tony, I always was a fan of the original Chargers! BTW, you were talking about my teenage years when you talked about visiting wrecking yards on Saturdays! I grew up a Mopar guy in the Toronto suburbs, but was also into AMCs. I could tell you some stories, and you'd probably find them similar to what you lived at the time, I'm sure! Working on a 1966 Barracuda right now, one that sat in my garage for the last 30 years while I was busy raising a family. A hot Slant Six is in the works, you've passed on some useful info, thanks!

[@chrisharper2658]

You know, a choke is not an all or nothing proposition. "Spark plug wash", "seasoning the manifold", those are new ones on me but hey if it works for you, its your channel. I'm thinking you've gotten a little soft living down south too long. But you are right about the iconic look of the car. Freshening up the car is great but I kind of like the naturally aged patina and the shiny mag wheels. If it were to get fresh paint then you would get all paranoid about where to park it.

[@stevenzaikowski2296]

I used to go to that junk yard. I had a67 chevelle ss and they had the parts for it.

[@GamePlayWithNolan]

My first car I never owned was my dad's ex police car 1975 dodge coronet with the 440 police package. I was really excited because the car had been sitting since I was a little kid and I really wanted to get it running again. It was very straight and everything was there. My uncle found out that I wanted to fix up the car so he took his bulldozer over with a trailer, unloaded it and ran the car over several times then loaded it back up and left. Told me I "needed" to get a modern car. The car didn't belong to him but since my dad was so nice and forgiving he chalked it up to an "accident." Now I am a classic Ford guy specifically because there are no classic mopars where I live even after years of searching.

[@donmyers584]

This reminds of the straight and complete 1965 Thunderbird I paid a junkyard $20 for in 1975 and wasn’t allowed to bring home because the city didn’t approve of the half dozen or so other cars that my brothers and I had parked in the yard. A year later the same story repeated itself when I bought a very straight 1969 Torino GT 390 four speed with a rod hanging out of the oil pan, again $20 but no place to store it. I still have the bell housing and exhaust manifolds and at the time got the top loader but sold it that same year for $50 the rest of the car got crushed

[@Bbbbad724]

I love the 66-67 Charger, the 361 was a surprisingly good engine and the 727. . I really think that they were the most underrated cars . A 440 and TF with gears for the road

[@jessiebrooks3511]

My brother in law has a 67 fastback, acquired from his grandfather when he died, original owner, original paint, original drivetrain. He's not a car guy, it ran for the first couple of years but just through neglect has become undrivable. Drives me crazy, he's refused, for the last decade to do anything with it but let it sit. I know another guy with a duster, been sitting in a field for 25 years I know of, refuses to sell, fix, or move it, drives me absolutely nuts. What to do about people like this? I know another spot out in the country, people had 4 mid 60's Chevelle's just sitting in a field, you'd only know it from the road if you knew what you were looking at. People refused to answer their door, ever , you had to surprise them and catch them outside. Wouldn't sell them, but over time they've all gone missing but one. Many stories like this, I still haven't figured out what to do about these people that refuse to do anything with the cars, I even used to offer to just get them running and drivable 100% for free, no strings, just a desire to preserve American culture and history, no takers. Drives me nuts.

[@scotth9881]

I've been waiting for the Charger content. Probably not a popular opinion, but these are my favorite Chargers. They are very unique.

[@MattC-ly9lr]

Oh nice charger also meant to say. Don’t get crazy building it keep it a mild cruiser it will be much more fun I am sure you know that.

[@BuiltDifferent13]

Mercury's dude we're badass cars. Not a lot of people talk about. You know they kind of just went into obscurity in the 80s but they used to be race cars. The 1968 Mercury cougar is one of the most badass looking pony cars I've ever seen in my life

[@AtZero138]

Story time with our Uncle Tony... Life, love and Tragedy...

[@daddybiggs9343]

Sorry about your first car you never owned. Thank you for sharing the story. Happy New Year to everyone at UTG!!

[@DelozierInspiration]

The first gen Chargers - definitely an acquired taste but beautiful none the less. Are you SURE your parents did not pay the salvage yard to spear your junkyard find???? The first car I never owned was a 73 Saab Sonnet; found it under a tarp at a body shop...and without the internet, I had NO IDEA what the heck I was looking at other than it had a tiny hood and a really odd v-4 engine... Those were the days.

[@geraldscott4302]

I got my first car at age 16 in 1975. It wasn't really mine for 2 years, not legally anyway. My parents financed it for me, and I made the payments. It was a nice car, not a beater. I believe the price was $2000, when it was 5 years old. There was no such thing as mandatory insurance back then, and I drove for 7 years before they passed a law requiring it. It was a dark green 1970 Dodge Challenger with a white vinyl top and black interior. It had 14" 5 spoke gray mag wheels, just like that Charger, with RWL Goodyear Polyglas GT tires. It was a 318 2 barrel, column shifted automatic, single exhaust, bench seat with split backs and a fold down armrest. I drove that car for 11 years. I did rebuild the front end on it. Fairly easy except the upper ball joints that sort of screw into the control arms, but not really. They didn't have actual threads on them. More like the threads on a glass jar. I tried and tried and tried to get the new ball joints to go in straight, but they were cross threaded (so to speak) I finally destroyed one of the ball joints and control arms, and wound up getting new parts and having a shop install the upper ball joints for me. I have no idea why they didn't just use rivets. It was not a muscle car, but it sure looked good. Now even base model '70 Challengers are going for crazy money. Besides the plugs, pouring a lot of gas in the carb will also wash the oil off the cylinder walls. My 289 powered '72 Pinto and 383 powered '82 S-10 don't have chokes. I removed the choke plates. Here in AZ you don't need a choke. Pump the pedal a couple of times and an engine will fire right up.

[@66balsam]

Tony, forget the hold, you gotta paint this baby dark green like your first car in the story!! It’s a seriously badass colour on a first Gen!!!

[@66balsam]

Forget the Gold I mean!

[@thomasconnolly7452]

2009 I started searching for a 66 4sp 383 and never found the one. I did buy a 70k mile 65 Marlin 327 4v floor auto AC in great shape. It ran well enough to break the input shaft flat out manually shifting it. Sold it a couple years ago but would still like a 66 4sp 383 Charger.

[@tomcrosby6332]

Great era for square body MOPARs. I had a 66 Satellite. My buddy has a 66 Coronet. Very cool body lines. I like the Coronet better than the charger.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

My first car was a worn out baby blue 77 Impala 4 door with a single barrel 305. It was a dog. But I loved it. I've had a bunch of GM B-Body cars since then. I actually own one now but unfortunately it's a 96 Roadmaster sedan. I really want a 77-90 B-Body. They're just the best all around platform for a little bit of everything

[@gurneyforpresident2836]

Great story. The early Chargers have a really nice body style. The shock you must have fealt when the moron brought the car out with the forklift. Like an unexpected punch to the gut!

[@ryurc3033]

There were 2 66 chargers 2 miles down the road from me. One sitting on top of the other, both silver. I eventually got to talk to the old man after several years (after he told me to f**k off every time I asked) and we eventually walked out to look at them. They were both far rougher than I could see from the road, smashed and rusted. As far as starting that cranky cold motor? Those of us who know, will know you know that they don't know. Ya know?

[@cam3002]

Whilst never owned a 1st gen Charger, I always appreciated them and their fastback design. The center console is just cool but in the way on date night.

[@pauberrymon5892]

Well now that's a PISSER ! I hope they gave You back you money at least Uncle Tony. Great video minus the disaster at the beginning. I lost a 2 door 67 SPORT FURY III when I was 17, I had stored a Muncie 4spd, a shifter and the blow proof bell housing and clutch for a BB Chevy in the trunk because the land owner complained about it sitting in the backyard and Mom called a junk man to haul it off without even warning Me about it. Still gets under my skin when I think about it.

[@vincentgranite9481]

In the 70s we had a contract to buy salvage from Nationwide Ins. We had so many cars my dad said they were rolling year old cars on their sides and cutting the drive trains out for rebuilders. Said he couldn't possibly sell everything they were getting. Crazy.

[@shaunclifton5281]

Majestic Is a great description for a 66/ 67 Charger going down the street 👍

[@drussell_]

😱 ... and here I thought the Pick-Your-Part or Pick-n-Pull always mashing the *_driveshafts_* on everything in the yard was annoyingly bad!!! 😭

[@lawrenceveinotte]

In 1973 i started pumping gas at a gas station, i was 13, we also worked on cars, we let people rent the bays and work on their own cars, people came there and hung out, it was the party gas station, every kind of muscle car made would come in there.

[@L.A.Concrete]

My first muscl car was a 72’ duster with 318 smog engine w/4bbl carb somebody put in it. I got the carb “tuned” or so I thought until I watched your channel and Andy Woods channel but either way it ran pretty good and I had some fun with it. Originally it was a 340 car in shaker green but when I got it she was painted up like starsky and hutches Torino. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@Lecherous_Rex]

I was given a bronco II from one uncle that I never got road worthy. My other uncle offered me a Valiant though that my parents neglected to tell me about, wishing I grabbed that for sure. As far as the semi resurrection cold starts like on the charger I always just mist carb clean in the intake until the fuel system catches up.