I have been asked numerous times if we will ever enter this vehicle in an OE Show. If we do not enter it in the SEMA Battle of the Builders venue, the only showing for this Car will be “display” orientated. Unlike the many OE Cars I have restored, this one will not be allowed to enter that arena because it is not an OE Car. I’ve been involved in the OE Competitions for the better part of 25 years. Prior to the Mopar Shows, I’ve had GM & Ford vehicles that took top honors in their showings. Other than the first Show I entered in 1992, my vehicles have never placed worse than First Place & Best of Show. After a second place finish in my first Show, I vowed never to take anything less than 1ST Place and Best of Show in any National venue. To date, that goal remains unblemished. I’ve been doing OE Competitions since the early nineties. Prior to working with Steve and meeting him in 2002, I did the Restorations on my own.
If it were possible to enter this Concept Tribute in an OE venue, I would do it in a split second. This Car displays OE characteristics, superior to ALL of the other vehicles we have done. I felt bad for a couple of guys that I read about on one of the Forums a while back. One guy had a Burgundy Duster and the other had a Black Charger. The pictures showed the cars sitting in a parking lot with their Hoods open while braving the Summer Heat. I believe it was at a McDonald’s (Restaurant) Parking Lot Show. One of the guys talked about the thousands of dollars he had spent on his Car but never could win a thing. The only thing he got at that Show was a “Ham-burglar or Big Mac” Participation Award. It’s the details that makes the difference between a National Champion and a wannabe.
Here are some of the past Awards from my OE Restorations.
