PPAPACKININGG AA PUPUNCHHH
A SURPRISE package for many attendees at this year’s COTM was Michael
McLean’s VJ Charger. The black bonnet and hefty intercooler were the
only clues to there being something brewing, and the Hemi 245 (yes, not a
265) punches well above its weight, with a healthy class-winning 460.8hp
during Saturday’s dyno runs.
The 245 started life as a low-compression truck motor, chosen for its
inherent strength when compared to the normal passenger car derivatives.
“You can pick them up for $100 a pop, so already it’s cheaper than a 265,
and their durability is key when going the turbo route,” Michael said.
“Andy Sanders at Specialised Power Porting in Mt Helen is the brains
behind the running gear and we were keen to improve on last year’s
356hp. This combo runs a Garrett GTX3582R turbo running 20psi of boost,
and to better last year’s result by more than 100hp was just amazing; I’m
so stoked!”B
EING a third-generation Chrysler fan, it borders on bloody
criminal that I’ve never made the pilgrimage to Albury-
Wodonga for Chryslers On The Murray. So when Editor
Telfo dangled the Pentastar carrot in front of me for this
year, I jumped at the chance to immerse myself in the
Southern Hemisphere’s premier Mopar event.
Come early Friday morning I was on a Fokker bound for Melbourne
and super-keen for the drive north to the border. My hire basher
was upgraded from a Corolla to a VF Commodore, so I decided if
anyone asked me what car I brought, I could legitimately say: “Just
the VF,” and let them decide if I meant Valiant or not.
The Commo may not have armed me with much street cred, but
its sat-nav got me to the Hume and I settled in for the few-hour
journey. Surprisingly I only saw one Chrysler that whole drive – a
battered Neon sedan – but I needn’t have worried; by the time I
hit the outskirts of Wodonga I knew awesomeness was brewing.
With the early birds having already smoked their way through
the driving events at the nearby Logic Centre, I headed straight
to the afternoon meet ’n’ greet at the Gateway Park complex
and was immediately impressed by the set-up, friendliness and
professionalism offered up by the Albury-Wodonga Chrysler
Club. Sure, having run this event for 30 years, it isn’t their first
rodeo, but their small but passionate membership put on a hell
of a big show given the number of volunteers at their disposal.
As the ultimate variety in Chrysler products rolled through the
gates, I had my second realisation: I should never go to this show
and not bring one of my own cars; the long drive from Brisbane
would be worth it to fully indulge in the event instead of being on
the fringes.I ONLY SAW ONE MOPAR ON THE DRIVE UP,
BUT ONCE I HIT THE OUTSKIRTS OF WODONGA I KNEW
THAT AWESOMENESS WAS BREWING
CO TM