About

The Dodge Kid in his youth about 1976. I think I wore this hat everyday through my Freshman year in high school. Photo by Nick Yee

This story began before I was born. My parents decided to name their 3rd son Challen. The took the “ge” off the end and said I needed to generate my own power.

Well… in junior high school in 1975, with a crazy passion for muscle cars, I found the ultimate source of testosterone ladened heavy metal power. When my friends and I were choosing our favorite muscle cars, I’m sure that my name had just a little to do with choosing a car that was a bit unique and worthy of attaching to for a life full of dreams and wonder in the crazy car culture many of us grew up with.

I saw my first magazine ad for a red 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T. I think it said, “This Pony has Horses,” a hood shot of a shaker hooded 426 Hemi Challenger and a description that lit up my imagination. Love at first sight.

I’ve got everything from stories from my youth to tech tips and driving impressions.

I’ve owned four Challengers in my life two 383’s a 340 T/A and a 440 – no hemi cars – but my daughter was born on 4-26. She’s my little Hemi.

Taken up with the whole Western and Cowboy theme, I was known by my car fanatic buddies in junior high and high school as “The Dodge Kid”

Welcome to my blog