Strains of kick-ass rock n roll blast from super powerful sound systems, the smell of burning rubber and high-octane fuel is in the air. What was a peaceful public park is now a glorified parking lot, with vintage Barracudas, Dusters, Chargers, and Challengers in line to be admired and desired. Snippets of conversation like, "Check out the paint job on that 'Cuda," and "What size engine ya got..." is overheard.
Welcome to Van Nuys, CA for the Spring Fling 2000, and the 14th Annual all MoparTM car & truck show. The two-day event is the largest gathering of its kind west of the Mississippi, with over 550 show vehicles.

MoparTM (a contraction of More Power!) is Chrysler's high performance parts division, and used to transform their cars in to real street demons. Many consider the best cars to modify are the muscle cars of the late 60s to early 70s when gas was cheap, engines were HUGE, and powerful high performance cars were everywhere. Although car collecting and restoration is normally considered fairly square, this is not just for grease monkeys anymore. There are tons of enthusiasts, from all walks of life; even rock stars aren't immune to the lure of the powerful street machine. Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine entered and won third place in the A-body 1967 - 76 for his 1971 Demon.

The amount of care and attention to detail is mind-boggling. Chrome plated engines, custom paint jobs, nitrous blowers, mag wheels are the order of the day for these beauties. MoparTM car clubs are popping up all over the States and have a huge presence on the Internet. Owners' websites boast pictures of their prized vehicles and scour the web and shows to find spare parts and swap stories.

If you're a muscle car lover this was the place to be, and hey, close your mouth - you're drooling!