El Toro MCAS

Irvine, California

When you think of owner-powered tuner car events, thoughts turn first to the usual suspects, Honda, Mitsubishi, Scion and the ranks of import car owners. But on Saturday, March 15, at the former El Toro MCAS, in Irvine, California, more than 600 Chrysler 300C and Dodge Charger and Magnum owners showed them a thing or two, and at the same time got a look a first look at the production version of the new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 and the latest HiPo Dodge to be added to the garage of guitarist and Mopar fanatic Kenny Wayne Shepard.

The rear-wheel-drive Chrysler’s 300C and the companion LX cars, the Dodge Charger and Magnum, have helped to redefine what a full-size American car can be and have been an unqualified success in the marketplace. And four years after their introduction in 2004, they continue to form the basis of countless SEMA and CES demo and show cars, such as this Dodge Magnum station wagon with the front clip of a Chrysler 300C installed, a configuration available in Europe as the Chrysler 300C Touring.

But more importantly for the newly independent Chrysler LLC, it has engendered unprecedented loyalty from thousands of owners who have poured into their cars unbridled creativity and thousands of dollars in aftermarket upgrades to personalize each of their rides. Sponsored and hosted by Southern California chapter  of the 20,000-strong nationwide LX Forum, event organizer John Fortuno and fellow members hosted more than 600 LX owners from 18 states and several Canadian provinces.

And at mid-day, with Hot Rod TV on hand, blues rocker Kenny Wayne Shepard unveiled the latest addition to his Mopar collection, a black pro-street 1972 Dodge Charger powered by the same 6.1-liter Hemi found under the hood of the SRT8 versions of the 300C, Magnum, Charger, and shortly, the new Challenger.

Part of the festivities included a BBQ lunch, catered by the world famous Tulsa Rib Company of nearby Orange, California. And besides Kenny Wayne Shepard, a host of Chrysler executives were on hand that included the father of the design of the Chrysler 300C, Design VP Ralph Gilles, Joe Dehner, Design VP, Mike Accavitti, Director of Marketing for the Dodge Brand, SRT and Dodge Motorsports, John Sloan, Director RWD Product Planning, and many other members of the LX product platform team.

In addition, Samuel Hubinette from the Mopar Drift Team performed two drift demonstrations for the assembled owners. More than a dozen vendors attended and the DUB transporters showed up with more than a dozen modified LXs. Pete Santini, Performance West, and West Coast Customs showed up with their own highly acclaimed modified LXs to inspire owners.

With over 600 owner 300Cs, Chargers, and Magnums on the show field, it was difficult and almost impossible to pick the best, but one car was a standout, a 2006 Dodge Charger owned by Bryan and Tami Fuller and was selected as the Automotive Traveler Best of Show. Bryan and Tami have an extensive page on the build of their spectacular Charger over on cardomain.com.

Now an annual event, the Spring Festival of LXs is expected to grow in 2009 as it will welcome owners of the new Challenger as well as 300C, Charger, and Magnum owners. To stay informed on the planning for next year’s event, become a member of the Southern California chapter LX Forum.

Additional photos from the Spring Fling of LXs show are available to view and download in the Automotive Traveler image galleries. To view and download the images, you will need to be a registered member of automotivetraveler.com. If you aren't already a member, register now.

View the Spring Festival of LXs Image Gallery.

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veedubb8 |03-3-2008 Simply incredible cars. I was a Euro car fan for many years, but when DCX introduced the 300 and Magnum my perspective really changed. It's a shame the Magnum was discontinued, but at least these models have set a nice direction for future Chrysler models (assuming the new owners don't mess things up!). Great article. ReplyQuote 0 0

BilletTechnology |03-4-2008 The best event of the year. ReplyQuote 0 0

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