Congragulation SoCalRT

[steve]

Congratulations to SoCalRT for being voted April's Custom Magnum of the Month.

SoCalRT's acceptance Speech:

First, thanks for the votes I received for CMOM for April, very cool.

My name is Brett Graves I’m 47 years old and I live in Lake Elsinore, California. I’m married with three daughters ranging from 13 to 23 years old, the two older ones are in college eating all my mod money, or is it the other way around….The youngest one will be my car buddy as she loves to race go-carts with me and her friends…

I have always loved cars and purchased my first when I was 13 years old. It is a 1956 Ford F-100 that I built from the ground up doing all the work except final paint and the upholstery on the seat. I still have it 34 years later; it’s currently in the back garage in pieces waiting to go back together. I like all types of cars and trucks and subscribe to several automotive magazines; Hot Rod, Street Rodder, Classic Trucks, Road & Track, Truckin, Rodders Journal and pickup a few others if the covers strike me.

I purchased my ‘05 Magnum R/T on premiere night in June ’04 at my local dealer where I also bought my Intrepid and my wife’s Ram pickup. I lucked out and only paid list price, which at the time was a great deal as most dealers where marking them up $7,000 to $8,000 over sticker. When I first got it I was getting quizzed by people every time I stopped the car. I even got pulled over a couple of times by LEO’s that wanted to check it out, if they stop me now it is for other reasons unfortunately. People just wanted to check it out, and it was still stock. Now almost three years later I still get thumbs up on a regular basis, these cars are so cool.

I’ve made quite a few mods to my Magnum since I’ve had it and I have tried to stay with the theme of understated mods that add to the smooth look and classic hot rod touches. Last year I got the meet Ralph Gilles, the designer of the Magnum, 300 and Charger and he liked the way I made it mine with the mods, wheels and paint work. I was so jazzed that he liked it and gave me a “cool, understated, I like it”.

I drive my car a lot, it just turned 74,000 miles this weekend and I plan on having it for a long time. I may have to drop in a 6.1L or 392 when the 5.7L gives up the ghost at some point. In the mean time I will continue to have fun with my ride. Last weekend a group of LX owners rented out the California Speedway road course for some serious fun. It was my first time on a road course and I took my Magnum to the limit. These things are great fun to throw sideways at 60mph and have it stick as you drift into the next turn as the tires are screaming for relief as the computers keep the car in control at all times, even as I went through a series of turns and got up on two wheels after getting a little close to one of the curbs. The next day I got new tires and an alignment, it needed it.

To see all of my mods, stories and pictures of my ride check out my web site at www.freewebs.com/socalrt/

Thanks again to those that gave me their votes, keep on moddin, because stock sucks…
Brett (SoCalRT)

[Bigal470]

Well deserved my friend.........

[305magnumon22s]

Congrats from the 3-0-5!!!!

[4rwheeler]

Congrats SoCAL! Don't want to be a copy-cat, but other than the two-tone, that's the look I'm going for when my Wife lets me!

[05HEMIMAGNUM]

As i said on the PM CONGRATS, well deserved!!

[MagnumRT05]

Congrats as well from Ohio!!!

[SoCalRT]

Very cool, thanks guys, now who is it going to be next month??????

[05HEMIMAGNUM]

Myself and Bigal need to redeem ourselves. LMAO!

[jayalbertcars]

hello way to go SoCalRT

[SilverMaggie]

Congrats SoCalRT!!