Ed Hall
Chrysler 300
Ed is a writer for the mighty fine PPC magazine (Practical Performance Car) which has given occasional but good features on one-or-too American cars and hot rods. And now at last, we have writer from a mainstream magazine doing the deed! Ed has gone and got himself this ace cool 440ci Chysler 300 and he's racing in American Super Stock, so give him a warm welcome too.
So, Ed went down to the docks the other day: "I haven't stopped smiling since I picked it up from the docks. It is so massive but seems to have loads of go. I can't believe it's finally arrived.
"I do want to have a go in the American Super Stock series – in fact I can't wait – but first I have a few jobs to do on it. The front and rear windows need to come out as it has the usual vinyl top Mopar rust (not a spot of rust underneath the thing though). So when it has a new vinyl roof and a new carpet I'll MoT it and then it's racing time. I've not really had chance to use it much so far, but it runs really sweetly."
And it looks tough on steelies with dog dishes, don't it?
The Chrysler is going to a mate's garage to have the roof repaired around the front and rear window, then it's off to the
trimmer who's making a new vinyl roof for it. "I've got to order a new carpet for it from the States, then, when the interior is all back together, I can take it for an MoT," adds Ed. Funny the things they look out for to get an MoT, new vinyl, new carpet, don't forget to wash the curtains and dust the telly Ed.
"I've got a deadline of the last weekend in May (Chelsea Cruise and Gary's Picnic) to have it on the road for. Unfortunately I'm having to restore it 'remotely' as it's still stored 65 miles from home as the bloody thing won't fit in my garage! This is what's taking the time. As soon as it's MoT'd I'm going to look for local storage, after then hopefully I'll be able to get some A/SS rounds in, I'm looking forward to frying the tyres, or, being more realistic, lurching about like a mad cow to record an amazing 18-second quarter."
May be an 18 first time out, but how long before Ed's chasing a 12 do you think?
March 2009 issue of 'Practical Performance Car' ran the story of Ed's inspired online purchase right through to the Chrysler's UK arrival. 'PPC' is a nice publication, and gives a frequent presence to American cars and such-like. That issue includes a two pages of Gary's Picnic, six pages on the Chrysler, top ten European cars fitted with American V8s... It's a great magazine.
Ed's car was also recently featured in 'Classic American', but let's hope we see the car on the strip for real this year, eh Ed?
