All Chrysler Day 2006 – South Australia.

by Hugh Savage

Well, usually I review movies that feature cars. This time I’m reviewing a tome that chronicles nothing but cars. No plot, no statements, no good guys and no bad guys! That is unless you consider the heroes that call Mopar perfection.

The gang at “34 Productions” has captured Mopar’s finest at the Chrysler Club of South Australia’s Penta-ultimate event, the 2006 All Chrysler Day, and by the looks of things ALL is what they got.

The DVD opens with the muster point for the mega cruise, the Le Cornu Furniture car park. The camera pans and we are drawn into the atmosphere of a Sunday run with like minded Chrysler devotees. The atmosphere is thick with the sights and sounds of Mother Mopar, with brands Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Simca and AMC. Many years and many models were there. The sights and sounds of Valiant, R/T, Pacer, Charger, VIP, Centura, Ranger, Regal, 770, Other Chrysler models from the USA and beyond including Duster, Charger, Cuda, Fury, Belvedere and more. A cacophony of beautiful sounds like rolling thunder emanates from the sound track. Slants, Aussie Hemi, US big Blocks, small Blocks, Poly’s and more.

Chrysler Australia was there with the 300C and there were PT’s and Crossfires as well.

The run is well filmed and I commend the in-motion passing shots that pan various cars from front to rear with smooth, stable, well timed shots. These are intermixed with long shots of the long procession of Chrysler’s finest through the leafy seaside suburbs of Adelaide. The procession contained all the vivid colours of the Mopar rainbow, Hemi Orange, Limelight, Magenta, Deep Chartreuse, Stellar Blue, and more.

The show and shine sections are a panorama of eye candy for the Mopar fan. Lots of classy stills, with the occasional people and cars shots. Even the lost NSW Police Charger, Gerry and Kev score a quick pan, perhaps not the last of the V8 interceptors but a stunning example of NSW’s finest just the same.

One feature of the SA Club’s DVD is the Member Profiles. These segments feature JAF, complete with Dodge fetish, and what beauties they are. He has a white 63 Poly powered Dodge, some interesting banter, and a beautiful 59 Suburban. (And the red brigade thinks that’s a Chev original).

The second Members Profile is Anthony’s VC Regal. Gorgeous is the only word that fits (Except for the Nissan colour). Anthony, and his brother George, recount their passion for the VC, (Listening Kev) and what a job they have done. Originally a slant this priceless project sports a 360 with VG front end, disks etc. A surprise for me was that the car came with the V8 sergeant’s stripes on the rear quarters from the factory, or was it the dealer? Seriously I enjoyed these profiles and think they add some depth to the DVD.

I loved the matt black Kaiser Chrysler that was done up like a WW1 tank complete with riveted extra armor, German helmets (WW2! - so wrong period), German hand grenades, and the royal German Cross all over (No swastikas here). The skull and cross bones emblem though is a Waffen SS symbol, also WW2. I loved the driver’s comment as he cruised past the camera “Take no Prisoners”. This just about sums up the Mopar attitude doesn’t it?

As for the rest of the show, you will see cars that we don’t see here in NSW. There are plenty of US marques, so many VC’s that Kev must have had wet dreams. And even one of the Charger Mules, a short VF/G ute in original condition. If it’s Mopar it was there. Even the General Lee and Christine were on show.

The swap meet had more parts than I’ve seen at any Chrysler show here in NSW for years. SA is the home of Chrysler so I guess you would expect that.

The sound track featured heavy rock tunes from Desoto Jones and D. Brown. I loved the music and think it fits well with the atmosphere of the show, but perhaps a little raucous for some viewers.

If you couldn’t get to the show, buy this DVD, you will love it. Simple, well developed, and well spliced. The only negative for me was the lack of commentary that could have improved it still further.

Based on this DVD would I like to attend this show? Can the General be a Mopar?