No matter what Dodge style Chris Vitale drives, he does it at the right speed.
“I’ve been a Chrysler guy,” said Vitale, who works for the automaker and lately owns 3 two-door cars made through Dodge: a Magnum 1979, a 2000 Ramcharger and a 1973 Camper Special pickup. “Everyone has another purpose.”
The resident of St. Clair Shores drives to 3 around the city, basically the Magnum and ramcharger. With its original Spinnaker White painting, the Magnum is one of the many attractions of the annual Memorial Day parade at St. Clair Shores. The vehicle, which Vitale bought on Craigslist about seven years ago, also gets a lot of attention when on the road.
“The car was only manufactured for two years,” said Vitale, a Member of The City Council at St. Clair Shores. “It’s a slightly fancy car, a little sporty, but not a muscle car. They didn’t sell very well.”
But Vitale remembers, as a child, the Magnum’s first exit.
“Somehow it brings me back to my training years when my grandfather and father worked in cars,” he said. “My wife likes to drive the Magnum. He’ll dress like a giant in his 70s and his hair will explode. Looks like anything from the ’70s.”
One night, he and a friend, owner of a silver Magnum, parked their belongings in front of the outdoor courtyard of the El Charro dining room in Fraser. While enjoying their meals, the couple saw that many other people checked their Dodges at night. Over the years, Vitale has also exhibited the Magnum at many car fairs and has gone on the sidewalk on many car cruises. Sometimes it’s more camaraderie than shiny chrome and hydraulics.
“It’s not just about cars. It’s more about the brotherhood of motorists. I think it’s kind of an escape,” Vitale said. “There’s a bit of a rivalry between the GM and Ford boys. We’re all in favor of other teams, but we all play the same sport. Cars are now a commodity. They had that personality.
The Ramcharger has a history. According to Vitale, Dodge launched the style in 1974.
“It sold pretty well, but the two-door SUV market died in the early 1990s,” he said. “However, in Mexico they were still very popular. From 1999 to 2001, the SUV manufactured in Mexico but not in the United States. I’d say they’ve imported 25 to 30 to the United States. The mine is the only one in Michigan.
For this reason, a police officer had to verify the vehicle’s identity number because, at the time, the car was not in the Michigan Secretary of State’s system. Since then, the vehicle has been added, according to Vitale.
Vitale bought the Ramcharger when it went on sale in Los Angeles five years ago. The SUV is a verbal exchange trigger and car enthusiasts perceive the truck’s background. Sometimes, at a red light, “people take out their mobile phones and take pictures.” It also includes production stickers written in Spanish.
The orange and white Camper Special has been owned by Vitale for 20 years. The cleanup of Lake St. Clair by the Environmental Committee off the coast of St. Clair is a position every year. Vitale uses it to deliver equipment and bring waste and algae to landfills.
“It’s just an effective paint truck,” Vitale said. “Get a lot of looks.”
Do you have a vehicle that has an attractive history? Contact publisher Maria Allard at [email protected] or (586) 498-1045, and they will likely appear in an upcoming behind edition of Behind the Wheel.
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