Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Another story associated with the return of El Hemi has to do with the EDA (estimated date of arrival) of the vessel transporting the car to the port in Jacksonville. I had to follow this closely because I coordinated all the logistics of flying down to Jacksonville and renting a UHAUL truck and trailer to make the trip north to Indiana. Car arrived to port almost a month later. Not usual given the fact the voyage is no more than a week..if that. According to our freight forwarder, the captain of the vessel had a heart attack and died. They had to make a stop on one of the caribbean islands.

Picture below is the UHAUL truck somewhere in Tennessee. I drove straight from Jacksonville to Indianapolis. I was running on adrenaline!!
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...UL-resized.jpg

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Thats classic!!! A hemi behind a Uhaul.

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

[ QUOTE ]
Thats classic!!! A hemi behind a Uhaul.

[/ QUOTE ]
Smokey...you are right. Should have imported the stationwagon below to pull the car. Matching colors too https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...wagon-1978.jpg

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

The stories just don't get much better than this one and with a nice ending. I am sorry your father will never get to see the finished car but am happy to hear it will be staying with the family. Awesome car and story and once again, thank you for sharing! You are a true car and family guy! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Boy Juan, if that isn't a Chevrolet magazine ad with all of the young baseball player around the wagon, I don't know what is!!! Great story. Love the pix.

Thanks! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

LOL...I din't realize that it was a family picture...I thought it was a Chevy ad https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/blush.gif

How cool! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

[ QUOTE ]
LOL...I din't realize that it was a family picture...I thought it was a Chevy ad https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/blush.gif

How cool! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
It is an ad for what was then a new 1978 Monte Carlo stationwagon. I happen to be in the picture https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smirk.gif. Check the "old street pictures" thread on the Lounge section and you'll see where I am standing. My remark about importing the stationwagon to tow El Hemi was a "come back" to a comment one of our colleague member made earlier in the thread.

Changing gears...now that we are in the middle of winter How about the picture below? myself - December 1969. First snow fall for the Escalantes. Dad had not had the car for more than a couple of weeks. Picture was in Ann Arbor, Michigan where dad was attending University of Michigan.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...inthesnow2.jpg

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Great pic!

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

[ QUOTE ]
Great pic!

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto...and needs a set of those cool 1/2 tread snow-tires like you have Rick!.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif
~ Pete

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Your story really reached out to me on so many levels. I have always been a BIG "E Body" Mopar guy. Have had my share of them. Bought my first 1970 Cuda from the original owner back in 1979 at 16. Lost my dad to pancreatic cancer in 1988, he was just 56 years old. Gald to see EL HEMI in the family and so well taken care. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

This is one of the coolest stories I have ever read on this website. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

what a fantastic story,nothing better to restore a car in honor of your dad.
i have been a chevelle guy all my life until i bought a 1970 challenger a few years ago,they are such a great looking car and man do they go like stink when a hemi or 440 six pack is tuned and running great!
attached is a photo of my 70' chally R/T S.E. 440 six pack 4 speed car.
all the best and i cant wait to see that hemi car finished https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Thanks for all your wonderful comments. I happen to be visiting Caracas this week. El Hemi spent 24 yrs in Venezuela. Earlier today I drove around the city. Talk about going down memory lane! Anyhow, I am posting more pictures to show you how the car started evolving through the years.

Picture below is the earliest recorded picture we have. This picture was taken just days after my father took delivery of the car Dec 12, 1969. I am not sure if it precedes the picture where I am sitting on top of the fender posted earlier. Notice the car does not have the rear window louvers. Taillight panel is body color (as it should be). Look at the bottom part of driver side fender...you can see dad had already put a blue Chrysler insignia decal.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...iinthesnow.jpg
This picture is circa March 1970. Just a few months after getting the car dad started making changes (very much the way many people did back then). He puts a set of rear window louvers (courtesy from a close friend that worked at Chrysler's design dept at the time). Taillight panel is now painted black (just like T/A did). Take a look at the THRUSH MUFFLER decal on the rear bumper. Yup, out with the OE resonators...in with a set of Thrush Glass Pack part#3163 (I have the original invoice form the shop he purchased mufflers from). Last...check out the back seat. Its myself and brother Gus. Looks like mom is warming up the car and dad took the picture.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...chandohumo.jpg
Green '70 Challenger SE next to El Hemi was purchased by a fellow Venezuelan college student and car enthusiast. Car went to Venezuela. Original owner sold car in the mid seventies. Car passed through several hands. Car´s fate is unknown.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...handohumo2.jpg

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Keeping up with the spirit of WINTER here a picture taken 40 winters ago in Jackson, Michigan. This is a still shot from an 8mm movie we have. In this picture you can continue to see changes Jose made to EL HEMI. Here you can see t/a style trim rings. Check out what appears to be an OLDS and a Mustang in the background.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...Picture012.jpg

Myself and my brother Gus 38 yrs ago (Circa 1972). I am the one wearing the Challenger t-shirt...of course.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...angus-1972.jpg

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Wonderful photographic documentation and history of a terrific muscle car. Just priceless! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

[ QUOTE ]
Wonderful photographic documentation and history of a terrific muscle car. Just priceless! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

[ QUOTE ]

Myself and my brother Gus 38 yrs ago (Circa 1972). I am the one wearing the Challenger t-shirt...of course.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...angus-1972.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

That is a CUTE pic!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

btw...I noticed your shirt right away!

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Keeping pace with the changes JOSE (RIP) made to El Hemi back in the day...take a close look and see if you can spot them. First picture shows the mods. Second picture was taken when new.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...e1-resized.jpg
1) Rat Roaster Intake 2) Spark plug wires 3) Mallory Distributor 4) Fender mounted turn signal indicators.
I am seriously thinking about putting the RR intake back on it again. Just to add to the DAY TWO look the car has now. I know this intake is not the best and has its drawbacks but I just love the looks of it. So if you see the car this driving season..take a look inside the engine bay. It may be a little different. Ohhhh I also have the Mallory distributor and coil https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif



Compare with picture below taken when new. Take a look at the overspary on the firewall. We replicated this as close as we could during the resto.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...ot-resized.jpg

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Absolutely wonderful story https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

I am back in the US from an emergency trip to Venezuela. Will explain later.

Soon after EL HEMI was brought home a T/A hood was put on. The hood came from a friend of my dad's who worked in the design department at Chrysler back then. We didnt know the significance of the hood until car was undergoing resto.

The hood is believed to be a prototype piece. The main differences from a production hood are the raised dodge insignia seen on the front center,position of the scoop set 2" further back, there are no windshield squirters and the air vents are narrower, deeper and use a different mesh.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...014resized.jpg
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...011resized.jpg
Juan & Gus some 40 years agooooo
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...emi/tahood.jpg

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Below some picture I received from Barry Washington. Barry nowadays keeps score on all 1970 Challenger T/A produced. He sent me the pictures from Dodge Public Relations on the 1970 Challenger T/A protoype. Hood on the car has all the characteristics that sets it apart from a production hood. Until another hood with this characteristics comes up, we are to believe this hood is the one on EL HEMI today!
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...002resized.jpg
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...004resized.jpg http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...i/resized1.jpg[/image]
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...006resized.jpg http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...008resized.jpg

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Wow...it just keeps getting better, Juan. I love it!

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Agreed!!!

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Now that is a great way to find out about your car.

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

[ QUOTE ]
Until another hood with this characteristics comes up, we are to believe this hood is the one on EL HEMI today!


[/ QUOTE ]

Now THAT is just fricken awesome if it is one and the same! I agree, it just keeps gettin better and better! Love how many old photos you have of the car. Great stuff. Hope all is ok in Venezuela.

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

After a few months of hybernation I had El Hemi out on Sat. Drove it around town and even took it on Interstate 70 for a 30 mile roundtrip to the next town exit. I know everytime we take our cars out on the street we are taking a risk but let me tell you, taking the car on an interstate road and openning it up is THERAPY for me.

I also took my 18 year old son to our usual local church parking lot for him to continue getting used to the car. The learning process has been slow but sure enough he is getting better. He confessed..."dad dont tell mom https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif but I have been borrowing my buddy Sam Davis'(H.S. friend) Chevy Cobalt during lunch time at school. Cobalt is a manual car. Dont you think I'm getting better https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif?". I didnt know what to say.

3rd generation Escalante at the wheel of El Hemi.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...i/DSC00091.jpg
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...i/DSC00098.jpg
My little Caylor at the wheel. I think his Grandpa Jose would be proud.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...h_MOV00095.jpg

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Very cool. Thanks for sharing all the pics. The video is cool too. I'm sure that Cobalt is really feeling like a toy after driving a true muscle car!

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

[ QUOTE ]
3rd generation Escalante at the wheel of El Hemi.


[/ QUOTE ]

If that isn't "priceless", I don't know what is! If this car - and the stories that go along with it - has not been featured in any prominent Musclecar magazines, they are missing out on something, for sure.

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Cool!

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Love it that you are having your son carry the torch on. While watching that video I kep saying, "nail it! NAIL IT!" LOL

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
3rd generation Escalante at the wheel of El Hemi.


[/ QUOTE ]

If that isn't "priceless", I don't know what is! If this car - and the stories that go along with it - has not been featured in any prominent Musclecar magazines, they are missing out on something, for sure.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sam Griffith...get on this...If you haven't already https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Juan,

You are one trustworthy father!

I have been driver-training my daughter through the carefully supervised use of lawn mowing equipment for over a year now. Seeing how she runs over most of the small trees, shrubs, curbs, furniture, vinyl siding, etc., with the riding mower, I dont think I'd trust her behind the wheel yet....or for another 20 years.

How about an arranged marriage. I think we could build a good sized car collection out of this venture! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

[ QUOTE ]
Love it that you are having your son carry the torch on. While watching that video I kep saying, "nail it! NAIL IT!" LOL

[/ QUOTE ] I was thinking the same thing! I love that your son is carring the torch. Ten more years before I give Steve Jr driving lessons.

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
3rd generation Escalante at the wheel of El Hemi.


[/ QUOTE ]

If that isn't "priceless", I don't know what is! If this car - and the stories that go along with it - has not been featured in any prominent Musclecar magazines, they are missing out on something, for sure.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sam Griffith...get on this...If you haven't already https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]


Hmmmm -- seems like a no-brainer. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/hmmm.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Most excellent Juan/proud Pappy! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

[ QUOTE ]
Juan,

You are one trustworthy father!

I have been driver-training my daughter through the carefully supervised use of lawn mowing equipment for over a year now. Seeing how she runs over most of the small trees, shrubs, curbs, furniture, vinyl siding, etc., with the riding mower, I dont think I'd trust her behind the wheel yet....or for another 20 years.

How about an arranged marriage. I think we could build a good sized car collection out of this venture! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Steve: My little Caylor was behind the wheel early on. He and his dad have a soft spot for L88 Corvettes. I bet we could put a nice muscle car collection together! Ok...but I must forewarn you....Caylor wants the wedding in Venezuela. There...the bride's father throws the PARTY https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif. Be prepared..family is plentiful and they all guzzle Whisky like a Hemi does GASOLINA!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...mi/IMG_NEW.jpg
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...hemi/c-3-1.jpg

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Great pics and great video. Glad to see the torch being carried on. It appears he realizes the significance of what he is driving. That is great.

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

I have two nine year old daughters and they both drive my 69 L89 Corvette. It does dissapoint me when they lift off the gas to shift into second...

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif just kidding...they don't really lift off the gas... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Great story on El Hemi that just keeps getting better.

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

We've been busy with my son Caylor's HS graduation and open house. It has been quite an emotional month. Mom was suppose to make it from Venezuela for her first grandchild graduation but she was diagnosed with breast Cancer in March. My little Caylor Jose was 3rd in his class (sorry son but I am so proud I want to share it with the world).
Here are some pictures of Caylor standing in front of his HS. Was it destiny for Caylor to attend the HS he did? You tell me.
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...i/DSC06042.jpg
http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/a...DSC06046-1.jpg

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Very cool and congrats to Caylor!

Re: The Escalantes '70 Challenger R/T "EL HEMI"
 

Congrats to Caylor! I hope your mom gets well soon. I have enjoyed reading about your multi-generational Hemi. In my family, our Mopar was a Volare of which dad handed over the keys to me and my brothers. The only thing rare about it was being able to start the engine on a wet day. I would love to see more vintage photos if you come across any. Thanks for sharing with us.

Dave