Stuart Keen, judge and Mopar Nats organiser

How do you judge a man? Having been a judge at the Mopar Nats for some years I thought I’d give the benefit of my experience to reflect on how I feel about Tony. First impressions: The moment you walk up to a Mopar you know it’s a possible winner, even from 10 yards away. You can’t always take things at face value, so a closer look is warranted. You found this Mopar Man was not a disappointment and the first impression was correct. Bodywork: As with many classic Mopar Men, this one had suffered the ravages of time, but over the years it had developed an interesting patina. The owner had obviously taken seriously keeping his exterior clean and tidy. Interior: Some of the headlining was missing and the rest had become a bit faded. The upholstery showed signs of wear and tear from use, probably as a result of being a much-loved family vehicle with a lot of happy mileage. The Mopar Man had retained most of the factory features, although, probably reflecting the owner’s love of music, the radio had been replaced with a state-of-the-art sound system. Engine bay: This Mopar Man seemed to have a bigger engine than it came out of the factory with; once a spirited slant six, it was replaced with a 440 (without the six pack!) which filled the engine bay. Conclusion: Of course, I have no evidence from the factory build sheet so can’t be sure of the total originality and the owner probably lost or threw away the fender tag years ago. So now folks, please take your places for the trophy presentation: This Mopar Man has been and will remain a much-loved classic for many years, so please give it up for Tony Oksien, winner of not only Participants’ Choice but also the Most Original and obviously, Best of Show. Valuation: Without a doubt, priceless.