In July of '73, I was sent from Alabama to Denver on a business trip. My wife and 3-year-old son went with me, and we drove our '69 Charger (bought new, and still have it - currently finishing a year in professional restoration). This was the beginning of the '73 gas crisis, with long lines at gas stations in some places, so I had some concern about finding gas on the way (fueling up to begin the trip: 16.7 gallons of premium, $7.00). No problems getting gas, though, and we enjoyed the trip, including driving the car up Pikes Peak. On the way up the mountain, I kept coming up on slower cars (with auto trannies, probably) and having to stop to keep from running into them. The 383 HP, Carter 4-bbl, and 4-speed did not want to work together to move again after each stop, but eventually we made it to the top.
The only problem finding gas was in Denver itself. I learned quickly that if I didn't get out very early and top up the tank, I was in for a long wait. No problems again all the way home, with gas, that is. Late at night, after coming cross-country on two-lanes for a while, we hit I-40 in Tennessee and about a mile later the right front tire blew out, damaging the rear of the fender, knocking off the original Chrysler Pentastar emblem, and breaking loose the welded reinforcing strap at the top of the wheelwell. The strap stayed loose until the current restoration, and the damaged fender (repaired by the dealer) was finally repaired correctly by Barr's Classic Auto Restorations in Greenville, NC.
