November 2005 LXOM: bipto

[DMAG]

written by bipto

Riding in my old man's Dodge Charger - that's how I got here. I was really little then, but I'm convinced that's where the auto enthusiast in me was born. Dad actually had 3 Chargers - a '67, a '69 and a '71. I was too young to remember the '67, but it was in the '69 where he passed down his love of acceleration, and years later in the '71 he taught me how to drive. To this day, the sight of one of the old "muscle car" era Chargers makes my heart skip a beat.

I expanded my interest in cars during my high school and college years through my practice of "backyard mechanics." Seemed like no matter what I was driving, I was always tinkering. Perhaps the most notable of my projects was a 1970 Plymouth Sport Satellite that I purchased for peanuts fr.om guy who had beautifully restored the body, but had run out of money for the much-needed work under the hood. With a little TLC I was able to keep its tired ol' 318 running for another few months while I built a replacement in my college dorm room during my freshman year. I started with a boneyard 318 block, added 340 heads, cam and intake and all the necessary accessories. She roared to life with the first turn of the key and ran like a champ until I sold her two years later.

My automotive endeavors started to fall by the wayside right around the time I graduated college. My graduation present to myself was a bronze 1986 Corvette, but between pursuing my engineering career, and a hot little number by the name of Nina, there was little time for poking around under the hood anymore. Within a couple of years my career took off, I made Nina my wife, and I reluctantly sold the 'Vette in favor of more practical expenditures - a house, a minivan, college funds, etc., etc.

Fast forward to today. Nina & I live in a sleepy NH town with our daughter Ariel (who was not named after "The Little Mermaid"), and our dog Bipto. We also have two sons - Joshua, 25 and James, 23 who have just recently left the nest to pursue their destinies. Both are former Marines, and both served in Iraq. I am a software engineer working for large data storage management company in the area.

So with the kids growing older and the career going well, practicality no longer ruled the household. When faced with the prospect of replacing a vehicle last year, we decided that we would be bold & daring and try to make it something other than a minivan or an SUV. I had been keeping an eye on LX development over on Allpar.com, and the Magnum intrigued us. Not only had we not seen a high performance V8-powered car from ChryCo in almost 2 decades, but between the cargo room, the Hemi power and the available AWD, it seemed like the perfect balance of fun and practicality. We went to the Dodge premiere night at our local dealer in June of ’04 and fell in love with the Magnum during our first test drive. I placed the order for our AWD R/T on August 3rd and we took delivery on Jan 14 of this year. The rest, as they say, is history.

Right around the time I placed the order, one of the admins over at Allpar, some guy by the screen name of E8502 (Hi Chris! :lol: ), told me about a new forum taking shape that was dedicated to the LX, so I came over here and poked around a bit. What a sleepy place this was back then! IIRC, it was DMAG, E8, KW, and MagnumFreak doing 90% of the posting. But even in its infancy, this place felt like a community. So I joined. Little did I know this place would become such an addiction!

Ironically though, I think the reason that I'm addicted to this place has little to do with the cars and more to do with the members. I've never met ANY of you in person, yet I count you folks as friends. I am truly humbled, in fact somewhat uncomfortable to be recognized among you. I guess I don't see myself as a major contributor here - maybe something more like a court jester with an occasional tidbit of useful info. Nevertheless this is quite an honor - one that I do not take lightly.

In conlusion... aghem... ah, folks..?

HEY - WAKE UP, DANGIT - I'M ALMOST DONE!

In conclusion, I'd like to offer congratulations to my fellow nominees (the pickin's were good this month - I'm sure we'll see all of your names on this list real soon), and to say thanks to all who participated in the vote, and last but not least, thanks to all of the lxforums members - you're the reason I keep coming back!

-- Bill (bipto) Berry

[Dr. Chem]

full steam ahead pal... i especially love the body color mud flaps! :-)

[DMAG]

Congrats! It's been a long time coming my friend!

[COLORADOMAGNUM]

Congrats on LXOM. What a great guy, nice car, and a hot avatar. You deserve it, dude. I always enjoy your posts. - Walt

[BrilliantBlackHemi]

Man, I'm so glad to see you finally get one Bipto. The car sure is great looking and you are a great member as well. I and the rest of the forum benefit from you being here. Congrats.

P.S. with Charger blood in your early history, you should get one of those so you and Nina and HEMI together to a meet someday!

[iRock]

CLass act all the way. I think you are too humble. And this is the only time you are going to hear this so don't get too excited - I'm so glad you beat me!
I can see the mopar is in your blood. It's a great heritage. Hope to see more pictures of you and your family at Hammerfest '05. Congrats!
Your car looks great!

[Northern Rider]

Congrats for being chosen LXOM for November and on your great write-up.
Well deserved, Bipto.

[1sckmgnm]

great job and write up

[fnkychkn]

outstanding bipto. with members like you, no wonder i love this place.

[done]

Bipto, I pass the reins of LXOM to you, a well deserved honor. See you at the Hammer Fest.

[Himmy]

Congrats and well deserved!

[chasb]

Great car
Great write up
and (as I am learning) great folks on here,too

[NC-SXT]

Congrats Bipto! well deserved :grin: .

[Bulldog]

Congratulations Bipto,

Maybe me will see each other if there is a meet up here in
New England. Thanks for making me feel welcome to the forum
when I started (along with many others).
You deserve it!

[redinorange]

Congratulations!! Nice write up...