November 2006 LXOM: jaak

**DMAG** · 11-01-2006, 11:25 PM

written by jaak

Wow, what do you say to that? To be voted in by the best LX community on the web, people who's company you enjoy, who share such great information, stories, experience and passion for a truly wonderful family of cars. People you admire. To have them say, jaak, thanks, we appreciate what you contribute, I think is truly fabulous! To be nominated is a nice recognition, to be LXOM? WOW, COOL!!!!

So, who's jaak? Well jaak AKA Jim, was the kid in the neighborhood that took stuff apart, but could also put it back together and still have it work. Sometimes, even better. I started off with slot cars and trains, flying model aircraft (I liked the two stroke engines) which led to me and my neighbour getting in to motorcycles. I've had a few, including Triumphs, one I had to hammer the pistons out of, rusting in someone's yard. My passion became Kawasaki Triples, of which I had 7 at one time.

My first triple, a 1972 Kawasaki 500. From 1969-1971 the world's fastest production motorcycle. The snow's melting, still winter sand on the road. My neighbour needed to pick up a part for his bike, and I was taking too long for his liking!

Wrecks and basket cases... Here's the first 750 I put together out of two bikes. It took over as the world's fastest production motorcycle in 1972, when it came out.

Fast and scary handling meant a good adrenaline rush was served every time. Ported, polished, Denco expansion chambers, K&N filters, modified frame, dual disk brakes on the front. I was reverse engineering the electronics, having figured out how to build the electronic ignition modules that made them run, as they were expensive for a student to buy and sometimes failed without warning. Hot Rodding, but on two wheels instead of four.

I loved muscle cars, but it seemed like it was from a distance. Almost bought a '68 Firebird Convertable, but I was $75 short. A huge amount of money in 1974 for a kid in high school. I had friends with muscle cars, my favourite a friends white 'Cuda. I always wanted one...

Well we know what happened to them... So for me, a muscle car, just became one of those dreams...

When the Magnum came out, I immediately thought, that's one bad-ass looking car! But I was saddened how the glory days of domestic manufacturers muscle seemed to have gone. As much as I hoped, I didn't think it would impress me. I finally decided I had to drive one, to confirm that I wouldn't be happy with it. So I test drove of a 2005 RT. The salesman brought it around front... The first thing I heard was that V8 Hemi, just idling... And it hit me like a wave that left me speechless. My Father's cars, my Chev Malibu, my first car a '72 Newport, my friends muscle cars, it was that V8 sound, a ghost from the past, speaking to me from this Magnum. The test drive was even better. I couldn't find a thing that I didn't like about the Magnum RT, it was a wonderful car. And damn fine looking!

I left the dealer that day, depressed, as I still had a lot of time left on the lease of my current car. I wanted a Magnum. I think it's around then, I joined LXforums and started looking and dreaming... I went to one of the meets to look at some of the member's Magnums.

I met Cdn Magnum with his Black SXT. That was the beginning of the enthusiasm for the car I was to see repeated over and over and it was an absolute joy to talk to Russ. I saw Hemi2NV's Inferno Red DUB Magnum and thought, wow, that looks sharp. I think one of them was Token's as well. I was dying for one and they could see it.

The next thing to happen, I find out about a plant tour. Luck would have it, they had space and I could go... At this point, I had become Charger crazy, and decided I wanted a blue R/T with all the toys in it. I grabbed my cell phone for some quick shots at a dealer.

Walking around the plant seeing the LX take shape, was just incredible. I was the only guy on the tour, that didn't have an LX. But everyone there, were great to talk to.I was impressed with how the LX was built. Near the end of the line, there was a Black SRT8 Magnum. Hemiwagn's SRT8 Magnum was built that day. We loved it, like kids seeing the latest Hot Wheels car. On Friday of that same week, they built an Inferno Red Magnum SRT8.

My next vehicle was a Charger. My Nissan ran in to some issues with the AWD. So I had to rent a car. I went searching for a Magnum, found one, but I had to drive a 300 first, then come back and swap it when the Magnum was in. I drove the 300 and loved it. I got the Magnum SXT and I loved it! Wow, what a great car! I delayed getting my Nissan so I could drive it another day!

I came back to the Magnum as the styling on it, just seemed to call to me. And I started counting down the days of my lease. 15 months to go...

On the forum, there was excitement, as Rev. Hammer got his car! That day was also my birthday. After family stuff, I went for a coffee with my brother-in-law. What I really wanted to do, was see if we could see an SRT8 Magnum and a dealer showed 4 in stock. We went to peer in the showroom window of the closed dealer. There it was... The Inferno Red Magnum SRT8, built that week, back in August. Wow. The hood was up, the wheels were beautiful, the grill was so hot and I'm not sure if I was drooling on my feet, fogging up the glass or both. I was awestruck.

I wanted to see it closer. To make a day at the dealership story short, I went in to look, told them what I faced, and what it would take to get me to buy the car. We took a silver Magnum SRT8 out for a drive. If the RT was nice, the SRT was hot, sexy, and made me forget about the rest of the world as I soaked in the brakes, the acceleration, the engine, the handling. Oh my lord, this is a Dodge???? We took hours, but we struck a deal. I wondered if drug addicts felt that way when making a deal. I wanted that car so badly... Then the question... Black, Red or Silver. Heck, there is no bad SRT color! OK, time to get my wife's participation. I made the phone call. "I'm buying a Magnum." I conveniently left out, which model... "Which color should I get?" "What do they have?" she asked. I'm thinking, I'm actually getting my muscle car! "Black, Red or Silver." "If it's not red, don't bring it home!" I flashed back to the Inferno Red SRT8 in the showroom, the one I drooled over. "OK, I'll get the red one..."

Every day since, has been great. I love learning more about the car, I love sharing what I discover and reading the forum, I've made great friends, near and far. I look for excuses to drive and I'm delighted to have a vehicle that captures the best of old and new in one package. The SRT Track Experience expanded that more. The instructer in this picture said to me at the end of it "Well if you didn't have the racing bug already, I can see you have it now!"

Great times with friends at Watkins Glen in front of Hemiwagn's Magnum and next to mine.

I even participated in shows for the first time! Moparfest, with MagFX.

I've heard Scott say how his Charger and this forum has transformed his life. I understand it. Thanks to Daimler Chrysler for creating and producing the LX. Thanks to everyone that makes LXforums happen, from the Admins, the Moderators and the Members. There's definately a level of quality of this forums members, that makes it a great place to be.

This month is again, my birthday, as well as the month I got the Magnum. November's LXOM is truly the icing on the cake on a fabulous year. Looking in the driveway at what I drive and sharing that enthusiasm with friends, is the best reward. Here's a toast to us and the LX... Great friends, Great cars. And thank you for making me November LXOM, it's truly a joy and an honour.

Jim

**DMAG** · 11-01-2006, 11:26 PM

Congrats jaak!

**CoolVanilla** · 11-01-2006, 11:33 PM

Gratz Jaak! Certainly one of the most deserving.

PS: I finally get home from all the traveling, and what do I find?? My friend, you and I need to exchange a PM or two! I'll be in touch

**Fondy** · 11-01-2006, 11:33 PM

Congrats Jaak great write up glad you are here

**KGBPro** · 11-01-2006, 11:54 PM

congratz Jaak !!!!! well deserved!!!!!!

**GasGunR** · 11-01-2006, 11:56 PM

Man Jaak,

I wish I could write like you... you're the best and congratulations on finally receiving the recognition as LXOM, you've long deserved it!

Don

**da BoMM** · 11-01-2006, 11:58 PM

Great write-up! Great car! Great guy! Congratulations! Well deserved!

**northeastern08** · 11-01-2006, 11:59 PM

Congrats Jaak!!

**iRock** · 11-02-2006, 12:06 AM

Go Jaak! Congrats bro and well deserved. Next time to the rest of the candidates all deserving as well.
Great write up Jim. I think you speak for many of us in our age group that had these cars cause a re-stirring of a long dead and thought lost feelings of having muscle to drive. Ya done good.

**hemiwagn** · 11-02-2006, 12:06 AM

Congrats dude. You can certainly turn a phrase. I loved reading your story!

I can't wait to see those new rims soon!!!

**Token** · 11-02-2006, 12:09 AM

Awezoom write-up jaak.

As it has been said many times, I will definately echo that this is indeed well deserved!

I'm a a little bit of a loss for words, perhaps because you already used all of the words I know, but saying Congratulations just doesn't seem right.... You're earned your place as LXOM, and I know this will not go to your head because you're still this guy:

CLICK HERE

**fnkychkn** · 11-02-2006, 12:15 AM

excellent write-up. congrats jaak. well deserved. your contributions to this forum are appreciated. i didn't vote for you. i would have but by the time i got back from florida, the polls were closed. looks like you didn't need my vote anyway.

**COOKZ32** · 11-02-2006, 12:22 AM

That was fun! I drove that MACH III also, you could do a wheelie for 1/2 mile, shifting as you go, and yes your right if you gassed it you better be hanging on, cause it was leaving!!!!!!!! How do ya type teary eye'd......days gone bye.....