September 2010 LXOM: novawagonmaster

**TehKing** · 09-05-2010, 03:29 PM

Grab a snack and beverage of your choice. I have a sharpened No.2 pencil, and it's going to get a workout.

If you've ever doubted the old saying, "Anything is possible.", you can cease digging for proof. On a web forum started by and for Dodge Magnum owners, you have chosen that "chevynovawagon" guy as LXOM. Whoduthunkit?!

Well, those Nova wagon days are behind me for good, thanks to you all. The next wagon in our garage will indeed be a Magnum.

I definitely owe thanks to all of you who decided Challengers should be an integral part of LXForums. Without you, I would be stuck on some elitist 2-door forum instead of finding my home here. Dave (MagnumClub), thank you for the playground!

The car that brought me here was a Brilliant Black 2009 Challenger R/T 6-speed purchased the week of Christmas '08.

Not quite three weeks passed before I joined LXForums and started poking around. To say I was overwhelmed with information could be the understatement of a lifetime. Soon after, I started noticing what part of the country people were posting from. My first local LXF contact was Inferal (whom my wife and I affectionately refer to as "man of many words"). How lucky could I be to have Al and his wealth of knowledge so close?! At the time, I had no idea. Today, I am extremely thankful. I just have to learn to rely on him more instead of trying to forge my own path. Hang in there Al, I'm working on it

Soon after, I began bumping into other Ohioans online, and eventually at car shows and drag races. Ben (Sublime130), Ken (Tagman), Rich (RichEnveRT), Todd (QwickSilverC), Ben (SRT8hmi), Bill (ToledoCapitals), Jeff (70TA-09RT), Shawn (UneedEarplugz), Tony (Dodgetony), Anthony (TurboBuckeye), Mark (MoparOhio), and so many others. You guys rock! So many good memories from 2009.

Then there was this other guy I kept hearing about from all the locals. Some guy that traveled back and forth from upstate NY to Cleveland, OH to see his girl and wrench on member's rides. Some kind of legend among those "in the know". A myth, perhaps, as I never saw him in person. That is, until July '09 when I met Erik (Hemi31) and Wendy (WitchyWndy) at the LX Nationals. Not only does he exist, he has this really sweet car with an identity crisis and a terrible idle. I was elated. I had found another brain to pick! I still like asking Erik questions because not only does he have the answers, he really sugar coats things

Also at the '09 LX Nationals, I met my Canadian extended family for the first time. I had developed a dialogue with several of my Northern neighbors over the months leading up to the event. After joining their caravan on the way to Quaker City Dragway, we arrived and put some names and faces together. I'll tell you what...I think I was separated from these guys at birth. The welcome feeling I get around this group of guys is incredible. Chris (CDNchargerRT), Fred (Higshemi), Chris (Fargo59), Rab (Go Mango), Phil (Hemiphil), Sheldon (hemicanucksfan), Andrew (hemi2nv), Christian (sik300SRT), Pete (fnkychkn), Simon (Coopers_Dad), Garry (whelin), Jim (Jaak), Jim (FLEX), Ken (CANDYAPPLE), Ivan (Zoban), Steve (Steve HR Hooligan), Scott (LilRedOrWhiteWagon)...I don't care what country you call home, you guys are welcome in my home anytime (with the only exception being Garry if my wife around). If I omitted your name above, it's because you didn't bring Timbits!

I also had the pleasure of meeting the California crew...Cam (Mr.Hawaii), Chris (Trojan), and Adam (How much boost?!). You guys really know how to get things done!

Stepping back a few months, I got hooked on the Monthly Photo Contest in Lenses & Shutters. I learned a few tricks by checking out all of the other photos, and then took to the field and began taking day-long trips just to take photos for the contest each month. My enthusiasm for the contest grew, and sometime the following year when Matt (Fondy) needed a break, and Mike (Junior) had too many irons in the fire, I was given the reigns to the monthly contest. It was (and still is) an honor to keep things rolling with the contest. I look forward to each new theme, and the creativity all of you display with your photos.

As 2009 came to a close, I realized I had seen more black Challengers than you could shake a stick at (if stick-shaking is your thing). That, coupled with the notion that I would never catch Tony in his "ringer" while driving a 6-speed car, I decided it was time to make a change. A less popular color was needed, and an auto trans was a must. With the 2010 season in mind, a Stone WhiteT/A replica was the ticket. After talking to my local dealer, they informed me Stone White was out of production. In situations like this, it is good to have friends in high places. In short, I was given the information needed (by a good friend here) to walk my salesman through the process to get the car I wanted.

Enter 2010. After what seemed like an eternity (two months), a Stone White 2010 Challenger R/T appeared in my driveway. Of course, the neighbors thought I painted the car and quickly came to the conclusion I was nuts. My wife knew it was a different car, but she too, thought I was nuts. Maybe they're on to something??? Hmmm....

After a little modding, the car went from looking like this:

...to this:

Fast forward a couple months and I get word that there will be a plant tour (Brampton Ontario). Timbits and newborn LX's all in one place?! It was like sensory overload! Definitely an event I will never forget. I also will never forget meeting Chuck and Michelle, Bill, Dave, and Jim from the East coast. I look forward to meeting up with them again, but next time on their 6000-foot hill.

LX Nationals 2010 was a great time all over again. I had the chance to meet more out-of-towners (including the one and only Crazy Plum chick

), as well as catch up with my Canadian brothers. For the second year in a row, the car spent the weekend in the grass collecting dust. Next year, if you want to see it, you'll have to keep your eyes on the track!

Speaking of the track, I have committed to the Atco event in November 2010. Not only am I looking forward to racing in that magical air, I am really looking forward to meeting the kings of smack-talk. There have been so many times you guys have had me in stitches as I read your posts. I look forward to all the continued banter, the continued encouragement, and the continued brotherhood that the entire LX community has to offer.

Sorry if I got a little (or a lot) long winded, but in the two short years I have been a part of LXForums, I have gained a ton of knowledge about these cars, gained a ton of respect for all of you who contribute to and moderate the forums, and made some of the very best friends a guy could ever wish for. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

-Jon

**TehKing** · 09-05-2010, 03:30 PM

Congrats Jon, well deserved!

**CDNChargerRT** · 09-05-2010, 03:42 PM

Well deserved Jon!! I am glad to have met (more than once) and you and Shannon are welcome to my country and my house anytime!!

**FLEX** · 09-05-2010, 03:46 PM

Glad you enjoyed your time with us up here, Jon.

It was great to meet you in person as well.

I can still see the tire marks you left in the parking lot behind the house from my bedroom window. Nicely done.

Congrats on the LXOM honor.

-=FLEX=-

**Power Sedan** · 09-05-2010, 03:49 PM

Congrats, love the style you went with on the new"er" Challenger.

**DannyBoy** · 09-05-2010, 03:50 PM

Awesome write-up, Jon!
I only had to go to the kitchen once for a snack, whilst reading it.
Very well deserved, sir.

**morticia** · 09-05-2010, 03:53 PM

Congrats Jon!

**Paywithdeath** · 09-05-2010, 03:56 PM

Very good write up!!!! Congrats! Well deserved here. Glad i had a chance to help you win. See you soon!!

**fnkychkn** · 09-05-2010, 03:58 PM

congrats, Jon. well deserved and couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

**Steve HR Hooligan** · 09-05-2010, 04:08 PM

congats John, i have only met you twice, once at Kayuga last year and at the Etobicoke meet this summer and checked out your new ride. kool write up, see you at meet next year cheers man and enjoy those timbits

**SublimeTime** · 09-05-2010, 04:59 PM

Great writeup Jon, and a well deserved win. See ya at Atco.

G

**Sublime130** · 09-05-2010, 05:10 PM

Great Job Jon!

Awesome guy you are. It's always fun being at a show with you and racing against you. You always lend a hand no matter where or what you are doing.

**Junior** · 09-05-2010, 05:19 PM

Jon, solid congrats buddy, and well earned. I don't mean to gush on ya, but you're one of those that's just been destined for this from the very beginning. You've shown all the kinds of qualities that others like to see in a forum-mate, and we can all tell that it's just the way you are.

I appreciate you personally, and love having you here! Looking forward to meeting you sometime in person.

All the best bud!

**hemiphil** · 09-05-2010, 05:40 PM

Congrats again Jon!!! A very well deserved honor bud! Looking forward to the next time we get the chance to hang out together. It's always a good day when you, and Shannon are around.