I was looking at another thread a minute ago and it seems that some folks have a gripe with Galen, his books and his services. What gives? :shruggy:
I'll start by stating that I know who he is and what he does and how he makes his living. Why do so many people have a problem with him? Has he done anything that directly affected you? Sure I am interested in your opinion but I am more interested in facts. Has he done anything to you?
I'll state that I have been aware of Galen and his services since the early '90's. He has decoded my car, (by the previous owner), back in the mid '90's and the paperwork that came with the car has provided a good read on numerous occasions :thumbs: . Also, I know that with the information available on the www, many questions one has could be answered with some research.
Why do people gripe about him?
I talked to him a few times when I had my Aspen R/T, and he was always nice and helpful. He is the one that told me only 628 '78 Aspens got the "Spectrum Interiour".
I know him, and he is a nice guy. His business is understaffed, and unfortunately money talks, so he seems to cater to "he who has most bucks". One man can't take care of the whole hobby, I think he does bite off more than he can chew, and people get mad. I live 60 miles from him, his shop is a block away from his house. He is not there very often, I would say 1/4 of the time. There are endless stacks of paperwork in his shop. If he can afford it, he should hire someone to help him.....like me ;)!!!!!!
I'm not pointing to anyone specific but I think there might be a bit of resentment/jealousy involved. You can't really blame a guy for taking a hobby and turning it into a successful business. He has created a lot of credibility for himself in the hobby and there's bound to be some backlash along the way. Maybe he's fallen victim to the WalMart syndrome.
Or maybe it's the way he rarely admits to a mistake (of which he is more prone than many think), or maybe it's the way certain cars do NOT exist unless he says they exist, or maybe it's the whole "guru" thing (which whether he started it or not he sure doesn't mind wearing the tag), or maybe it's just the way he tends to look down at people unless they either have information he needs or money he wants?
maybe it's just the way he tends to look down at people unless they either have information he needs or money he wants?
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and,................................. Bingo!.........................was his name "o"
I'd be willing to BET, yes...I'll bet on this one, that he has made a few of the unscrupulous VERY unhappy that they cannot get away with swapping VINs or making exaggerated claims. He brings HONESTY and factual record keeping to a hobby where low-lifes and opportunists normally abound (see Ford, Chevy, Olds etc...) There is BIG money to be had by any crook who swaps a salvaged RT or HEMI VIN onto a 318 car, but they cannot make that crooked deal as easily (or at all) with a "guru" watching and recording what is going on in the hobby. IMO, THESE are the people crying in their beer that "it just isn't fair"...or "Galen is this or that"...and trying to discredit him. So consider the source before you believe anything a bunch of greasemonkeys & gearheads (or worse - BIG CHECK WRITERS) are spouting off about. Because as fellow greasemonkeys & gearheads we all KNOW that 50% of what is said in a garage or under the hood is pure BS and the other 50% is pure ego.
Quote from: 69fuchs on January 08, 2006, 07:08:16 PM
I know him, and he is a nice guy. His business is understaffed, and unfortunately money talks, so he seems to cater to "he who has most bucks". One man can't take care of the whole hobby, I think he does bite off more than he can chew, and people get mad. I live 60 miles from him, his shop is a block away from his house. He is not there very often, I would say 1/4 of the time. There are endless stacks of paperwork in his shop. If he can afford it, he should hire someone to help him.....like me ;)!!!!!!
Same here. I have met him many times and my father knows him pretty well, and he is really understaffed. He has even said that it could take a year for him to decode someones car. I agrree he does need to hire a few more people.
When I would read something he did a story on .Like it was mentioned you wouldnt see a 70charger with AC and 4 speed.So I sent him my buildsheet .Same goes for a 70 Super bee with PW and AC.I sent that build sheet .And one for a non RT 69 charger that had W23 recall wheels.I would sent that info in as well .He apprecaited it as well.And would answer my questions.I emailed or asked in person. I have had no bad experiences with him.Other then he one busy guy.So you might have to wait
Well, Bill, I certainly am not unscrupulous. Nor am I swapping tags or making a clone ar swindling people or even involved in any project that even remotely hints at any of those things. Matter of fact I have spoken out many times against those activities. So let me assure you, I'm not a greasemonkey crying in my beer.
I will stand on record as agreeing with you on the fact that he has provided a tremendous service to the hobby in helping to prevent fraud. I will not however. look up to him as guru because that, he is not.
Just musing here, but could a devils advocate argue that he has fueled the fraud market by pointing out the rarity of certain cars and justifying the expense of "Galen Certified" vehicles?
This is a common topic thread that comes up on all the boards with really amazing regularity. Weeding out the sour grapes and such from all of them, the basic complaint stems from the time elapse from the owner contacting him and the actual supplying of his services. A thread on another board held the record with something like an 18 month or so with no contact back. A thread like this got his attention and the issue was resolved.
He took on the task of learnnig and compiling knowledge on these cars when no one cared for them. So a hats off for that! But a God or super Mopar Man that is heads and shoulders above others - not! Just a guy that provides a service. 90% of what he does is now well documented on many sites. You want a fender tag decoded or buildsheet decoded - do it yourself.
But his history on the high end cars has made him like a stamp of approval for large coin changing hands. no one wants a 3 million dollar loss and he is putting himself in harm's way when he authorizes a car and it goes bust.
I met him,he seems like a decent guy,but his word is not law,and he isn't always right! I think he has a problem,with rule #1 in the Mopar hobby,and thats never,say never. He was fooled by that pilot Cuda convertible,and although the Mopar Collectors Guide tried to save face on that one,he was caught with his pants down!The problem,with the Guru thing,is everyone thinks if he says thats the way it is,then thats it.He has had to eat some words over the years,like alpha bit soup!I have also seen a car from a top restoration shop,they are also reguarded as the guru of restoration shops,that did a Challenger,that had a Plymouth Six barrel decal on the air cleaner,and was supposed to be an early 71 car,so it had a 70 go wing on it,but it also had the late 71 bumper on the front,with the bumper jack slots. I figure Chrysler built the back of the car in early 71,and the front of the car in late 71! I appreciate the information,and the service that the gurus do,don't take what I'm saying as me bashing them,I'm just making a point,and if that dosen't do it,then refer back to rule # 1
Quote from: Ghoste on January 08, 2006, 08:10:34 PM
Well, Bill, I certainly am not unscrupulous. Nor am I swapping tags or making a clone ar swindling people or even involved in any project that even remotely hints at any of those things. Matter of fact I have spoken out many times against those activities. So let me assure you, I'm not a greasemonkey crying in my beer.
I will stand on record as agreeing with you on the fact that he has provided a tremendous service to the hobby in helping to prevent fraud. I will not however. look up to him as guru because that, he is not.
Just musing here, but could a devils advocate argue that he has fueled the fraud market by pointing out the rarity of certain cars and justifying the expense of "Galen Certified" vehicles?
I didn't single you out....in fact I wasn't accusing anyone in particular. You completely misunderstood... I was saying that I'm sure some of the trickle down of grumblings comes from that group of individulas. As far as the time lapse problem, I cannot comment on that becasue I have no personal experince with him in that area at all. However, I have heard he is slow and have heard complaints about that as well.
My bad Bill.
Quote from: 6pkrunner on January 08, 2006, 08:17:14 PM
He took on the task of learnnig and compiling knowledge on these cars when no one cared for them. So a hats off for that! But a God or super Mopar Man that is heads and shoulders above others - not! Just a guy that provides a service. 90% of what he does is now well documented on many sites. You want a fender tag decoded or buildsheet decoded - do it yourself.
But his history on the high end cars has made him like a stamp of approval for large coin changing hands. no one wants a 3 million dollar loss and he is putting himself in harm's way when he authorizes a car and it goes bust.
I think 6pkrunner hit the nail on the head. Galen is the recognized authority until someone else comes forward to sign their name and financial neck on the dotted line for these high dollar car transactions. There are plenty of knowledgeable Mopar people out there that probably know just as much as Galen....they just did not take the step to make a business out of it years ago and build a following. When I watched Barrett-Jackson last year and Galen had a spot on the show it was obvious to me that he had made it. Exposure is more valuable than anything and if he is good enough for Barrett-Jackson's standards, that is all many non-experts will need to hear.
Is his service needed by most of us here? Not really, unless you have a special car. That is especially true now that there are sites available on the Net that will decode nearly everything you need. I do wonder how much of this info was, at least in part, originally organized by Galen. I remember 15 or 20 years ago when information was not a mouse click away and I used his books regularly when buying or looking at cars.
I cannot really answer on his PR skills or work backlog. I have met and talked with Galen on several occasions and it really seems to depend on how busy he is. We live close to Galen and he has came over and talked to me or my dad about our cars at local shows for quite a while. Then there are other days that he waves and walks by. It doesn't really bother me as there are times when I am "working" that I don't have time for long converstations either. He may very well be backlogged on work as I have never used his services. It is his choice as a business man to hire more help or not. Although, adding more employees can sometimes create more problems.
I will end by saying I don't think he has hurt the hobby. It is just that our "hobby" has now become big business for many. Galen was fortunate enough to have been one of the few people collecting information and providing services that have turned out to be very valuable to some people.
I've spoken with him on a couple of occasions and I have to be honest, he left me cold. Always seemed distracted or not really engaged....perhaps he was having some bad days, or I surmised since I wasn't talking about flying to France to document an export Hemi Cuda Convertible (or some such ultra-rarity) that I was kind of boring him. Whatever....
I don't have a beef with him earning a living, but he does so at everyone's expense. Everyone sends him tags and sheets to decode which he charges for and THAT info creates the database that ALLOWS him to be a "guru" and charge even more $$ for his services. I personally believe that this information should be available to all for the good of the hobby. Yes, I know...call me a socialist or an altruist but that is my belief. And that is exactly why we went to so much effort to create broadcast sheet decoders for 70 Chargers so that the info people share in good faith with the 70 Registry get's consolidated and made available for the good of the many.
So let's just say our philosophies on life are different.
The "guru" thing comes from his professional reputation. He has a great wealth of knowledge, and he is also human, so mistakes happen. He has been prooven wrong on some occasions, and he is not afraid to admit when he is wrong.
His "opinions" can upset people, but really, they are nothing more than opinions. He made a comment to me about not having the original wheels on my car,(I bought the wheels from him), and I just told him that it was my car, and I like it with mags. He didn't make any derogatory comments about it, he just stated his opinion.
His facts are pretty accurate, and I would say he is still learning.
And he was the first to compile all of the info that we take for granted now. Yes, you can find information from other sources, but it is usually pirated from his books/information. There are little "errors" in those books that are transferred to the pirates...this has been common knowledge for years. He doesn't know everything, and there may be some others out there that know more. But he was first to be recognized, I first met him in '84 at a car show, and he decoded a fender tag without a book. I thought he was nuts. Why would anyone do that? He had to do a lot of research to get all the info he has. Anyone can compile the info now. The groundwork has been done...by him.
There have been a few times he was wrong that he doesn't too readily admit. I won't even go into the thing about taking credit for other peoples work.
Dodge Don I was hoping you would respond to this as you guys have done a tremendous job on your website and should be applauded. :bow:
I do agree that some of the services he provides are not worth spending the money on. I am sure you agree the day I need to pay someone to come out and look at the fender tag or buildsheet on my run of the mill '69 and tell me what the codes mean I should have my head examined. ;) On the other hand if people still choose to pay him money in this "Information Age" for stuff that is free elsewhere I don't have alot of sympathy. IMO, it is the uneducated car buyer out there looking for a #'s car or the high dollar purchaser wanting a guarantee something is legit that seems more reasonable to me. I think this is the main thing that sets Galen apart from the rest.
Some of the other stuff like the fender tag and window sticker stuff doesn't really bother me at all either, although you can get it cheaper elsewhere if you shop around. It is kinda like Year One, you can go with the big name, or find the smaller guy that sells the same stuff.
When you publish in a magazine that you want info about cars from people then turn around and charge to give info to othersAs far as him is just wrong in my book.My time is just as valuable is his so don't tell me the time excuse thing.He doesn't know everything about Mopars, there are some around that know as much or more... even on this board.The so called Chrysler registry he has is only for serving himself because he only wants free info on the high dollar Mopars left out there.As far as him doing this' when no one else cared about these cars' get a grip.
BTW- From now on I will answer your Mopar questions you have but you must send me $20.00 for each question and sorry no refunds if I'm wrong but I will never be wrong even if I'm wrong. :yesnod: Should I sign up for welfare now?
To be honest, I don't need his advice very often. And thanks to the message boards, I have learned more reading posts than I have from galen or his books.
But it sure is funny how nearly everone in this hobby says things like "decoded by galen" when talking about their cars. I can decode my own cars, but no one would care if 69fuchs decoded their cars. It is a fact of life that he is on the top. Like him or not, he has done good for the hobby.
As far as charging for his info vs. collecting info for free-I agree with you. It is not ok. But how would you like to have someone calling you 24/7? He is only one man, and it is simple economics. If people are willing to pay, charge them!!! I would charge people just like he does, but I would offer some free services for the info that I had taken from people (like taking pictures of fender tags). I am not a fan of that....he doesn't even ask.
I never have dealt with him, but he offers a service that people want..if they didn't he would be working out of his basement.
Not a real good comparison but if our beloved Chryco Psycho offered his knowledge I would line up..but I don't have the $$ to ship him to Ohio..in a way he would like at least. ;D So the person with the $$ gets his service since they can get him to their place.
I said this in the last Galen thread. The main thing that he offers is a sense of uniformity in the hobby when it comes to authenticity for buyers and sellers of Mopars. There are few other guys (if any) out there who can "endorse" a car in California and have it mean something to a buyer in NY. He has managed to create a name for himself in that sense. There are other guys who are well known in the hobby but not as well known as Galen, especially when it comes to newbies.
I've heard about his prices, unless your rich don't bother calling him.
Quote from: ChargerBill on January 08, 2006, 08:03:43 PM
I'd be willing to BET, yes...I'll bet on this one, that he has made a few of the unscrupulous VERY unhappy that they cannot get away with swapping VINs or making exaggerated claims. He brings HONESTY and factual record keeping to a hobby where low-lifes and opportunists normally abound (see Ford, Chevy, Olds etc...) There is BIG money to be had by any crook who swaps a salvaged RT or HEMI VIN onto a 318 car, but they cannot make that crooked deal as easily (or at all) with a "guru" watching and recording what is going on in the hobby. IMO, THESE are the people crying in their beer that "it just isn't fair"...or "Galen is this or that"...and trying to discredit him. So consider the source before you believe anything a bunch of greasemonkeys & gearheads (or worse - BIG CHECK WRITERS) are spouting off about. Because as fellow greasemonkeys & gearheads we all KNOW that 50% of what is said in a garage or under the hood is pure BS and the other 50% is pure ego.
you got it
well must admit I was disappointed. contacted him in 2001 for decoding + other info. he told me what to submit (carbon copy of vin etc) + 100 usd + adress etc.
I sent everything to him but nothing happened - ever....
sent him several emails (+ a letter) asking for confirmation about receipt, and clearly disappointing since his email worked (did get a reply or 2 with some excuse for silence etc)...
They just stopped replying in the end.
very surprising given his a standing!
Quote from: chargervert on January 08, 2006, 08:22:00 PM
He was fooled by that pilot Cuda convertible,and although the Mopar Collectors Guide tried to save face on that one,he was caught with his pants down!
Tell us more about this story please!
Quote from: 694spdRT on January 08, 2006, 09:33:29 PM
It is kinda like Year One, you can go with the big name, or find the smaller guy that sells the same stuff.
True, however how many times / threads have you read that started like:
Does anyone know what's going on with so & so? I sent them my order 4 weeks ago and I have not heard from them since.
Sometimes paying a bit extra gives you piece of mind.
:popcrn:
Quote from: Shakey on January 09, 2006, 07:47:04 AM
Quote from: chargervert on January 08, 2006, 08:22:00 PM
He was fooled by that pilot Cuda convertible,and although the Mopar Collectors Guide tried to save face on that one,he was caught with his pants down!
Tell us more about this story please!
Yes, please.
I also heard through another party that he told someone with one of the Rapid Transit System Caravan cars that, in effect, they should get all the crap off of the car and get rid of the custom paint job, then there'd be something to look at...
I don't personally have any gripe with him and have never used his service, but it's stories like this that make me question the hype.
I think that it's good that he's been an integral part of making the hobby safer for everyone with regards to detecting fraud, but if it weren't him, it would have been someone else. In fact, someone else, entirely, steered me away from a business with a less than stellar reputation with regards to the very same issue. I don't think I would have gotten that information from Mr. Govier in time, if at all.
With all of these types of threads about how hard it is to do business with him, it just seems to me that he's like a car with a great big racing HEMI and no gas in the tank. Lots of potential, but useless to me at the moment.
I think the books were a way of off-loading some of the work backlog. Do it yourself instead of waiting for him. However, there's been a lot of talk swirling around that he intentially included mis-information in them to either keep himself useful and marketable or as further safeguard against fraud in the hobby (in order to trick the fraudulent, he had to try to trick everyone). If the mis-information rumour is true, and I don't have an opinion on that, then only he knows his motives for certain and, unfortunately, there are enough people out there that won't believe him no matter what they are.
I, personally, have determined that it doesn't matter to me at the moment. I don't have a high-buck car (but it's getting there if you add up the receipts. :rotz: ), but if I ever do, and there's a question about it's history that I can't otherwise sort out myself, I'll use his service as PART of the investigation. I'll be sure to use as many sources as possible, though. As busy as he is, he is only one man and can't be expected to know everything.
The biggest issue is that people think he should know everything. I don't know if that's his fault or not. Some will say it is. Some will defend him. Further, too many of those that say he is the be-all and end-all of everything MOPAR won't hear of him being wrong even when clearly he is. THAT, I think, is the main reason why others will try and take him down a few notches. Whether that is right or not is not relevant. It serves as a check and balance to his "guru-ness" and that's not a bad thing. What's bad is the manner in which the check and/or balance is delivered. It doesn't have to be nasty - just factual and succinct. Of course, his response to these attacks speaks volumes about the level of his professionalism. Everyone can form their own opinion on that based on their view of the situation at hand at the time.
All that said, I don't know if I'm dissing him or defending him. I think I have stated things as I know them, and while not factual, they are based on word of mouth from real people, which is the only real way to determine reputation, in my opinion. That is really what he bases his whole business on.
..... Maybe it's just the hype that bothers me most...
His books are good to some people that I can say. But I personally don't know how he got the copywrite to be able to publish some of the stuff in his white books? The whole decoding of the fender tags, is simply reading a Dealer Data book and commiting it to memory. They tell what each code stands for.
People were decoding the fender tags back in the mid 70's on these cars from memory. I know of several people who have been decoding fender tags, buildsheets and such from before Galen was in this hobby. Now is he bad for the Hobby, no I don't think so. Is he the guru? If that is what he wants to call himself that is fine, but to me he isn't. He is the one most people go to with a question, is he always the most qualified NO>
He did some work for me back in 1995. The service was good, and I felt that the cost was reasonable. But with what I hear now about how long it takes to hear back from him I'd think twice before going through him.
Never talked to him but heard that the first thing he asks when you call him is your credit card number! No "hello" or "how are you doing?", just give me your credit card number!!
Yes, he is a business man but you need to have some people skills.
I have no use for him as I do not have a high dollar car. As mentioned before, his main use is for the rich people wanting a $3,000,000 cuda!!
other than that his so called services are useless!!!
Just my $.02!!!
Quote from: Shakey on January 09, 2006, 07:50:27 AM
Quote from: 694spdRT on January 08, 2006, 09:33:29 PM
It is kinda like Year One, you can go with the big name, or find the smaller guy that sells the same stuff.
True, however how many times / threads have you read that started like:
Does anyone know what's going on with so & so? I sent them my order 4 weeks ago and I have not heard from them since.
Sometimes paying a bit extra gives you piece of mind.
This is a little of topic but, the small guy I use, ships me the stuff with a bill. In the case of larger items I go pick up stuff to save on shipping.
I have talked with him twice in person , he treated me like a total idiot ... poorpoeple skills & just a little greedy
I have read his articles in MCG and found him to be a bit dry and boring...and he does seem to be full of himself. I don't know him personally, but the general consensus sounds like he's not too personable or friendly.
If you were MCG,and you were going to feature a 71 Cuda convertible on the cover of your magazine,and you had the numbers guru working for you,and you did a huge feature on this highly optioned pilot Cuda,theres no way they can tell me that Galen wouldn't have been all over that one! I saw him spend 2 hours looking over a guys 340 Cuda hardtop at Englishtown last year! That convert got by him,like a hockey goalie who sees the puck go right between his knees! As soon as the guy mailed the pictures in of the car being a fake,then it was Galen to the rescue! What a load of BS! I had a guy come up to me at Carlsile,and ask me where Galens spot was,I said why,do you have a rare car to decode,he told me,that he paid $55 K for a Galen certified car,that was a fake,and he was going to have some choice words with him! He said Galen verified the car sight unseen! Thats just what the guy said,not my opinion.
Like 69 500 I was owning cars prior to GG existence in the hobby.But still read his stuff and have the white books and enjoy finding out more on our cars in this hobby .And like 500 we figured out the codes from the fender tag that matched the marked boxs on the buildsheet and knew them somewhat .And that those numbers were the last 2 digits in the boxes on the buildsheet are the part number.And I had those dealer parts catalogs .Where you could compare parts and part #s .That 69 valiant lights are used on a 69 daytona etc.I send my unclaimed buildsheets his way and exchange info.And hope those sheets find there way to the guy missing it.He had asked me about that last 70 white red interior hemi cuda conv pw car .That had been in NJ chained up.I knew of from the 80-s.When there was articles in the works in mcg about.Searching for the last hemi ragtop.Thats sold for $465K.When I would read something he did a story on .Like it was mentioned you wouldnt see a 70charger with AC and 4 speed.So I sent him my buildsheet .Same goes for a 70 Super bee with PW and AC.I sent that build sheet .And one for a non RT 69 charger that had W23 recall wheels.I would sent that info in as well .He apprecaited it as well.And would answer my questions.I emailed or asked in person. I have had no bad experiences with him.Other then he one busy guy.So you might have to wait
He decoded my tag and made me a repro one years ago, same story as everyone else, great job but took forever (6 months back in '97)
I would not begrudge anyone making money for knowledge. that's what we all do in one way or another. we make money because we know something someone else does not. So all the crybabys should stifle it about him making a buck on the hobby. What is not right is him advertising services and taking forever to deliver. either treat it as a hobby and get to it when you get to it, or treat it like a business and do the right thing for your customers and deliver the goods in something resembling a reasonable time frame. I know he does not charge you until he is close to mailing it too you, but people are usually waiting for this stuff so it's really not fair.
With all due respect to the people who say they know him and are friends with him, the whole "understaffed" excuse does not fly with me.. If he cannot afford help , then the price needs to be raised so he can. I certianly would pay more for his knowledge than I would for someone else offering the same services.
and anyone out there who does not understand why he is disliked by some should pick up a copy of MCG. I don't know what he's like personally, but he really comes off badly in those columns.
If I had a high dollar car I needed to decode, you bet your ass I would be on the phone with him paying him, but for the guy with the with a 318 red/black top 2nd gen, go somewhere else.
I meet him 3 times this past year, once at Englishtown- he was taking measurements of my vinyl top to povide a fellow sunroof car owner with correct size of seams for a replacement top (to his knowledge my top is the original on the car). The second time at Madison Wi, at the Charger meet- I drove into the parking lot at the hotel and he came over and said "John did you drive all the way from N. J.? amd then asked me to join him and other Charger owners at the meet for dinner ( and I'm NOT registered with him or a high dollar car Hemi or whathave you) The last time was at Carlisle where he sold me a correct radiator for my car that was reasonable, Much less than some at the swaps. The last thing happed in Wi. , I can say is that he IS a car guy- After 2 days of travel my car was dirty- He had intoduced me to another Mopar fan in Madison that lived locally-the three of us went back to his place and washed my car- Yes he helped wash/dry my car so it was ready to show next day. Say what you will, I think he's OK.
He can't be that bad....his favorite car is a 69 charger!!!
John sure does get around in his 69 sunroof charger.Ive seen it a various places in south jersey
Quote from: nascarxx29 on January 09, 2006, 09:38:02 PM
John sure does get around in his 69 sunroof charger.Ive seen it a various places in south jersey
I heard he drove it to TX too! :D
Quote from: moparjohn on January 09, 2006, 09:09:51 PM
the three of us went back to his place and washed my car- Yes he helped wash/dry my car
Please don't tell us that he was wearing a Speedo and giggling as he chased you around the car trying to spray you with the hose!
I also don't like how he collects information for free and then charges people who want to talk to him about it. Happened to me personally. He had an article in MCG asking about build dates of '66 mopars. Well since I run the '66 registry and keep that information, I emailed him a bunch of it, no problem. A few months go by and I shoot him an email asking a question, and he promply turns around and asks for my credit card number.
Quote from: FastbackJon on January 09, 2006, 10:10:09 PM
I also don't like how he collects information for free and then charges people who want to talk to him about it. Happened to me personally. He had an article in MCG asking about build dates of '66 mopars. Well since I run the '66 registry and keep that information, I emailed him a bunch of it, no problem. A few months go by and I shoot him an email asking a question, and he promply turns around and asks for my credit card number.
holy cow... that is not cool at all.
Like I said, he does a service for the hobby.
To dkn1997, I have to say this. It seems foolish to me to explain to someone how I would be willing to pay even more for one person to decode my fender tag than it would to have someone else do it. Regardless of their name. Decoding is decoding. Its not difficult, its not something you need a decoder ring to do. And as far as making you another fender tag, if you already had one, then its really easy to make a second one, from many different companies for cheaper prices. As a matter of fact GTS doesn't do the tags themselves, they sub it out to another company which you can go directly to for cheaper. So it would be the same tag.
John, I was there when you got the radiator. That was very nice of him. Even nice of him to tell you that he had one in Englishtown, and then to remember to bring it to another show. He does do things that are great for the hobby. My only gripe is that he isn't the one and only source of information in this hobby. There are tons of very knowledgable people in this hobby.
I think alot of his problem,is that the hobby has grown faster than expected,and he cannot keep up by himself! I don't think he should be verifing cars he has not seen in person. Also as in the case of the 71 cuda pilot car,the fakes are getting done so well,that theres bound to be a few that get by you!
The hobby has definately taken off in the past 10 years. It has exploded.
It is way too big of a job for 1 single individual to be considered the GURU of all the information out there. It is nice to have a central figure however. It would only work if all the registries, and people who are knowledgeable would work together and share information. I don't like how sometimes I hear about Galen taking praise for something IE saying a car is a fake, or real, when he didn't do the actual work. I think he should be willing to give credit where credit is due. If someone else points out a car is a fake he should say that, and not try to take credit for it.
Quote from: 69_500 on January 10, 2006, 06:49:10 AM
Like I said, he does a service for the hobby.
To dkn1997, I have to say this. It seems foolish to me to explain to someone how I would be willing to pay even more for one person to decode my fender tag than it would to have someone else do it. Regardless of their name. Decoding is decoding. Its not difficult, its not something you need a decoder ring to do. And as far as making you another fender tag, if you already had one, then its really easy to make a second one, from many different companies for cheaper prices. As a matter of fact GTS doesn't do the tags themselves, they sub it out to another company which you can go directly to for cheaper. So it would be the same tag.
I meant that I would pay more for his
knowledge than someone else who is not recognized in the hobby by pretty much everyone. When I said
Services, I did not mean decoding and making tags,, I meant the service of verifying an entire car. If you read a little further in my post, you would have read:
"If I had a high dollar car I needed to decode, you bet your ass I would be on the phone with him paying him, but for the guy with the with a 318 red/black top 2nd gen, go somewhere else."
by knowledge, I mean that any yahoo can fake a tag, but if I was buying something for huge money I would want to confer with an expert about the entire car. If that much money was on the line, I could care less about the man's personality, I would have him on plane and under the car before you could say "boo" I am talking 6 figure cars here.
knowing his turnaround time, like I said before, for the average car, I would go somewhere else. I don't think you meant anything by it, but I would appreciate it if you could keep the "foolish" comments to yourself, especially in light of the fact that you did not fully comprehend what I wrote.
The foolish comment wasn't directed at you, I was saying I would feel like a fool trying to explain to someone why I would pay him more than someone else. My only point was to say the to me HE isn't the one and only person that can provide that service. And if it was me personally even if it was a 6 figure car, I would have someone else look at it before I'd pay him his fee's to look at a car. To me his opinion on a car doesn't make it any more expensive or valuable. His word is just his word, its not the Bible, its not without error. He has been fooled in the past about cars, and will be fooled in the future as well. Granted others can be fooled too. But in all honesty if I was to lay down 6 figures on a car, it wouldn't be based on just his word or opinion of the car. I would do my own research, and background checking, and i'd conference with other people about the car as well. I just feel that with just about every body style that was available, that there are multiple other people who also known and are very knowledgable about these cars.
There are plenty of people out there that can detect if a tag is fake, or even if its a repro.
Just a side note.
Well, when I was looking to buy that 1969 charger 100039. He answered my questions right away, for FREE. He told me what he had on the car, and all the info he could come up with from his sources.
I have to be thankful for that, but at the sametime, EVERYONE here on the site was willing to find out as much as they could too.
Thanks everyone.(Even if I didn't get to buy the car)
If he did it for free then I have to give him a little tip of the hat because it's completely out of character. Credit where due.
I'm just wondering about my car and asking to see if he has any info on it from the past. My fender tag is missing and I only have part of my build sheet. I would like to know everything the car had. I bet he would charge an arm and a leg looking at his web site.
I don't know what he chargers for his service, but after reading this thread I would assume it is alot. What info do you already have on your car?? Does it have a Vin # on it?? If yes, does the numbers on it appear anywhere else on the car??
This would usually appear on the rad. support, the engine block, and in the trunk.
Quote from: sixpack70 on January 13, 2006, 11:22:20 PM
I'm just wondering about my car and asking to see if he has any info on it from the past. My fender tag is missing and I only have part of my build sheet. I would like to know everything the car had. I bet he would charge an arm and a leg looking at his web site.
I am not sure what Galen can do for you if the car was not previously registered with him. Your best bet would be if he or someone else has a copy of your buildsheet that was in put another car. I don't think he will make fender tags for cars unless you have a buildsheet or possibly photos prior to any restoration. Have you registered it with the '70 charger Registry? They have some buildsheet's for missing cars that people have provided. Looking for past owners or the original dealer are other ways for you to track down past information on the car. Most of Chrysler's records were destroyed in a fire pertaining to the late 60's and early 70's cars.
3rd gen / small block owner here... he would have no need for me and I have no need for him, had plenty of chances to meet the guy a few years back, didn't care to...
It's cool that somebody is doing so much documentation for the hobby but when I see car owners all starry-eyed because they get top spend time with the guy, it makes me ill...
I don't see where everyone thinks he does such a service to mopars. Sounds more like Self- Service.I think this guy has alot of market control.
And this guy does not have EVERY Mopar registered with him so by him telling a customer so many were made a certain color or with a cerain options,etc. is just what he has registered and may or may not be accurate.
Quote from: hemihead on January 14, 2006, 07:03:04 AM
I don't see where everyone thinks he does such a service to mopars. Sounds more like Self- Service.I think this guy has alot of market control.
And this guy does not have EVERY Mopar registered with him so by him telling a customer so many were made a certain color or with a cerain options,etc. is just what he has registered and may or may not be accurate.
Example: several years ago (who counts....10-15 years) he stated that no superbirds outside of the factory offered colors exsisted or were ever painted with other factory colors, therefore no burnt orange superbirds were to exsist! ............even after people told him otherwise!.........Ahhh! .........several years later 3 birds (burnt orange) emerge!..............when the 1st one surfaced (owned by Mason Dixion, Galen was quick to dismiss that 1 as a factory error, "the only 1 made", .........................now his registry says:" I have 3 Burnt Orange Superbirds in exsistance!".............I know he can't verify the exsistance of a car based on hearsay!.........but when more than a handfull of reliable people tell him of a vehicle(s) exsistance, and he goes out of his way to (print) say they NEVER built that, then days, months, years later has to choke on his own words!........ex: no hemi station wagons, .......3 to date, chowed on that!,..........no hemi 4 doors (bevelleders).....chowed on that!........No 71 challenger T/A.........has 2 vins on record!!.......said to me for years no such thing!.......still chewin........still chewin on various options, packages, etc,etc.......that never exsisted!..........if you want to be called, known, or bask in the glory of being a "GURU".......................just plead the "fifth" if you don't know something!............................when people ask me for info on daytonas/superbirds, I tell them what I know,have seen, documented!.............if they tell / ask me something I don't know, I don't dismiss it,I don't tell them their wrong!..............because when it comes to mopar.............never say NEVER!...................galen g. hasn't learned this yet!
Mike G/ DAYCLONA
I've known Galen for years, so has my family. I burns my ass when I read this stuff about him. I don't believe Galen willingly gives out bad info,or caters to the wine and cheese crowd, and he always corrects himself when he is wrong.
He is only one guy, with a wealth of growing info. There have been times at Carlisle that I can't get a chance to see him for all the people asking him questions, etc. But he always has a smile, handshake, and say hi to the folks back home for me. Arrogance ? I think not... he's just a busy guy providing a service to keep the integrity of our hobby intact.
My 2 cents. Period.
I haven't seen too many instances of him correcting himself in print. It has happened but not for every mistake he's made in print. I don't expect him to be perfect, but own up when you should.
I'll have to agree with Mike from Dayclona on this one. He has admited a few times that I'm aware of some blundering mistakes. However there are other mistakes that he hasn't owned up to. I hadn't ever heard that he denied them ever making a FK5 Superbird, I first saw one of those back in the early 80's.
There are many things that Ma Mopar did back in the era of the 60's to early 70's that they printed they wouldn't do, or options they wouldn't offer on a car. But if someone wanted a car badly enough they would do it. They were there to cater to the audience who wanted the cars. If they said you can get a Superbird in these 9 colors, but you wanted 1 ordered in another color, they would do it to get a sale. Will car companies do this in todays times? Not hardly.
Wasn't it until a year or so ago, that he said no TA's or was it AAR's had sunroofs? I'm not really into the E-body cars so I don't recall which one it was. I have ever heard of a HEMI Station wagon, nor seen one, but I won't say they never made one. Just that I haven't ever seen one, would love to see one though.
Quote from: 72chargerSE on January 14, 2006, 03:53:26 PM
He is only one guy
That may be his biggest problem. He is an obvious control freak, which is a problem. He shares his "empire" with no one. If he goes, the history may go with him.
He's a nice guy in person, don't get me wrong. He's taken a pic of my fender tag at least 5 times now. Whether I register or not($$), I am in his database. :-X
ps- Before you praise him for being a nice guy in Carlisle, make sure you ask him who's paying for his airfare, hotel room, meals and rental car for the event. If you know him as well as you say, you will know what I mean. :icon_smile_wink:
:nutkick:
Quote from: 69_500 on January 14, 2006, 08:06:46 PM
I'll have to agree with Mike from Dayclona on this one. He has admited a few times that I'm aware of some blundering mistakes. However there are other mistakes that he hasn't owned up to. I hadn't ever heard that he denied them ever making a FK5 Superbird, I first saw one of those back in the early 80's.
There are many things that Ma Mopar did back in the era of the 60's to early 70's that they printed they wouldn't do, or options they wouldn't offer on a car. But if someone wanted a car badly enough they would do it. They were there to cater to the audience who wanted the cars. If they said you can get a Superbird in these 9 colors, but you wanted 1 ordered in another color, they would do it to get a sale. Will car companies do this in todays times? Not hardly.
Wasn't it until a year or so ago, that he said no TA's or was it AAR's had sunroofs? I'm not really into the E-body cars so I don't recall which one it was. I have ever heard of a HEMI Station wagon, nor seen one, but I won't say they never made one. Just that I haven't ever seen one, would love to see one though.
Danny, Galen first dismiss the "myth" of burnt orange superbird(s)............when Dixion's car came to light, in the early 80's, he "blew it off " as a assembly line goof!....................well to date the factory "goofed" in triplicate!.............................Challeger T/A's "never" had sunroof"s................Galen, gaged on that one also!.........................Hemi wagons, ..........66 bevelleder I, first one built, went to "Big Daddy" Don Garlits!...............before the defenders of Galen jump on me to say thats early history!...........one could right a book on the "NEVER MADE, NEVER OFFERED,.......and his best quote: I'll only say this once they NEVER____________________,..............then the retraction: I know I said they NEVER______________, but new info has become available?,.............but he NEVER acknowledges the person(s) that supplied him the info...............this is one of the things that burns peoples asses about him!..............and his MO continues to this day!.........so many times when he says NEVER THIS, NEVER THAT......................................................................................................................................................and I have the documents, the parts, the car(s) location, exsistance, etc, etc.........and I,m ready to contact him, not to disparage him/ comments, but to enligthen him,.........because of his "attitude"................I don't bother!......I'm not the only one that feels this way, ...........Galen has "distanced" himself from many knowledgeable people in this "hobby"!, to place himself above the rest,..........he's forgotten ,how he got to be ; where he is today..............
Mike G./ DAYCLONA
And the guy from Memphis TN.where that car sold new from. Who had that FK5 superbird prior to Mason Dixon .And Dave Jones made a copy of his original paperwork .That indicated FK5 as a alternate choice.I got a copy of it around.You had to write in a certain requets order #
If Galen can get a free ride to the nats or carlisle or YOUR house, it is because he is valuable to the hobby. Are you jealous? I personally don't care how he gets where he is going, or who pays for it. Matter of fact I don't think it is any of my business. If the big buck guys pay him, so what. If someone else had his clout, THEY would be flown to events and catered for.
I don't think anyone "owes" him anything, and he doesn't live a high profile life in the big city. He IS accessible, despite what has been said in this thread.
Galen had a bad habit early on saying that some cars or options did not exist. He hasn't said that in 15 years. He says "known to exist"
Get your facts straight before you spit out manure. He is a mopar guy, that provides a needed service, and he has a good reputation...don't tarnish it with B.S.
Mopar people attacking mopar people........it doesn't make sense to me!?? I don't have to wonder where TROLLS and DASH SWAPPERS come from when a galen post comes up!
This is the same crap I have heard about John Balow at Muscle car restorations. I visited with him in the 80's before people knew who he was. He drag raced at the same track I did. He was very personable, and helpful. But if you listen to the old ladies gossip, he is a no good crook. Sounds like some people don't like to see others succeed?
When i finish my C500 (next couple years) i'm gonna have Danny 69_500 authenticate it for me..... :yesnod:
So if I respond in the negative about Galen, am I a troll or a dash swapper? Sheesh, this thread has run it's course.
I had bought a Data / decoder book written by a guy named BR Hembree , oh , probably about 1994. It was just as usefull as the "white books".
Still have it. - Just meaning to point out that there were other "sources" 10+ years ago.
- If he needs staffing , he should hire more. As a business they should be able to say - "there is a 2 month waiting period" - not an indefinite amount of time.
I'd be honored to look at your 500, pocket, but I don't think me authenticating anything would carry as much heresay. To me soeone authenticating a car isn't that important. All I want to do when I'm looking for a car is to be sure it is what it is being advertsided as. I would be leary to purchase any aero car, or something like that if it wasn't a known car to one of the clubs. Now if it wasn't heard of by one of the clubs, i'd have someone else look at it with me, but it wouldn't be Galen.
I don't think that just because someone says something about Galen that it is bad for the hobby. He badmouths people too. And from what I"ve been reading here it isn't bad mouthing Galen, just pointing out some of his flaws. He is HUMAN< HE IS NOT PERFECT> NONE OF US ARE. However some people find it hard to admit when they are wrong.
Quote from: Ghoste on January 15, 2006, 01:08:14 AM
So if I respond in the negative about Galen, am I a troll or a dash swapper? Sheesh, this thread has run it's course.
I am not sure what you mean? Do you feel attacked? Did I strike a nerve? I wonder how Galen would feel if he read the collective bashing in this thread? This thread went off course when people let their ignorant opinions slander others.
This is not a personal attack on you ghoste, it is more an attack on the lynch mob. I stand up for people that I know are good people. That is all I am saying.
This thread sound like a political argument from the 50's. Is someone here a communist? LETS GET EM BOYS!!!
69fuchs...
I'm with you, 100%. I consider Galen a friend.... I believe you did strike a nerve with some folks on this site. I came over here because MOPARTS was getting on my nerves, I didn't realize that the same is going on here.
This is OUR hobby folks, and Galen is only human. Lighten up, put your mouse down, and go outside to breath some fresh air!!
Jeeeeesh!
Quote from: 72chargerSE on January 14, 2006, 03:53:26 PM
I don't believe Galen willingly gives out bad info
He has admitted to purposely putting wrong info. in some of his books. :wave:
I'll ask him if he does in fact put false information in his books, on purpose.
I would be interested in his answer, I personally have never heard of such thing.
Quote from: AllBlueRT on January 15, 2006, 07:38:50 PM
Quote from: 72chargerSE on January 14, 2006, 03:53:26 PM
I don't believe Galen willingly gives out bad info
He has admitted to purposely putting wrong info. in some of his books. :wave:
I have heard that also. :yesnod:
Quote from: AllBlueRT on January 15, 2006, 07:38:50 PM
Quote from: 72chargerSE on January 14, 2006, 03:53:26 PM
I don't believe Galen willingly gives out bad info
He has admitted to purposely putting wrong info. in some of his books. :wave:
He doesn't give out bad info to purposely deceive people, he does it to catch the crooks that pirate his research. You will find the same mistakes in his competitors books because they are COPIED. STOLEN. COPYWRITE INFRINGEMENT. It is that easy.
I can't think of a better way to protect yourself from thieves.
i personally do not care about a galen govier authenticated piece of mopar history. it is not that I do not like the guy, I do not know him. It is just that his services, though helpful, do not mean diddly squat to me. as do any other authenticating services out there. I dont give a sheit if my car is a clone or not, I do not need to have a numbers matching 1 of 1 mopar to boost my ego. As long as it goes fast and spanks ricers, chebbies and fjords, that is all that matters.
galen could be a good guy or he could be an a55hole. I dont know and really dont plan on going out of my way to find out.
If I want anything authenticated, I can do it myself. If I am not mistaken, I can read the english language, fender tags, build sheets, vin's, engine numbers, and radiator support stamps as well as anybody. It is up to me to figure them out, not somebody else. after all, it is my car right?
Well Said, RD. :iagree: :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:
Quote from: 69fuchs on January 15, 2006, 09:32:05 PM
Quote from: AllBlueRT on January 15, 2006, 07:38:50 PM
Quote from: 72chargerSE on January 14, 2006, 03:53:26 PM
I don't believe Galen willingly gives out bad info
He has admitted to purposely putting wrong info. in some of his books. :wave:
He doesn't give out bad info to purposely deceive people, he does it to catch the crooks that pirate his research. You will find the same mistakes in his competitors books because they are COPIED. STOLEN. COPYWRITE INFRINGEMENT. It is that easy.
I can't think of a better way to protect yourself from thieves.
I think it was mentioned already he done that and why. I was just relaying that little tidbit of information to your buddy.
It's spelled copyright. ;)
He gives out bad info to catch people who commit copyright infringment on him? So how the Hell does that serve the people who buy his books? Let's not even mention that if anyone should have a copyright on it, it's Chrysler, seeing as how he's just assembling their order and assembly codes in a concise format.
Quote from: Ghoste on January 16, 2006, 04:57:15 AM
He gives out bad info to catch people who commit copyright infringment on him? So how the Hell does that serve the people who buy his books? Let's not even mention that if anyone should have a copyright on it, it's Chrysler, seeing as how he's just assembling their order and assembly codes in a concise format.
Hardly even that tough.....he uses the Chrysler SG-30 Options reports that note production by option and he re-sells Chryslers info as an Option Pack.
Quote from: RD on January 15, 2006, 10:11:16 PM
i personally do not care about a galen govier authenticated piece of mopar history. it is not that I do not like the guy, I do not know him. It is just that his services, though helpful, do not mean diddly squat to me. as do any other authenticating services out there. I dont give a sheit if my car is a clone or not, I do not need to have a numbers matching 1 of 1 mopar to boost my ego. As long as it goes fast and spanks ricers, chebbies and fjords, that is all that matters.
galen could be a good guy or he could be an a55hole. I dont know and really dont plan on going out of my way to find out.
If I want anything authenticated, I can do it myself. If I am not mistaken, I can read the english language, fender tags, build sheets, vin's, engine numbers, and radiator support stamps as well as anybody. It is up to me to figure them out, not somebody else. after all, it is my car right?
On the other hand RD, there are plenty of folks out there that are interested in #'s matching Mopars that don't wan't to get a clone when they are paying for the real deal. These folks have money but no time so they hire someone like Galen to their homework for them. They could hire you or I to decode their car but I have yet to put my advertisement in MCG and probably never will. These folks buy these cars as investments and this paperwork that Galen provides means something when it comes to selling or buying a car.
There is an add in this months MCG by the National Hemi Association offering to authenticate anyone's hemi cars. so there are other people out there offering the same thing.
Now that aside, I don't understand intentionally printing wrong information just to catch someone who is reprinting his material? He is afterall just reprinting chryslers material. Which granted they made mistakes too, but I don't recall them ever typing up a false document just to catch someone copying that document. They typed up false documents to lie to NASCAR, and the NHRA to be able to race some cars.
If his white books are supposed to be a big help to people with imformation, then he is doing an injustice to that information by knowingly have them print up false information.
Hey Dan, I want you to authenticate my 500 too,we can start right now,and make you the official 69 Charger 500 GURU! I just hope you will still have time,to remember us little people once this thing catches on! With 392 cars to look after things could get pretty rough! If that other GURU is right though,and there are 580 cars,you might have to give up your day job,and hire a few more people!Then it could really get out of hand,and people with 70,and 71 Charger 500s might try to jump on the band wagon! I call that the snowball effect! :icon_smile_evil: :icon_smile_big: :devil:
I don't want to be the GURU of anything. I only want to be a well informed individual who has a passion and a love for these cars. Yeah I typically only follow the 500's and Daytona's. I do like the Superbirds too but not as much as the 500's and Daytona's. I'd love to look at your 500 one of these days, but you and I both know that what ever I think of it is heresay. I mean you know what you have, and you know its the real deal.
I don't think it would be too rough for a club or something to keep track of the 392 or even 580 C500's, I mean the two aero clubs do pretty well at keeping up with the hundreds of known Superbirds. And there are people who do well at keeping up with the hundreds of known A12 cars as well. I guess I'm not getting the jist of your post.
I'd love to have a job going around and looking at cars yes, but will I ever have that as a job no. Why? Because to me this is a hobby, and I gladly do all the research and leg work I do now for free, because I love the cars. My wife says I'm a nerd because I always want to know more. I can't be happy with just knowning what I know, so call it a passion or whatever you want, but I do want to know everything about the few cars i do love.
I was just kiddin wit cha Dan! Theres nothing wrong with being educated,and informed about the cars we own,and would love to own! The problem we are facing in this hobby,is once the Gurus of information,and restoration say that this is how it is and thats it,and there wrong,or incorrect,the masses follow what ever they say,like its GOSPEL,and they will argue,even with a guy who bought his car new,and never changed anything on it,because of what these guys said! I think if those records weren't destroyed,this hobby would be a lot different! The Pontiac people are very lucky that GM kept such good records!
Ah the Pontiac people are very blessed. To verify a GTO it is as easy as writing Pontiac, and getting information on your car based on the VIN. They will send you it all. I believe there is a fee, but its not that much. You will get their version of a buildsheet, fender tag informatoin, where it sold, cost, build dates. Its incredible, and Pontiac is who you get the information from, not an individual. There is no reason someone should get fooled and buy a cloned GTO if they just call Pontiac to ask them first.
Now a mopar, its a whole other ball game. I'll agree some people just agree with anything that comes out of some peoples mouths as Gospel. But people do that in every aspect of life too. If t he news reports that say Pit Bulls are killing people they will take it as Gospel. Even if a day later they admit it wasn't a Pit Bull but a mutt. People will still keep in their minds years later the story of the PIt bull, and not of the recall. IE same here, Galen says something never was made. Even if proven years later, people will still stick by what he said in the past.
I don't know, I personally have only talked to Galen a few times. Only asked him things about 500's. Asked him how many Q5 500's he had heard of, I think he said 1. I told him I knew of 2. Never really talked much after that.
Did anyone notice Galens' article in MCG this month? Where he is now asking about if the rear marker lights bezels on some cars were body color and not stripe color? He is asking for old photo's or information from cars origional owners.
Interesting after his statement from about two months ago huh? I'll be interested to see if he brings any further light to that issue.
(that's a serious statement btw, not an anti-Galen thing)
Quote from: 69_500 on January 17, 2006, 07:28:36 PM
Did anyone notice Galens' article in MCG this month? Where he is now asking about if the rear marker lights bezels on some cars were body color and not stripe color? He is asking for old photo's or information from cars origional owners.
He should pay a fee for this info since he will charge someone else for that later.
I believe his statement a few months back was that it was supposed to be stripe color. Which would be what the factory documents say too. I haven't ever paid any attention to other cars with bumble bee stripes other than 500's. I know that there were many of those that came with the bezels painted body color. Now as far as an R/T, or a Superbee having a stripe, I'd say 95% of them had the bezels painted stipe color. considering those stripes were an in house item for chrysler. the 500 stripes were installed by Creative after the conversions, and as we all know quality control at Creative was sloppy to say the least.
One other thing I saw in his article this month, and maybe someone else can weigh in on this one. But the known HEMI cars with power sunroofs. What documentation was missing from the 1971 HEMI Superbee with a power sunroof? Wasn't it a second owner car, who bought it early in the 70's? Also there was a 1970 HEMI RT/SE charger with a power sunroof at the nationals 2 years ago, and won the best of show a few years before that, but it wasn't in his list of known HEMI cars with sunroofs. What was the deal on that one then if it wasn't factory?
It isn't known by him until you register it with him and then it must be authenticated, proven, documented, noterized, blessed, baptized, inspected, detected, NOT rejected, witnessed, photographed, fingerprinted, cat scanned, legitimized, and duly approved by him or it simply does not exist.
Registration is helpful if you send the required payment. ;)
I guess hes more like the MOPAR POPE! I present Pope Galen the first! Don't forget to put your donation in the basket! :icon_smile_big:
Quote from: 69_500 on January 17, 2006, 11:29:02 PM
I believe his statement a few months back was that it was supposed to be stripe color. Which would be what the factory documents say too. I haven't ever paid any attention to other cars with bumble bee stripes other than 500's. I know that there were many of those that came with the bezels painted body color. Now as far as an R/T, or a Superbee having a stripe, I'd say 95% of them had the bezels painted stipe color. considering those stripes were an in house item for chrysler. the 500 stripes were installed by Creative after the conversions, and as we all know quality control at Creative was sloppy to say the least.
This subject (above) has come up many times with Galen, I remember him pointing out the body colored rear benzels, on my 71 "billboard" striped Hemi cuda, he said those are supposed to be stripe color!..........not body color!,that a common mistake everybody makes restoring their car! .............I replied, Galen , this is original paint/ stripes and "as you KNOW!".....chrysler doc # 47-68-1844-8A, stated, that due to production difficulties in assembly line installation of "billboard" stripes, and early customer feedback on poor installation, plus customer "dislike" of said stripes, that all "billboard" stripes effective October/ ?/70, would be shipped in the trunk, for dealer install...................So I said Galen, how many dealers do you think took the time to paint the benzels to match the stripe!, my car came this way!,,,,,,,,,,,,it was a Jan/71 build!..............do you think the factory would install rear black benzels in a Sassy Grass green car, hoping /praying the dealer installed the stripes to match the benzel!...also hoping the customer would love to have that "patch" over the rear qtrs,..............people hated those decals back then!...............Galen's reply!...........ahhhhh, I'll get back to you!.............never did?...............ran off like he had eaten some bad chilli!......................He..sounded just like all "those other experts" we see at the shows!.........you know the ones!................................................................several months later an article appears in MCG, regarding 71 cuda billboards, (quote) according to my reasearch(?????????????????)...................it's "quite possible" that some of these cars came with body colored benzels!......( yada, yada, yada, same storie more or less word for word that I told him)............possible dealer installed error!.........that owners should correct in his opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WHAT!
What my have started out as a passion/ interest for Galen.............has become BIG BUSINESS!........good for him!...........but don't be fooled by "I do this for the hobbist' to keep the hobby honest!or for the love of the cars!..................it's the love of money! pure and simple!............for those of us who are, or have an "insider" to the hobby/industry/ magszines...........we .see and hear what Joe Public doesn't!............if you only knew the real poop!
Mike G. / DAYCLONA
I agree with you Mike.As far as the knowing the " poop" as you say,please feel free to enlighten us. :yesnod:
OK, I have read the posts and tried to stay neutral. However, some excellent points have been made, such as Mike's concerning his Hemi Cuda with Billboards. I guess my biggest complaint would be that credit should be given where it is due (especially in MCG). Name names if someone has passed on valuable information, and thank them for the sake of the hobby.
I have passed on much rare and valuable (valuable to the hobby) information to many people, including Galen. Galen has recently asked me for more Ordering Guide info which he does not have for '71 Dart/Challenger. Particularly, he wants to know if the very rare N94 Fibre Glass Hood was available with the Coloured Bumper options.
My documentation says it was available, and here is the proof for ALL to see.
and this....
Now, whether anybody ever ordered this combination, I do not know.
But it sure would make for one cool and rare car!
By the way, disregard the yellow highlights; those are for my '71 Challenger convertible and don't have anything to do with this post!
Do you ask GG for his Credit Card # first?
No! I did not! And this is where he can get that info from if he wants it.
Years ago, I considered using my resources and knowledge about Mopars to serve the hobby in some way, maybe even like Galen has by making a small business out of it. I guess it probably would have panned out.
But I had a decent job and was starting a family and had my own cars to keep me busy, so I was content just to share the info I had with those who needed it, and help people with car purchases regarding value, originality, numbers, etc. And I still do this for those who know me, all they have to do is ask, and I am glad to help, if I can.
A couple of years ago, a friend said he was looking for a '69 440 Carter AVS for a manual trans, and did I know where to find one. I had taken one off my 500 to replace it with an Edelbrock, so my original one was laying on a shelf in the garage.
I brought it into work one day and gave it to him. He was amazed, and asked how much $$$$. I said, just take it and use it and maybe someday I might need it back, but for now it was just collecting dust!
To me, that is what the MOPAR hobby is all about (or used to be, anyway)...
You are more of an asset to the Mopar world than GG in my book.That is what being a Mopar guy is all about! :yesnod:
That is exactly the point. Be a hobbiest and enjoy the hobby. Its one thing to make some money on something, but another to think that your the ulitmate source of information. He has a lot of good information, but I'm willing to say that a large majority of it was given to him by someone else. Not a whole lot of digging and research. Nothing wrong with that. It would be nice however if that knowledge was willingly passed on to other people for the same price it was passed on to him.
Yeah, I remember his monthly column in the newsletter for the Mopar Muscle Club back in the early 80's always closed with the request for people to send him any and all documentation relating to the decoding of cars. Don't recall too many offers to purchase it although I'm sure he did pay for much of what he has learned.
Quote from: hemihead on January 20, 2006, 05:03:34 AM
I agree with you Mike.As far as the knowing the " poop" as you say,please feel free to enlighten us. :yesnod:
Hemihead,
I've said enough!.........to start unloading behind the scenes garbage, carnage,........exposes some people,events better left annoymous..........plus closes up lines of infomation!......................and totally destroyes the illusion of god......I mean galen in the starry eyes of those worshiping the ground and water he walks....(hovers) on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike G
You could just tell us the bad things you've done?
We all need a little Friday night dirt.
Quote from: Ghoste on January 20, 2006, 09:44:38 PM
You could just tell us the bad things you've done?
We all need a little Friday night dirt.
Who! ...........me ?,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I'm a >:D,,,,,,,,,I mean an :angel: so I kick a couple of "grains" of sand in some people's eyes!.........I don't think that makes me a "really" bad guy! :icon_smile_big: :icon_smile_blackeye:
Mike G
:D
Quote from: dayclona on January 20, 2006, 10:38:28 PM
Quote from: Ghoste on January 20, 2006, 09:44:38 PM
You could just tell us the bad things you've done?
We all need a little Friday night dirt.
Who! ...........me ?,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I'm a >:D,,,,,,,,,I mean an :angel: so I kick a couple of "grains" of sand in some people's eyes!.........I don't think that makes me a "really" bad guy! :icon_smile_big: :icon_smile_blackeye:
Your just a big mean wing'r tryin to help that guy keep his nosecone attached to his car! What were you thinkin!
Mike G
Ah, we don't need more dirt flying through the air, it would get mixed up in all the crap we are walking through. I"m going to need a rain coat, and some hip wadders if this thread keeps going.
Only kidding.
I'll have to make sure to stop by dayclona's cars this year at car shows and introduce myself to you guys.
The dirt request is off the table now anyway. That was just a "bored on a Friday night, see if Mike will come to confession" thing.
It's a bright new morning with lots to see and do. ;D
Quote from: Ghoste on January 21, 2006, 09:33:10 AM
The dirt request is off the table now anyway. That was just a "bored on a Friday night, see if Mike will come to confession" thing.
It's a bright new morning with lots to see and do. ;D
So Ghoste, got any plans today - wanna stir up some shit! :D :stirthepot:
I'd like to stick around but I have to take my Daughter to a 3 year olds birthday party. I am guessing there will be some hot Mom's there, at least I hope so. :thumbs:
You don't have enough time Father Ghost to hear Mikes confessions! I would rather hear Galens confessions,now thats where the real dirt is! :icon_smile_big:
Hmmm, well I figure I have about another 60 years to live, do I have enough time to hear all of Mikes confessions?
No pot stirring for me today. It's my anniversary today and between that soiree tonight and a promise take the Les Paul out this afternoon and beat the hell out of it I won't be around much. That's why I did my senseless post whoring yesterday.
Happy Anniversary Ghost! Hey Dan,you don't have enough time! :icon_smile_big:
Happy aniversarry there Ghoste.
Yeah I'm quite busy with chasing a 2 year old around all day.
Did anyone see Goldberg give Grover a headlock at the auction. His face was as red as a beet. I don't know if gg was laughing or crying :bawling: :smilie_help: as he was asking Goldberg to let go.
I yelled, "Pop it like a zitt."
My wife came in the room and asked who I was talking to. :lol: :lolexplode:
Quote from: chargervert on January 19, 2006, 09:44:21 PM
I guess hes more like the MOPAR POPE! I present Pope Galen the first! Don't forget to put your donation in the basket! :icon_smile_big:
Heh... Funny :)
Hey, did you get a LOAD of him by Steve Goldberg on Barrett Jackson tonight? lol Funny stuff... Very highly regarded man. Damn 383 Cuda turned $160k... NUTS
It feels GOOD to have witnessed his reaction to my Charger 500's Fendertag (when I met him)... He reached RIGHT for his camera, and his eyes bugged a little (thought it would take ALOT to impress
HIM)... He did stop however, and said "is it O.K."? I appreciated this... Great carshow ediquitte (or how-ever you spell it)...
I just hope he was correct about that car that Goldburg bought,or else he might find himself in a suplex! :icon_smile_big:
Anyone else catch the comment of "If Galens says it about your car you can take it as being Gospel." come on people he is human and he is bound to error every once in a while. Yes he is good, but not perfect.
Like I have said before I have only talked to him in person I think 2 times, but I only talked to a him for more than 2 sentences 1 time. And he was pretty nice. He was wanting some information about C500's from me. I told him I knew of 2 Q5 Charger 500's.
the b-j guys even commented about him being a guru on tv last night.
He's good for business. His "guruness" lends an air of authenticity to this carnival of shams.
We are the only make that doesn't have an authenticating service offered straight from the manufactuer.
Which must be comforting to Camaro fans seeing as how there are far more 69 Z28's out there than Chevy ever built lol.
A guy around the corner from me took a Firebird convertible and turned it into a 69 Camaro Pace Car edition. Boy is somebody going to be pissed down the road if they figure that one out!
I hope those Barrett-Jackson guys made their donations to the" POPE " God knows at 16 % commission,they can afford to!
The free plugs with the country club set aren't hurting his business either!
I don't picture him as the country club type.
Yeah and the upside to donating money to the Church rather than 16% to BJ is that the money given to a church is a tax right off.
What about those cars that the money is going to charity on like the $600,000 2007 Shelby Mustang. Are those eligible to be written off?
Savior or charlatan? The jury is still out on this guy. To close to call. Depends who you are as well.
We all have to understand that he's performing a service as a business. So he needs to charge for that. If you really think about it, there is allot of time consuming work that goes into trying to find information on a certain and specific vehicle. Adding more people to his staff means a higher overhead cost that he has to pass along to the client and a higher risk of something wrong getting out. I believe that, that is why he keeps his operation to a one man show. This way he keeps control of the information being put out by his office. Him putting his name to authenticate a Mopar is big risk. If something is found to be incorrect, he's liable to a lawsuit possibly ranging in the cost of the vehicle and who knows what other damages and more importantly his reputation. If he just makes a few mistakes, his credibility is out and that means he's out of business.
The claim that he looks down at people could be several things. He probably gets allot of inquiries on vehicles owners that really don't want to pay for his service and just want to ask him a quick question or two about a vehicle for free - his time is worth money, period. I bet scenarios like this are very common and would probably get to you to a point of saying "here's another one!". I can just picture it. But that is no excuse to be rude or talk down to anyone - he chose that business and that comes with the territory. If you think about it, all the conversations Galen has with people must revolve around questions about Mopars or people trying to stump him with "rare" things. I remember last year at Carlisle I just stood next to Galen listening to this guy with a litany of questions and statements from this man. This man said he knew of a Cuda, blah, blah, blah, blah. :blahblah: :blahblah: :brickwall: I just walked away cause I was tired of just listening to this guy going on and on and basically not saying anything!!
Believe it or not the worst jobs are the ones where you have to deal with the public. :yesnod:
i deal with the public, and i concider it a blessing...
why? because I can and do make a difference...
He was in Seattle for our Spring Round Up a few times and told the club that his favorite car was sitting in my garage. I have a letter he sent me, I'll show a part of it here:
response to 1st post: yes he did something to me.
Asked for help with decoding and general buildsheet questions, before I knew there were other ways of obtaining information for free....
2001 - having bought Challenger R/T SE (383)
We communicated via mail - once with Galen (at least signed Galen) and rest of times with a female. Agreed that I´d send him cash usd for service. They confirmed receipt of cash and then nothing.
We're on to them a dozen times asking for explanation, why the delay etc and what I was going to get in return (decoding only or more). On one or two occasions they replied (saying something but not really of importance - such as we´ll get back to you or whatever - can't even remember anymore!), but then silence and they never replied to me. Sent many reminders etc - and then gave up!
A man of his words - think not!
M
I had good luck with Galen. I was looking at a challenger R/T SE that had went through a flood and wanted to make sure it was a real car. I called his # he answered the phone I told him what I was looking at gave him the # over the cell phone and he said it was not R/T SE saved me a lot of money. :yesnod:
What's funny even today if you google him 70% of the stuff is negitive
I remember hearing from a couple people that he believes himself the king of MOPAR and has free reign over people's cars. There was a couple that said they came back to their cars at a show only to find him rummaging around inside their cars (even though they had signs saying don't touch) because he was collecting info and when they asked him to get out of their cars he pulled attitude like he should be allowed to crawl over their cars with a fine toothed comb. Or reaching inside cars with the owners standing right there to move papers so he can copy down the VIN without asking permission. Another claimed he reach inside and popped the hood of their car without asking so he could look at the fender tag.
Who knows is this actually happened but I had someone open the door on one of my cars at a show so they could sit inside of it there was some choice words and they almost ended up with a bloody nose.
Read his F rating with the BBB!
https://www.bbb.org/us/wi/prairie-du-chien/profile/auto-brokers/galens-tag-service-llc-0694-4022392
I've never met him and only heard stories but when 80% is bad there's probably a reason for it. A pal of mine met him and said he was nice enough BUT my pal only has HEMI and 6 pack cars. I'm kinda hearing if your a Wing/Hemi/A-12 person he is pleasent enough. R/T/GTX/Convertable...He'll give you the time of day. A 318 Charger now with a 440... your treater as "Untermensch" or subhuman
I don't know about that AK... SIXTEEN years later and he still owes me the summation on my Super Bird, yet he did my Bee ! :yesnod: :brickwall:
QuoteI don't know about that AK... SIXTEEN years later and he still owes me the summation on my Super Bird, yet he did my Bee ! yesnod brickwall
:slap:
I would love for that old fat fuck to touch my car. I'd rather enjoy smacking the guy around in front of onlookers. :hah:
Saw him taking pix of fender tags (including mine) at E-town way back. He didn't ask, he just did what he wanted. Saw a packet that a friend paid too much for on his '68 X that was just pedestrian knowledge. I wasn't impressed. I've never wasted much thought on anything he could do for me... even if it was free.
Quote from: Kern Dog on December 09, 2020, 04:39:14 PM
I would love for that old fat fuck to touch my car. I'd rather enjoy smacking the guy around in front of onlookers. :hah:
LOL don't hold back your real feeling Kern Dog! :rofl: :rofl:
Heh heh heh...
I have some strong opinions. One is that you just don't mess with someone else's property. If you ask, I'll share almost anything. If you just take it upon yourself, you're setting yourself up for an ass kickin'. :eek2:
Quote from: AKcharger on December 09, 2020, 10:42:29 AM
I've never met him and only heard stories but when 80% is bad there's probably a reason for it. A pal of mine met him and said he was nice enough BUT my pal only has HEMI and 6 pack cars. I'm kinda hearing if your a Wing/Hemi/A-12 person he is pleasent enough. R/T/GTX/Convertable...He'll give you the time of day. A 318 Charger now with a 440... your treater as "Untermensch" or subhuman
Not just Wing/Hemi/A-12 cars, The one Time I talked to him at a big Mopar Swap Meet, the one at Macomb College in Detroit area about 10+ years ago, I pulled out from my Coat Pocket my 72 Bengal Charger Fender Emblem, The one with the Tiger in 3D jumping off the Emblem, nothing like the 68 Bengal Emblem. Galen about fell out of his Chair when he seen it. Said he never seen anything like it before. Then said he had to get his Digital Camera to take a pic of it. Which I was fine with, He seemed like a nice Friendly Guy when I talked to him but only met him once. LEON.
Quote from: hemi-hampton on December 09, 2020, 09:07:09 PM
Not just Wing/Hemi/A-12 cars, The one Time I talked to him at a big Mopar Swap Meet, the one at Macomb College in Detroit area about 10+ years ago, I pulled out from my Coat Pocket my 72 Bengal Charger Fender Emblem, The one with the Tiger in 3D jumping off the Emblem, nothing like the 68 Bengal Emblem. Galen about fell out of his Chair when he seen it. Said he never seen anything like it before. Then said he had to get his Digital Camera to take a pic of it. Which I was fine with, He seemed like a nice Friendly Guy when I talked to him but only met him once. LEON.
OK...Wing/Hemi/A-12/Bengal cars :icon_smile_big:
But since you brought that story up I had to read up on the "Bengal Chargers" I've heard of them but that's it...interesting story. I was reading that old thread where you posted photos of the emblem...did you ever confirm the back story?
Quote from: Kern Dog on December 09, 2020, 04:39:14 PM
I would love for that old fat fuck to touch my car. I'd rather enjoy smacking the guy around in front of onlookers. :hah:
Anger issues?
When someone is arrogant enough to think that they have the right to touch another person's property without permission ? Yeah, I'll respond with the appropriate action.
I don't like you any more than I'd like a festering rectal sore but I don't have the right to take a piss on your car no matter how much I would enjoy doing so.
Do you even HAVE a Charger? You know, like in the title of this forum ?
I understand that it's important for you to maintain your image as a Super Ultra Macho Stud (SUMS), but punching out somebody for merely touching your car could have dire consequences...like being locked in a cell with a 6' 4" cellie who's hung like a Shetland pony and has eyes on you for his "kid". Just sayin'.
Are you making the rules that say current ownership of a Charger is required for membership here? You seem to think you rule this board, show me the credentials. Oh, and I've had three Chargers, the last one when I joined this board back around '95 or so.
Quote from: John_Kunkel on December 11, 2020, 01:14:20 PM
I understand that it's important for you to maintain your image as a Super Ultra Macho Stud (SUMS), but punching out somebody for merely touching your car could have dire consequences...like being locked in a cell with a 6' 4" cellie who's hung like a Shetland pony and has eyes on you for his "kid". Just sayin'.
Are you making the rules that say current ownership of a Charger is required for membership here? You seem to think you rule this board, show me the credentials. Oh, and I've had three Chargers, the last one when I joined this board back around '95 or so.
We don't have a "Like" button but I Like. :2thumbs: :cheers: :yesnod:
Quote from: John_Kunkel on December 11, 2020, 01:14:20 PM
I understand that it's important for you to maintain your image as a Super Ultra Macho Stud (SUMS), but punching out somebody for merely touching your car could have dire consequences...like being locked in a cell with a 6' 4" cellie who's hung like a Shetland pony and has eyes on you for his "kid". Just sayin'.
Are you making the rules that say current ownership of a Charger is required for membership here? You seem to think you rule this board, show me the credentials. Oh, and I've had three Chargers, the last one when I joined this board back around '95 or so.
Nice car.
You never mention any Chargers so it is a reasonable guess that you don't have one.
I never mentioned punching anyone. Do you even read things fully? I wrote that "I'd rather enjoy smacking the guy around".
The fact that you think that I am a macho stud just reveals your homoerotic attachment disorder....A great companion to your tendency to push people away for fear of rejection.
Touch my car and you'll really regret doing so.
Whoa guys, whoa...the fights "out there" if we battle amongst ourselves the Terrorists win!
John and I can argue about anything. It never goes anywhere, it is like watching a guy on an exercise bike. He loves to argue and I just don't like him. :smilielol:
Quote from: Kern Dog on December 11, 2020, 08:08:59 PM
Nice car.
You never mention any Chargers so it is a reasonable guess that you don't have one.
Unlike you, I'm not fond of talking about myself.
QuoteI never mentioned punching anyone. Do you even read things fully? I wrote that "I'd rather enjoy smacking the guy around".
Tomato/tomahto.
Part of the function of a forum is sharing information.
If you are "not fond of talking about yourself", maybe it is a manifestation of your self loathing...
Ah..very good
So about that Galen guy....
Maybe back when he started, he had a strong grasp on the codes and the meaning of them. As the information started to become more widely known, his services only mattered to the real high end collectors that had more cash than brains.
Quote from: Kern Dog on December 12, 2020, 03:15:50 PM
Part of the function of a forum is sharing information.
And, "sharing information" got you a vacation from this and other forums?
Quote from: John_Kunkel on December 13, 2020, 05:07:57 PM
Quote from: Kern Dog on December 12, 2020, 03:15:50 PM
Part of the function of a forum is sharing information.
And, "sharing information" got you a vacation from this and other forums?
Cherry picking when quoting a post is fun but not always productive. I've been banned for being outspoken and sometimes taking it too far.
People that sit on the sidelines are usually not the people that get remembered. People that go above and beyond get the headlines and notoriety.
Does anyone write stories about the people that follow the rules and never do anything terrible or fantastic? Uhhh, no.
Would anyone know about Galen Govier if he was an oil change guy at Jiffy Lube?
Would you have ever heard of the Titanic if it had not sunk?
:nana:
:popcrn:
ooooH kAY... well since the thread is going this way...
(https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/125200235_2773094436292070_8127869039503160000_o.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=2&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=AhF2EL_Uu5oAX8l8M20&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpa1-2.fna&oh=e4169ec3d6729e2ead31fa482d5c89d7&oe=5FFDB4D8)
:scratchchin: :o
Quote from: hemi-hampton on December 13, 2020, 10:57:41 PM
:scratchchin: :o
Ok well see... if SHE popped my hood without asking I don't think I'd have a problem with it.... :scratchchin:
Quote from: Drache on December 14, 2020, 12:27:27 PM
Ok well see... if SHE popped my hood without asking I don't think I'd have a problem with it.... :scratchchin:
Yeah but look what she did to it!!!
Quote from: Kern Dog on December 13, 2020, 06:10:49 PM
Cherry picking when quoting a post is fun but not always productive.
It works for me
and you.
QuoteI've been banned for being outspoken and sometimes taking it too far.
And violating the "no politics" mandate.
QuotePeople that sit on the sidelines are usually not the people that get remembered. People that go above and beyond get the headlines and notoriety.
You mean insecure and ego-driven like you?
Quote from: John_Kunkel on December 14, 2020, 03:14:03 PM
Quote from: Kern Dog on December 13, 2020, 06:10:49 PM
Cherry picking when quoting a post is fun but not always productive.
It works for me and you.
QuoteI've been banned for being outspoken and sometimes taking it too far.
And violating the "no politics" mandate.
QuotePeople that sit on the sidelines are usually not the people that get remembered. People that go above and beyond get the headlines and notoriety.
You mean insecure and ego-driven like you?
Insecure? Nahhh. I like attention though. I was a middle child that had to do something to get attention. Some habits stick with you till the end.
You know, like being an angry loner with zero friends. When you fall and break your hip, there will be nobody for you to call for help because you are so strong willed and independent, you don't NEED anyone. If it weren't for online forums, you'd have no human contact at all. Things could get worse for you though....if your "Inflate-a-mate" blow up doll pops a leak, you'll have even LESS to live for.
Oh, I found a picture of you from a couple of years ago....
I wonder if Galen cut his own throat by producing those code books he sold years ago? I have a set of them that I got from a friend.
To restate, It seems to me that for the collector that cares more about pedigree than anything, having this guy's name attached to the car adds some validation. Maybe GG verifies the VIN and fender tags match along with other numbers on the car and because of that, prospective buyers feel reassured that the car in question actually is as advertised.
The Ford guys often refer to something called a "Marti report" whatever that is. What do the Chevy guys use?
I met Galen once at the Nats. Seemed ok, was a numbers cruncher when number crunching was a thing. It's different now a days. Most of the cars that mattered have already been "authenticated". True muscle cars were rare even back in the day. Nobody is going to pay the coin to authenticate a 318 Charger with a column shift. It's simple..Galen went the way of NOS parts....the stuff that was is now on some trailer queen. Same thing for Galen.
Holy smokes did this post just return to it's original purpose!!! :ahum:
Are those books of his worth buying??
Sure if you need to crunch numbers. If you don't its just trivia...
As far as the ladies up thread...remember boys, girls are like cars, the higher the performance the more they cost and the more maintance they need...
Quote from: AKcharger on December 14, 2020, 08:13:49 PM
Holy smokes did this post just return to it's original purpose!!! :ahum:
You're welcome. :lol:
I am still interested in getting a couple of those 3D printed plastic tags that a member here was posting about. I'd have a mix of genuine and custom codes to reflect the actual equipment on the cars.
Hit me up KD, I'm still doing the tags and other parts just have gone a little dark right now because we decided to buy a new house and move right in the middle of Covid. Good news is the new house has a 4-bay shop so it'll all be worth it...I think...
Plastic Tags? What are they?
I 3D print replica fender tags for people whose original tags were lost, to keep original tags safe during shows etc. by displaying a replica, or for customization with non-factory codes, symbols etc.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,136550.msg1705061.html#msg1705061 (http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,136550.msg1705061.html#msg1705061)
I'm also working on a bunch of other 3D printed parts/accessories for our cars, just on a bit of a forced break right now while I move.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,138386.0.html (http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,138386.0.html)
SUPER COOL! I recall your parts thread. That type of stuff is EXACTLY what we need in the hobby!
Quote from: Dano 1 on December 15, 2020, 08:22:28 AM
Hit me up KD, I'm still doing the tags and other parts just have gone a little dark right now because we decided to buy a new house and move right in the middle of Covid. Good news is the new house has a 4-bay shop so it'll all be worth it...I think...
Thank you! The car has a 440 based 493 so instead of an E86 code for the engine, I'm thinking E93.
I'm doing a 5 speed swap so the transmission code will be something like D25 as opposed to D21. I have to research the stock codes for the rest of the stuff I changed. 4 wheel disc brakes, frame connectors, seats, stereo, A/C...stuff like that.
Thanks for responding here, I had forgotten your screen name. :2thumbs:
As far as the car shows go, most all of us get a little annoyed with someone going beyond what we believe our car's personal space bubble is without asking. I seem to attract a lot of people who love to lean on my vehicles. They can walk fine but all of a sudden there is a shiny car nearby and they have to lean on it. It can be annoying. If you get super angry about people touching your cars, I'd suggest saving yourself the grief and hassle and not taking your car to a car show. Or put up ropes and cones or something.
The kids seem to have the most fascination with these cars. We were all little kids once, some just grow out of that faster than others. At a small town car show once, I saw three gradeschool boys walking around. They looked at my Charger and I told them they go ahead and sit in it, front or back, move the steering wheel, etc, just don't touch the shifter as it car might start rolling. They were thrilled. They didn't hurt anything. I heard them later in the day bragging to their friend they got to sit in the Charger and the friend didn't believe it. Maybe it's people like me that are growing the adults that go too far? Haha. I just wanted to let someone else enjoy what I get to enjoy.
As for Galen, he runs a business and with most businesses that need to make a living, you get better service if you're willing to pay for services. I offer a similar service, though far less involved but still I volunteer hundreds of hours of my own time for the joy of it as I have a regular job. I couldn't volunteer my time like that if it was my primary source of income. Like many small businesses, I'd be willing to bet Galen invested a lot of his own time and money (in the red) to just get the business off the ground. Support guys like Galen and our registries, you never know you might get a phone call some day from one of them saying they found your old Charger or paperwork (maybe an engine block) to your current one.
Super cool about the kids!
That is super cool with the kids. As a parent who brings his kids to shows thank You! My kids have gotten the chance to sit in a few cars at shows. Typically the ones off the beaten path and often more unique cars. I freak out more than the owners that will hurt something. The owners often grinning ear to ear that young ones appreciate the vehicle.
My pal has this on his '67 Charger...I was amused
Quote from: BrianShaughnessy on December 09, 2020, 06:08:59 PM
Saw him taking pix of fender tags (including mine) at E-town way back. He didn't ask, he just did what he wanted. Saw a packet that a friend paid too much for on his '68 X that was just pedestrian knowledge. I wasn't impressed. I've never wasted much thought on anything he could do for me... even if it was free.
I can attest to this as well. Same with me I drove my 68 Coronet to a local car gathering in South Florida where I live. A big Friday night gathering that would draw 600-700 cars every week. As I arrived, backing into a spot I found, Galen started flashing pictures of the front of the car as I am backing in. Half blinded by the flashes, I finished backing in and he walks right up ,taking pictures of the dash vin and I haven't gotten out of the car yet. Got out of the car, opened the hood; he then takes pictures of the vin tag. Doesn't even ask. I agree with the previous posts that he a has a business and provides a service. I'm fine with that, But, it's the way he does things that angers people. Funny thing is, it's just a 318 car. So, he's probably doing a registry of not only highly collectible/desirable cars but one showing all Chrysler products vehicles. There is a way to do things and a way not to do things.
Quote from: GMP440 on August 28, 2021, 11:43:53 AM
Quote from: BrianShaughnessy on December 09, 2020, 06:08:59 PM
Saw him taking pix of fender tags (including mine) at E-town way back. He didn't ask, he just did what he wanted. Saw a packet that a friend paid too much for on his '68 X that was just pedestrian knowledge. I wasn't impressed. I've never wasted much thought on anything he could do for me... even if it was free.
I can attest to this as well. Same with me I drove my 68 Coronet to a local car gathering in South Florida where I live. A big Friday night gathering that would draw 600-700 cars every week. As I arrived, backing into a spot I found, Galen started flashing pictures of the front of the car as I am backing in. Half blinded by the flashes, I finished backing in and he walks right up ,taking pictures of the dash vin and I haven't gotten out of the car yet. Got out of the car, opened the hood; he then takes pictures of the vin tag. Doesn't even ask. I agree with the previous posts that he a has a business and provides a service. I'm fine with that, But, it's the way he does things that angers people. Funny thing is, it's just a 318 car. So, he's probably doing a registry of not only highly collectible/desirable cars but one showing all Chrysler products vehicles. There is a way to do things and a way not to do things.
If I need help, it's our 1970 Charger Registry or David Wise.
Quote from: 472 R/T SE on May 11, 2022, 04:27:54 PM
If I need help, it's our 1970 Charger Registry or David Wise.
Regarding the 1970 registry....Don't make a comment there about Covid vaccines or the lIbtard owner will ban you without warning.
Really?
I had no idea.
My Covid opinions been all over the place. Only reason I got the 2 shots at first was I was gonna live with my un-vaccinated Mother. I didn't wanna be accused of "killing" her.
ONLY had one flu shot, due to work.
Ive been mia for years now. Im just trying to get back into it cause I got tired of politics and the constant battles with certain members & then my EX.
Apparently things haven't changed. We used to be all entitled to our opinions.
I used to post there faithfully....I have 2 '70 Chargers and am often working on them. I enjoyed posting reports on what I was doing. The forum isn't busy but there are some good people there. Don just took an instant disliking to my Covid comments in their OFF TOPIC forum and despite there being NO rule anywhere forbidding that topic, he banned me.
Quote from: Kern Dog on May 11, 2022, 06:12:05 PM
Quote from: 472 R/T SE on May 11, 2022, 04:27:54 PM
If I need help, it's our 1970 Charger Registry or David Wise.
Regarding the 1970 registry....Don't make a comment there about Covid vaccines or the lIbtard owner will ban you without warning.
::)
Quote from: Kern Dog on May 11, 2022, 06:12:05 PM
Regarding the 1970 registry....Don't make a comment there about Covid vaccines or the lIbtard owner will ban you without warning.
Awww, your obsession bit you in the pooper
AGAIN?
Quote from: bakerhillpins on May 12, 2022, 11:53:51 AM
Quote from: Kern Dog on May 11, 2022, 06:12:05 PM
Quote from: 472 R/T SE on May 11, 2022, 04:27:54 PM
If I need help, it's our 1970 Charger Registry or David Wise.
Regarding the 1970 registry....Don't make a comment there about Covid vaccines or the lIbtard owner will ban you without warning.
::)
Yeah, your opinion.
Have you ever had a personal experience with GG?
Im just relaying the crap I KNOW about him.
The Registry has a valuable app I use and I've bought up several of David Wises books.
Neither of which are arrogant.
Quote from: 472 R/T SE on May 12, 2022, 04:49:20 PM
Yeah, your opinion.
Have you ever had a personal experience with GG?
Im just relaying the crap I KNOW about him.
The Registry has a valuable app I use and I've bought up several of David Wises books.
Neither of which are arrogant.
My reaction was not intended make any light of your situation/position on GG, it was directed at Kern Dog's response. Apologies if you took it that way. I should have edited the quote to remove your contribution and remove confusion as John_Kunkel did.
I've personally never met GG (or if I did I wouldn't know it I suppose) and I really don't want to. He seems vastly unimportant based upon what I've seen/heard over the years.
Quote from: bakerhillpins on May 13, 2022, 01:48:55 PM
Quote from: 472 R/T SE on May 12, 2022, 04:49:20 PM
Yeah, your opinion.
Have you ever had a personal experience with GG?
Im just relaying the crap I KNOW about him.
The Registry has a valuable app I use and I've bought up several of David Wises books.
Neither of which are arrogant.
My reaction was not intended make any light of your situation/position on GG, it was directed at Kern Dog's response. Apologies if you took it that way. I should have edited the quote to remove your contribution and remove confusion as John_Kunkel did.
I've personally never met GG (or if I did I wouldn't know it I suppose) and I really don't want to. He seems vastly unimportant based upon what I've seen/heard over the years.
Yeah I thought we were cool. I remember PMing with you right after you got your hot rod.
People change, opinions change.
Can someone enlighten me on what exactly does Galen do for me? I have a fender tag and used the service manual to decipher it. What would he do with my fender tag information other than telling me what the manual shows? I have seen the services he offers and he will give a certificate but I dont understand the point? Is he confirming that the fender tag on a car is real and valid? Is that what this discussion was about? I never thought of paying for a piece of paper to hang on my garage wall showing the options that my car came with so I dont get this point?
He was an important asset to the hobby 20 years ago when the information stream was but a mere trickle. Once the codes were made clear by other sources, he became irrelevant. Only the most pompous assclown now looks to him for authentication. When you hear a guy say...The car has been authenticated by Galen Govier, that guy never wrenches on cars and only talks the game without being a real player. Braggarts and high end collectors that do not actually drive their cars LIVE for the approval of this retard, Galen.
Thanks Kern Dog, years ago I thought that I needed registration certificate and when I looked at what he was asking for to get a certificate I would never provide those details along with asking for my address? seemed weird he would want all of my cars details and where I lived, I would be worried that one day my car would end up missing if his information got into the wrong hands, like the Gone in 60 seconds movie
The guy developed a bad reputation when he started taking longer and longer to do the work that he was asked to do. He also had a bad habit of opening hoods to look at fender tags at car shows, moving stuff from dashboards to see the VINs, opening doors to look at the tags on 1970 and later cars...If I spotted a dude touching my car like he has done, I'd deliver a swift kick in his ass while he was bent over looking at the car. Simple manners says that you don't touch another person's property without permission.
My cars are not numbers matching rare ones but they are mine and I don't care to have strangers touching them.
The possible plus to GG is his access to data that might not be in the "information stream". Years ago a friend had his Hemi Road Runner researched by GG and he found documentation that came from archives about warranty work that explained why the car wasn't numbers matching...might be obscure info to some but valuable to an owner who wants the history of his car.
I like the 70 Registry...at least they have a tent every year at Carlise