Ellis Abramson is a business executive based in Merrick, New York, whose personal interests have long included boating and the collection of classic automobiles. As president and chief executive officer of Bramson House, a commercial drapery fabrication company serving hospitality clients since 1971, he has built a career defined by operational precision and industry expertise. He is also the owner and sole member of Abramson Enterprises, LLC, a Freeport-based real estate entity founded in 2001, and a co-owner of the Rockville Centre Hampton Inn and Suites through his membership in MJER 2000, LLC. Ellis Abramson earned a production management degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. His passion for classic cars connects naturally to the broader culture of automotive collecting explored in the following overview of MOPAR vehicles.
A Brief Overview of MOPAR Cars
The term “Mopar,” or MOPAR, refers to a large and varied group of cars produced by numerous Chrysler divisions, including Dodge, Plymouth, Jeep, and Ram, during the 1960s and 1970s. While collectors use the term to describe many different vehicles, MOPAR cars share a few key similarities, such as featuring Hemi or wedge engines.
The history of MOPAR cars extends back nearly a century, to when Chrysler established an automotive division focused on war efforts during World War II. The division expanded its focus over time and, in 1953, Chrysler opened the MOPAR Parts Depot. Over the following years, auto enthusiasts began to associate the MOPAR brand with a collection of distinct muscle cars from multiple Chrysler divisions. Chrysler, meanwhile, used the MOPAR Parts Depot to innovate the company’s lineup of auto parts and accessories; through MOPAR, Chrysler became the first company to provide a dedicated delivery service for superior parts.
MOPAR continues to impact the industry in modern times. The MOPAR College Automotive Program began developing generations of expertly trained technicians in the early 1990s, and the MOPAR Express Lane made its debut in 2008, allowing for streamlined dealership service. Today, MOPAR provides services for upwards of 500,000 parts and accessories for all Fiat Chrysler vehicles. Tens of thousands of technicians around the world have undergone MOPAR training.
However, the MOPAR descriptor has expanded beyond Chrysler automotive parts and services. Auto enthusiasts continue to use the term to refer to specific muscle cars developed around the mid-century. The 1978 Dodge Lil’ Red Express is one of the most innovative MOPAR cars of all time, redefining what pickup trucks could do and how they could operate. A major influence on the later Ram SRT-10, the Red Express at one point held the record for fastest American-made vehicle to go from zero to 62 miles per hour, according to Car and Driver, at 7.5 seconds. It was the quickest production vehicle of its time, outpacing Corvettes running on powerful V8 engines.
The 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona is an iconic example of the MOPAR family of vehicles. Dodge did not use the “Daytona” name lightly and spent considerable effort refining the performance of the 1969 Charger after the Plymouth team’s driver departed for Ford, and the 1968 Dodge Charger 500 fared poorly on the NASCAR circuit. Powered by a 7.2L or 7.0L Magnum/Hemi V8 engine, the Daytona could hit 425-horsepower, enabling the car to become the first NASCAR vehicle to hit 200 miles per hour in a race, which Dodge achieved in 1970.
In many ways, the A12 Road Runner/Super Bee represents the pinnacle of the MOPAR movement. While various Chrysler divisions competed to produce muscle cars capable of the fastest quarter-mile time, none could keep up with the 1969 Plymouth Road Runner. The 390-horsepower 440 engine allowed for a sub-13-second quarter-mile, making it the quickest factory-made muscle car of the era.
These are only a few of the most well-known MOPAR cars. A few other examples include the 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda and the 1955 Chrysler 300. While auto collectors and enthusiasts typically use the term to describe vehicles from the 1960s and 1970s, several newer models carry the MOPAR name, from the 1986 Dodge-Shelby Omni GLH-S to the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS.
About Ellis Abramson
Ellis Abramson is president and CEO of Bramson House, a Freeport, New York commercial drapery fabrication company with a strong footprint in the hospitality industry. Since 2001, he has also served as owner and sole member of Abramson Enterprises, LLC, a real estate entity, and co-owns the Rockville Centre Hampton Inn and Suites through MJER 2000, LLC. He holds a production management degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Outside of his professional endeavors, he enjoys boating and collecting classic automobiles.