Difference between revisions of "1978-1979 Dodge Magnum"

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The 1978 Dodge Magnum was to replace the [[Dodge Charger]], which was schedule to stop production with the end of the 1977 [[model year]]. However, the very radical Cord like front grill gave management cold feet, and so they extended production of the Charger into 1978. When the Magnum turned out to be a big sales success, the Charger was dropped for 1979. However the [["Gas Crisis of 1978-79"]] spelled the end of the [[B-Body]] [[platform]], the the B-body was replaced in 1980 with the [[J-Body]], and the Magnum with the [[Mirada]].
 
The 1978 Dodge Magnum was to replace the [[Dodge Charger]], which was schedule to stop production with the end of the 1977 [[model year]]. However, the very radical Cord like front grill gave management cold feet, and so they extended production of the Charger into 1978. When the Magnum turned out to be a big sales success, the Charger was dropped for 1979. However the [["Gas Crisis of 1978-79"]] spelled the end of the [[B-Body]] [[platform]], the the B-body was replaced in 1980 with the [[J-Body]], and the Magnum with the [[Mirada]].
  
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[[Image:Moparwikiexp.jpg|thumb|300px|Replace the photo file name and description with appropriate for this car model]]
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[[Image:Magnumxe1.png|thumb|300px|Drawing of [[User:BK|Dave Schultz']] 78 MagnumXE]]
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[[Image:Moparwikiexp.jpg|thumb|300px|Replace the photo file name and description with appropriate for this car model]]
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[[Image:Magnumad1.jpg|thumb|300px|Magazine ad for 1978 Dodge Magnum]]
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[[Image:Moparwikiexp.jpg|thumb|300px|Replace the photo file name and description with appropriate for this car model]]
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[[Image:Magnumad2.jpg|thumb|300px|Magazine ad for 1979 Dodge Magnum]]
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[[Image:Moparwikiexp.jpg|thumb|300px|Replace the photo file name and description with appropriate for this car model]]
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[[Image:Magnumgt1.jpeg|thumb|300px|Dave Schultz' Magnum GT before restoration was started]]
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[[Image:Magnumforce1.jpg|thumb|300px|Car Craft Magazine's Magnum Force Contest Car]]
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[[Image:Moparwikiexp.jpg|thumb|300px|Replace the photo file name and description with appropriate for this car model]]
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[[Image:Magnumforce2.jpg|thumb|300px|Car Craft Magazine's "Magnum Force"]]
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[[Image:Moparwikiexp.jpg|thumb|300px|Replace the photo file name and description with appropriate for this car model]]
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[[Image:Magnummadmag.jpg|thumb|300px|MAD Magazine taking a shot at the Dodge Magnum]]
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== Background == <!-- Do not remove this line As it is a heading -->
 
== Background == <!-- Do not remove this line As it is a heading -->
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== Famous Examples of This Model == <!-- Do not remove this Heading -->
 
== Famous Examples of This Model == <!-- Do not remove this Heading -->
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[[Image:MagnumPetty.jpg|thumb|300px|Richard Petty's NASCAR Magnum]]
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[[Image:Magnumpetty2.jpg|thumb|300px|Petty's Magnum and Race rig in 1978l]]
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[[Image:Magnumillusion1.jpg|thumb|300px|Magnum Illusion and Little Red Wagon Match Racing]]
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[[Image:Magnumillusion2.jpg|thumb|300px|Rear Engine, Wheel Stander Magnum Illusion]]
  
 
* [[Magnum Force]]
 
* [[Magnum Force]]
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====NASCAR====
 
====NASCAR====
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The mid-size B-body 1978–1979 Dodge Magnum coupe in the United States and Canada was an addition to [[Chrysler]]'s line up that allowed [[Richard Petty]] to continue racing with a [[Mopar]]. For the 1978 [[NASCAR]] season, the 1974 Charger that Chrysler teams had continued to use was no longer eligible for competition. Chrysler worked on several car designs to smooth out the current 1975 bodied Charger into something that would be reasonably aerodynamic for the big racetracks and the Magnum design was settled on in the summer of 1977 for use in the 1978 racing season. While not as aerodynamic as the 1974 Charger body, the shape of the Magnum showed promise, and the "Petty Enterprises" built test cars reached 190 mph on test runs. At first it seemed that out on the tracks the cars ran well with Petty almost winning his Daytona 125 (finishing second), and leading over 30 laps of the Daytona 500 until a blown front tire caused him to wreck. However, the lack of factory development support of the small-block Chrysler 360 V8 as a race engine was becoming more of a problem, and in high speed racing traffic the Magnum did not handle well. Petty was particularly harsh in his criticism of the car - before the season he declared, "The Magnum is undriveable at 190 MPH."
 
The mid-size B-body 1978–1979 Dodge Magnum coupe in the United States and Canada was an addition to [[Chrysler]]'s line up that allowed [[Richard Petty]] to continue racing with a [[Mopar]]. For the 1978 [[NASCAR]] season, the 1974 Charger that Chrysler teams had continued to use was no longer eligible for competition. Chrysler worked on several car designs to smooth out the current 1975 bodied Charger into something that would be reasonably aerodynamic for the big racetracks and the Magnum design was settled on in the summer of 1977 for use in the 1978 racing season. While not as aerodynamic as the 1974 Charger body, the shape of the Magnum showed promise, and the "Petty Enterprises" built test cars reached 190 mph on test runs. At first it seemed that out on the tracks the cars ran well with Petty almost winning his Daytona 125 (finishing second), and leading over 30 laps of the Daytona 500 until a blown front tire caused him to wreck. However, the lack of factory development support of the small-block Chrysler 360 V8 as a race engine was becoming more of a problem, and in high speed racing traffic the Magnum did not handle well. Petty was particularly harsh in his criticism of the car - before the season he declared, "The Magnum is undriveable at 190 MPH."
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==== NHRA ====
 
==== NHRA ====
  
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[[Bill 'Maverick' Golden]] created a rear engine [[wheel-standing]] Magnum, called [[Magnum Illusion}] to [[match race]] with his [[Little Red Wagon]] [[A-100]] Pickup. For awhile it wore a US Air Force paint scheme, as he was trying to solicit them as a sponsor.
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[[Bill 'Maverick' Golden]] created a rear engine [[wheel-standing]] Magnum, called [[Magnum Illusion]] to [[match race]] with his [[Little Red Wagon]] [[A-100]] Pickup. For awhile it wore a US Air Force paint scheme, as he was trying to solicit them as a sponsor.
  
 
== Owner/Driver Impressions == <!-- Do not remove this heading -->
 
== Owner/Driver Impressions == <!-- Do not remove this heading -->
  
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* Primary author of this [[wiki]] is [[User:BK|Dave Schultz]] who's first new car was a black 1978 Dodge Magnum with a 360 cid [[Leanburn]] [[engine]]. He's owned a total of 7 1978 Magnum XEs and one 1979 Magnum GT. He currently drive a testified back 78 XE with T-tops. It was converted from a column shift to floor shift, the stock leather seats replaced with modern leather seats, the gauge cluster with modern white faced gauges, the engine is a pump gas 400ci race engine with Schumacher headers and a [[Holley]] Sniper [[throttle body]] [[EFI]] system, and a [[Gear Vendors]] [[Overdrive]]. He's also in the process (as if the writing) of completing the restoration on a black 1979 Magnum GT with an E58 [[Police Motor]]. The XE is a fun and fast car, which with its EFI and Overdrive, drives more like a modern car.
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[[Image:MagnumXe2.jpg|thumb|300px|Dave Schultz' Car Coming]]
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[[Image:MagnumXe3.jpg|thumb|300px|Dave Schultz' car going]]
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[[Image:Magnuminterior.jpg|thumb|300px|The Interior of Dave Schultz's "Restified Magnum]]
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* Primary author of this [[wiki]] is [[User:BK|Dave Schultz]] who's first new car was a black 1978 Dodge Magnum with a 360 cid [[Leanburn]] [[engine]]. He's owned a total of 7 1978 Magnum XEs and one 1979 Magnum GT. He currently drive a testified back 78 XE with T-tops. It was converted from a column shift to floor shift, the stock leather seats replaced with modern leather seats, the gauge cluster with modern white faced gauges, the engine is a pump gas 400ci race engine with Schumacher headers and a [[Holley]] Sniper [[throttle body]] [[EFI]] system, dual 2.5" exhaust, 8.75" rear end from 1974 Charger/3.55 gears and [[Suretrack]]and a [[Gear Vendors]] [[Overdrive]]. He's also in the process (as if the writing) of completing the restoration on a black 1979 Magnum GT with an E58 [[Police Motor]]. The XE is a fun and fast car, which with its EFI and Overdrive, drives more like a modern car.
  
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=== Name of Reviewer === <!-- Replace with you American and give you review below. Other reviewers replicate this section for their reviews -->
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=== Name of Reviewer ===  
  
 
== References == <!-- do not remove this heading -->
 
== References == <!-- do not remove this heading -->
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* Richard Petty: The Cars of the King, by Tim Bongard, Bill Coulter  
 
* Richard Petty: The Cars of the King, by Tim Bongard, Bill Coulter  
 
* Phone call between [[Bobby Arrington]] (son and crew chief of Buddy Arrington) & [[User:BK|Dave Schultz]]
 
* Phone call between [[Bobby Arrington]] (son and crew chief of Buddy Arrington) & [[User:BK|Dave Schultz]]
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* Car Craft Magazine (need mo/yr/issue)
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* Car Craft Magazine (October 1978)
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* https://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=47366
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* https://www.allpar.com/model/magnum-dodge.html
  
 
===  Books & [[Magazine References]] === <!-- list all printed material you got you facts from -->
 
===  Books & [[Magazine References]] === <!-- list all printed material you got you facts from -->
  
 
* Richard Petty: The Cars of the King, by Tim Bongard, Bill Coulter  
 
* Richard Petty: The Cars of the King, by Tim Bongard, Bill Coulter  
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* [[Car Craft Magazine]] contracted with Mancini to create a contest car that the magazine promoted. They took a black 1978 Magnum and put a [[chin spoiler]] on the [[front]], [[wing]] on the back, blacked out the Headlight covers, put [[wheel flares]] on it and put a rainbow Red, Yellow and orange strips o. it. It was on the cover of CC, photoed with a [[Plymouth Superbird]] on an [[Oval Track]]. It passed through many hands. It showed up in the Midwest around 2004, rusted beyond practical repair, with the kid owning it soliciting money to restore. That never went far, and it is presumed that the [['''Car Craft Magnum''']] also known as [['''Magnum Force''']] dissolved into the Earth.
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* [[Car Craft Magazine]] contracted with Mancini to create a contest car that the magazine promoted. They took a black 1978 Magnum and put a [[chin spoiler]] on the [[front]], [[wing]] on the back, blacked out the Headlight covers, put [[wheel flares]] on it and put a rainbow Red, Yellow and orange strips o. it. It was on the cover of CC, photoed with a [[Plymouth Superbird]] on an [[Oval Track]]. It passed through many hands. It showed up in the Midwest around 2004, rusted beyond practical repair, with the kid owning it soliciting money to restore. That never went far, and it is presumed that the [[Car Craft Magnum]] also known as [[Magnum Force]] dissolved into the Earth.
  
 
=== Internet === <!-- list all Internet Links you used as your sources -->
 
=== Internet === <!-- list all Internet Links you used as your sources -->
  
 
* [https://www.moparweb.com/forums/ MoparWeb.com]
 
* [https://www.moparweb.com/forums/ MoparWeb.com]
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* [https://magnumgt.com MagnumGT.com]
  
 
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Change the Category below the Comments to the appropriate category(s). In the special pages you will find a link to the list of categories.
 
Change the Category below the Comments to the appropriate category(s). In the special pages you will find a link to the list of categories.
  
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[[Category:Dodge|Dodge Magnum 1978-1979]] <!-- change the word Makes to the actual make of the car. IE:Dodge. Change Car-Model-Template to the model's name for new Wiki -->
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[[Category:Dodge|Dodge Magnum 1978-1979]] <!-- change the word Makes to the actual make of the car. IE:Dodge. Change Car-Model-Template to the model's name for new Wiki -->
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[[Category:Needs Photos]] <!-- Remove from this category once Wiki an adequate number of photo with relation to its size -->
 

Latest revision as of 23:40, 9 May 2023



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This Wiki is specific to the 1978-1979 Dodge Magnum. Click Here for other wikis concerning the use of the name Dodge Magnum.

The 1978 Dodge Magnum was to replace the Dodge Charger, which was schedule to stop production with the end of the 1977 model year. However, the very radical Cord like front grill gave management cold feet, and so they extended production of the Charger into 1978. When the Magnum turned out to be a big sales success, the Charger was dropped for 1979. However the "Gas Crisis of 1978-79" spelled the end of the B-Body platform, the the B-body was replaced in 1980 with the J-Body, and the Magnum with the Mirada.

Drawing of Dave Schultz' 78 MagnumXE
Magazine ad for 1978 Dodge Magnum
Magazine ad for 1979 Dodge Magnum
Dave Schultz' Magnum GT before restoration was started
Car Craft Magazine's Magnum Force Contest Car
Car Craft Magazine's "Magnum Force"
MAD Magazine taking a shot at the Dodge Magnum

Background

The Magnum was introduced for 1978 to replace the Dodge Charger. It was sold in two forms, the "XE" and the "GT" and was the last vehicle to use the long running Chrysler B platform. The appearance was somewhat of a rounded off Charger, and was in response to getting a car that would be eligible for NASCAR that would be more aerodynamic, something that the 1975–1978 Charger was not. Styling features included four rectangular headlights behind retractable clear covers, with narrow opera windows, and an optional T-bar or power sunroof. The Magnum was well-featured with power steering, brakes and seats; the suspension included Chrysler's standard adjustable, longitudinal torsion bars, lower trailing links, and front and rear anti-sway bars. The base engine was the 318CID V8 with Lean-Burn, while two and four-barrel carbureted 360CID and 400CID V8s were optional; weight was nearly 3900 lb. During the start of the 1979 model year, the 400 V8 engine was dropped from the options list as Chrysler stopped producing big-block V8 engines in production cars during the end of 1978 model year. A performance model, the "GT" had been available with the 400 CID V8 during the previous model year (1978) and the "E58" police interceptor (360 V8-195 HP) engine was available during the 1979 model year along with HD suspension, special axle, special "GT" badging and a "turned metal" dash applique. Technology was advanced for the time with an onboard spark control computer from inception, electronic ignition, and a lockup torque converter. During the end of the 1979 model year, the mid-size B-body Dodge Magnum (along with its mid-size B-body based Chrysler Cordoba counterpart) was discontinued, as was with just the Magnum name itself, in favor of what would become a smaller, all newly designed, J-body platform based Mirada coupe (which also would be shared along with what would become its J-body platform based Chrysler Cordoba coupe counterpart as well) all during the next four model years (1980–1983). Only 3,704 1979 Dodge Magnum coupes included a T-Top.

Model Predecessor

Model Successor

Export Version(s)

  • None, although the Magnum name was used on smaller Mexican & Brazilian Dodge Magnums

Related Corporate

Direct Competition

  • Chevrolet Monte Carlo
  • Pontiac Grand Prix
  • Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  • Ford Grand Torino

Technical

  • Assembled in Winsor Canada
  • Total Sales 1978 ?
  • Total Sales 1979 ?

Price Class

Mid-size/Personal Luxury

Platform

Available Engines

1978

  • 318 cid LA
  • 360 cid Leanburn 2bbl LA
  • 360 cid Leanburn 4bbl LA
  • 400 cid Leanburn 4bbl

1979

  • 318 cid LA
  • 360 cid 2bbl LA
  • 360 cid 4bbl LA E58

Available Transmissions

  • 904 or 727 Torqueflites - depending on the engine

Overall Length

315.7"

Overall Width

77.2"

Height

53.1

Wheelbase

115"

Curb Weight

3900

Famous Examples of This Model

Richard Petty's NASCAR Magnum
Petty's Magnum and Race rig in 1978l
Magnum Illusion and Little Red Wagon Match Racing
Rear Engine, Wheel Stander Magnum Illusion

Movies

if you know of any movies the Magnum appeared in, list them here

TV Series

if you know of any TV Series the Magnum appeared in, list them here

Racing

NASCAR

The mid-size B-body 1978–1979 Dodge Magnum coupe in the United States and Canada was an addition to Chrysler's line up that allowed Richard Petty to continue racing with a Mopar. For the 1978 NASCAR season, the 1974 Charger that Chrysler teams had continued to use was no longer eligible for competition. Chrysler worked on several car designs to smooth out the current 1975 bodied Charger into something that would be reasonably aerodynamic for the big racetracks and the Magnum design was settled on in the summer of 1977 for use in the 1978 racing season. While not as aerodynamic as the 1974 Charger body, the shape of the Magnum showed promise, and the "Petty Enterprises" built test cars reached 190 mph on test runs. At first it seemed that out on the tracks the cars ran well with Petty almost winning his Daytona 125 (finishing second), and leading over 30 laps of the Daytona 500 until a blown front tire caused him to wreck. However, the lack of factory development support of the small-block Chrysler 360 V8 as a race engine was becoming more of a problem, and in high speed racing traffic the Magnum did not handle well. Petty was particularly harsh in his criticism of the car - before the season he declared, "The Magnum is undriveable at 190 MPH."

By the latter half of the 1978 season, Petty and Neil Bonnett (the two top Mopar teams) gave up on the car's inconsistent performance and switched to Chevrolets and Oldsmobiles, leaving independent drivers Buddy Arrington (who bought a few of Petty's Magnums, along with some parts), Frank Warren, and Country singer Marty Robbins to soldier on without any substantial factory support. Chrysler did provide sheet metal and some engine parts to teams driving Magnums. From August 1978, two to five independent teams showed up with Magnums in NASCAR races, until January 1981, when NASCAR switched to smaller bodied cars. Buddy Arrington cut his down to J-Body size and rebodied as a Dodge Mirada, then as a Chrysler Cordoda, and finally as an Imperial.

The Magnum never enjoyed the racing heritage of its predecessors, but it was not without its own achievements. Petty scored 7 top five finishes in his 17 races with the car, and Bonnett won three poles and scored 5 top five finishes with his. Petty recognized the Magnum with a commemorative decal, depicting his famous number 43 emblazoned on a Magnum for his 1992 Fan Appreciation Tour. Though Petty never won a race in a Magnum, his son, Kyle Petty drove one of his father's year-old Dodge Magnums in his first race (1979 Daytona ARCA 200), and won. Kyle raced in five NASCAR races using the left-over Magnums in 1979, but wrecked them beyond reasonable repair by the 1980 Daytona 125.

As of December 2012, only two NASCAR Magnums still existed; one (an ex-Petty car) resides in the Talladega NASCAR museum, and the other; (Marty Robbins' 1978 Magnum No. 42) has been restored and is owned by a private party.

NHRA

Bill 'Maverick' Golden created a rear engine wheel-standing Magnum, called Magnum Illusion to match race with his Little Red Wagon A-100 Pickup. For awhile it wore a US Air Force paint scheme, as he was trying to solicit them as a sponsor.

Owner/Driver Impressions

Dave Schultz' Car Coming
Dave Schultz' car going
The Interior of Dave Schultz's "Restified Magnum
  • Primary author of this wiki is Dave Schultz who's first new car was a black 1978 Dodge Magnum with a 360 cid Leanburn engine. He's owned a total of 7 1978 Magnum XEs and one 1979 Magnum GT. He currently drive a testified back 78 XE with T-tops. It was converted from a column shift to floor shift, the stock leather seats replaced with modern leather seats, the gauge cluster with modern white faced gauges, the engine is a pump gas 400ci race engine with Schumacher headers and a Holley Sniper throttle body EFI system, dual 2.5" exhaust, 8.75" rear end from 1974 Charger/3.55 gears and Suretrackand a Gear Vendors Overdrive. He's also in the process (as if the writing) of completing the restoration on a black 1979 Magnum GT with an E58 Police Motor. The XE is a fun and fast car, which with its EFI and Overdrive, drives more like a modern car.

Name of Reviewer

References

Books & Magazine References

  • Richard Petty: The Cars of the King, by Tim Bongard, Bill Coulter
  • Car Craft Magazine contracted with Mancini to create a contest car that the magazine promoted. They took a black 1978 Magnum and put a chin spoiler on the front, wing on the back, blacked out the Headlight covers, put wheel flares on it and put a rainbow Red, Yellow and orange strips o. it. It was on the cover of CC, photoed with a Plymouth Superbird on an Oval Track. It passed through many hands. It showed up in the Midwest around 2004, rusted beyond practical repair, with the kid owning it soliciting money to restore. That never went far, and it is presumed that the Car Craft Magnum also known as Magnum Force dissolved into the Earth.

Internet

Click for Info on how to sponsor this page

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