BURGERS, BREWS, BIKES AND BEAUTIFUL CARS

RK Motors Charlotte is pleased to join American Roadside restaurant in celebrating the grand opening of its South Park Charlotte location on Saturday, June 9^th from 11am – 9pm. Come spend your Saturday with all day food and drink specials, live music from local bands including the Blue Dogs, giveaways and classic cars from RK Motors Charlotte.

Burgers, brew, bikes, and bad a** cars. What a great way to spend the weekend!

Join the fun! We invite you to join us with your own classic or collector car. There will be limited display space so, if you’d like to show off your ride, send us an email at marketing@rkmotorscharlotte.com as soon as possible to reserve your spot. All makes and models are welcome.

RK MOTORS TO RESTORE LAST HEMI

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 23, 2012 – RK Motors, one of the nation’s premier restorers, re-sellers and builders of classic, muscle and high-performance cars, has begun one of the most significant restorations in the classic car hobby – a complete, nut-and-bolt refurbishment of The Last HEMI car to roll off any Chrysler production line during the 1960s-‘70s muscle car era. The legendary HEMI-equipped 1971 Dodge Charger R/T will undergo a complete and detailed frame-off restoration by the expert hands of RK Motors Restoration team in Mentor, Ohio. Sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts and Passport Transport, the completed project will be unveiled at the Mega Mopar Action Show on Sept. 22-23, 2012, at Virginia Motorsports Park.

“Our team is honored to restore such a significant piece of automotive history,” said Joe Carroll, president and CEO of RK Motors Charlotte. “The current owner wants his HEMI to leave our facility in factory-fresh condition. We’re committed to exceeding those expectations. With decades of combined professional experience, there isn’t a better restoration shop in the country to handle such a special project.”

The story of this ‘71 Dodge Charger R/T HEMI starts at Glavic Dodge in Wickliffe, Ohio. A customer special-ordered the HEMI from Chrysler’s Lynch Road assembly plant in Detroit. Years later, 14-year-old Joe Angelucci spotted the HEMI languishing in a garage and immediately fell in love with it. After years of trying to buy it, Angelucci finally was able to own his dream vehicle in 1991.

“This HEMI is a legend,” noted Angelucci. “Its historical significance has made it very exciting to own and enjoy. When I was searching for a restoration team to bring this incredible piece of machinery back to life, there was no question. RK Motors will do an exceptional job because the staff truly cares about automobiles and are passionate enthusiasts like me. The Last HEMI will be re-built exactly as it would have rolled off the assembly line in 1971. This time it will be hand-built, not assembly-line built, and come with every HEMI sticker and badge available for authenticity.”

The white Charger R/T includes two well-preserved broadcast sheets and fender tag. These prove that it was the last Hemi car built by Chrysler, as it was built a full two weeks after the nearest late 1971 HEMI car.

To follow the restoration of The Last HEMI, enthusiasts can visit TheLastHEMI.com or watch “Cruise-In” television show, seen on Fox Sports Ohio and Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. All 20 episodes will feature a segment on The Last HEMI project, following it from beginning to end.

Those interested in learning more about RK Motors Charlotte, its restoration shop or the vehicles available in the company’s inventory, can visit www.rkmotorscharlotte.com or call (704) 596-5211.

About RK Motors Charlotte

RK Motors Charlotte is the country’s leading retailer of investment-grade classic and collector cars. Founded in 2010 by Robert Kauffman, co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, and Joseph M. Carroll, founder of Best of Show Automotive, RK Motors Charlotte’s 80,000 sq./ft. facility features a 200-vehicle, state-of-the-art showroom complete with digital media studio, full restoration / customization shop and a full service area. Additional information is available at www.RKMotorsCharlotte.com. Media can contact Jennifer Pullen at (713) 855-9312 or at jpullen@tprm.com.

The Last HEMI Arrives at RK Motors Restoration

The Last HEMI arrived at the RK Motors Restoration facility in Mentor, Ohio. Though it came in on a trailer as most of our projects do, it was anything but non-operational. In fact, the owner backed the car out, hit the Air Grabber switch and proceeded to do one hellacious burnout in our parking lot. Check out this video!

“CRUISE-IN” TELEVISION SHOW TO FEATURE RK MOTORS CHARLOTTE’S RESTORATION OF THE LAST HEMI

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 17, 2012 – RK Motors Charlotte, one of the nation’s premier restorers, re-sellers and builders of classic, muscle and high-performance cars, will team up with “Cruise-In” television series, seen on Fox Sports Ohio and Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, starting May 21, and running until mid-September, to take viewers on a trip down memory lane. Hosted by Jeff Phelps, each “Cruise-In” episode will feature car events, as well as coverage of RK Motors Charlotte’s restoration of a 1971 Dodge Charger R/T HEMI, the last production HEMI ever built.

“Every car has a story, and the team at ‘Cruise-In’ gets to the heart and soul of these stories in a fun and exciting way,” said Joe Carroll, RK Motors Charlotte president and CEO. “We anticipate this restoration will be a great reason for enthusiasts to tune in and watch every episode. This ‘71 Dodge is a time capsule with an amazing story that enthusiasts won’t want to miss.”

The story of The Last HEMI starts at Glavic Dodge in Wickliffe, Ohio, in 1971. A customer special-ordered the HEMI from Chrysler’s Lynch Road assembly plant in Detroit. Now the expert team at RK Motors Restoration is bringing it back to better-than-new condition, and “Cruise-In” will capture the incredible story from beginning to end during this season.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have RK Motors Charlotte as the title sponsor of ‘Cruise-In’ for our third season,” commented Jeff Phelps, producer and host of “Cruise-In.” “RK Motors Charlotte has been with us from the start. They believed in our concept when it was just that — a concept we were trying to turn into a television show. They share our passion for classic cars and the people who own them. It’s a relationship that has worked beautifully for both of us.”

“Cruise-In” will feature the personal story behind each unique automobile, including where it was found, how it was restored and more. “Cruise-In” begins Monday, May 21, at 8 p.m. EDT on Fox Sports Ohio with a new 30-minute show airing every Monday. Each show will air at least six times on Fox Sports Ohio, and three times on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. The 20 episodes will also feature a short segment on the last HEMI restoration project, with the series following it from start to finish.

Those interested in learning more about RK Motors Charlotte, its restoration shop or the vehicles available in the company’s inventory, can visit www.rkmotorscharlotte.com or call (704) 596-5211.

THE LAST HEMI – THE JOURNEY BEGINS

In 1978, a 14 year old boy on his bicycle noticed the back end of a ’71 Charger R/T sticking out of a garage. The HEMI badges were gone but, being the son of a racer, he saw the black body stripes and knew there was something special about the car.

After getting some pointers from his dad, the boy snuck in and popped the hood. Sure enough, there was a 426 HEMI under there.

The journey was officially underway.

After some door to door detective work, the boy found the owner and made initial contact. Though the Charger wasn’t for sale, it was an important first step. For most of the next decade, the boy would periodically check in to see if the car was available, even offering to trade a clean 440 Charger at one point. The owner simply wouldn’t budge.

By the 1990s, the boy, now in his mid-twenties, had bought and sold several vintage Mopars but he’d never forgotten the Charger in his hometown. Through a chance encounter at a garage sale, he found out the Dodge was finally for sale. The owner had turned several buyers away but welcomed the boy, remembering the years of calls and attempts to buy the car. A price was agreed upon and the Charger finally came home.

Throughout the early 1990s, the car was shown in its unrestored state while awaiting its turn to be rebuilt. This thing was a monster on the show circuit. Luckily we have some photos as proof!

While going through the car, he located TWO broadcast sheets that were found fully intact.

It showed a build date of June 18^th, 1971 – nearly 2 weeks after any other HEMI car on record. After months of research, the boy was proven correct for believing there was something special about the car back in 1978. It was the final HEMI car ever produced.

Though there were already plans to restore the Charger, this new information upped the ante considerably. The owner got in touch with the team at RK Motors Restoration and, together, it was decided to go all in. The car would be returned to showroom condition without the aid of any aftermarket parts.  Go ahead and bookmark the page or visit TheLastHEMI.com.  This is a restoration you won’t want to miss.

RK MOTORS CHARLOTTE JOINS THE LINEUP FOR MWR FAN FEST

RK Motors Charlotte is pleased to join Michael Waltrip Racing for its sixth annual Fan Fest on May 23^rd. If you’re a NASCAR fan, don’t miss your chance to meet MWR NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Mark Martin, Clint Bowyer, and Martin Truex Jr. who will sign autographs from 1-3 p.m. The day will also include music, prizes, and a chance to check out the MWR transporters.

The event will be held at the Michael Waltrip Racing shop in Cornelius, N.C. We’ll be there alongside other MWR partners, with a couple awesome cars for you to check out. If you’d like a driver autograph, make sure to get there early. A wristband is required for an autograph. There’s a limited number of wristbands and they’ll be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Visit MichaelWaltripRacing.com for complete details.

IT’S HERE! IVAN STEWART’S TROPHY TRUCK ARRIVES AT THE RKM SHOWROOM

“IRONMAN” STEWART’S PPI TOYOTA TROPHY TRUCK ROLLS OUT OF RESTORATION SHOP AND INTO RK MOTORS CHARLOTTE’S SHOWROOM

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – May 10, 2012 – RK Motors Charlotte, one of the nation’s premier restorers, re-sellers and builders of classic, muscle and high-performance vehicles, is proud to announce the PPI Toyota Trophy Truck, driven by legendary racer Ivan “Ironman” Stewart from 1994 to 2000, has arrived to its 100,000 sq./ft. facility in Charlotte, N.C. After being fully restored to competition specifications by Tom Morris and his expert team at TM1 Motorsports in Southern California, the famous truck is now ready for a new home.

The complete listing for the truck can be found here.

“We’ve eagerly anticipated this day since the truck restoration began,” said Joe Carroll, RK Motors Charlotte president and CEO. “Serial-numbered as chassis #015, this Trophy Truck is a wonderful piece of history. It collected an impressive 10 off road victories, including four Baja 500 [1994, 1997-‘99] wins and one Baja 1000 [1998] victory. The Toyota was even test driven recently by Ivan ‘Ironman’ Stewart following the completion of the restoration process. The truck was tested and approved by the legend himself.”

Starting with the original engine block, TM1 Motorsports teamed up with Larry Slutter to restore the 302 cubic inch TRD aluminum V8 race engine. Slutter previously managed the Toyota Racing Development’s group, who built and maintained the PPI #015 Toyota race engines.

“This restoration project is special because the men who were involved in the original build of the #015 Toyota Truck teamed up again to make the engine roar as it once did, including Owner Cal Wells III, Tom Morris and Larry Slutter,” noted Carroll. “This group was involved with the truck from conception to rebirth. Now it will be brought back to life by the men who helped Stewart earn those victories. This is an extremely rare occurrence for a collectible vehicle.”

The truck was originally built and re-built after each race, with a focus on winning. For the restoration, the engine was torn down and reassembled with fresh internals. Fuel is provided by eight EFI throttle bodies controlled by a Redline/Weber ECU. Due to the custom nature of the build, many parts, including the intake manifold, had to be fabricated. The engine achieves well over 500 horsepower while producing a flat torque range from 4000 – 7500 rpm.

TM1 spent equal time on other areas of the drivetrain, including the PPI custom-made billet main case, five-speed transaxle, which was disassembled and inspected to ensure no damage occurred during the truck’s 11 years in storage. The transaxle is one of only two that were built and rotated throughout the truck’s race life. A custom made Concord battery was ordered and the correct power steering ram seals were also located, along with Bilstein shock parts.

To capture the attention of fellow road warriors, the exterior was restored to its original grandeur with a paint scheme that replicates the 1997-2000 race seasons when the truck was at the height of its career. A new clear coat was applied to the truck’s panels, while the front grille was modified for the front driving light plugs to fit in their proper location.

“The person who purchases this world-class machine will also receive a comprehensive package of rare, exclusive items, including the chassis blueprints,” added Carroll. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own one of Baja’s most legendary competitors.”

To learn more about the award-winning PPI Toyota Trophy Truck or other collector cars in the company’s inventory, visit www.RKMotorsCharlotte.com.

IT’S ALMOST TIME TO GO RACIN’….

Make a Pit Stop with RK Motors Charlotte amd Visit Charlotte

 

RK Motors Charlotte is proud to join Visit Charlotte in welcoming travelers on May, 18^th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. If you’re heading in for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race or Coca-Cola 600, make sure to stop by the I-77 Welcome Center at the NC/SC boarder and enjoy the festivities.

We’ll be there with one of our exclusive Richard Childress Racing Camaros. If that isn’t enough incentive, other area businesses will be on hand offering special samples, discounts and giveaways to help you maximize your time in our city.

Of course, if you’re in town for the races, don’t miss the chance to visit our showroom. Located 10 miles from the NASCAR Hall of Fame and less than 15 miles from the Charlotte Motor Speedway, our 36,000 sq./ft. showroom is the perfect places to recharge in between races.

FROM THE SPEEDWAY TO THE RUNWAY

FROM THE SPEEDWAY TO A FASHION SHOW RUNWAY

RK Motors Charlotte joins the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation for the 3rd Annual Catwalk for a Cause

RK Motors Charlotte is proud to join the list of sponsors for the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation’s 3^rd Annual Catwalk for a Cause Fashion Show. While Truex is best known for driving the #56 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota Camry for Michael Waltrip Racing, his foundation has hosted this event since 2007, with all proceeds benefiting  the “Martin Truex Jr. Special Needs Fund” at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, N.C.

The show is to be held on Wednesday, May 16^th at MTJ Motorsports in Mooresville, N.C. The highlight of the night is a spring runway show featuring the latest designer apparel from the runways of New York. Further activities include a silent auction, live entertainment, and raffle prizes. We will even bring some of our private collection cars out to help add to the night’s festivites. We’re pleased to join other members of the motorsports community in supporting this special evening. For more information regarding the event or the foundation, visit http://martintruexjrfoundation.org.

RK Motors Charlotte Expands Sponsorship to Include Fun Ford Weekend Events

The Fun Ford Weekend Series presented by Roush Yates, JE Pistons and Joe Gibbs Driven is proud to announce that the renowned RK Motors Charlotte has joined the series as a 2012 sponsor.

“RK Motors Charlotte is proud to sponsor the Fun Ford Series and do our part in contributing to great events,” says Jamie Wiehe, Marketing Director of RK Motors Charlotte. “From our technicians to our sales team, we’re all serious enthusiasts with automotive interests that extend well beyond selling collector cars. Events like Fun Ford Weekend, Super Chevy Shows and Mega Mopar help keep our business and our hobby thriving.”

“RK Motors Charlotte is a great match for our Fun Ford Weekend participants and spectators,” says Jeff Lacina, Marketing Director for the Fun Ford Weekend Series. “Top to bottom, this is a company full of enthusiasts that understands not only the performance car market and owner, but also one that actively participates in a wide range of motorsports and internationally known collector car events. It’s a pleasure to have them join the Fun Ford Weekend Series.”

“As a company and as a group of enthusiasts, we’re constantly looking for beneficial ways to participate in the automotive scene,” adds Wiehe. “The Fun Ford Weekend events provide a great opportunity to directly connect with one segment of our market and better understand their needs.”

RK Motors Charlotte is also a sponsor of the Super Chevy Shows and the new Mega Mopar Action Series. “The team at Forward Sports Marketing has always been helpful and, more importantly, they understand our goals as a company. The Super Chevy shows have been a great experience for us so, when the opportunity came to get on board with the Fun Ford Series, it was a no-brainer.”

RK Motors Charlotte truly has something for every gearhead. Beyond sales of classic Ford and modern muscle cars, RK Motors offers a unique consignment program, a full-service shop, design/build services, OEM restoration and a showroom full of incredible cars that can be viewed in full detail on the RK Motors website.

“Regardless if you’ve just picked up a new project or are looking to sell a finished restoration, RK Motors Charlotte has the knowledge and resources to make the process simple,” notes Wiehe.

According to Wiehe, RK Motors Charlotte serves a very diverse market that can be difficult to reach through traditional marketing. “Shows like the Fun Ford Weekend give us a chance to not only participate in a great event but interact directly with true enthusiasts and future customers.”

About RK Motors Charlotte
RK Motors Charlotte started with the idea of becoming the nation’s premier restorer and re-seller of classic and collector cars. In under two years, their state-of-the-art showroom has become a destination for serious collectors from all over the world.

RK Motors has restored some of the most legendary cars to ever prowl pavement and those cars have gone on to collect trophies at some of the largest shows in the country.

Lately, the RK Motors name has appeared on all forms of media and even a few race cars. From Quarter Midgets to NASCAR, RK Motors Charlotte proudly supports all types of racing. RK Motors owner, Rob Kauffman, even drives a RKM-sponsored Ferrari F458 Italia in endurance races like the Rolex 24 and 12 Hours of Sebring.

No matter where you look, you’ll see this ideal reflected throughout RK Motors Charlotte. From their consignment program to their incredible Performance Center, to their OEM Restoration shop, their aim is to make buying, selling, maintaining, or building your dream car as simple as possible.

About Fun Ford Weekend
The family-oriented Fun Ford Weekend Series is run by each of the tracks that host the events. Each track creates its own event schedule, racing structure, car show, and if adequate space, will also have autocross competition. The goal of the series is to get as many automotive enthusiasts that have a passion for the Ford brand to participate, celebrate and enjoy the events. For more information on Fun Ford Weekend, visit www.funfordweekend.com.