Mr. Norm - Mopar Legend Raw Interview and Bonus Short Documentary

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 พ.ย. 2024
  • Newly found interview with the High-Performance King Of Mopars "Mr. Norm" Kraus. Mr. Norm's Grand-Spaulding Dodge in Chicago was the home of Dodge performance during the muscle car era. Grand-Spaulding Dodge was the biggest performance Dodge dealership and Dodge's largest dealer.
    Recorded in 1997.

ความคิดเห็น • 116

  • @mc-mk9oj
    @mc-mk9oj ปีที่แล้ว +50

    One thing that stands out in this video is Norm wasnt really a car guy he was a very astute businessman that decided to do cars for business and knew he had to understand them to be successful at it. His ideas of dyno tuning the cars in front of customers and projecting their photos on the wall, his car club etc were the ultimate example of "sell an experience dont just sell a product "

  • @dodgeguyz
    @dodgeguyz ปีที่แล้ว +41

    I never knew he did an interview. It’s good to hear his story from him! He had a huge impact on Mopar performance and was the reason factory’s started offering specialty cars.

  • @TheRonpog
    @TheRonpog ปีที่แล้ว +25

    Back in the 60s when I was a kid in Evansville, I always wanted to go to Mr. Norm’s. We used to listen to their ads on the radio. I really enjoyed the interview.

  • @tomcox2565
    @tomcox2565 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Norm a few times at Mopar Fest in New Hamburg Ontario. Cool mopar legend . May he RIP.

  • @bigiron8831
    @bigiron8831 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    Having spent quite a bit of time in the Chicago area in the 60s and 70s i remember hearing Mr.Norm's Grand Spaulding Dodge on a daily basis and I still race at Byron ( rockford)Drag Strip......👍

  • @williamcole464
    @williamcole464 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    I was homered to know Norm, and his brother Lenny. I bought my first car from them in 1968, it was a 65 Coronet 440, 426 Street Ram. That begain a long time relationship with Norm and the whole crew at G/S Dodge. After all these years, I still feel honored to have been a employee of them, will always treasure the memories

  • @toddclark332
    @toddclark332 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Mr Norm that s a name we all know even when i was a young man thanks Dennis have a great Saturday sir ❤

  • @jamesmisener3006
    @jamesmisener3006 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Find your niche and run with it.
    It took Norm 8 years or so to find his.
    He was a distant legend in magazines in my day. Cheers 🇨🇦

  • @watchman11000
    @watchman11000 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    What a cool down to earth guy, stayed humble in his success.

  • @MacBolden
    @MacBolden ปีที่แล้ว +27

    That was a very enjoyable interview. I've heard of and somewhat idolized "Mr. Norm" for about as long as I've been a car junkie. Great job by the interviewer, and the guest delivered some great insight regarding his roots and business world. Thank you!

    • @brody.4098
      @brody.4098 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I think the interviewer might be Kevin Oeste, but I'm not sure.

    • @MacBolden
      @MacBolden ปีที่แล้ว

      @@brody.4098 I've seen Kevin in other interviews and didn't put it together. Thank you for answering. Regardless, he (IMO) directed the interview in a way to extract answers to questions that I've always thought about asking if I'd had the opportunity. Again, great job!

  • @hausf.kartreit1111
    @hausf.kartreit1111 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    WowIt's great to finally see who Mr Norm was👍🍺🤳Legendary Man✌️🤠🌵

  • @kadillacdeville
    @kadillacdeville ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Great honest down to earth interview with a legend.

  • @barryknodel9654
    @barryknodel9654 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Always wanted to meet & speak with Norm, and listen to his wisdom. His love for creating relationships was awesome. Thank you Dennis, for this episode

  • @johnkufeldt3564
    @johnkufeldt3564 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Great interview. Cheers from Canada.

  • @lewis730
    @lewis730 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Oh man, what a businessman. Great interview!

  • @jasonjhuber
    @jasonjhuber ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This is a wonderful interview. A TRUE Car Guy’s Car Guy!! 😎
    Thanks for the (American) dreams and memories sir, and God bless you. 🇺🇸

    • @jasonjhuber
      @jasonjhuber ปีที่แล้ว

      Dennis: Now do Gary Dyer!!… 😉

  • @THROTTLEPOWER
    @THROTTLEPOWER ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Oh wow, love this!!!!!!!!!! 👍👍

  • @jobamasux
    @jobamasux ปีที่แล้ว +5

    If you grew up in Chicago , you will remember Schmerler Ford and the singing Ford man and Mr Norm!

  • @extramile150
    @extramile150 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    excellent stuff...between Gary Dyer and Mr. Norm, MOPAR thrived, and they actually were the forerunners of the blown funny cars along with Arnie Beswick. They lived for match racing and the fans ate it up.

  • @marioncobaretti2280
    @marioncobaretti2280 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    What an incredible dude

  • @gregsimon9061
    @gregsimon9061 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Great memories of Mr Norms

  • @paulwest4755
    @paulwest4755 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Fantastic interview, sure glad i watched it. ❤

  • @terryenyart5838
    @terryenyart5838 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I bought Gary's SuperFlow dyno & was honored to meet Gary & his employees. They treated me great & I was impressed with Gary's shop & equipment to make blowers. I would be honored to me Norm as well. Great people. Arbie Beswick is another gentleman I've met and enjoyed meeting.

  • @jamesemmeneckersr.1875
    @jamesemmeneckersr.1875 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This is an awesome interview

  • @The_R-n-I_Guy
    @The_R-n-I_Guy ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Wow. Its a shame that you can't do anything like this today. The car and racing community isn't for the poor anymore. A guy like me with a decent job could buy at least one new car. And go racing at least once a month. Today, no way. You've gotta be rich to do anything now

  • @Spectre-y5u
    @Spectre-y5u ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Mr. Norm was very dapper with glasses that matched his tie.

  • @GTP427cobra
    @GTP427cobra ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I live in Alabama and I remember listing to WLS Chicago at night and advertise MR. NORM Grind Spalding Dodge

    • @charleshaggard4341
      @charleshaggard4341 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      We listened to WLS all the way south to Etexas.

  • @LongIslandMopars
    @LongIslandMopars ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Buddy of mine bought an original Grand Spaulding Dodge custom van. Oh the stories that shag carpet can tell.....

  • @madmanmechanic8847
    @madmanmechanic8847 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Wow I am so blown away how grounded he was so real no ego no BS just a real down to earth gear head. I wish we had people like that now. People are so freaking cold now and just want to be left alone and dont want to talk. I would of loved to meet him

    • @MyClassicCarTV
      @MyClassicCarTV  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Norm was a really cool guy!

  • @scottbrown7415
    @scottbrown7415 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    A genuine legend right there! Mr.Norm is proof that if you actually did it, "it ain't bragging!"

  • @Gregorybridgewater
    @Gregorybridgewater 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Amazing interview! How awesome would it have been to have grown up during those times!

  • @lisafeuerreiter6822
    @lisafeuerreiter6822 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    The engineers were right with what they said about the 383 not fitting, this was because the motor and box were set in the cradle with all the front end components for body drop installations only. This was how they were engineered for assembly purposes…Mr Norm and his boys were fitting the 383 from the top because the rails were too narrow for a body drop on a assembled 383.

  • @haroldbirge6881
    @haroldbirge6881 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    🏆Mr. Norm 🏆was the man 🍀got er done 😎✌️

    • @haroldbirge6881
      @haroldbirge6881 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Thank you Dennis 🍀 you rock 😎✌️

  • @matrox
    @matrox ปีที่แล้ว +18

    This was filmed about 25 years ago. 1/4 of a century ago.😵‍💫

    • @johnchildress6717
      @johnchildress6717 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Thanks for the timeline.I was curious about it.He was sharp.

    • @farnorthhomested844
      @farnorthhomested844 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      ya i was gonna comment on how good he looks today.

    • @matrox
      @matrox 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@farnorthhomested844 He's dead.

  • @brianandglendaharkin9457
    @brianandglendaharkin9457 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    MOPAR for life 👍🏻🇦🇺💯⛽️

  • @danam0228
    @danam0228 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    What a great no nonsense guy

  • @peterwhitman5575
    @peterwhitman5575 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    What a cool interview

  • @rtraymond
    @rtraymond ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Got to meet him at Moparfest in New Hamburg Ont in 2002 ish

  • @marcstruglia5910
    @marcstruglia5910 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Damn good story!

  • @mikram2613
    @mikram2613 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is just a likeable guy what a good business sense

  • @LesMorrisracing
    @LesMorrisracing ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I got a 1968 Cuda 340 6 pack 4 speed from Bobby Dyer. It was his car and he sold it. I raced it at US 30 Drag Strip. Good old days. I miss that car

  • @sudsysutherland359
    @sudsysutherland359 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Mopar = MoPower! I live in Windsor,Ontario which is right across Detroit the motor city. Windsor is the automotive capital of Canada 🇨🇦 & obviously Detroit is the automotive capital of the United States 🇺🇸 I worked at a chroming plant in Windsor called “Rust Shield Plating” which was changed to “Chrome Shield Plating” & we did rear bumpers for the full size GM trucks in full production on a 3 shift lines & on midnight shifts I’d do custom work for the bikers & muscle car guys.

  • @SSV-i-c-e
    @SSV-i-c-e ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I’m a Chevy guy but no and respect who mr norm is great video.hi from New Zealand 🇳🇿

  • @reallivehumandrummer4438
    @reallivehumandrummer4438 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Amazing intrview

  • @larryb6715
    @larryb6715 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Dennis, how did you lose this?

  • @nickpanaritis4122
    @nickpanaritis4122 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    He was a great man. One of a kind.

  • @davidcoudriet8439
    @davidcoudriet8439 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    What a cool guy. Great stories!

  • @taylormoses5884
    @taylormoses5884 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Now this is mr Dodge
    Mr Norm

  • @MikeJBlues
    @MikeJBlues ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Wonder where the Buckinghams 440 Dart is today and man would we live to see the slides

  • @TheTreasureGuard
    @TheTreasureGuard ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Hi Norm, used car dealers never die, they just trade away.

    • @Shrpdrt
      @Shrpdrt ปีที่แล้ว +1

      lol

  • @MikeJBlues
    @MikeJBlues ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Mr. Norm is Mr. Mopar

  • @hendo337
    @hendo337 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    What's that behind him, A Reg Cab 2wd 318 Dakota square body?

  • @yodajolewis1728
    @yodajolewis1728 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Mr. Norm is the best

  • @uncleclownb9239
    @uncleclownb9239 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    mr norm is the back bone to the baddest mopars on the planet batteries where included .peace

  • @OakLawnSpeedShop
    @OakLawnSpeedShop ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Gary Deyer is a south side Chicago legend. Romeo Palimedes also

  • @stoneylonesome4062
    @stoneylonesome4062 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I can’t get over his hairline. Solid as a Slant-Six, until the very end.

  • @dang5553
    @dang5553 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Awesome video

  • @marioncobaretti2280
    @marioncobaretti2280 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thats so awesome that he is still alive

    • @phillipcramer7936
      @phillipcramer7936 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Norm sadly passed away in 2021. He was 87. This is an interview from circa 1997.

    • @youtubecarspottersguide1
      @youtubecarspottersguide1 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@phillipcramer7936 he lived the full circle of moper the rebirth of Hemis .... str8 hellcats and vipers

  • @Thunderstruck951
    @Thunderstruck951 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Can you upload your old show intro? It had a guy working on his car outside at 1:00 am outdoors. It was a really cool setting.

    • @MyClassicCarTV
      @MyClassicCarTV  ปีที่แล้ว +7

      That was me, working on my E-Type coupe back in 1995. It would be kind of interesting to upload the original open of the show from back in the day. We'll put that on the list!

    • @Thunderstruck951
      @Thunderstruck951 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@MyClassicCarTV Thank you very much!

    • @Thomasploeg1968
      @Thomasploeg1968 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ​@@MyClassicCarTV please do

  • @Merylstreep1949
    @Merylstreep1949 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The best thing from Chicagoland next to deep dish pizza❤

  • @papasmodelcarroom8450
    @papasmodelcarroom8450 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    That was AWESOME

  • @quagmiredavis4117
    @quagmiredavis4117 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Mr norm and graveyard cars need to do interview

    • @MyClassicCarTV
      @MyClassicCarTV  ปีที่แล้ว +4

      That would be pretty difficult since Mr. Norm passed away in Feb 2021.

    • @joshuagibson2520
      @joshuagibson2520 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Mark Worman is a real piece of work. Fuck that guy.

  • @nhra7110
    @nhra7110 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Awesome part of history!!

  • @arneminderman3770
    @arneminderman3770 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    This time never comes back !!

  • @Dcw-rp6ib
    @Dcw-rp6ib ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I had a 69 dodge Dart GTS that I was told was a Mr. Norms dart but by the time I got it in 1979 it had no hemi and no vinyl top was also red with a 383. I don't think the story was true but had to sell it due to a work strike of 7 months. Damn even tho not sure it was one I wish I still had that car. When I had a chance to get it back the guy that owned it totalled it.

  • @tommymcdonnelljr1582
    @tommymcdonnelljr1582 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wish I could have grew up back then

  • @tyronebiggims1613
    @tyronebiggims1613 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Many people didnt know that Norm was a Made guy. AKA. The Mob Notice the pinky ring. A ''good guy'',, Or Good Fella..A hella of a guy that you never wanted too piss off.

  • @BryBry2ply
    @BryBry2ply ปีที่แล้ว +3

    When was this filmed?

  • @mattskustomkreations
    @mattskustomkreations ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I always wondered if the Buckinghams got the idea for “Kind Of A Drag” from playing & hanging out at Mr. Norm’s dragstrip parties? 😅

  • @stephenpoe2037
    @stephenpoe2037 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very interesting !

  • @arneminderman3770
    @arneminderman3770 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Great guy!!!

  • @DJ_Driven
    @DJ_Driven 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Is Mr. Norm's brother Larry still with us and the racer Gary?

  • @captjim007
    @captjim007 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Sure wish it was the late sixty's again and you could go to Mr. Norm's and buy a Hemi whatever.

  • @johnchildress6717
    @johnchildress6717 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Please do an episode om Nicky Chev

  • @dennisharvey7899
    @dennisharvey7899 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Made the mistake of buying a 1965 Dodge Coronet 500 with a 318 automatic from Zelki Motors in Berwyn instead of going to Mr Norm and buying a real Dodge.

  • @leahcimthgirw3163
    @leahcimthgirw3163 ปีที่แล้ว

    Ive lived in rockford for the past 23 years from the chicago land area and hadnt herd that rockford had a dragway, is he miss speaking about byron dragway i wonder

    • @MyClassicCarTV
      @MyClassicCarTV  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      They are the same thing. Technically Byron, but often referred to as Rockford.

  • @hendo337
    @hendo337 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    It's a shame Mopar didn't revive the B block in the early 90s as a 488ci with an aluminum block for the Viper and an Iron block for the 2nd gen Rams instead of that goofy sounding V10.

  • @hastur666
    @hastur666 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    And that was Tony Defeo who interviewed him Right?

    • @MyClassicCarTV
      @MyClassicCarTV  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      No, it was me.

    • @joshuagibson2520
      @joshuagibson2520 ปีที่แล้ว

      Tony DeFeo. Lmao. You got one thing right. All Tony does is talk.

  • @johnchildress6717
    @johnchildress6717 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    It,s sure sad to drive by this old location.Just a tall fence and nothing.

  • @terryeustice5399
    @terryeustice5399 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very cool 😎

  • @z06doc86
    @z06doc86 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Humpy Wheeler of performance car sales?

  • @matttravers5764
    @matttravers5764 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Cool!😎

  • @KyleRich-fm5xw
    @KyleRich-fm5xw 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I have seen more than 1 67 383 darts factory

  • @dogdoc1
    @dogdoc1 ปีที่แล้ว

    Was this at McCormick Place?🤔 Auto Show?

  • @kennypool
    @kennypool ปีที่แล้ว

    Haha , that's what I call it , kitty crack. Storage on bikes really is important. My helix reflex and shadow all have top cases

  • @jimmungai1938
    @jimmungai1938 ปีที่แล้ว

    Mr. Norm. Thank you my first carbs in a 1962 Dodge dart 318 with a whopping two barrel Stromberg on it. Anyway, I shut down a couple small block Chevy‘s with it. I wasn’t gonna light the world on fire with the car, but hey, my old man always said a third class ride beats a first class walk and I told my dad this in the third class ride the first class ride. This is a Jim Mungai from Kennerdell Pennsylvania oh by the way Mr. Norm I have a Mopar performance Sammy cylinder block stroked and poked to five 26 in.³. I got a Kieth black crankshaft in it came out of want to Jerry Ruth cars and I have a set of stage five hemi conversion heads on it very mild cam in the past emissions in my 1972 satellites Sebring anyway this thing runs so clean if you pulled in a small garage and decide you were going to end at all you probably could even kill yourself with the exhaust anyway Mr. Norm thank you for what you did over the years you give a lot of us Mopar guys a lot of hope thank you again it’s a Jim Mungai from Kennerdell Pennsylvania. Oh my current pet project 1991 three-quarter ton dodge with six in a row under the hood. I go by six in a row.Jim thank you again

  • @Shrpdrt
    @Shrpdrt ปีที่แล้ว

    Traction bars don't work on MoPars with torsion bars.

    • @hendo337
      @hendo337 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      They're talking about ladder bars to stop the leaf springs from wrapping up and wheel hopping.

    • @Joesmusclecargarage
      @Joesmusclecargarage 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Torsion bars? News flash rube; torsion bars have nothing to do with traction bars. Traction bars don’t work with semi-elliptical leaf springs. Class dismissed.

  • @77chevy4x4
    @77chevy4x4 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    1971 challenger rt yellow shaker 383 /440 “special”
    6 pack
    To be created in . Is a one in a lifetime opportunity…
    To build the level of hell . As the image says.
    Only car held its doors was a 1970 454 vette .

  • @wildestcowboy2668
    @wildestcowboy2668 ปีที่แล้ว

    Mopar or no car

  • @herbs4921
    @herbs4921 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Mopar or no car.

  • @SixBarrel
    @SixBarrel ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great 🍻