It's hard to believe that 33 years have gone by now, since the South Jersey Mopar Connection began.
In the fall of 1993 Tom Sadowski who owned a 1970 Dodge Superbee and Myron Plotkin who owned a 1966 Dodge Charger met at a car show. They started talking about the real need for Mopar enthusiasts to get together on a regular basis to enjoy their common interest. At that time there were no N.J.- based Chrysler clubs in the entire state. So they resolved to start one.
In November of 1993 , Myron , Tom and four other gentlemen formed the South Jersey Mopar connection. The other original members were John Miller , Steve Szantai , Ray Parks and Jim Daniels. They used the mailing list from the Garden State Mopar Show , held annually in Glassboro to solicit new members. By January 1994 , 7 additional members had joined - Shawn Conahey , Jim & Jeff Stanch , Rich Krause , Robert "Rocky" Freedman , Thomas Messick and Dave Waddington. Also in January 1994 the first formal club meeting was held at B.C.'s restaurant is the Historic Town of Smithville Rt. 9 Smithville , N.J. At that meeting officers were chosen Myron Plotkin , President ; John Miller 1st Vice President and Treasurer , Jim Daniels 2nd Vice President , and Tom Sadowski , Secretary. Also at that meeting plans were made to hold a car show in April on the grounds at historic Smithville. At the 2nd meeting in February , plans were further discussed about the Spring Smithville car show , and 2 of the new members were present ; Rocky Freedman and Rich Krause , who were later recognized as Charter Members. From those beginnings (remember no internet or social media in 1994) the club enjoyed a very successful inaugural car show in Smithville , and grew quickly , primarily by word of mouth.
By July of 1994 , just 6 months after the first meeting , SJMC already had grown to 37 members. I would like to commend Myron , John , Tom and the other founding members who worked tirelessly to promote and encourage the growth of the club!
South Jersey Mopar Connection Today
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From the club's inception in November 1993 several events and trends of the times were experienced. There was a time when the car culture scene held a backseat to other personal interests and family obligations. Some members moved on to other interests. The club was inactive from July 1997 to November 2019, except for two reunions during that period. The club reactivated on November 3rd of 2019 with interested members attending.
In 2022 the club which was close to the present-day version experienced two major losses. First was the passing of longtime member Marvin Chin. That was followed by the loss of Myron Plotkin one of the founding members. These gentlemen were highly respected in the local car club scene. Club member John Daly was elected president along with a board of elected officers.
Though smaller in terms of the actual number of club members, everyone remained very dedicated, building up the club infrastructure for the future. The club continued the holding of the original Spring Kick-Off Car Show and added a monthly Cruise-In night during the Spring - Fall season. As club business became more stabilized an additional annual All Mopar Show was added.
In January of 2026 club member Barry VanSant assumed the club president position along with a newly elected executive board. The club now officially known as SJMC Inc, is set up to remain active well into the future and on a path of programed growth.
Our member vehicles are now representative of many Mopar products. Nationally ranked collector cars, collector edition vehicles, survivor cars, restored classics, project cars, and modern cars that will be classic collectors in the future.
SJMC will continue to support several charities through our car shows and cruises.
