based on early '60's Mopar Logo

Where does the word “Mopar” mean?

“The Mopar brand was officially trademarked in 1937 at a meeting of the Chrysler Parts Corporation’s Activities Council in Highland Park, Mich. The committee mulled over a list of names for Chrysler’s anti-freeze product and came up with 'MoPar,' a contraction of the words MOtor and PARts. Mopar became a brand name for most Chrysler Corporation parts, and gradually evolved into the name of the parts business itself. The moniker was officially attached to a Chrysler parts organization in the late 1960s, when Chrysler created an aftermarket business unit named the Mopar Division.

In the 1960s, the brand took on an expanded meaning with the advent of high-performance 'package cars,' based on the 1962 Dodge Dart and Plymouth Belvedere. [See note below.] These specially crafted race vehicles dominated the drag strip, garnering the brand enduring respect from grassroots racers and automotive enthusiasts. The 1960s also saw the introduction of Max Wedge and HEMI® Super Stock package cars, as well as altered-wheelbase 'funny cars.' Racers and enthusiasts began to refer to these exciting new race cars as 'Mopars,' and a new car culture began to emerge.”
Source: January 31, 2012 Chrysler press release

[Editor’s Note: Actually, in 1962, all intermediate size B-body Plymouths had the Max Wedge package as an available option: Savoy, Belvedere, Fury and Sport Fury. The same was true for Dodge cars: Dart, Polara and Polara 500. Station wagons were excluded from receiving the Max Wedge package.]

1933 to 1936 1937 to 1947


Hence, over time, Mopar became a synonymous term to use to talk about any of the Chrysler Corporation vehicles:   IT’S A MOPAR!   smile!

Mopar Logos
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If anyone has additional facts or corrections, let me know please!  contact Gary H.
Mopar Red wrote:

" Parts were distributed through independent warehouse distributors in major cities known as Factory MOtor PARts until about 1965, whereas Chrysler built 16 parts depots, many of them in the same cities, effectively closing out the independents.

However, they did give these distributors an opportunity to become distributors of a complete new line of MOPAR branded parts that fit all makes of autos, GM, Ford, AMC and even foreign makes.

The national distribution center for these parts was located on East 30th Street in Indianapolis just behind their Electrical Plant on 30th and Shadeland.

At that particular time "Chrysler Parts Division" serviced the dealer network and the MOPAR Division serviced all others.

1996 Mopar Parts Graphic     These two divisions became one known as MOPAR in the early 1980's and has remained since.&#quot;

Thanks for the information, Mopar Red!

More history

“When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (CMPC) in 1929.

Originally used in the 1920s, Mopar ... was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937.” Source

Unofficial Fun Mopar Definitions / acronyms by fans and foes!

M O P A R
Many Odd Parts Assembled Ridiculously
Many Odd Parts Assembled Randomly
Many Other Parts Are Required
Massive Over Powered And Respected
Massively Over Powered And Respected
Massively Over Powered Asphalt Remover
Massively Over Powered And Rare
Massivly Over Powered And Reliable
Mighty Over Powering Always Reliable
Mitsubishi's Over Priced American Replicars
Monsterous Over Powered Approaching Road Runner
More Old Parts and Rust
More On Performance and Reliability
Most Organized People Around Racing
Most Over Priced Auto Restoration
Most Often Passed At Races
Mostly Old Paint And Rust
Mostly Old Parts And Rust
Mostly Over Powered And Respected
Motor On Pavement After Race
Move Over Plymouths Are Racing
Move Over People Are Racing
Move Over Power Approaching Rapidly
Move Over Pickup Approaching Rapidly
Move Over Plymouth Approaching Rapidly
Must Own Pickup And Rope
Mutilates Other Products At Races
My Old Plymouth Axes Rats
My Old Pig Ain't Running
My Old Plymouth Always Runs
My Own Personal Adrenaline Rush



August 7, 2000; revised August 12, 2000; May 27, 2003; June 12, 2003; July 27, 2009; January 31, 2012; March 7, 2012

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