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.]

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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!