I recently posted about a 68 Charger R/T I did. Sunday. September 23rd was one of those special days. Here is a brief history of the car and why Sunday was so cool. Pictures follow.
Here is the story on the Charger. Jim Hennegan bought the car new from Falls Dodge Inc. in Niagara Falls, NY on May, 27, 1968. He moved to Florida sometime in the early 70’s. After his passing his son Michael went down and bought the car back with him about 1974. He had a minor accident with the car and decided to sell it. He sold the car to Mr. Smith in 1975 for 325. dollars.
Don told us he fixed several things. Had the heads done and changed cams. He put on water injection because the car detonated real bad on the garbage 70/80’s gas. The tubes were still in the original carbs venturis before we had it done by Harms Auto in Washington. Don said the car ran strong but said he never had it above 90. He also had it repainted. He really did not want to sell the car but knew that sitting in the barn behind his house was doing it not good so he sold it to Charlie in 1996
Charlie took the car apart and started working on it. He then sold it to current owner Dennis Graham as a basket case in 2001.
After it sat in another shop for 12 years I got it in late 2016. I got the paint work done in late 2017. The car then went to Dennis’s shop where he and I spent roughly a year putting it together.
On September 23, 2018 we took the car to Mr. Smith’s house for a reunion. He had been searching for the car at local shows and Google hoping it survived and was taken care of. He rattled off the VIN form memory like it was a part of his soul. He regaled us with several fond memories of his time with the Charger. He had recently turned 80 but his recollections were as if he lived them yesterday.
He presented Dennis the original owner’s manual. In it was the original Certi Card. Also Mr. Hennegan wrote down the date, dealer name and code and also the salesman, John Browell that sold him the car. These things are priceless items to go with the car. So glad Mr. Smith held on to them for so long and gave them to Dennis to be reunited with the car.
When Charlie bought the car 1996 three of us went to look at it. Charlie, Brett Riethmiller, & myself. Charlie and I are still here but Brett has been gone now for over ten years. When we got to Don’s house it seemed as though time froze for a moment. I saw the car in the yard as it was 20+ years ago. I also saw us, 20 years younger, but surely not wiser. After we looked at the car and the dealing part started I got out of the way and went back to the car and did what we did well back then….drank a cold one. I watched for the brief time and they came back and the deal was done. Little did I know that the car would become a large part of my life 20 years later building friendships and memories as these projects often do. So much has changed in everyone’s lives since then but that car remains looking much like it must have at Falls Dodge in 1968. I know I don’t!
The Charger at Mr. Smith's house circa 1974/5.
The Charger pretty much in the same spot September 2018.
Mr. Smith and current owner Mr. Graham.
The owners manual Mr. Smith has had for over 40 years.
The certicard that was inside the rear cover.
Mr. Hennegan's writing form when he bought the car new. We know Mr. Hennegan has passed and am fairly certain Mr. Brownell is gone too. The passage of time is relentless to all things but more so to anything alive.
Well, just wanted to share a wonderful day reuniting two old friends and making new ones. That is what this is all about!
