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Why I do this. #2559796
10/06/18 11:29 AM
10/06/18 11:29 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,060
Western New York
sixpackbee Offline OP
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sixpackbee  Offline OP
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Western New York
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!

Last edited by sixpackbee; 10/06/18 11:44 AM.

1959 Bugeye Sprite
1967 Charger Black L code
1967 Coronet R/T Convert Green 440 auto bought from original owner
1968 Charger R/T Bronze 440 4 spd console AM/FM
1969 Super Bee WM21H B5 A40 D21 N96
1969 Barracuda Formula S 340 Convert pilot car
1969 Hemi Road Runner RM23J D32 Omaha orange 4.10 Dana N96 N85
1970 Super Bee WM23N FE5 V1X 3.91 axle package, N96
1970 Road Runner RM21N B3 V1X D13
1971 MG Midget
1971 Road Runner RM23H GW3, A57
1972 Road Runner RM23P FY1, D21
Re: Why I do this. [Re: sixpackbee] #2559802
10/06/18 11:35 AM
10/06/18 11:35 AM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
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Guitar Jones Offline
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
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in a cattle trailer down by th...
That is awesome. Thanks.


"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"


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Re: Why I do this. [Re: Guitar Jones] #2559840
10/06/18 12:46 PM
10/06/18 12:46 PM
Joined: May 2004
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69x Offline
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Great story, Thanks for sharing.

Re: Why I do this. [Re: sixpackbee] #2559947
10/06/18 05:03 PM
10/06/18 05:03 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
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Hamilton, Ontario Canada
Magnum Offline
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Awesome


69 Super Bee, 93 Mustang LX, 04 Allure Super
Re: Why I do this. [Re: sixpackbee] #2560166
10/06/18 11:40 PM
10/06/18 11:40 PM
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 206
Paducah, KY USA Earth
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jcruse64 Offline
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Paducah, KY USA Earth
WOW!!!

Re: Why I do this. [Re: sixpackbee] #2560211
10/07/18 01:37 AM
10/07/18 01:37 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,550
Sacramento CA
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Morty426 Offline
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Sacramento CA
Who doesn't love a 68 Charger? Great story and thanks for sharing.

Hopefully soon I'll be sharing my own 68 Charger story

Re: Why I do this. [Re: sixpackbee] #2560326
10/07/18 12:47 PM
10/07/18 12:47 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,342
It's a dry heat
gtx6970 Offline
Too Many Posts
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It's a dry heat
Great story buddy.


Re: Why I do this. [Re: sixpackbee] #2560419
10/07/18 05:08 PM
10/07/18 05:08 PM
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Posts: 499
Brownstown, PA
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FJR doc Offline
mopar
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Brownstown, PA
Beautiful car. Beautiful story.


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Re: Why I do this. [Re: sixpackbee] #2560595
10/07/18 11:38 PM
10/07/18 11:38 PM
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Michigan
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BlueRacer69 Offline
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Michigan
Love the story. Thanks for telling it.

Re: Why I do this. [Re: BlueRacer69] #2560724
10/08/18 10:01 AM
10/08/18 10:01 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,458
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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Re: Why I do this. [Re: sixpackbee] #2560771
10/08/18 11:25 AM
10/08/18 11:25 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,321
Banana Republic
FM3AAR Offline
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Banana Republic
Great story! Thanks for sharing. Beautiful car.


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Re: Why I do this. [Re: sixpackbee] #2560797
10/08/18 11:59 AM
10/08/18 11:59 AM
Joined: Jun 2008
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Ball Ground, Georgia
Dixie Offline
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Re: Why I do this. [Re: Dixie] #2568861
10/24/18 01:33 PM
10/24/18 01:33 PM
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schmitty Offline
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AWESOME!!!!!

Re: Why I do this. [Re: sixpackbee] #2568949
10/24/18 03:57 PM
10/24/18 03:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,268
NY
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70440+6bbl Offline
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Very cool Holgar!

Re: Why I do this. [Re: 70440+6bbl] #2570309
10/27/18 06:55 PM
10/27/18 06:55 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,696
North Central USA (MN-WI area)
MuscleMopars Offline
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North Central USA (MN-WI area)
I’m working on a ‘68 Charger now and just read your story. My car had the original owners manual with a perfect Certified in it sitting in the glovebox. Very cool story!

6B63211A-B4C0-475C-B76D-2F7D7A546BA7.png
Last edited by MuscleMopars; 10/27/18 06:59 PM.

Thanks,
Eric
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Re: Why I do this. [Re: sixpackbee] #2570314
10/27/18 07:16 PM
10/27/18 07:16 PM
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,462
Back in NJ....
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EWJ Offline
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Back in NJ....
Way kool Holgar. Thanks for sharing the story and pics.


Ed
EastCoast Land Yacht Assoc.
1967 Newport Conv: 440/4 speed
1969 GTX: 440/4 speed, TX9/TX9, A34, N96
1970 Super Bee: 383/4 speed, B5/B7
1970 Coronet RT: 440/4 speed, A34, N96
1970 Coronet RT: 440/auto, A36, N96
1970 Road Runner convertible: 383/4 speed TX9/D6XW
1970 GTX: 440+6/727, A32, N96
2001 Dodge 2500 HO CTD, 6 speed, 4x4 quad cab long bed
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