This 1966 Dodge Charger has been a family car for Lynda Diercks since the early 1990s. It was the first year for the Charger and sported a fastback shape. Her late husband Ken owned it for more than 40 years.
Submitted photos
LIMA – It’s loud.
And it’s fast.
But most of all, it’s different.
That’s why Lynda Diercks enjoys going out in the garage of her home and firing up her late husband Ken’s 1966 Dodge Charger and taking it for a spin.
“I love the body style, the way it sounds when you turn it on, and the comfortable ride when you drive it,” Diercks said.
The car won numerous trophies at car shows in Nevada. When she decided to move back to Lima following Ken’s death, she had a choice: bring back the 1967 Corvette she drove or the Charger he loved.
It was easy.
“The Charger was in our family since the 1990s. He completely restored it and rebuilt the engine. He took such great care of it. It never was driven in snow,” she said.
The 1966 Charger was known for its radical, fastback design. It was Chrysler’s answer to the Ford Mustang, Plymouth Barracuda and Rambler Marlin. The vertical and horizontal thin slats on its grill were also unusual during a time when most cars boasted massive chromed elements.
Then there was the unique interior. It had bucket seats not only in the front, but also bucket seats in the rear. Running down the center of the interior was a full-length console. The rear bucket seats also could be folded down to enlarge the trunk area.
And speed, the Charger car could move. It reached 62 mph in 10 seconds and boasted a top speed of 121 miles per hour.
Diercks also loves the color of her husband’s Charger.
“It’s Chrysler Black Cherry. A cool color for a cool car.”
GET YOUR CAR FEATURED
The Lima News publishes photographs of vintage cars, 20 years or older, free of charge in Real Wheels. It is easy to get your car featured:
• Mail: Real Wheels, Newsroom, The Lima News; 205 W. Market St., Suite #100A; Lima, OH 45801.
• Email: [email protected]
• Include: Photograph of your car; year of car, make and model; how many years you have owned the vehicle; car’s history; best memory of car; your name, address and telephone number (the phone number will not be published).
If you have further questions, contact The Lima News newsroom at 419-222-6397 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.
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