1970 Dodge Challenger restored to Panther Pink in time for Winnipeg's World of Wheels car show

One of therarest high-performance Chrysler muscle car models ever sold in Canada was originallycoated in custom hues, such asPlum Crazy Purple, Go Mango Orange andSublime Green.

But of the 54 sold, it's believed there wasonly one 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T convertible manufacturedin Panther Pink.

Fifty-three years after arrivingat the then-Penner Dodge dealership in Winnipeg, that same car was on display at the 46th annual World of Wheels showcase at the RBC Convention on Saturday shining brightly and chockfull of Manitoba-themed stories.

Darlene Williamswas 18 years old in 1970,and had just recently been crowned Miss Centennial Manitoba. She had the opportunity to ride around in several cars at parades throughout Manitoba that summer.

But the Dominion Day Parade in Lac Du Bonnet isone that she'll always remember, and not only because she hadlunch on Canada's birthday with then-Prince Charles. She also rode in the Panther Pink convertible.

"It makes me feel like I'm 18 again," Williams said Saturday. "I'm just flabbergasted to be back and enjoying it."

Ed Funk worked at Penner Dodge in 1970, and he was given the convertible as a dealership demo that summer. His wife Evelyn Funk was at World of Wheels on Saturday to see the car she used to ride around in returned to a version of its former self.

Ed proposed to Evelynin the Challenger, and it holds oodles of special memories for her.

"I think it's a spectacular job," Evelynsaid of Pat Kaniuga's restoration efforts."It gives the car humanity. It's wonderful what he was able to accomplish and how he was able to track down original parts. The story itself is fascinating."

Williams and her family made the drive to Winnipegfrom Rocanville, Sask., on Friday at Kaniuga's request. She was floored by the reception she received at the show.

"I am surprised that there's so many people here and so many pictures being taken. I feel like a celebrity," Williams said.

Williams recreated her memorable 1970 photo on Saturday in the same dress she made andworeand Kaniuga was thrilled to be able to provide her with that memory.

"[It] has been amazing seeing the interest that people had about the history of this car and the fact it's got a specific Winnipeg and Manitoba history," Kaniuga said."I'm ecstatic with the way people responded to it."

The autumn after Williams' original ride, the convertible was soldto Tom Cooper, but on the condition it was painted orange. Cooper would eventually change the convertible's interior to a red velour before it appeared at World of Wheels in 1979.

Cooper painted the muscle car Black Cherry and it sported a beige leather interior at the World of Wheels in 1988 the first time Kaniuga saw the convertible.

As a 20-year-old, Kaniuga was notswooningoverthe convertible at first sight.

"I remember thinking it was one of the ugliest 1970 Dodge Challengers I've ever seen," he said.

Kaniuga, a longtime CBC radio producer, purchased the car in September 2019 along with his car partner, Edmontonian Dan Rasmussen. Kaniugaspent about 1,500 hours and more than three years restoring itinside his garage in Lockport, Man.

Last year, Sam Sanders, now the master mechanic at Canadian Super Shop in the St. James neighbourhood, rebuilt the 350-horsepower engine. He was an apprentice mechanic in 1988, the first time he worked on the convertible.

At one point the engine was a bright yellow colour.

"It's so cool that [Kaniuga]approached me and said that he'd found the car and that he wanted to restore it to the original pink," Sanders said.

Erwin Rempel, who worked at the dealership in 1970, painted the Challenger its original Panther Pink two years ago.

Kaniugarecently put the finishing touches on assembling the classic car, and after all of his hard work, he admits a break is needed.

"I'm putting this car in the garage and not looking at it for about a month because I'm really exhausted from working on it," he said.

WATCH / 1970 Dodge Challenger restored to Panther Pink in time for Winnipeg's World of Wheels car show:

1970 Dodge Challenger restored to Panther Pink in time for Winnipeg's World of Wheels car show

2 years ago

Duration 1:43

Fifty-three years after arriving at the then-Penner Dodge dealership in Winnipeg, a 1970 Dodge Challenger was on display at the 46th annual World of Wheels showcase at the RBC Convention on Saturday shining brightly and chock full of Manitoba-themed stories.