Arbutus trees, symbols of strength and resilience, stretch from a precarious outlook towards the bright sun. Below, the Saanich Inlet plays with lights and shadows. The scenery is soft and informal until the Charger arrives like an escapee fresh off the assembly line.  

1967 Dodge Charger

Photos by Carson Montague

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This view from the Malahat has not changed much over the years, and neither has Mike's 1967 Dodge Charger. After almost five decades, its odometer displays 90,000 original miles—36,000 of those added by Mike after his name went on the title. Living on an island has its perks. Mike's smile lasted longer than the 15 minutes it took to transport the Charger from the seller's residence in Sidney, British Columbia, to its new home 12 kilometres away in the province's capital city, Victoria. 

From the start, Mike knew the first-gen Charger needed paintwork. The extreme coastal weather had taken its toll on the exterior. Luckily, GT Craftsman Collision, formerly GT Collision Centre, was willing to do the painstaking work, carefully restoring the Charger to its original silver paint with blue undertones without dismantling the entire vehicle. 



As the owner of Midnight Mike's Automotive on Vancouver Island, an automobile towing and recovery business, Mike drives for a living. The Charger is his off-the-clock vehicle with spirit to spare. With C-H-A-R-G-E-R boldly emblazoned across the length of the backup lenses, hidden headlight grille, and swept coupe lines, the MOPAR full-size fastback is classy from every angle.   

The restoration work is almost complete. Only a few minor interior details await Mike's attention, but they don't matter. Mike is driving. The throttle opens, the Charger accelerates, and the 383 stroker screams, releasing a part of its mechanical soul. Like the Arbutus trees framing the Saanich Inlet view, this car has resisted the elements and shed its skin to be born again on a beautiful sunny day.  

If you are looking forward to spending more days in the sun, Lordco Auto Parts is ready to help you make the most of that time. We offer more than auto parts, including camping furniture, coolers, and shelters. Throw a KUMA Aurora Heated Chair in the back of your car or RV and enjoy the outdoors in comfort and style. When the sun sets, control the chair's DuoHeat System by Bluetooth to warm your lower back and seat or set up a mess-less portable fire pit for additional warmth and ambience.   

Need ideas for hauling your summer toys? Look at our bike or roof rack inventory, including SeaSucker vacuum suction racks. Seasucker racks require no tools to install and are incredibly secure. Chasing the sun in an RV? Pick up freshwater, sanitation, levelling or other RV essentials with one stop at any of our locations.



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