RIDES — Charger a Major keepsake

Advertisement

Advertise with us

The 1973 Dodge Charger Special Edition (SE) means everything to the Major family. It’s their way of holding on to precious memories, but most of all, it’s to honour their father Kevin, whose life was cut short by cancer.

Read this article for free:

Already have an account? Log in here »

As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.

Now, more than ever, we need your support.

Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.

or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.

Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!

The 1973 Dodge Charger Special Edition (SE) means everything to the Major family. It’s their way of holding on to precious memories, but most of all, it’s to honour their father Kevin, whose life was cut short by cancer.

The Charger came into the Majors’ lives and farm near Somerset in 2003, according to the second-oldest daughter, Liane.

When the family’s five daughters and mom returned home from a reunion, the “beautiful blue Charger” was “hiding behind the gas tank.”

A 1973 Dodge Charger SE owned by Liane Major, her mom and four sisters sits on a rural road in southern Manitoba, restored in honour of Liane's late dad, Kevin. (Submitted photos)

“He was all excited about how he found this car,” Major said, “which I’m assuming was in an issue of Auto Trader magazine because that was the thing back then. Even though we had dial-up internet, he still bought Auto Traders.”

Turns out, it was a lifelong dream of her dad’s to own a Charger, Major said, as she discovered a short time later.

“One time when he was showing me the car, he pulled out this scrapbook. And in this scrapbook, he had the original brochure for the exact same car, same colour, everything. He was 43 at the time, and he said that he had wanted this car since he was 17 years old.”

The ’73 Dodge Charger SE is included in the golden age of the muscle car and was manufactured with a 400 cubic-inch, V8 engine.

It has a vinyl roof, three vertical “louver-like” windows on each passenger side, and in 1973 — included a new look for the grill and vertically slatted taillights.

The interior of the Majors’ Charger is a showcase with bucket seats in immaculate condition, three-point steering wheel, and the raised instrument panel on the driver’s side.

A look a the car's interior.

“Those are all original to the car. The only thing that’s not original is the console, where the shifter is. We went with my dad to North Dakota to pick that one up,” Major said.

There was additional body and engine work to be done on the car, but unfortunately in the same year that Kevin purchased it, he, his wife and daughters would receive a devastating diagnosis.

“In 2003, my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer, and he passed away in 2006 when he was 46 years old. At that time, the car was not completely finished. So, I said to him that I would promise to make sure the car would get done,” Major said as her voice broke with emotion.

They had bonded over their love of cars, “The Fast and the Furious” and Led Zeppelin music, Major said, and laughed when she pointed out that with a family of all girls, her dad was hoping for a boy, and made her, “his tomboy.”

Kevin passed away before ever getting to drive his dream car, Major said. “But he wanted to make sure it was finished for my high school graduation.”

The front grill of the 1973 Dodge Charger SE.

Friends, relatives and friends who were mechanics did what they could to get the Charger ready for grad night, but Major said her heart sank when the day before the ceremony, she checked on the car and, “the hood was up and there was oil all over the ground, and I thought, that doesn’t look good.”

Major’s mom tried to encourage her to come up with a backup plan using another vehicle, but Major said she never lost hope, “because to me, having the Charger there was like bringing dad to grad.”

“And as my mom and I were having this discussion, the Charger comes down the road, making it in time for grad. And then out of the blue, Led Zeppelin’s ‘Stairway to Heaven’ came on the radio, and we had played that song at dad’s funeral. We were in shock, but I think it was dad’s way of saying, just enjoy this moment of having the car home.”

The Charger was complete 10 months after Kevin passed away, and these days, Major takes the classic car to show and shines when her schedule allows.

“It’s so fun to drive and sounds powerful. Every time I turn over the engine, I get so excited. Even just knowing I have the keys in my hand, I’m running to the car, excited because it’s a car we don’t get to see all the time. And it’s a proud moment to show it off to the world and for people to enjoy it, the way I get to enjoy it.”

A family photo of Liane Major, her mom and sisters. From left, Liane, Megan, mom Denise, Kristen and Micheline. Photos added are sister Bridget and the family's late father, Kevin.

» [email protected]

» X: @enviromichele

Advertisement Advertise With Us