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A retired teacher and his '71 Dodge Charger – that he's owned from new

Published: 07 July 2016 Updated: 07 July 2016

► ‘I can’t believe it’s 40 years old, for one thing’
► Life with a 1971 Dodge Charger R/T 440
► Reflections on changes in the motoring landscape

‘I think that’s one of the reasons why I’ve had my car for so long – it’s because I have a really hard time parting with anything,’ says Marlowe Boyd.

When he says ‘so long’, he means it – because he’s owned his ’71 Dodge Charger from new. ‘The name was always something that had value’, he adds. ‘You had a muscle car, you had independence.’

This R/T appears to have stood the test of time well, too – no doubt due to Boyd’s fastidious care. Even by today’s standards, the 440 Magnum-powered Dodge is no slouch. If it’s still as healthy as it looks and sounds, it’ll be capable of dispatching the 0-60mph sprint in around 7.0sec – which isn’t half bad, considering its kerb weight knocks on the door of 1750kg.

‘I can’t believe its 40 years old, for one thing,’ notes Boyd. ‘The fact that automobiles don’t have a lot of character any more and that they don’t change their appearance drastically over maybe a seven-year cycle says a lot about keeping a nice-looking older car.’

Watch the video above, from ALCHEMYcreative, to find out more. Got a similar tale? Tell us about it in the comments section below…

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By Lewis Kingston

Formerly of this parish. Inveterate car buyer and seller; currently owner of a '68 Charger project car

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