While sick and home from school at the age of 12 and watching TV, I came across a movie; a movie that basically changed my life lol. I had no idea what the movie was called but I knew the car was awesome. I was glued to the screen until the end. At the time I had no idea what the car was other than it had a V8 and was white. One thing was for certain, I loved what I saw. A few years down the track in my late teens, I did my homework and learnt what this mysterious car was. The car in the movie (of course) was a 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T, the movie Vanishing Point.

I started searching for a Challenger, in any condition. At the time, although I researched a little, I really had no idea what to look for, what #'s matching really meant and what was a good buy. I had been looking for around 6 months and decided to look through a free listing website that was basically back country in web terms. The site was www.sellit.co.nz a site I must thank for allowing me to find my dream car. Listed in their small variety of cars for sale section was a small advert with no photos, which read: "For sale: 70 Challenger R/T, white, #'s matching, 440 & auto, Paraparaumu, call.....". I couldn't believe my eyes!!

I immediately called the seller to ask if it was still for sale, which it was. After eating my hanky I asked to view the car that day after work, which was in a few hours. The seller said he had just listed it a few days prior and had great interest. He said he had several potential buyers in Auckland (10 hour drive) but since I was closer he'd let me have first dibs. This car was 30 minutes drive from my house so it was truly a rare find. The car had been in New Zealand since the 30th of July 1971 so was one, if not the first Challengers in New Zealand, which was awesome. To this day she still wears the classic black on white plates showing her age and also showing the new imports that she's paid her dues....

The best sight for me was seeing my first Dodge Challenger (in white no less) in person. It was one of the best things ever. I met the owner and he took us down to his garage. He rolled up the old garage door and slowly but surely the Challenger emerged. I basically started to get the cheque book out then and there lol. Looking around I really had no clue at the time at what I was looking for but going through the details with the owner I was sold. I asked the owner what his bottom dollar was $24K was his reply (this was in 2003). My reply: "DONE!" A handshake, smiles and a date to pay, change the ownership details and pick the car up were made.

Driving the car for the first time was quite nerve racking. This was my first V8, first LHD vehicle and she wasn't in the greatest running order. Lots of quirks, rattles and she was running a little rough. The previous owner left the tank on E for "Enough", that mixed in with peak hour traffic, trying to locate where everything was and a busy gas station forecourt, made for a pretty stressful night. Just to make things worse, it was raining lol. Getting her home and into the garage was the best feeling ever. I finally had my Challenger and in the following pages you will see her transformation into her current state, a show quality vehicle made to drive.