London Inc. September 2021 - 54

Exit Lane
GORDON BALTARE
Metal fabricator and welder
Sheet Metal Local 473
1980 DODGE MIRADA
340 cubic inch V8, 275 HP
160,000 kilometres
2017 DODGE CHALLENGER
RT SHAKER EDITION
5.7-litre Hemi, 375 HP
65,000 kilometres
I GREW UP in London with a father who always owned
Dodge cars, and for as long as I can remember I've had a
love of cars. I bought the Mirada new in January of 1980.
The Challenger is a recent acquisition - I bought it in
July.
I WAS 21 when I purchased the Mirada in Whitecourt,
Alberta. I was out there to finish up my sheet trade, and a
neighbour who had a Dodge dealership asked me if I was
interested in dropping by to take a look at what they had
on the lot. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to own it: dark
blue on snow white, 318, bucket seats, centre console.
Forty-one years later, I often get asked what it is, or
people tell me they haven't seen one in years.
THE CHALLENGER I'VE wanted since 2008
when the new generation first came out. I had
a new one ordered at one point but backed out
and went with a more family friendly 2010
Ram Laramie pickup, which is still my daily
driver today. Thirteen years later - and
countless hours of web surfing and
dreaming - I got my car: six-speed manual,
retro shaker hood, dark metallic steel blue.
Scratch one off the bucket list.
54 | londonincmagazine.ca | SEPTEMBER 2021
I'VE HAD THE Mirada so long it feels like it is a part of
me. I upgraded the engine in 1988 - and have a Hemi
engine waiting to be installed next - but otherwise have
kept it pretty much original. The Challenger is the Dodge
car I grew up admiring in the early '70s when cars were
art. I'm really glad I kept the Mirada for so long; I will
own it until the end of time. The Challenger will be here,
I imagine, just as long.
THE ONE THAT got away was a black 1976 Plymouth
Duster. I traded it in on the Mirada. It had a slant six and
three-speed manual transmission. I would love to drive
that car one more time.
WHEN I THINK of trips I'd like to take, I
often think about taking the Mirada
back out to Alberta, probably Banff.
That would be a great drive, some 40
years later.
I THINK THE definition of a classic
car differs from person to person.
For me, it's a matter of finding a
car you really like and holding
on to it. It just takes time.
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London Inc. September 2021

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