A ‘thrilling’ drive down memory lane

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This article was published 25/03/2023 (988 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

All eyes were on Darlene Williams Saturday afternoon, as she climbed into the back seat of a pink 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T convertible.

The Miss Centennial Manitoba flashed a smile and a wave, garnering a crack of applause inside the RBC Convention Centre, where hundreds gathered for the Piston Ring’s 46th annual World of Wheels showcase.

It was a reunion 53 years in the making.

“It’s kind of thrilling. I feel like I am 18 again,” said Williams, 71.

“I can’t believe it’s happening to me, even after all these years. I mean, I’ve got my grandchildren here watching,” she said, gesturing into the crowd.

More than five decades ago, Williams posed for the same photos, in the same car, wearing the same dress.

On July 1, 1970, she rode in the back seat of the “Panther Pink” performance car as it cruised through the streets of Lac Du Bonnet during the Dominion Day parade.

Then 18 years old, Williams had just won the Miss Centennial Manitoba pageant, cementing herself as provincial royalty.

Earning the title was no easy feat.

The contest was arranged in honour of the Manitoba’s 100th anniversary. Winning required Williams (then known by her maiden name of Meyer) to write a speech, sew a centennial-themed dress and complete an exam about the province.

For her efforts, she was rewarded with $500, a set of luggage and a golden purse. The victory also earned her a Miss Centennial sash and a lunch with now-King Charles, who was then Prince of Wales.

Charles met with Williams and four other youths inside Winnipeg’s Centennial Concert Hall.

“The whole entourage was coming, and I was at the table already. (Staff) told us we had to curtsy, and not to speak to anybody unless they spoke to us, but anyways, (Charles) came straight to me and asked, ‘Where’s that music coming from?’” Williams said, remembering how she didn’t know what to say.

“It was kind of neat.”

During the meal, the prince accidentally spilled his peas, showing he was just like everybody else, Williams said.

Now living in Rocanville, Sask., Williams returned to Manitoba at the behest of Pat Kaniuga, who spent the last three years restoring the Challenger.

Kaniuga co-owns the vehicle alongside his best friend, Daniel Rasmussen.

The men finished the project on March 21, just days before the weekend showcase.

“It’s all about the people, not the cars… I like uncovering the stories,” Kaniuga said. “If (only) these cars could talk.”

Kaniuga works as a radio producer for CBC Radio and used his 30 years of journalism experience to research the vehicle’s history, recounting it in detail Saturday.

Only 54 R/T convertible Challengers were sold in Canada in 1970, and Kaniuga believes his was the only one painted in the factory Panther Pink colour.

Only four other pink Challengers were sold in the United States that year, he said.

Roger Johnson, the former sales manager at Penner Dodge (now Murray Jeep Ram) at 300 Pembina Hwy., ordered the car as a novelty, hoping to draw people into the showroom.

Evelyn Funk, whose late husband Ed worked at the dealership, said the pair drove the Challenger through the summer of 1970, eventually getting engaged inside.

Tom Cooper became the first official owner later that fall, but not before demanding the dealership repaint it orange.

“Not many men wanted a pink car in those days,” Kaniuga said.

Cooper continued to customize the car, bringing it to World of Wheels in 1979, 1987 and finally in 1988.

It was then Kaniuga first laid eyes on it. At the time, it was painted a black cherry colour.

“When I first saw it, I thought, ‘That is one ugly car,’” Kaniuga said, laughing.

But something about the vehicle stood out to him, and he kept tabs on it over the decades.

In 1992, the Challenger sold to autobody shop owner Ivan Pecuh. He stored the vehicle for 27 years. When Kaniuga ran into Pecuh at a charity event in 2019 and realized the car was for sale, he had to have it.

Kaniuga estimates the restoration cost roughly 1500 hours and well over $50,000.

Much of the work he did himself, but he also enlisted the help of numerous automotive professionals and friends, including Erwin Rempel and Sam Sanders, who had their own histories with the car.

Rempel worked at the former Penner Dodge dealership and remembered the original Challenger. He repainted the vehicle to its factory pink around 2020.

Sanders, a master mechanic, restored the engine. He previously worked on the vehicle in the 80s, when he was an apprentice learning to ply his trade.

“I love the history that we have here… It’s come full circle,” Kaniuga said.

“Every car has its stories and I’m pleased I’ve been able to uncover some of them. For the 1500 hours I have spent here, its all worth it for today.”

World of Wheels set a new attendance record when it kicked off Friday night, show chairman Bob Chubala said.

Speaking from inside the convention centre, Chubala said it was great to bring the event to Winnipeg after a three year hiatus, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m emotional. We’ve got such a large car community in the province of Manitoba and quality wise, with the cars we’ve got here, we run with any show in (North America)… I’m proud of that,” Chubala said.

Roughly 240 vehicles were displayed at the showcase, including an assortment of snowmobiles, motorcycles and a high-performance speedboat.

World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame wrestler Ric Flair was slated to make an appearance at the event Friday, but was forced to cancel last minute, Chubala said.

Other celebrity attendees included automotive television stars Chip Foose and Steve Darnell.

Tickets cost $20 for adults and 8 for children under 12. Kids younger than six-years-old get in for free.

The event ends Sunday at 6 p.m.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca