Car owner: Alain Beaudin Words & Photos: Clive Branson
The colour is reminiscent of a Hollywood red carpet on this magnificent 1968 Dodge Coronet 500. Passers-by seem to go weak-kneed on first sight as though seeing their favourite celebrity. In a way, it is of great notoriety, for only 203 models were manufactured. The clay model must have been shaped by hurricane winds down a wind tunnel. She wasn’t blessed with a lot of curves – more straight to the point, and an attitude to match, which is evident when Alain Beaudin turns on the ignition. The primordial rumble sounds like some creature dwelling deep in the dark confines of a jungle. It sound goes straight to the bone and rattles it.
As he guns it, I can imagine a passenger leaving a little soiled piece of humanity behind, though he reassures me he has given up tearing up the tarmac. “I’m too old for that sort of driving, but it’s nice to know there’s ample juice under the hood.”
The 1968 Coronet 500 was radically redesigned from its predecessors with new sheet metal. In hindsight, these previous models appear about as exciting as an IBM sales management seminar. Suddenly the 500 emerged carrying with it a youthful insouciance – more seductive, brawny and confident-looking, with a more pronounced “Coke bottle” shape to the rear quarters, a wider, provocative grille and quad headlights. The design, and manner, distanced itself from dad’s 1967 sedate and conventional sedan image. Even when immobile, the 500 looks sexy, powerful and dangerous and was introduced to compete against the kids on the block prowling the streets – in particular, the likes of the Plymouth Roadrunner and the GTX.
The Coronet and Roadrunner may look like twins separated at birth, but there are subtle differences, though hardly substantive. Basically, the Coronet is slightly heavier with larger rear wheel openings (117-inches). The Coronet brand came in the Deluxe Series, 440 Series, 500 Series and the R/T Series, available as convertibles, hardtop coupes, 6- and 9-passenger station wagons and sedans. The base engine of the 500 was the 318 cid. V8 (3-speed), but it was this Series that was considered the “top trim level” by Dodge. It had all the features of the Coronet 440, plus the option of all-vinyl bench seats or bucket seats with cloth inserts. And just to make sure it has all the accoutrements a speed junkie would have wet dreams over, Alain replaced the 318 with a mammoth 440 powerplant.
“That was one hell of a job fitting that in. One of the previous owners changed it to a 7.2 liter 440 magnum. It had 180,000 miles on the rebuilt engine.” When Alain pops the hood and it yawns open, the engine has filled the whole bay, but looks immaculate.
Alain’s passion for cars was predicated early in life when witnessing his brother’s enthusiasm for modifying his own cars and vans. When Alain is ensconced behind the wheel, he feels like he is back in his youth.
Alain permits himself a little grin. “When I was young, my best friends and I all had similar cars to this one, and I’ve always wanted to recreate those feelings and memories.”
Alain bought the car in 2014 after it was fully restored piece-by-piece (over time by the last three owners). The original owner bought the car in Gatineau, Quebec. He then sold it to someone in Quebec City. Years later, it then went to Ascot Corners before it made its way back home to Gatineau.
Alain has never shied away from speed and cars associated with it. “Years ago, I owned a 1967 Chevelle Malibu convertible, a 1982 Corvette and a 1978 Mustang Cobra. I then sold these cars to buy a cottage for my family. I sold the cottage to buy a home with garage space to be able to restart my passion for classic cars.”
Alain is a big man and his remarks are cloaked by his thick French-Canadian accent. His tanned face lights, up displaying teeth gleaming like a row of Chiclets gum, when he talks about his car. “The reason for buying this specific car is that it has always been my dream car and after years of saving for it, I purchased the car as a gift to myself for my 50th birthday.” And what a gift it is.
Though the car was bought restored, that didn’t stop Alain from giving it his own signature, refurbishing it by replacing pipes and headers, reupholstering the seats, re-chroming the hoses and plates to hide wires and upgrading the tires with Cooper Cobra Radical G/Ts with embossed white lettering just to remind viewers that this car means business. “The hardest part to maintain is keeping the car clean and without paint damage.” And speaking of paint, the present appearance is its third colour. “The original colour of the car was gold, and then maroon. The previous owner changed it to Dodge Red.
“I love cruising around and visiting places, so I’ll keep it in pristine condition until I can’t cruise anymore. And I hope that will be a long time coming.” I ask Alain if there is another car he would desire? “No, I already have my dream car.”
