FIERCE muscle takes over the streets when Robert Jusup and Beverley Ousey cruise behind the wheel of their Alpine White 1971 VH Charger.
The eighth of its kind off the production line, Mr Jusup said the vehicle had been restored to replicate the sports model R/T Charger.
“We bought the replica only because we liked the look of the Charger and wanted one, but this XL charger was all that was available at the time,” he said.
“The RT model is rare, but the actual model of this car is not, so in a way it is an average car done up to look like an R/T.
“We bought it basically as it is, but have made a few adjustments here and there.”
Around 14 years ago, Mr Jusup and Ms Ousey attended a Chrysler car show in Albury without a vehicle.
“On the way back, we said we would not go back to a car show without a car,” he said.
“We started looking and found this in Brisbane and purchased it the year after the car show.
“Every year since, we have taken either this car or another to events every year.”
Mr Jusup the vehicle’s paintwork and upholstery was originally brown but is now painted in rare Alpine White with an RT sports dash and interior.
“When I first saw it, I really liked the colour,” he said.
“We were after a magenta one, those who do not know Chrysler think the vehicles are pink but they are not.
“When this one came up and we bought it straight away.”
Mr Jusup said vehicle had its original motor.
“It is 245 cubic inch, bur is marked as 265 just because that was what the sports model came out in,” he said.
“The vehicle did have an automatic transmission, but now it is four-speed manual.
“I do like Chrysler and Valiant, just because when I was a kid that was what my father had.”
Mr Jusup said he had two other vehicles including a 1962 Valiant and another 1969 Valiant two-door coupe.
“I think the whole family is really into it basically,” he said.
“It does attract attention when I take it out of the shed in Mount Gambier.
“Although, it does not when I take it to Chrysler shows because there are other similar cars which are probably in better condition.
“We like to drive it to the shows and back home, we do not like to take it on the trailer at all.”
Mr Jusup said they roughly traveled around 4000km each year in the vehicle because they liked to drive the car.
“Every year we go to Bendigo for the Central Victoria Chrysler Club car show and every second year we do the Bay to Birdwood,” he said.
“A lot of people like to trailer theirs but I like to drive mine,” he said.
“It will stay the way it is and we will have to maintain it and keep it in good condition.
“You have to keep on top of it, just like you would any other daily driver.”
