Dodge Charger has to have 'bumblebee' stripes

Ron Kohnert's car ownership experiences started when he was just 15 years old. He purchased a cream-colored 1954 Ford.

“I bought it for $75,” the Palatine resident said. Eager to get modifying, the youngster spray-painted it black. That Christmas he received a nice surprise from his parents.

“I came downstairs and under the tree were four baby moon hubcaps,” he said. “It was one of the best presents.”

That passion for all things four-wheeled quickly led to many more cars passing through his hands. By the time he had reached his mid-20s, he had owned more than 20 makes and models. While the badges of were quite diverse, two favorites that readily stood out were Mopars.

The first arrived in 1970. Kohnert was cruising by Des Plaines Chrysler Plymouth when a 1968 Charger displayed up on ramps grabbed his attention.

“The bumblebee stripe stood out and made it look like a race car,” Kohnert said. Plunking down $1,800 made him the new proud owner. That was until 1970 when he spied a white 1968 Charger. He purchased that vehicle and soon was a Charger lover for life.

“They are such sporty cars with their long, slender bodies,” said Kohnert. The passion was hot and endured until 2002 when his next Charger arrived on the scene.

While watching the drag races at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Kohnert bumped into a co-worker who offered to help him look for a new project car. The pair set spent months scouring the area. He eventually located a 1973 Dodge Charger SE in New Lennox.

A previous owner had it sitting in a garage for 14 years and the owner at the time had begun, but not finished, a full overhaul.

The thrill of getting back into the muscle-car hobby stirred something up in Kohnert again. For 15 years prior to the purchase, Kohnert had driven solely Lincoln Continentals.

“This Charger really renewed my love for the old times and some of my fondest years,” he said.

Drawing on some of those memories, Kohnert incorporated details into this new project. “Many of my early cars had the BF Goodrich tires with raised lettering. As kids, we couldn't afford the Cragar wheels to go with them,” Kohnert said.

Now, with deeper pockets, he made sure to have a set installed.

Another design element he likes is wrapped around the rear of the vehicle. The previous owner had custom “bumblebee” stripes created and installed. Kohnert had the vehicle repainted but tracked down the printer to have the stripes crafted once again.

“My '68 Charger was my favorite car. Its white stripe was my favorite feature.”

This later Charger also received such new things as a four-barrel carburetor, rear quarter panels and interior deck lid. The project was wrapped up in 2004.

“The car has a distinct style to it. People either love it or hate it,” Kohnert said.

While the lifelong enthusiast is certainly satisfied with the Charger, if given the chance, he'd readily swap it but only for one particular vehicle.

“If I could, I'd trade it in a heartbeat to have my '68 back.”

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