Karen went to a meeting to plan her high school class reunion and left with a tip that would complete her husband's car collection. A former classmate, who shared her love of cars, happened to own a beautifully preserved 1979 Dodge Magnum GT. According to a video by YouTuber Lou Costabile that was reported by Autoevolution, the coupe in question now belongs to her husband, Dale Lewis, who took ownership in 2025. Costabile filmed the unrestored car at the Chrysler Nationals in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It became the sixth Magnum in Dale's lineup, which now covers every model year of the nameplate: a 1978 survivor, the 1979 GT, and four from the revived 2005-2008 generation. Image Credit: Lou Costabile / YouTube The GT is a scarce find. The 1979 model year was the final one for the original Magnum, a two-door luxury coupe Dodge launched in 1978 while tightening emissions rules were sapping American engines of power. The Magnum was also meant to give NASCAR's Richard Petty a more aerodynamic nose. Of the 25,367 Magnums built for 1979, only 1,674 buyers chose the GT package, and when new, a well-equipped GT 360 stickered at around $8,300, putting it up against rivals like the Monte Carlo, Grand Prix and Thunderbird. This one has a clear history. It was delivered new by Trail Dodge in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, and still carries the dealer's red emblem on its trunk lid. The odometer read just 48,599 miles in July 2026. The Spinnaker White body wears color-matched wheel flares and 15-inch GT wheels, along with faded original pinstripes that Dale insists on keeping. Inside, one can notice the striking red leather bucket seats and the GT's engine-turned aluminum trim, while the trunk still holds a 1979 sales brochure. Factory options include air conditioning, power front disc brakes, and tinted glass. Image Credit: Lou Costabile / YouTube Under the hood sits the original 360 V8, rated at 150 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. The air cleaner still carries the factory Lean Burn computer, a spark-control module that many owners removed almost immediately. Even the assembly-line inspection chalk marks are still visible. This one is a rarity at car shows, too. Among nearly 3,000 Mopars at Carlisle, Dale counted seven Magnums at most, and on public roads he has never encountered another. He doesn't plan to keep it parked. Once Karen retires, the couple intends to drive it down Route 66. Not bad for a find that began with a chat at a school planning meeting.
Liked by Sophie Harris, Kaitlyn ScottLiked by Sophie Harris, Kaitlyn Scott
Liked by Sophie Harris, Kaitlyn Scott
