One of the rarest muscle cars out there is the 1969 Dodge Charger 500, which was built in limited numbers to emulate a more aerodynamic Mopar on the racetrack. Estimates are that only 392 were built and – of those – just 27 had a 426 Hemi V8 matched to a 4-speed manual transmission. The VIN suggests this is one of those cars and it’s a beauty, though we don’t know how much is original and how much may have been restored. Located in Martinsville, Virginia, this hot rod won’t come cheap as the opening bid here on eBay is $194,000. Not surprising, no one has cast a bid – yet.
Though the redesigned 1968 Charger looked slicker than before, its front end and tunnel back glass caused aero issues for race teams in NASCAR. So, Dodge went to work correcting those problems by giving the 500 (the minimum number to be produced as dictated by NASCAR) a flat grille with exposed headlights and an elimination of the roof tunnel. This work was done by a third-party using factory-produced Chargers. Buyers could opt for a 440 Magnum or 426 Hemi V8 engine.
While the 500 is said to have added as much as seven extra mph on the superspeedways, the aero result still wasn’t what Dodge NASCAR teams wanted. So, the Charger Daytona was created next with its swooping nose and huge wing on the back (copied by Plymouth with the Superbird). Finished in pale yellow with a black vinyl interior, the seller’s car looks to be one of only a handful that is likely to survive as equipped.
But the seller is few on words (exactly 10) and the photos provided don’t do the car justice. It could be original, but a restoration is more likely. It’s just too nice at 86,000 miles not to have been worked over. We’re told it’s numbers matching, which helps to justify the starting bid. The Charger 500 model would live on past 1969 but was little different than regular Chargers and sales numbers soared by comparison. If you’ve been looking for one of these rare cars and have the wallet to buy it, finding another one like it may take a lot of time.
Wow. So rare!
I drove an F8 Green 69 Hemi Charger 500 with a Torqueflite in 2006. What a thrill. Two brothers bought the car in 1978 for chump change. They still own it and it is their 401K.
Rare ❓looks well done 2 me❗
This is one of my dream cars. A Hemi Superbird, aluminum lightweight 64 Polara and Belvedere Hemi would round it out.
Love the Belvedere. A favorite model 👍
Oh yeah, also a black on black non vinyl top 68 Hemi/4 speed Charger.
Well… I don’t know about you, but I’m convinced.
It wasn’t just the 8 topside photos. Or even the ten words in the text description. It was the seller’s feedback history as a six-time Cargo Largo buyer that drove me to start writing the check.
I mean, he will take my check if I believe he’s got a $194,000 car, right?
And if it bounces,you’ll write them another one,right?