Inspired by the need for improved racing aerodynamics, the Dodge Charger 500 was developed for 1969. It had a flat grille, exposed flush headlights, and no tunnel back in the roofline. While it won a bunch of races like at Talladega, it was a one-year-wonder in this format. These may be considered “Holy Grail” cars today, which explains the seller’s asking price of $150,000. Parked since 1972, this Mopar will need a full restoration and can be found with a dealer in Celeste, Texas, and here on eBay. An attaboy goes to “Curvette” for this rare tip!
The 500 moniker tied into both NASCAR and the intended build count for these special street cars. But estimates are that only 392 saw the light of day, and per the seller, just 118 came with the 426 Hemi V8, like the seller’s car. The original owner drove it for just three years and parked it with 21,500 miles on the odometer. As a rare find, the Hemi and the 727 automatic transmission are numbers-matching, and we surmise the machine hasn’t run in 54 years. No battery and no exhaust are pictured.
For paint, Y4 Poly Gold was applied at the factory, and we assume this application, though rough, is original. The bucket seat interior with a console matches the exterior. Presumably to save weight and because the first owner meant business, this Charger has the “radio delete” option. And the 15-inch “H’ wheels have survived, and we’re told they’re hard to come by.
The rear section of the car, using the Coronet roofline instead of the “regular” Charger tunnel back, is perhaps the rustiest portion of the car. As such, the deck lid may be unusable in the restoration of the whole car. Paperwork such as the build sheet and window sticker have managed to stick around to prove the car is what it is. At the seller’s asking price, only the right buyer is going to take the plunge and add another six figures for the extreme makeover.
Cool find and another good write up, though we’ve come to expect that of you Russ👍🏻.
IIRC, these were superseded later in the year with the big wing/big nose Charger Daytona, another short lived and somewhat rare car. When one of them was clocked at 200MPH it rattled a few roll cages and subsequently outlawed shortly thereafter.
Nicely optioned. Added headrests for when you punch the Hemi. Sure-grip, console, the famous tachometer, the wheels like you mentioned Dixon 👍 😎 Would’ve loved to seen this roll off the lot when new and blast down the road.
Headrests were standard for cars starting in 1969.
Steve R
The eBay listing link in this writeup has been ended, though they did re-list it. As mentioned, the price is expensive, but that is what this dealer is known for, expensive muscle cars, predominantly Mopars.
Steve R
Holy Toledo, Batman… That’s a asking price… Back in late 70s guy in my neighborhood was trying to sell a winged one for 2,500… Those were the days my friend… Nice write up.