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IIRC, these were superseded later in the year with the big wing/big nose Charger Daytona, another short lived and somewhat rare car.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
After January 1969 they were required by government.
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
Yeah, getting tired of seeing overpriced inventory from this dealer. Lots of submissions to BF are far more worthy of discussion than the continuous promotion of this one seller.
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.
Hard pass. I’d never spend anything close to that for what is certain to be a money pit. Sorry, not trying to offend anyone but life’s too short to waste on a rust bucket.
Once again, Celeste, TX was the tip-off for me! In fairness, it is a rare beast, but it’s gonna cost at least 2/3rds of the asking price to get it back into tip-top shape. Due to its limited production numbers, finding the needed parts unique to it won’t be easy and won’t be cheap. And my pockets aren’t even close to being that deep! GLWTS.
Struck gold with this Barn Finds !
The asking price is what it says it is.
The unique parts are present and you werent gonna buy it whether it was 50k, or even 25k.
The rarity of this car is over heads and out of leagues;
beyond most the typical gallery here.
I found one of these is red a few years ago and in better conditon, and i froze when confronted with ‘will i ever get this chance again’ ; however, that car did not have this engine.
This isnt for the flippers who buy the S. Drake grade crap parts, slap a poorly prepped paint job and import bling chrome wheels in hopes to double their money.
This is for someone who wants it for themselves, as i would, if it where a different color and $100,000 less expensive; and had power windows ;)
Ya, headrests would be essential, the G-force, wow ..
now here is one of the greatest muscles cars ever ●
As we gaze upon its rareness, what amazes me, is this car was just someones beater in all weather. The snow tires are the giveaway. While it’s rare, I’m not sure how someone could justify spending a LOT of money on this, for who? The “iPad kids”? I wonder how many of these 500s got hacked up for Dukes Of Hazzard?
None would have been hacked up for the Dukes of Hazard, they look too different and were far too rare (around 1/2 of 1%), especially on the west coast.
Steve R
Guessing someone missed the memo on the left side tire studs–looks like several are snapped off. Left side is lefty tighty, righty loosey!
Oh wow !?, thats a factory performance upgrade ?!. makes sence safety wise, the speedo does read 150 mph
Mark and the guys at GYC need to take on the restoration…
this guy again.
As often as their cars are on here, BF may as well give them their own section on here.
Even if it had a 4 speed, it still wouldn’t be worth that much money. The car plain needs too much to justify the ask.
Says you and you alone. Easily justifiable for many people with higher standards than you.
Mecum just sold one for $231K……. easy to look up past auction sales of 100% restored 1969 Charger 500’s……they average about $200K for the Hemi version, they were very soft a few years back, a buddy of mine in town has one with a Hemi too, even he was surprised the market was getting soft, it’s rebounding, but the seller above is dreaming as to that $150K for that money pit….. https://www.mecum.com/lots/1140003/1969-dodge-hemi-charger-500/?aa_id=666175-0
Rare Mopar indeed but it would take some really deep pockets to get this up to show level. Personally I like the looks of a regular Charger more.