In 1969, the Charger 500 became a contender in NASCAR with some styling tweaks designed to improve aerodynamics. That didn’t pan out too well, so the 500 became a variant of the regular production Charger lineup in 1970. This one, originally finished in Plum Crazy paint, is a rough project that needs almost everything including an engine (one comes with the deal). Located in Hollywood, Alabama, this well-used Mopar is available here on eBay where the opening bid of $8,499.99 is the only one to be cast.
Introduced in 1966, the Charger was not an immediate success. It took until 1968 when the entire Chrysler B-body intermediate lineup was redesigned. Suddenly, it was a hot property that saw deliveries of nearly 225,000 units in three years. When the Charger 500 was rolled out for NASCAR’s benefit in 1969, the rear window area was no longer a tunnel but flush, and the grille was flat. This treatment was not applied to the rest of the Chargers and as many as 500 street versions of the 500 were built to appease the racing sanctioning body.
Of the more than 46,000 Chargers built in 1970, nearly 60% had 500 badging, but it was more of a trim thing than anything else. The seller’s 500 is said to be numbers matching, but the original 383 cubic inch V8 was pulled from the car at some point. Fortunately, it will follow the Dodge to its next home, but no mention is made as to whether it needs any work.
The photos don’t show the entire car and not in a good light. Rust is likely an issue and we’re told the frame rails will new attention, too. It may or may not be complete and the interior looks to be just as needy as the body and paint. There is no title, but the seller will include a current tag and registration which he/she says should be enough to satisfy the DMV, but does that apply only to the State of Alabama where the car resides?
This is a mess… The fender tag I saw the seller could of done is wipe it down pour water on it and the numbers and letters would pop up to read it. I saw a L which is a 383-2 290 HP engine. I saw a auto shifter inside but saw a manual transmission in the engine bay. 70 Charger 500 are really cool but is this one worth spending your retirement money on it? 🐻
that is an automatic, bell housing is cast as part of the case. in this vintage mopar’s standards were all divorced bell housings. but yes she is a rat, even by my rust belt standards. i would pass on it.
🎶 🎵
Who you trying to get crazy with ése?
Don’t you know I’m loco? 🎶 🧠
I thought the Charger 500 had a flush head light assembly even with the front fenders and not recessed. Apparently money does not mean much now a days.
Only the ’69 had the flush mounted 68 Coronet grille. As the description states, it was just a trim option in the 70 models. To say this car is rough, is an understatement!
People do zero research and don’t read anything.
That would be a ‘69.
Insane in the membrane, Stan!
Alabama uses only license tag/plate registrations as a title on older cars, other states will accept that with a bill of sale to get a new title.
That’s not a 500, front end is not flush and the rear window is not flush. They installed what they called a plug to the rear window to improve the aerodynamics. Someone besides me can see this and I am not a Mopar guy. But I do know some NASCAR history. People drag trash out of the garage and ask crazy prices, where has the hobby gone?
well your right, your not a mopar guy LOL cuz the 69 Charger 500 is completely different then a 70 Charger 500, 70 does not have the rear window plug or flush mounted grille just thought you would want to know, but I do agree with you on the fact of “People drag trash out of the garage and ask crazy prices, where has the hobby gone” and this hobby is a joke what used to be a nice hobby for regular people to enjoy is now a cut throat lying steel your money don’t care about people business, it’s sad and disgusting what people will do for money!!!
It’s NOT A HOBBY anymore.
It’s a BUSINESS!
You should never has any delusions that a hobbyist still exists in any “hobby” these days.
It’s All About The Money for individuals and dealers alike!
One thing I always notice about these Mopar articles, the guys that respond to questions or comments are a bunch of jerkss. Most other articles get responses with a remotely nice correction or comment. But these Mopar guys treat you like a knuckle dragging moron. Like their crap is any better than all the other garbage that rolled out of Detroit in the 60s and 70s. The only reason your pile is worth more, than Ford and GM stuff, is because less people bought it new, it broke down more often and cost more to fix, so more of them got crushed. Maybe your just in a bad mood because you can’t afford a good example of your favorite car from your youth.
Only 69 had the flush grille and rear window plug, those were what every Daytona started life as. Ive owned a bunch of 68-70 Chargers, including a Plum Crazy/white top/white interior car, but 68 is my favorite year, It was, imo, the most perfectly designed car.
I have had several as well and 68 is the one to have in my opinion as well. Bullitt left a permanent mark on me!
Typical trash.
The car, too.
Money and time consuming pit. Buy one done that is rust free for a lot less then you’ll spend in time , aggravation and $ on for this car.I’ll pass.Seen better cars scrapped on you tube junk yard scrapper videos.
The ONLY positive I see here is it’s a Plum Crazy car. Otherwise, hard pass.
Of course the 383 needs work… just look at the car!
I thought the Charger 500s only came with 426 HEMIs and 440 Magnums.
Dude, read the previous comments and replies. THIS IS NOT A 1969 CHARGER 500!
The 1970 and 1971 Charger 500’s were NOTHING SPECIAL and NOTHING LIKE A 1969.
If any of you had bothered to read the VIN tag you would have noticed the ultra rare R70 option listed. This indicates that this Charger was built with the factory rust through ventilation feature in the floors and body panels (R60 is rust through in floors only.) Easy to identify on this ’70 and ventilation only gets more efficient over time as this one shows.
I did not realize that the Rxx options were rare. Growing up in the Boston area it seemed to be pretty much standard equipment on all cars. My Dad’s 66 VW Bug had the shoe wash feature after five or six years, along with no heat.
Yeah but they floated if not too rusty
A 1970 Charger was my first NEW car and I ordered it through dealer. It had a 383 engine and was fun to drive. The sticker price was $4,700. On a trip back to Massachusetts from Florida in January 1972 both tailpipe systems gave out (fell down) within 50 miles of each other. I was so disgusted I traded the car for a new Volvo the following week.
why do I have a hunch the opening bid was done by the seller?
thank barret jackson and mecum for the high cost of junk imho i still findd decent people that are good on their things they sell, but it’sa harder and harder as time goes on