Vehicle Description
To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Auburn Fall event, 30
August - 2 September 2018.
Estimate:
$65,000 - $80,000
Number 52 of only 392 completedNicely equipped with desirable
optionsFully documented by Mopar expert Galen Govier
At a time when racing engines were pushing the horsepower envelope,
the manufacturers involved in stock car racing's premier series
knew that, to win, they had to find another way to make their cars
faster. One hundred eighty mph just was not quick enough for the
new superspeedways, and producing enough reliable horsepower to
break the 200 mph barrier was not feasible. Manufacturers turned to
aerodynamics to make up the difference, triggering a battle for
aero supremacy that gave us such gems as the Plymouth Superbird,
Ford Torino Talladega, and the car offered here, the Dodge Charger
500. Subtle yet significant aerodynamic alterations differentiate
between the 500 and the standard Charger. Though the car never
achieved the racing success that Dodge imagined, it was an
important step on the path to wildly successful designs that would
soon follow.
Despite NASCAR homologation rules that mandated the production of
500 road-going cars, it is believed that only 392 examples were
actually completed. The brilliant red example offered here is
documented as number 52 of the original 392 cars in the Chrysler
Registry. It is powered by a period-correct example of the
legendary 440-cu. in. "Magnum" V-8 engine that is backed by a
four-speed manual transmission controlled by the iconic Hurst
shifter. As confirmed by research completed by noted Mopar expert
Galen Govier, this car was factory equipped with many highly
desirable options, including the Track Pak, power brakes, white and
black interior with bucket seats, center console, and deluxe radio
with 8-track. It has been fully restored and is in exceptional
condition throughout.
Rarer than the other �Aero Wars' cars, including the vaunted
Charger Daytona, this desirably optioned and fully documented
Charger 500 is an ideal example for inclusion in any of the world's
finest muscle car or racing car collections.To view this car and
others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM
website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/AF18.
