1979 Dodge Magnum GT
The most rare of the Magnums. Dodge only made the first generation Magnum for two years – 1978 & 1979. It was initially made to replace the dying Charger as the B-Body muscle car for Dodge. However, Dodge got cold feet over the radical front end styling and hung onto the slow selling Charger for 1978, just in case. The Magnum was a big hit for 1978 and the Charger was dropped. Only about 5% of the Magnums were the GT model, which had heavy duty suspension, a engine tuned look dash and console plate, and big wheel flares.
As the 1979 Magnums started to trickle out there was an Arab Oil Embargo / Gas Crisis, with long gas lines for expensive gas – and the day you bought you gas was based on your license plate. This killed Magnum sales and the B-Body was forever dropped, to be replaced by the smaller J-Body (Stretched Aspen/Volare) Mirada.
The 1979s are far more rare than the 1978s, and the 1979 GTs are rarer than Hen’s teeth. My first new car was a Magnum, and I’ve owned over 20 since. This is the only GT I’ve ever seen in person!
I bought this car in 1999, from the broker of the original owner in Georgia. I replaced the 85mph speedometer with 67000 miles with a very expensive NOS Police Certified 140mph speedo.
This car is loaded with the E58 Police motor (360Ci 4bbl) with dual exhaust. The original plastic thermoquad carb was warped (as most do in time), and so I decided to go for Performance with an Edelbrock Performer Aluminum 4bbl Intake and 600cfm Performer carb. I also swapped the flaky stock ignition with a Mopar Performance ignition box and distributor. The car goes like a Raped Ape – well for a Disco Era Muscle Car. See below video I made today.
The paint and leather are in great condition. The headlights are clear. The intermittent wipers work, as does the power windows and locks. The car has leather wrapped steering, pedal dress up and floor console. The AC blew cold last month, but not as cold today with 96 degrees. I assume there might be a O-Ring leak as it was cold for about 4 months since I last recharged it. There are no chips in the glass or cracks in the dash. The photos speaks for the car. It is most likely the very best GT left on Earth. I wouldn’t think twice of driving this car cross country.
I love this car, and the only reason I’m selling is that in my mid-60s, it’s time to downsize my life. I have 31 cars and need to sell about 3/4 of them. Those ready to sell now can be found at www.DaveSchultz.com. It is located in Beasley TX. The reason for the Georgia tags is I never titled in my name. It’s been a museum car, driven occasionally to keep gas fresh and car exercised. The Georgia title has the buyer’s name blank.
This car is a rare time capsule and well worth the FIRM PRICE OF:
$15,000.00
