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Vehicle Description
Many classics have amazing stories to tell, interesting not only
because of what they are, but also the lives they've led. That's
the scope of this fully documented, numbers-matching Dodge Charger
500. Immaculate, ultra-rare and historically significant, this
Hemi-powered icon offers a little bit of everything for every
interest. So, sit back, get comfortable, and enjoy the tale of this
special MoPar!
FORDS, 500S AND WINGED WARRIORS
Our presentation begins with a mild history lesson. Most muscle car
aficionados know Charger 500s as incredibly rare classics that are
the 'missing link' between regular Chargers and Chrysler's
outrageous Winged Warriors: the Charger Daytona and Plymouth
Superbird. See, round about 1969, Ford and Mercury were dominating
NASCAR competition with aerodynamically superior cars, and the
new-for-1968 Dodge Charger just didn't take well to high-banked
ovals and speeds close to 200 MPH. Most notably, the car's recessed
grille was catching wind like a parachute, and its recessed
backlite, complete with dramatic sail panels, created lift that
severely affected high-speed stability. In an effort to make their
drivers more competitive, Dodge engineers bolted a Coronet grille
onto the Charger's nose, and fashioned a sloped, flush-fit backlite
that would ultimately define the competition-ready Charger 500. Of
course, if the teams wanted to race it, the factory had to build
it. That meant putting at least 500 of these cars on the street in
the hands of paying customers. According to well-known MoPar expert
Galen Govier, who fully documented and verified this particular
Charger 500, there were precisely 559 Charger 500s built in 1969.
Of those, only 116 were, like this car, fitted with a legendary
Hemi V8. And of those 116, only 32 were, like this coupe, equipped
with a 4-speed manual transmission. So, there you have it: any way
you look at it, this exceptionally restored, numbers-matching
Charger is an incredibly rare classic!
Ultimately, by the end of 1969, Ford rolled out new, even more
aerodynamic bodies that made the Charger 500 uncompetitive. That
led to Chrysler quickly shelving their new hot rod in favor of the
totally wicked Charger Daytona. While it was a sad ending for a
great exercise in engineering, it gave the car instant exclusivity
and pretty much guaranteed timeless collectability.
ACES FLY
Over the course of two years, this clean Dodge received a complete
rotisserie restoration at StripMasters Pure Muscle Restorations in
Milton, Florida. And today, correct B5 Blue highlights a build that
was completed to the highest standard in every way. Here's where
this particular Charger's history gets really interesting and,
without this piece of the puzzle, mentioning the car's high quality
restoration barely scratches the surface.
David "Radar" Roark, fresh off a couple tours flying combat
missions over Vietnam, settled in Jacksonville, Florida in the
summer of 1970. Anxious to buy a new car, he went out looking for a
piece of high-performance iron that would fulfill the massive
adrenaline rush fighter pilots know and love. Just so happens he
stumbled upon this low-mile Charger 500, which had been traded back
to its original dealer because its original owner didn't like
driving a stick. So, Roark hauled a little over $4,000 to the
showroom and became this Dodge's long-term caretaker.
Believe it or not, this 4-speed, Hemi Charger served as David's
daily driver until 1985 when, after 35 years of service, he
officially retired from the U.S. Navy. Since the car was still
all-original, and in great shape, David decided to store it until
he could execute a proper restoration. Fast forward 15 quick years
when, circa 2000, David moved the car to his home garage and
started the process of disassembling it. Unfortunately, good
intentions aside, he quickly realized that he just didn't have the
time to finish such an intricate project. He contacted his good
friend Ray Younkin of Pure Muscle Restorations, and Ray's shop
adopted the build in earnest. Initially, David wanted to
substantially modify the car to make it a better driver, mentioning
things like a massaged chassis and a new 6-speed. Fortunately, Ray
convinced him to put the ultra-rare Charger back to
factory-correct. It was ultimately decided that David would
reluctantly sell his restored, ultra-valuable Charger and buy
something he could play with semi-daily. It didn't take long to
find a buyer.
Sadly, life isn't always 'happily ever after'. On January 10, 2006,
just a few weeks after selling the Charger, David was killed while
flying a T-39 Sabreliner; a small commuter jet-style airplane used
to move high-ranking officers around the country. David's sudden
death prompted Ray and the staff at Pure Muscle to go all-out on
this Charger for its new owner, knowing how much the car meant to
their friend. And, working with the new owner, the guys restored
this classic back to factory-correct condition: a 100% authentic,
numbers-matching Hemi 4-speed Charger 500 that's loaded with
options.
BETTER THAN EVER
With this collector car, authenticity is part of the package, and
all six numbers that determine numbers-matching status are present
and accurate. The dash VIN is verified as correct with correct
rivets. The primary body codes on the top of the radiator support
are correct. The secondary body codes in the trunk lip are correct.
The fender tag is correct and located on the driver's inner fender.
And the VIN stampings on both the engine and transmission have been
verified as original. Aesthetically, this Dodge seems to have an
inner glow that can only come from a shop spending countless hours
sanding and polishing its sheetmetal and paint. As well as being
original, all that sheetmetal has been flawlessly straightened and
carefully aligned by the experts at Pure Muscle. All chrome and
stainless has been either restored or replaced. And naturally
there's a correct Bumblebee Stripe with correct "500" cutouts.
THE ELEPHANT LIVES!
Under the hood, an original Hemi wears a correct 2468330 casting
number, an August 5th, 1968 casting date, an October 27th, 1968
assembly code and a matching 210737 partial VIN. That mill was
fully rebuilt to stock specifications using a roster of authentic
components that includes original carbs, an original air cleaner,
original exhaust manifolds and an original radiator. And the car's
engine compartment is detailed to national-show-winning standards,
with a vision of accuracy that utilized 100% correct and date-coded
parts. Behind the Hemi, an original A833 4-speed features an
October 2nd, 1968 casting date, a November 3rd, 1968 assembly date
and a matching 210737 partial VIN. That gearbox spins an original
Dana 60 axle that's packed with Super Track Pack 4.10 gears. Like
the engine compartment, this Dodge's original floors were
refinished to show standards. The suspension has been fully rebuilt
and detailed with correct factory markings and tags. The exhaust
system is a reproduction piece that includes correct resonators and
correct tips. And the car currently rolls on handsome reproduction
Magnums, which lap 235/60R15 Turbo-Tech G/T Radial redlines.
LEGENDARY
Swing the doors and you'll find a full suite of Legendary vinyl
that was installed during this Dodge's detailed restoration. A
warp-free dash sports fully rebuilt telemetry, spiced with a 5,000
RPM Tic-Toc-Tach, next to a crisp Music Master AM radio. Medium
Blue seats look excellent under correct, Medium Blue belts. A
bright, wood-trimmed console is anchored around a polished Hurst
shifter. Everything from the ...for more information please contact
the seller.
