Vehicle Description
440/4-speed/A33 Track Pack. One of 392 built. Govier documented.
Formerly owned by NASCAR legend Ray Evernham. Detailed and well
documented restoration in great colors. Runs and drives extremely
well. Ready to show or drive anywhere.If you don't quite recognize
the Charger 500, that's OK-Dodge only built 392 of them. The
Charger 500 was a kind of half-step towards the mighty Daytona wing
car, an attempt to improve the Charger's aero performance on the
track to wrest some wins away from the fastback Fords. By
eliminating the front grille and hidden headlights and creating a
semi-fastback rear window profile, the Charger 500 was considerably
slipperier than the stock Charger at NASCAR speeds but sadly, it
wasn't quite enough. The good news is that it opened the door for
the Daytona and Superbird, which dominated NASCAR until they were
outlawed in 1971. To quality for NASCAR, Chrysler Corporation had
to build street versions of their race cars, hence this Charger
500. And given the Charger 500's NASCAR connection, it should be no
surprise that this one was owned until 2017 by NASCAR hall of famer
Ray Evernham. Sources differ regarding how many were built but
Mopar expert Galen Govier believes the number to be 392. His
numbers also suggest that only about 1/6 of those were built with a
4-speed manual transmission, making this R4 Red car something
special. In fact, this car has quite a few noteworthy
features-check out the fender tag:XS29: Dodge Charger Special, R/T
2 Door Sports HardtopL8B: 440 375HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL1968Dodge Main,
Hamtramck, MI, USA166361: Sequence numberE86: 440 cubic inch
4-barrel V8 (high performance) 375 horsepowerD21: 4-speed manual
transmissionR4: Exterior color (Red)C6W: Trim - Charger, vinyl
bucket seats, white/blackW1: Int. door frames929: Build Date:
September 29925237: Order numberA11: 69 only Special Model XX29
Charger Daytona or 500A33: Track Pak w/3.54 ratioB51: Power
brakesC16: Console with woodgrain panelC55: Bucket seatsG15: Tinted
windshieldG33: LH remote racing mirrorL31: Hood mounted turn
signalsM21: Roof drip rail moldingsM31: Belt moldingsN85:
TachometerR22: AM radio with 8-track (10 watts)V28: Top colorY39:
Special order26: 26-inch radiatorEND: End of sales codesWe have a
detailed photo album and receipts on the restoration, which was
extremely well done. The car appears to be wearing its original
sheetmetal, including trunk extensions and quarters, and the
bodywork is shockingly straight. The R4 Red is still a bit orange,
not quite Hemi Orange but not fire engine red, either, and it is
the ideal muscle Mopar color. The shape is undeniably Charger, but
the unusual front fascia and sloping rear window makes everyone who
sees it do a double-take. Of course, the glossy paint certainly
helps and there's a white bumblebee stripe on the tail with '500'
callouts just to help with identifications purposes. Panel gaps are
excellent, the doors close with a precise-sounding click, and it's
clear that this was an expensive restoration that didn't cut any
corners. All the unique Charger 500 items are in place, plus bright
chrome bumpers, that awesome flip-up gas cap, and proper Charger
emblems as needed. The wide taillights were a 1969-only feature
that we think were the most attractive of the three years
(1968-70), but that's obviously a matter of opinion. But there's no
denying that this is a great-looking car from any angle.The white
vinyl interior is by Legendary and they live up to their name with
the reproduction seat covers. With button-tufted seat cushions, the
Charger 500 has an upscale look, although the 4-speed manual
shifter sticking out of the console suggests this is no luxo barge.
The car has a fairly lengthy options list, including that center
console, a full set of gauges including a tick-tock-tach (it
works!), and an AM/8-track radio with dual speakers on top of the
dash. The radio isn't working (we have not tested the 8-track
player) but everything else is in virtually as-new condition and
all the courtesy lights work including the back-up indicator under
the dash. Accessory floor mats are embroidered with 'Charger 500'
but it also comes with a set of period floor protectors from the
dealer which have been laminated so they'll last forever. The
headliner is in excellent shape, and yes, it looks a little odd the
way the rear window is finished, but you have to remember that
these were hand-built and modified, so it's not going to look like
a regular Charger. There's also a good-sized trunk that's properly
detailed with a full-sized spare and jack assembly. An aftermarket
black carpet mat keeps things looking tidy, but a reproduction
plaid vinyl mat is underneath and under that there are excellent
original floors painted to match the bodywork. The car is right.The
base motor in the Charger 500 was the 440 cubic inch V8 with a
4-barrel carburetor making 375 horsepower. This one is coded as an
E440, which is correct for an early Charger 500 and the build date
is 9-27-68, two days before the car was assembled. The stamping pad
down near the oil pan has thick paint and the numbers are not
visible, so its numbers-matching status is inconclusive. The engine
was fully rebuilt during the restoration and features a balanced
rotating assembly, stainless valves, and a Six-Pack cam for a bit
of a lope in the idle. It's correctly detailed with Hemi Orange
paint, a factory air cleaner, and it carries its original radiator
and carburetor, both of which have been rebuilt. Underneath,
there's the numbers-matching 18-spline 4-speed manual transmission
feeding a Dana 60 rear end with 3.54 gears inside, which were part
of the A33 Track Pack option. Both the front and rear suspensions
have been rebuilt, as have the power drum brakes, and it offers
power steering to make it easy to handle. Staggered leaf springs
were correct for the Track Pack cars, with 7 leaves on the right
and 6 on the left to help control axle hop. A new exhaust system
features Hemi mufflers for an awesome soundtrack and everything was
detailed for show. 15-inch Magnum 500 wheels look awesome and carry
225/70/15 redline radials for a modern ride with vintage
looks.Documentation is extensive, including an original Operator's
Manual, Galen Govier report, restoration photo album, receipts
(including for the engine rebuild), show board, and other papers.
There are a bunch of spare parts with the car, including a spare
tick-tock-tach, touch-up paint, and more. A fitted car cover is
also part of the deal.Beautiful, rare, and fun, the Charger 500 is
an awesome footnote in Mopar history. In NASCAR, evolution happens
quickly and by the time this car hit the tracks, the Daytona was
already in development, making it an interesting experiment that
simply didn't go far enough. Today it stands out anywhere it goes
because of that unique part it played in history and there can't be
many Charger 500s nicer than this. It looks great, drives right,
and has lots of documentation to back it up. For Mopar fans, this
is a fantastic find. Call today!Harwood Motors always recommends
and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in
our inventory prior to purchase.
