1969 Dodge Charger 500

This great 1969 Charger 500 is owned by Steve in Michigan. He is also a member of the Daytona Superbird Auto Club. Some (Mopar Guys) consider the 1969 Charger 500 to be the first official Aero Car. Arguably, it started the wind tunnel testing era and special racing modifications made by the auto-companies. The Blue Oval Guys point to the 1968 Ford Torino’s fastback roof line and its aero advantage as the what started it all and besides, the Ford Talladega showed up the same time the Charger 500 did. Hey, isn’t that what makes this so much fun; “discussing” whose brand is superior?

Here is our Talladega lined up with Steve’s Charger 500 just outside Turn 3 at Talladega in 2009 just before we went onto the track, just like 1969!

In 2009 he entered the Charger 500 in a local show in the town of Plymouth, MI and ended up taking 1st place. One of the best parts of winning is the honor of having his car on the poster (see below) and possibly the shirt for the 2010 event. It is quite an honor because there were some pretty nice rides there besides his 500. He also won a Best of Show/Memorial Award in another show and will have the 500s picture on the dash plaque for 2010. Congratulations Steve, great car!

Popularity: 6%

1969 Dodge Charger 500

Most of you likely know what a 1969 Dodge Daytona is but do you know at a 1969 Dodge 500 is?

In 1969 Dodge wanted to clean up on the NASCAR Ford and Mercury cars. In 1968 the more aerodynamic Blue Oval cars stomped on the Mopars. Dodge came out with the Charger 500 for the Daytona race in February and was shocked to see the new for 1969 Ford Talladega.

Dodge thought they had done enough with the Charger 500 to win some races but the Talladega went a little further. As a result in a few months Dodge came back with the sloped nose and winged Daytona. The race was on!

So exactly what makes the Charger 500 different? There are two main features you want to look for. At the front the grill is pushed out flush with the edge of the hood and front fenders rather than being recessed back several inches. In the rear the back window is slanted and installed flush with the rear sail panels on the roof. These two chances make the 69 Charger much more aerodynamic.

The grill would soon be replace with the Daytona’s extended nose but the rear window would carry over to the new aero warrior.

For my part, I actually like the 500 more than the Daytona. It is much more streetable and will slip right by most observers as just another Charger.

This gorgeous example is owned by Jerry and Ann Narramore and was photographed at the 2008 Monster Mopar Nationals in St Louis. They are only the second owners of the car and purchased it in March of 1971.

It is powered by the monster 426 425 hp Hemi with a 727 Automatic and 3.55 gears.

Popularity: 15%