Don Garlits 'Crower cams C500'

[aerolith]

Hi Aero's.

I'm still looking for info and pics on the Don Garlits 'Crower cams' C500.
Don is unsure of the cars details as it was so long ago.
Obviously he wants the car back so is unwilling to say if my 'Florida car' is in fact his?

I know of one other Florida C500 which is an SE spec car so deffo not his.
Can't have been that many C500 manual-dana cars in Florida...
He is holding his cards' very close to his chest' indeed...

He also wants my 1969-Weslake 440 Nascar UK 'development engine' for his museum too.
But I can't afford to send it on a long term loan, as we are both in our 'TWILIGHT' years.

My plan was to fit the Weslake into the C500 as it was a 'Nascar-Chrysler development engine' once the hemi was outlawed.
But after 15 years of chin scratching, best the engine goes to a museum somewhere in the US whilst Folks are actually interested in seeing it!!!  lol...

[aerolith]

1969 NASCAR 440 WESLAKE UK engine.

Extra large W2 style intake ports with 2.250 intakes and D-PORT 1.810 exhausts.

[aerolith]

Its a 6-8-69 440 block with a full hemi bottom end, with factory sixpack pistons.

Special 440 length hemi rods, bet they is well rare, lol

Was painted 'bright yellow' as supplied by Chrysler? YUK!

[odcics2]

Great info!  Rare car!   Rare engine and parts!

Museum pieces, if you ask me.   

Or, for the ultra collector that likes one of a kind things... 

[charger500440]

I believe the C500 Don sold last year was the one gifted by Chrysler to his late wife Pat, if I'm not mistaken. To my knowledge, the Crower C500 is long gone - whereabouts unknown.

That said, assuming it didn't already meet it's demise - it'll turn up eventually...

[mopar346]

What was the colors on the Crower 500?

[aerolith]

Red and Black.

Originally a 440 four speed dana car, of which only 26 were made.
When asked why the car was repainted, I was told it was in a minor accident so a good time to repaint.
There has been a magazine article by MCG as to the whereabouts of the Crower car.
There was little or no response so the car was thought lost OR overseas lol.

Thinking was, its an R4 car with a black interior, but the red was not R4 but more orangey?

[aerolith]

I originally contacted him regarding the purchase of the (one-off) WESLAKE NASCAR engine.
(I had struck a deal in in long lost past with Dick Landy for the engine, sadly he passed before it happened)

He said he would take it with open arms as its rarer than a hemi, even the ballstud hemi (Landy), as there were TWO of them lol.
But due to his financial position he would rather have it ON LOAN.
Due to my financial position (soon to be homeless) I would rather some BENJAMINS please...

Then we came onto the topic of Charger 500's as he had just sold his HEMI 500.
I said, ''I believe I have the old 'Crower cam 500' here in the UK'', and I asked (very politely) of Mr.Garlits if he would be OK for me to repaint my C500 in the Crower-cam colors?
He didn't say yes or no, but would I rather send him the car, so he could do it...

So I said, if he buys them both then that would help my 're-mortgage fund' immensley.

He then said ''you are a very lucky guy and would I send them for his museum for safe keeping, on a long term loan''.

The guy at the Building Society said ''thats real sweet, loaning stuff to Don Garlits'' but you still owe us £50,000... (and the clocks ticking)

TIME AND TIDE WAIT FOR NO MAN and 25 year Mortgages too.

[Ghoste]

Most importantly, I hope you get the housing situation sorted out.  Secondly, I love the well used old Direct Connection manual.  It would be a nice bonus for you if you could determine you have the Crower car before selling it.  Good luck to you.

[aerolith]

A very valid point there Ghostee!

It has been a 'lost cause' trying to get anyone to confirm the 'Crower Cam car'.
As 69 R/T Chargers are getting more money than C500's, I'm thinking of converting it back to a stock R/T lol

Never bought the car as a long term investment, it was just BECAUSE I LOVE 'EM!!!

I could paint it back to 'Crower cam' colors but it would devalue her/him FOR SURE!

She will be fine in resplendent F8 and I don't care who don't like it lol.

[Ghoste]

I don't know that I've noticed any RT's bringing more money than 500's but there could be an anomaly or two out there I guess.  Vanguard is probably asking more for an RT than a 500 sells for but... ?

[aerolith]

Mortgage payments or Mopars?

Thought I could have 'my cake and eat it too'.

The plan was...

Own many rare Mopars and sell some of them after 25 years to pay the Mortgage off.
Didn't quite work out like that as they were project cars in the main.
Its a very expensive hobby rebuilding rare Mopars when you is 'overseas'.

The 'BEST LAID PLANS OF MICE AND MEN' are doomed to fail, so they say?

Next time, BUY done cars and drive them for a while, then sell them quick, when the price goes up!

Then you can have your cake and drive it too!

(soon2be) Homeless Aerolite

[69_500]

If your looking to sell the 500 or the engine let me know. I could probably locate a buyer for both.

[spyder]

>>>>

[Ghoste]

Finished car or projects, buying cars as an investment has worked out for only a handful of people.

[odcics2]

Nice color pic...



Model appears wrong, in a few ways.

[aerolith]

Great find Spyder!

I've seen an R/T 69 Charger that dark red color, very unusual shade!
#R6 possibly?

#R4 is called 'Charger Red' by a strange coincidence...

[aerolith]

R6...Not to everyone's lining?

My Moparmate had an R6 69 Charger and was so 'ANTI' he got a full repaint in EV2.
I would rate it much worse than F8

[aerolith]

Don's new Daytona in R4?

[Ghoste]

That one's been around the block.

[tan top]

That one's been around the block.

think its this one

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/barn-find-daytona-sells-for-90000-owner-preserving-as-is/

[Ghoste]

Yeah, I think I've seen it at the Mopar Nationals a couple of times too. (or one similar to it)

[Mytur Binsdirti]

That one's been around the block.

And hit a block too.

[b5blue]

Can we see pics of the C500 you have? (Sorry to hear of your plight!)

[djcarguy]

R6...Not to everyone's lining?

My Moparmate had an R6 69 Charger and was so 'ANTI' he got a full repaint in EV2.
I would rate it much worse than F8

R6   MUCH WORSE THAN   F8 ///???    NOOO    WAYYY R6 RULES LIKING R6 more ?

[chargervert]

Notice the grill screen in the Daytona that Don bought, the same type of screen used on Superbirds.

[aerolith]

Nice one Dr Jim, apart from the nosecone, thats one COOL Mopar!

[aerolith]

Original HOTROD JULY 1969 Crower advert

[aerolith]

Anyone got a 'useable' Monarch cam from the 60's?
I have got a Crower cam in the original engine, but its not a Monarch...

[djcarguy]

   Paint yours with swamp ratty on the quarter an cragers,thats the way better looking one than  Dons...    

[aerolith]

Happy Christmas Aero's (or happy holidays)!

Not going with the Crower-Cams paint scheme, as Don is not in any way interested at all?
I was going to contact Crower directly as I have used their cams for 'Donkey's years' and they is well GOOD!!!
But without Don's blessing I'm stuck between a 'rock and a hard place'.

Probably going to get sponsored by a smaller CAM company with great personal service, which I am super impressed by indeed.
Its the way of the World these days, BIG companies are answerable to Share-Holders and don't give a 'monkey's cuss' for car Folks.

Paint is just paint at the end of the day!
It wasn't that long ago we changed the color of our cars at a 'one day auto paint shop' just on a whim!
Now its a 'lost art' and paint-shops are chargering a small fortune!!!

The Crower cams C500 will be lost to history!

Can't see anyone wanting to paint an $80,000 C500 in red and black with graphics, just to promote World famous Don...
He's already WELL FAMOUS, so don't need it...
Someone might build a CROWER-CAM clone C500, but that's huge amount of work too...

[held1823]

heck, i can put you in one just like it for $75

[aerolith]

Thanx Held.

I managed to get a signed Ertl C500 from the Great man himself!
Don't think I will re-create the full size version, as I don't think he would come to England to sign it?

When you are a famous as he is then you don't need anymore endorsements.
I was more than happy for him to have the Crower cams C500 back in Florida (where it belongs).
But he comes from a different World to me, where he is lavished with 'freebies'!

I need to pay my mortgage and its all I have to sell, that's why it will go to the highest bidder, so we can keep our home!

[djcarguy]

   Paint yours with swamp ratty on the quarter an cragers,thats the way better looking one than  Dons...   

[odcics2]

   Paint yours with swamp ratty on the quarter an cragers,thats the way better looking one than  Dons...   

dj, you should buy Johns car!   

[aerolith]

Anyone who wants the best Christmas present EVER' read this carefully lol!

PM me with a good story, detailing why you deserve 'One of 26' 440ci 4-speed dana C500's and Santa will listen with an open heart and mind!

No naughty peeps will be allowed to own such a rare Beasty, only good peeps can apply (and green luvvers)...

WHY, cos its Christmas and bad boys (girls) get NOWT from Santa...

[djcarguy]

Anyone who wants the best Christmas present EVER' read this carefully lol!

PM me with a good story, detailing why you deserve 'One of 26' 440ci 4-speed dana C500's and Santa will listen with an open heart and mind!

No naughty peeps will be allowed to own such a rare Beasty, only good peeps can apply (and green luvvers)...

WHY, cos its Christmas and bad boys (girls) get NOWT from Santa...

^{---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------}

[aerolith]

Nice emoji-ing DJ!

No pm's yet with stories of total love and affection for a 'long lost' C500 needing a home?

Are there no 'good children' left to want to take on a dream project AERO...

Ok I will accept 'pretty pleases' from slightly 'naughty children' as only God is perfect...

Have a wonderful Christmas Day and may all your dreams come true, NEXT YEAR?

[odcics2]

Nice emoji-ing DJ!

No pm's yet with stories of total love and affection for a 'long lost' C500 needing a home?

Are there no 'good children' left to want to take on a dream project AERO...

Ok I will accept 'pretty pleases' from slightly 'naughty children' as only God is perfect...

Have a wonderful Christmas Day and may all your dreams come true, NEXT YEAR?

Bet there is someone in Sweden or Norway that wants a 500 !!!   Heard they have  a strong MoPar following.
Any European car mags, or online sites where you could put an ad?
Cheaper to ship across the channel than over the ocean to USA.   

[69_500]

Nice emoji-ing DJ!

No pm's yet with stories of total love and affection for a 'long lost' C500 needing a home?

Are there no 'good children' left to want to take on a dream project AERO...

Ok I will accept 'pretty pleases' from slightly 'naughty children' as only God is perfect...

Have a wonderful Christmas Day and may all your dreams come true, NEXT YEAR?

Well there are people here in the USA looking for 500's. I know several looking for one. All depends on what price range your looking at though.

[1969daytona]

Nice emoji-ing DJ!

No pm's yet with stories of total love and affection for a 'long lost' C500 needing a home?

Are there no 'good children' left to want to take on a dream project AERO...

Ok I will accept 'pretty pleases' from slightly 'naughty children' as only God is perfect...

Have a wonderful Christmas Day and may all your dreams come true, NEXT YEAR?

Bet there is someone in Sweden or Norway that wants a 500 !!!   Heard they have  a strong MoPar following.
Any European car mags, or online sites where you could put an ad?
Cheaper to ship across the channel than over the ocean to USA.   

You got me. I am in.

What are we talking about? How is the car? And what is the asking price?

K-E

[aerolith]

Happy New Year to all Aero Folks around the World.

Many thanx for the lovely stories you have pm'ed me!
As you may or may not know my F8 C500 is in England UK, which probably rules out a return trip to the USA any time soon?
That would involve a re-assembly (to ship) which is nearly the same as a mini resto.
The C500 is a very rare car in Europe and I have only ever seen two others, both auto's.

No one over here has ever seen mine, as that was the plan, 'the big reveal' lol.

So what to do?

Sell as is and wave goodbye, or find a way to 'carry on regardless'...

[moparstuart]

when i had my 500  forsale a few years ago   a guy named Teemu Rekikoski  (finland ) i think  was interested   he has a Yellow superbird and some other mopars  over there .  Might hit him up on Face Book see if he's still looking for a 500  

[1969daytona]

Happy New Year to all Aero Folks around the World.

Many thanx for the lovely stories you have pm'ed me!
As you may or may not know my F8 C500 is in England UK, which probably rules out a return trip to the USA any time soon?
That would involve a re-assembly (to ship) which is nearly the same as a mini resto.
The C500 is a very rare car in Europe and I have only ever seen two others, both auto's.

No one over here has ever seen mine, as that was the plan, 'the big reveal' lol.



Sell as is and wave goodbye, or find a way to 'carry on regardless'...

Well I guess it's up to you to make that decision since you're the owner.

I could be interested to buy it from you but I guess it has to be A roller to get it up here (Norway)
Have you got my pm?

Sorry for my bad English writing.
I am no flipper. Just A pure MoPar enthusiast. That would love to own a XX one day.

Thank You

K-E

[aerolith]

Hi K-E and all others watching,

Sorry to sound vague as I haven't actually convinced myself to sell as yet.
Had plenty of Folks banging on my door with big handfuls of money!
I would have liked her to go back to the States, but the current striped-down condition would make that difficult.

Yep she still a roller and getting ready to go on the Rotisserie very soon.
Once she is outta the garage then I can take some pics and 'would be' buyers can make up their own minds?

Best wishes to one and all from John UK