Propane X Charger 500 - Where is it now?

[Aero426]

Does anyone know what happened to the Propane X Hemi Charger 500?     Is it still around?

[A383Wing]

I thought we had a thread about that car a while back....I think it was still around somewhere...maybe not...

[Ghoste]

There have been a few threads about it but if you don't know where it is Doug, I don't who does.
Seems to me it was suspected to be on one of the coasts??

[Aero426]

If someone can find that thread, let's link to it.   I just haven't paid close enough attention I guess. 

[A383Wing]

Some...

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,10748.0.html

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,43544.0.html

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,34860.0.html

[moparstuart]

  so did anyone ever figure out if it's the same car as the x-rated car ?

[nascarxx29]

Last I Knew of that car it was from Wrightstown NJ .Then It was rumored to be in CA .Someone saw it on a car trailer at a show in California and posted its pictures.Going by if Propane X and Rated X are the one and the same
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,10748.0.html

[69_500]

Doug it is as far as I have heard out in California currently. Can't recall the name of the owner, but I had heard rumor that it was being restored currently as well.

[HKCharger]

the mother's propane chevelle is mean!

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/31/sema-2007-1-000-hp-propane-chevelle-by-mothers/

[Ghoste]

Danny, did you hear if it was being restored to stock or it's as raced appearance?

[nascarxx29]

WINGCARS_6970
moparts member


Reged: Feb 05 2003
Loc: TX , NJ , FL   Re: Vintage Charger 500 And Daytona Pictures [Re: Aero426]
      #695462 - Mon Feb 09 2004 06:22 PM Attachment (67 downloads)   Edit     Reply     Quote     Quick Reply   



propane dodge car I can recall is propane X a red white stripe 69 charger 500 426 automatic car from NJ never registered with 12 miles on it XX29J9B110615   



I wonder if it has more than 12 miles on it now

[Scaregrabber]

I always wondered if that was the stolen HR Magazine Hemi 500 test car.

Sheldon

[richRTSE]

A while back, my wife's Aunt gave me a box of old magazines. Found this article in one...

[richRTSE]

...and page 2. Says the car went 11.85 with 9.0" slicks, 4.88 gears, and an auto trans (originally a 4-speed)...

[Ghoste]

The article says it was donated by Dodge for the project; is that the same as stealing it? 

[WingCharger]

So there were two aero cars converted to LPG back in the day?
There was the "Cal Gas" Daytona, and this car?

Cal Gas: http://wwnboa.org/calgasdaytona.htm

[moparstuart]

  yes that daytona lived several years of it rough life here in the great state of missouri


  and this guy oversea's now owns the cal gas daytona  and is coming to talledega

   http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,54812.0.html

[69_500]

I'm not sure on how the car is being restored to. Whether it is back to running on propane, or back to stock trim. I just heard it was out in California now, and that it was being restored. Can't find the name of the person who said they now have the car too.

The car that was stolen that was mentioned in the HR article is a car that is accounted for now too. It is the car that was then given to Cotton Owens, later used by Creative to use to mock up Daytona's on, then returned to Cotton and then later sold to a gentleman in the town.

[nascarxx29]

69_500
Old Timer

Online

Posts: 7,155


      Re: CASE FOR TWO 68 CHARGER 500 PILOT/TEST CARS
« Reply #35 on: March 25, 2008, 02:26:41 PM » Quote 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay so now I am totally lost. The car that was stolen was supposedly a PR car? How many PR 500's were there then? 1 4 speed car which is a known car right? 1 AT car which is also a known car? The only other really early car I know of is the one that was converted to run on Propane, and was raced under the name Propane X. All 3 of these cars were R4 red, cloth insert seats, power windows, with white tail stripe. All identical other than 1 of them being an AT. Now the 4th car that fits this mold is the one that went to Cotton Owens after being stolen, and stripped of its engine, and was later used at Creative to test fit the nose cones. I think that one was a PR car as it is identically equiped as the other 3 I just listed. Or was there a blue car in there somewhere when all of the rest of them were R4 red?

[nascarxx29]

 Re: CASE FOR TWO 68 CHARGER 500 PILOT/TEST CARS
« Reply #32 on: March 25, 2008, 05:15:28 AM » Quote Modify 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.Originally the car was a (68 charger).Said by Frank Wylie retired director of public relations for dodge division.He states we loaned that car to a magazine in los angeles for testing.It was stolen striipped of everything.and the car was found in the Watts section of LA.That car was taken back to Nichels engineering in Highland IN and converted into what is known as the prototype dodge daytona .The other car that 69 500 mentioned was the cotton owens car that was first to be fitted with the wingcar body parts

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,41072.0.html

[WINGR]

Re: CASE FOR TWO 68 CHARGER 500 PILOT/TEST CARS
« Reply #32 on: March 25, 2008, 05:15:28 AM » Quote Modify 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.Originally the car was a (68 charger).Said by Frank Wylie retired director of public relations for dodge division.He states we loaned that car to a magazine in los angeles for testing.It was stolen striipped of everything.and the car was found in the Watts section of LA.That car was taken back to Nichels engineering in Highland IN and converted into what is known as the prototype dodge daytona .The other car that 69 500 mentioned was the cotton owens car that was first to be fitted with the wingcar body parts

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,41072.0.html

Hey Dave, do you think in him saying that it was a 68 Charger it may have been just built in 68? Or it may have been a 68 that they just reworked later for testing. In that case does it still qualify as a Proto-type?

WINGR

[XS29J8]

Re: CASE FOR TWO 68 CHARGER 500 PILOT/TEST CARS
« Reply #32 on: March 25, 2008, 05:15:28 AM » Quote Modify 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.Originally the car was a (68 charger).Said by Frank Wylie retired director of public relations for dodge division.He states we loaned that car to a magazine in los angeles for testing.It was stolen striipped of everything.and the car was found in the Watts section of LA.That car was taken back to Nichels engineering in Highland IN and converted into what is known as the prototype dodge daytona .The other car that 69 500 mentioned was the cotton owens car that was first to be fitted with the wingcar body parts

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,41072.0.html

Hey Dave, do you think in him saying that it was a 68 Charger it may have been just built in 68? Or it may have been a 68 that they just reworked later for testing. In that case does it still qualify as a Proto-type?

WINGR

I brought this topic up(Case for two pilot/test 68 Charger 500s) because Chrysler had a memo out that said all production of 68 Charger HEMI with 4spd after June 1st 1968 would be the new Charger 500 style. I always thought there surely  would be more than the Jerry Service Charger built, The 68 Press/Pilot/Test car being stolen may attribute to why Jerry's 68 500 was repainted to take it's place for further photos and press release.

I have talked to Jon Weible again (The Original Jerry Service 68 500 owner) and he said there was no white paint any where on the 500 when he bought it. This was something Jerry did for showing the car back in the day.

Here is some interesting chatter from the General Board:

Quote from: hemi68charger on March 23, 2009, 10:56:38 AM
Quote from: Magnumcharger on March 22, 2009, 04:12:41 PM
Quote from: 69bronzeT5 on March 21, 2009, 09:22:20 PM
Robin, got anything for Canadian base '69s?

Nope....but found this on '68s...http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/muscle/chrysler/chry_68_chrg.frame.

Found this interesting in above article...

"...After 06/01/68, all Charger R/T models ordered with the Hemi engine and four-speed combination were built with exposed headlights, flush grille, and chrome windshield reveal molding...."        2thumbs

Care to venture they're referring to the '69 Charger 500?  icon_smile_big

Hey Troy, I have that Chrysler memo somewhere. I believe it is posted on the Winged Warriors site. This is why I always presumed there had to be more than one 68 Charger 500.............

Steve

[C5X DAYTONA]

Does anyone know what happened to the Propane X Hemi Charger 500?     Is it still around?

Car was in L.A. 5 years ago.  I found the original 4 speed trans sitting out behind a gas station in Borrago Springs CA.  The guy was the original owner of the car.  X-Famous Drag Racer Gary Nichols.  He said they pulled the 4 speed out and put in an automatic as soon as they got it home.  I picked up the trans from him and now it is back in the car.  He still has tons of info on this car and the 69 440 Daytona he took to the Salt Flats in the summer of 69.  That Daytona was owned?/sponsored by K-W Block Seal.

[Aero426]

Sean, is the car still out west?   Is it the Rated X car, or a different 500? 

[C5X DAYTONA]

Sean, is the car still out west?   Is it the Rated X car, or a different 500?  

Same car.   I have not talked to the guy (forgot his name) who had it in LA 10 years ago.     He had no idea it was the Propane X car till I showed him the history of the car.    His big gripe was that someone drilled holes in everything to lighten up the car.   Little history on car is.  A guy in San Diego owned a strip club called Rated X.  He purchased the Propane X car and changed the name on the doors and put the nude lady logo on it.  Then parked it his strip club for a bit on display.   Dad tells the story of going to look at it when it was for sale and telling mom to just sit in the car in the parking lot.