The Charger I is going up for sale again

[Ghoste]

RM has consigned the original Charger I concept car to the January auction in Scottsdale Arizona.  This may not be earth shattering news to most but I'm pretty excited about it.  It was restored by Joe Bortz some years back and then he sold it into a collection that was destined to become a museum until the collectors death brought a halt to his plans.  Now the estate is releasing it back into the world although I suspect it will again vanish into some high end secret stash.
 

And for the record, I didn't post this as a for sale ad but as a point of Charger news that I found interesting.

[XS29L9Bxxxxxx]

Pics 

[Ghoste]

There are better ones but I have to resize them.

[b5blue]

Thanks for the post, keep us updated! 

[Magnumcharger]

Wow!!
That is awesome news! (Not about the collector's death... )

Yes, more pictures would be great!! (To add to the pile!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dodgedeora/sets/72157604511814130/

[Aero426]

Is it from the John O'Quinn estate?

[Richard Cranium]

Man, that's one fugly car.   

[WB General Lee]

I think that is one awesome car! Is red the original color? What color is it now? I know they made a nice replica of this car. Does anyone know what the engine is?

[Magnumcharger]

Originally, the engine was slated to be a 426 Hemi.
Due to their scarcity in 1964, a 383 was substituted in it's place. However, the 426 emblem was never removed from the hood.
When the car was restored by Joe Bortz, an original 1964 Hemi was put in it's proper place.

[WB General Lee]

Thanks. Not sure who Joe Bortz is. Is he a recognized restorer? What do you think this car is worth in this market?

[Tilar]

I'm going to throw a wild guess and say a million 5 wouldnt buy it.

[learical1]

here are some old pix of the Charger I

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,26989.0.html

[Ghoste]

Joe Bortz is a noted collector of concept cars.

[WB General Lee]

So it looks like the original color was white. I would think a guy like Juliano would buy it. If I were him I would. He has almost every other one. I think it should bring a million. I would love to own it. Had a chance to buy a few concept cars in the past and regret that I didnt. In like 1981 The RTS Road Runner was for sale for 7700. I was not into that bodystyle at the time so I passed. The Dodge Daroo was for sale back in the 1980's for like 10,000. Another mistake.

[Ghoste]

The original color was red.  It was slightly customized for a period of it's life before Bortz bought it and restored it.  The last time it was up for sale (about 3 to 5 years ago) it brought just over a millilon.

[WB General Lee]

Why would someone customize it after all that was done? What color is the car now? I would love to have it but i think I would rather buy 5-10 real cool cars instead

[Brock Samson]

 There was also a Silver replica.

[Aero426]

Why would someone customize it after all that was done? What color is the car now? I would love to have it but i think I would rather buy 5-10 real cool cars instead

After its show car days were done, it was sold to a Dodge dealer who gave it to his son.  That is when the now reversed modifications  were done.  Remember, it was just a unique used car at that point.   It then was stored for many years.    In the Bortz ownership days, it was restored to day one show car configuration, and the originally intended but never installed Hemi was added.    It is painted red like in the photos now.

It will be interesting to see what the Charger brings this time around.    The Dodge Deora show car sold in late 2009 for 324k.  I thought that was a real bargain considering how well known and loved it is.   Although the Deora was not a factory conceived concept car, it sold for much less than I expected it would.