69 Charger 500's

[69_500]

Figured I'd dig this thread out of oblivion and update it a bit.

As of Saturday February 23rd the number of Charger 500's I now have information on is at 245 cars.

Of those 82 of them are HEMI Charger 500's.

Of the 245 cars I now have full fender tag information on 112 of the cars. The other cars I have either just the VIN, or what color it was when I saw it, but had no way of verifying it due to either a lost fender tag or no fender tag on display with the car when I saw it.

[RAC95054]

Side note I have also recently came into possession of a letter that is written by Chrysler Corp from March 8, 1971 that says that they built 548 Charger 500's for the 1969 year. Their records show the break down to be 15 charger 500's with 4 speed and a HEMI (which we know isn't true), and that there was 17 HEMI 500's with AT transmissions (which we also know isn't true). The letter also breaks down 440's as 163 4 speed cars (I haven't found but 26), and the AT's are listed as being 353 cars (which haven't even seen anywhere near that many, I think my count is around 90 or so).

Also had the discussion with Gene over at the Monster Mopar about the total number of HEMI Chargers produced, and I'm think that the number of 462 or whatever it is right, but that it shouldn't include the HEMI 500's or Daytona's. What is anyone else's idea on that one? If it did include them, that would only leave roughly 280-290 total HEMI Charger R/T's for 1969, does anyone else think that this number is way too low? I'm just going by impression here, but at every major Mopar show I attend there is at least 1 HEMI Charger R/T that is a 69 car. However in this year I've seen 4 HEMI 500's at shows this whole year, and and that takes into account that there was 3 of them at Carlisle due to the AERO section display.

This is great information!     But it doesn't make my search for a 4-speed C500 any too much more encouraging, though.   

[69_500]

Well it depends on how you take the word "encouraging". Because I think its definitely a plus to know that there are a certain number of cars that are at least known to exist in a certain combination. IE 4 speed 440 cars, have 26 that I have full fender tag information on. Have seen several others that are 4 speed cars, but no documentation, or way of backing up that they are a factory 4 speed car. The number I heard years ago was that there was 100+ 4 speed 440 powered 500's. Not sure if that makes you any more "encouraged".

[hemi68charger]

...The number I heard years ago was that there was 100+ 4 speed 440 powered 500's. Not sure if that makes you any more "encouraged".

Still like the old 26 number, but a 100+ makes more sense...   

Troy

[RAC95054]

Well if you have any info on that car I'd love to add its information as well Troy.

Like I said before my list is only partial, but I'm always looking to add any more information to make it more complete. If you add the HEMI 4 speeds I think it would probably be closer to 30 total 4 speed cars that I've seen.

See when I first started collecting this information all I did was write down VIN numbers and exterior colors. I didn't bother looking at fender tags to write that stuff down, or even the interiors. As the years progressed I started making more notes on cars.

This is an awsome thread, Danny!  Thanks you for getting it all out there.  Although the factoid here has me a little depressed, as it makes finding a 440 4-speed C500 for me seem even more difficult now.     I'm still holding out for Dana, Troy!

-Russ

[RAC95054]

Well if you have any info on that car I'd love to add its information as well Troy.

Like I said before my list is only partial, but I'm always looking to add any more information to make it more complete. If you add the HEMI 4 speeds I think it would probably be closer to 30 total 4 speed cars that I've seen.

See when I first started collecting this information all I did was write down VIN numbers and exterior colors. I didn't bother looking at fender tags to write that stuff down, or even the interiors. As the years progressed I started making more notes on cars.

This is an awsome thread, Danny!  Thanks you for getting it all out there.  Although the factoid here has me a little depressed, as it makes finding a 440 4-speed C500 for me seem even more difficult now.     I'm still holding out for Dana, Troy!

-Russ

I meant to ask in my last post, how many 440 4-speed C500's do you have in your list now, and how many do you not know what tranny they have?

[69_500]

26 that I know for a fact came from the factory sporting the 440 engine as well as the D21 transmission.

Of the total of 245 cars, I am missing the trans for 120 of the cars. IE many were years before I wrote down everything on these cars. Others, were missing either a tag or any way to prove one way or the other.

[RAC95054]

26 that I know for a fact came from the factory sporting the 440 engine as well as the D21 transmission.

Of the total of 245 cars, I am missing the trans for 120 of the cars. IE many were years before I wrote down everything on these cars. Others, were missing either a tag or any way to prove one way or the other.

Thanks!  That sounds more promising.    I don't suppose you have a color breakdown of those do you?? 

[69_500]

You want a color break down of the known 500's or of the ones that I don't know the transmission for? Because of the ones I don't have trans listed I didn't list a color either, as you would need the same documentation for a definate color match as a transmission. IE a fender tag, broadcast sheet, dealership order papers.

Okay if you wanting to know about the paint color break down of known 500's it goes like this.

A4     4
B3     0
B5     16
B7     0
F3      6
F5      16
F8      33
Q5      2
R4      37
R6      4
T3      5
T5      13
T7      4
W1     7
X9      7
Y2     10
Y3      0
Y4      5
99      1

[RAC95054]

You want a color break down of the known 500's or of the ones that I don't know the transmission for? Because of the ones I don't have trans listed I didn't list a color either, as you would need the same documentation for a definate color match as a transmission. IE a fender tag, broadcast sheet, dealership order papers.

Okay if you wanting to know about the paint color break down of known 500's it goes like this.

A4     4
B3     0
B5     16
B7     0
F3      6
F5      16
F8      33
Q5      2
R4      37
R6      4
T3      5
T5      13
T7      4
W1     7
X9      7
Y2     10
Y3      0
Y4      5
99      1

Great!  Thank you!     Can you break it down even further to auto vs. 4-speed??  That would be very good to know.    Thanks again!

[Aero426]

You want a color break down of the known 500's or of the ones that I don't know the transmission for? Because of the ones I don't have trans listed I didn't list a color either, as you would need the same documentation for a definate color match as a transmission. IE a fender tag, broadcast sheet, dealership order papers.

Okay if you wanting to know about the paint color break down of known 500's it goes like this.

A4     4
B3     0
B5     16
B7     0
F3      6
F5      16
F8      33
Q5      2
R4      37
R6      4
T3      5
T5      13
T7      4
W1     7
X9      7
Y2     10
Y3      0
Y4      5
99      1

Where is v2 Hemi Orange?

[hemigeno]

Where is v2 Hemi Orange?

Still on the drawing board in the Styling Department at the time...   

[Aero426]

Where is v2 Hemi Orange?

Still on the drawing board in the Styling Department at the time...   

Is that a late '69 color?

[hemigeno]

Where is v2 Hemi Orange?

Still on the drawing board in the Styling Department at the time...   

Is that a late '69 color?

Yes it was.  I have the paperwork around here somewhere showing the intro date for it.  Barry Washington scanned all my TSB's and posted them on his site, and I know it's on there.  Gimme a sec and I'll post it...

[hemigeno]

Here's the TSB:

[hemigeno]

FWIW, the date on the TSB isn't exactly correct though.  I have another factory document (an Engineering Transmittal) that outlines the introduction of V2 on Darts/Coronets/Chargers, and K2 for Plymouth B-bodies.  That document is dated March 7, 1969.

[WINGMAN]

  Looks like V2 was to late of a introduction to be on  a 69 500, wish my R4 500 was Q5 with white interior.       Jay.

[69_500]

The one that is 99 is the same 99 paint code orange as the Daytona that Tim Welbourn has though. If that is any consolation.

Gene, I thought that there was a paper somewhere that said that V2 was available some time back in December of 1968? Or am I mistaken? Or was that for F6 green? I just remember seeing one of the colors mentioned that "technically" would have been available if someone had acted super fast on ordering one in that color.

[moparstuart]

Where is v2 Hemi Orange?

Still on the drawing board in the Styling Department at the time...   

Is that a late '69 color?

Yes it was.  I have the paperwork around here somewhere showing the intro date for it.  Barry Washington scanned all my TSB's and posted them on his site, and I know it's on there.  Gimme a sec and I'll post it...

is v2 the same as tor- red on plymouths ??

[69_500]

V2 would be more along the lines of Vitamin C orange.

[hemigeno]

Gene, I thought that there was a paper somewhere that said that V2 was available some time back in December of 1968? Or am I mistaken? Or was that for F6 green? I just remember seeing one of the colors mentioned that "technically" would have been available if someone had acted super fast on ordering one in that color.

Danny, that would have been F6.  Intro date in Nov '68 if I remember right, which would have left very little time for a C500 to have been ordered, processed and built before they quit making them.  That's the one we were talking about before. 

is v2 the same as tor- red on plymouths ??

Yes, V2 is called HemiOrange for the 69+ Dodge product line, and Tor-Red for the 1970+ Plymouth line.  I never did figure out why Plymouth would have used a name with "Red" in it for an orange color 

V2 would be more along the lines of Vitamin C orange.

Actually, Vitamin C orange is Plymouth's name for K2 or EK2.  Go Mango is the Dodge name for Ek2, which was a '70 color/name.  K2 was introduced at the same time as V2 (the announcement to the factories was found on the same Engineering Transmittal dated March 7, 1969).  There is a debate about whether K2 orange is the same as the 99 coded "Omaha" Orange.  From what I've read, K2 paint has more metallic in it whereas 99 Omaha Orange has less or none.  The colors are very similar though.

As a clarification... for '69, V2 HemiOrange was "supposed" to be just for certain Dodge cars, and K2 was "supposed" to be exclusive to the Plymouth B-body line.  While I haven't personally seen any exceptions, I know better than to say they NEVER crossed product lines.  It wasn't supposed to happen though.  For 1970, both colors were available on Dodge & Plymouths, and I have no idea why they drew the distinctions for '69.

[C_stripes]

I know of a B5 blue with a blue leather interior 440 auto SE 500 with a black stripe. I don't have pics of it right now. But if I get some I will post one or two. I will see if I can get the vin this week.  Seems like it was also a A/C car and even power windows.   I also found a Daytona a few years ago which lots of you have seen photos of. Its a numbers matching 440 4spd dana car in R4 with white stripe and interior.

[moparstuart]

V2 would be more along the lines of Vitamin C orange.

ok  thats the color of my 70 road runner coupe My brother bought in 76 still has only 36 k on the body but miissing its original drive train .

[69_500]

I know of a B5 blue with a blue leather interior 440 auto SE 500 with a black stripe. I don't have pics of it right now. But if I get some I will post one or two. I will see if I can get the vin this week.  Seems like it was also a A/C car and even power windows.   I also found a Daytona a few years ago which lots of you have seen photos of. Its a numbers matching 440 4spd dana car in R4 with white stripe and interior.

Would be a very rare combination if there was a B5 blue SE 500 with A/C. So far have only information on 4 different 500's that have both the SE and A/C. Two of which are here in Indianapolis, one is owned by a board member, and then there is another in the southern USA.

[69_500]

Have had a few more updates to the lists in the past few months so figured I'd bring this thread back up.

Totals in the spreadsheet as of July 18th 2008

249 total Charger 500's known.

164 of  those are 440 powered cars.
85 of those are HEMI cars.

Rarest options so far are J46 locking gas cap, and N88 cruise control. Other than options that none of them have that is. IE M51 sunroof and such, and I have yet to find a single car with the M05 door mouldings.