What does the 500 mean?

[70 500]

I bought my grandfathers project 1970 dodge charger 500 a few years back and he had always told me that because its a 500 that only 500 hundred were manufactured that year. Any research i have come up with has either said that 500 of them were made between 69 and 70 or they dont mention it at all other than the fact that it has a couple of extra factory options. Does anyone know the real deal, i feel kind of dumb for asking, especially because i own one, but it has been bugging me for a while.



Thx, Lane

[Fitz73Chrgr]

In 1969, the 500 was deisgned for NASCAR, and I believe NASCAR required that at least 500 be produced to qualify it as a production car.  I don't think all 500 of the '69s were ever made, though.  But in 1970 & 1971, "500" was just a package.  Not sure what options it entailed.  I'm sure someone will chime in and let us know.

But in 1970, there were a lot more than 500 Charger 500s made.  I don't know exactly how many, but once again, I'm sure someone else here will. 

[The70RT]

27,236   8 cylinder 1970 Charger 500's built  & only 28  6 cylinder 1970 Charger 500's built.

[Death1970Proof]

I hear also that that only 2,887 500 se's were made in 1970 as well...

[charger_mike75]

I read that there were a little over 500 69's made, like 501 or 509

[moparstuart]

I read that there were a little over 500 69's made, like 501 or 509

there  is a big debate about that . I dont think any one really knows. I'm guessing 400 or less but some so called "experts" say many more.
 

[hemihead]

I go with the old estimate of 392 built in 69 . That was the number for years up until just a couple years ago . About the same time cloning started ......

[hemigeno]

When it comes to Chargers, the 500 designation in 1969 was more-or-less intended as a reference to NASCAR's homologation requirement of 500 street vehicles produced in order to qualify a body style for sanctioned races.

After 1969 the designation became a reference to a trim grade or package a la Coronets.  In previous years, Chrysler used numbers quite often to denote which trim package a car came with - e.g. 330, 440, 500.  I guess once the NASCAR connection went away after Bill France changed the homologation threshhold, Chrysler reverted back to the trim grade connotation.

Oh, and I don't think the change in estimated production numbers for the 1969 C500's had anything to do with cloning.  It has everything to do with Galen Govier's published numbers, and no one else seems to understand where they came from.  It's certainly not the case that someone did a nosecount and suddenly found more cars than had previously been recorded due to cloning, etc.  In fact, no one has yet to account for the 392 cars that had previously been thought to be the correct #.

[PocketThunder]

Whats Danny up to now about 260 69 C500's knows to exist?   

[69_500]

Close but I'm short of 260, I'm stuck at #244 for now. Hopefully going to go up, but never know when a new one is going to pop up somewhere.

[Charger_Fan]

In 1970, the 500 was the most popular trim level sold that year for Chargers. They made "XH" base models, "XP" 500 models & "XS" R/T models that year.

The '70 Registry has compiled tons of good info on this model year. Here's a link showing the production totals & option code breakdowns, if you have your build sheet.
http://1970chargerregistry.com/page4.html

[John_Kunkel]

I always thought it was in reference to the 500 miles many NASCAR races run, like the Daytona 500 et al.

[BigBlackDodge]

According to one of the local cops mine has a '500' cubic inche motor.................


I wish!

BBD

[hemihead]

With GG 's estimate involved , I'll stick with the 392 figure for sure .

[tttaziz]

Then again, Dodge had been using 500 as a designation for years, starting with the D500 engine options from 1956 to 1961.  Followed with the Polara 500 in 1962, Coronet 500 in 1965, and Monaco 500 in 1966.

[Charger_Fan]

I always thought it was in reference to the 500 miles many NASCAR races run, like the Daytona 500 et al.

I had assumed the same thing. 

The ones that really threw me were the Coronet "440" models. The first time I popped the hood on one & found a 318 in there, the wind suddenly left my sails.

[PocketThunder]

I always thought it was in reference to the 500 miles many NASCAR races run, like the Daytona 500 et al.

I had assumed the same thing. 

The ones that really threw me were the Coronet "440" models. The first time I popped the hood on one & found a 318 in there, the wind suddenly left my sails.

I was 16 and in dire need of a car.  My dad had a 66 Coronet and sure enough i find one in the local autotrader.  1966 Coronet 440 complete, $1100!  I some how talked my dad into going to look at it and when i got there it wasnt a 440 at all.  My dad knew the whole time too but didnt say anything.  Anyways, he wouldnt let me buy it because the A/C compressor was missing.      I had to settle for the family car to go on dates..... a 1983 Ford escort 5-speed diesel POS. 

[moparstuart]

I always thought it was in reference to the 500 miles many NASCAR races run, like the Daytona 500 et al.

I had assumed the same thing. 

The ones that really threw me were the Coronet "440" models. The first time I popped the hood on one & found a 318 in there, the wind suddenly left my sails.

I was 16 and in dire need of a car.  My dad had a 66 Coronet and sure enough i find one in the local autotrader.  1966 Coronet 440 complete, $1100!  I some how talked my dad into going to look at it and when i got there it wasnt a 440 at all.  My dad knew the whole time too but didnt say anything.  Anyways, he wouldnt let me buy it because the A/C compressor was missing.      I had to settle for the family car to go on dates..... a 1983 Ford escort 5-speed diesel POS. 

good thing you didnt get a bigger car the way you reproduce

[70 500]

well thx ha, i guess that kind of answers my question