Dodge "Orange Peel" Dragster

[joflaig]

Back in the early 80s when I was little my favorite toy used to be my Hot Wheels "Orange Peel" matchbox car. It never occured to me thinking back that it was a Dodge (let alone a Charger!), but when I checked just now on eBay, sure enough it was. It looks like it could be a 500, though the bumper doesn't seem right and the rear window isn't flush. The original Orange Peel matchbox car was from the 70s and it was re-issued in the early 80s when I got one.

Does anyone know if this was a real dragster back in the day? It would be fun to re-create it if I knew what I had to find to start with. It certainly would be cheaper than your normal resto (maybe!) since in many respects it would be bare bones, especially the interior. I don't think I've seen any Chargers with an offset stripe like this.

[joflaig]

one more good pic...

[speedfreak68]

it would be kinda neat if someone would build a car to match that...i kinda sorta like the stripe on one side like that.

[Ghoste]

I have that one somewhere but it isn't in nearly as good shape.    It suffered a bad custom paint job along the line too.

[Mike DC]

It's a 1969(ish) Dodge Charger that has a giant number "70" painted across the whole roof. 

And they called the car "74" in huge letters on the box packaging?

[Ghoste]

IIRC, it's actually a 68, but as for the 74 part...  I dunno, maybe 74 was when the model came out and they were just confused?

[69bronzeT5]

I have that exact same car except its purple with flames. It was made in 1971

[Ghoste]

I can't imagine that what it said on the box much affected sales in the target demographic anyway. 

[Cooperman]

The '74' is the Matchbox model number... 

[greenpigs]

I still have mine as well and it has 68 tail lights.

[nobeco]

Hello, I am new here and have a question for this thread.
First off, let me introduce myself. My name is Jim and I live in British Columbia Canada. I am a diecast collector and restorer and sell parts, decals and tires for Dinky, Corgi and Matchbox on eBay and eBid. I am know in a few forums, most notably in Dana Johnstons, Toy Car Collector Yahoo group and at Toy Collector. I am a moderator at the latter and if anyone is interested here is a link. http://www.toycollector.com/index.php.
To my question. It is on this particular car and I am wondering if anyone here has a near mint one of these they could take a few pictures of for me. I have a friend in a town about 45 minutes drive from me how is doing a custom job for another friend and needs these side decals for his project. If it is not too much trouble, that is. It would be greatly appreciated by me and my buddy who is an avid Matchbox and Hot Wheels collector and like to do customs.
Any help at all would be much appreciated.

Jim in Greenwood, BC, Canada
Very small town and oldest incorporated city in Canada. 1897 and there are only 660 people that live here.
I love it here. http://www.greenwoodcity.com/

[kab69440]

I have that exact same car except its purple with flames. It was made in 1971

Bronzy, that car is a re-issue from the mid-90s. It came in an " Action Pack" with a tow truck, cones and a couple of other things. I still have a few of them around here unopened. Not chastising you, just mean to inform.