Operation: Press Release Hemi Charger 500, #614

[C500]

I like the Polara wheel covers it has, and had in the Bud video. Do they look like they will clean up well? I have a set on mine, and they look great.

I haven't inspected them thoroughly yet. May but those that Ralph has.
You have a picture you could share? Would like to see what others look like. There is one road test picture with a 500 with black steelies and hub caps (doggies).

It's not moving under it's own steam yet, will try for a pic in the next few days. Also have 500's and a aet of doggies. Different clothes for different days.

The Bud car or not, cool to own one of the original pilot cars 

[hemi68charger]

... Different clothes for different days.

The Bud car or not, cool to own one of the original pilot cars 

I will have that too.. I will have a set of redlines with the full wheel covers and a set of 15x7 or 15x8 steelies.

If I go painted steelies, I'll have hub caps, if not, they'll be black with chrome lug nuts..

[Mytur Binsdirti]

I watched video few times what's the black circle cover on speedometer

https://www.musclecarfan.com/bud-lindemann-road-test-1969-dodge-charger-500-426-hemi/amp/

Sun reflection on the clear lens?

[nascarxx29]

Looks like a stick on circle pad

[70 sublime]

Video said 7 mpg ouch

[nascarxx29]

110615 local car from nj left for Calif
Troys is 110614

[1969daytona]

Congratulation!

Real Nice find.

K-E

[Mytur Binsdirti]

Were the other promo cars panther pink too?   

[C500]

Were the other promo cars panther pink too?   

 

[hemi68charger]

Some NOS stuff waiting to be placed on this Charger..

Back to the car and less useless banter...
1. NOS items I have had for a LONG time waiting for the right car. Well, it is here.. 1 500 script for the taillamp panel I have had for nearly 20 years and headlamp bezels.
2. The NOS center grille came with the car.

[Mopar John]

                                                                          CAUTION!
Correct NOS - ASSEMBLY LINE parts are addicting!
MJ

[odcics2]

                                                                          CAUTION!
Correct NOS - ASSEMBLY LINE parts are addicting!
MJ

...and hard to find...   

[hemi-hampton]

And expensive

[Moparpoolman]

Does this car have XX on the dash VIN?

[Mytur Binsdirti]

 Is that a body tag?   

[odcics2]

Is that a body tag?   

For "race" fill in "Yes".

[hemi68charger]

Is that a body tag?   

You freakin' crack me up.. 

It is the price tag of the emblem when I bought it..

[Dragon Slayer]

here's the engine compartment pic of the HOT ROD test HEMI automatic Charger 500

notice power steering pump & master cylinder

it would make sense that there were East Coast & West Coast "press test vehicles"

& if someone had a connection at HOT ROD, I'd bet that fender tag is readable on the source - was this photo published in MCR, does anyone know the issue?

I've written Hot Rod today to try and get information... I can't see what you're referring to about the power steering pump.. I do see there are some adaptors on the master cylinder the brake lines are going into... mmmmm? I don't recall those...

This one is an auto and I also notice it doesn't have the big body plug in the firewall between the bulkhead connector and the wiper motor...

I also notice the placement of the Emissions decal, in the normally position spot of the '68 model year. My '68 Hemi Charger R/T had it over there by the washer bottle. For the most part, the 1969 model year had the Emissions decal next to the data tag..  Also noticed that on #1 from the pictures it is missing the Emissions decal all together..

If you look at bracket for PS Pump, you can see it is different.  It is the Big Block Federal Type bracket.  Which would indicate a Federal pump.  So... with water pump housing looking like it was swapped maybe pump was too.  How close is the pully to the housing of the TRW pump at the HP hose inlet?  Part number and date code on hose may help resolve especially if it is way early date code.

Interesting on the adapters on MC, wonder why?  Have not seen those before.  Are they just adapters or a type of residual pressure valve?

[Dragon Slayer]

Keep in mind that the few early press cars were probably hand assembled on a pilot line and not Creative sourced.

Parts may not be "production level" either, compared to later builds.
Remember the few 1972 440 Sixpack B Bodies that were made, but weren't supposed to exist!!  

Yes, but they rolled down as a 69 R/T, so the only things hand done should have been the conversion parts.  All of the major items (motor, brakes, steering, etc) should have been normal line items, no?

[hemi68charger]

here's the engine compartment pic of the HOT ROD test HEMI automatic Charger 500

notice power steering pump & master cylinder

it would make sense that there were East Coast & West Coast "press test vehicles"

& if someone had a connection at HOT ROD, I'd bet that fender tag is readable on the source - was this photo published in MCR, does anyone know the issue?

I've written Hot Rod today to try and get information... I can't see what you're referring to about the power steering pump.. I do see there are some adaptors on the master cylinder the brake lines are going into... mmmmm? I don't recall those...

This one is an auto and I also notice it doesn't have the big body plug in the firewall between the bulkhead connector and the wiper motor...

I also notice the placement of the Emissions decal, in the normally position spot of the '68 model year. My '68 Hemi Charger R/T had it over there by the washer bottle. For the most part, the 1969 model year had the Emissions decal next to the data tag..  Also noticed that on #1 from the pictures it is missing the Emissions decal all together..

If you look at bracket for PS Pump, you can see it is different.  It is the Big Block Federal Type bracket.  Which would indicate a Federal pump.  So... with water pump housing looking like it was swapped maybe pump was too.  How close is the pully to the housing of the TRW pump at the HP hose inlet?  Part number and date code on hose may help resolve especially if it is way early date code.

Interesting on the adapters on MC, wonder why?  Have not seen those before.  Are they just adapters or a type of residual pressure valve?

With these extremely early 500's, and hemi's at that, we can't assume they were dressed with the same pulley set up as production '69 cars were. Those motors they used could have been left-over '68-prepped motors... So, there could be similarities to the '68 model year ( just like the example of early '69 door handles with the black button versus production-69 chrome..  Make sense?

[white]

Sure does Troy, My 69 has black buttons on door handles.

[Y1CHARGER]

                                                                          CAUTION!
Correct NOS - ASSEMBLY LINE parts are addicting!
MJ

...and hard to find...   

these tail lights would be a nice addition to such a rare and expensive car
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-70-DODGE-CHARGER-Daytona-NOS-TAIL-LIGHTS/163601579598?_trksid=p2485497.m4902.l9144

[Y1CHARGER]

Does this car have XX on the dash VIN?

I thought the early 500 cars (doesn't get much earlier than this) had XS on dash and fender tag but was designated a 500 by the A11 on the tag, and the XX came later?  Not sure how much later?  Someone can correct me on this if I'm wrong.

[odcics2]

Keep in mind that the few early press cars were probably hand assembled on a pilot line and not Creative sourced.

Parts may not be "production level" either, compared to later builds.
Remember the few 1972 440 Sixpack B Bodies that were made, but weren't supposed to exist!!  

Yes, but they rolled down as a 69 R/T, so the only things hand done should have been the conversion parts.  All of the major items (motor, brakes, steering, etc) should have been normal line items, no?

Not necessarily.

The first few Charger 500s were probably made at the Clairpointe Pre-Production plant.  
Made as a Charger 500, not a converted R/T, like the rest of the production cars.

When Troy gets to removing the interior, I hope he looks for any signs of broken glass from the rear window being broken out to make a 500 from an R/T.
If there ARE glass bits, then it WAS a converted R/T.   If not, it was purpose built as a 500.  

Pilot cars were known to get most of the correct parts, but not all.  

Any C-500 experts out there?

[C500]

Does this car have XX on the dash VIN?

I thought the early 500 cars (doesn't get much earlier than this) had XS on dash and fender tag but was designated a 500 by the A11 on the tag, and the XX came later?  Not sure how much later?  Someone can correct me on this if I'm wrong.

November 14 was the date they started getting XX, but there are a few exemptions either side of this date.