What's it Worth 69 Charger 500

[mrmolding]

Hey all! A friend of mine asked if I knew the value of this car in its current condition. The vin and fender tag are intact but in case anyone here is trying to sell, I’m leaving out those pics. The vin starts with XX. I mainly a road runner guy so I wanted thoughts on value in current condition. He said it’s supposed to be 1 of 392. Thoughts? Thanks as always everyone!

 

[eldubb440]

one of my favorite Mopars

 

[moparedtn]

Without the usual details (completeness, matching numbers, etc.) you might try starting here:
1969 Dodge Charger 500 | Hagerty Valuation Tools

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Cool project, rare, but how much is missing? Console sitting between the seats and a floor shift column in the passenger seat but a but a column shifter bolted in points to a guy who was building more to what he desired than what the tag shows... 440 has A/C brackets but the car isn't A/C so likely not the original engine.... Hard car to put a price on, being a Charger alone is $$$$ these days, being a Aero Model with an XX VIN means more $$$$ but being a project means every piece needs to be inventoried & judged for correctness & condition....

 

[#41]

In light of lacking info needed to accurately value it, l'll just assume it is a 440 column shift car and base it on photos. Maybe 45-55k as is. Actual engine, trans, numbers matching? options, color, rust, missing parts, etc. throw those numbers out the window and guess again.

The production number of 392 is outdated. The most likely and accepted number amongst knowledgeable 500 folks is 548. Around 335 or so cars have been verified to date with a couple more found every year. Maybe this one is off the radar, but without knowing the VIN I can't tell you.

 

[MarPar]

 

[mrmolding]

Cool project, rare, but how much is missing? Console sitting between the seats and a floor shift column in the passenger seat but a but a column shifter bolted in points to a guy who was building more to what he desired than what the tag shows... 440 has A/C brackets but the car isn't A/C so likely not the original engine.... Hard car to put a price on, being a Charger alone is $$$$ these days, being a Aero Model with an XX VIN means more $$$$ but being a project means every piece needs to be inventoried & judged for correctness & condition....

So there is a fender tag in bad shape but readable. I don’t have any more than that but again it’s for a friend and not sure how much he’s willing to spend based on condition.

EDIT: I added pics a few posts down of fender tag and vin plate.

 

[chargervert]

As far as I am concerned until I see number 393 verified,the 392 production number stands. I would venture to guess the value at 40k. Possibly 50k if those are the matching numbers engine and transmission. The fender tag and buildsheet,might even bump it higher. Does he have the A pillar moldings and rear window moldings? Not having them could effect the price.

 

[70 sublime]

There are 2 engines in the motor picture so maybe the orange one you can just see the corner of under the cover is the factory engine from the car and not the one with air parts on it

 

[6PKRTSE]

For what people are asking for pure junk these days. I would say 40-50 G's. However, 69 500's are my least favorite 68-70 Chargers.

 

[DeltaV]

For what people are asking for pure junk these days. I would say 40-50 G's. However, 69 500's are my least favorite 68-70 Chargers.

 

[mrmolding]

Ok. Finally got the pics on my computer and removed the last part of the VIN on the dash and fender tag since for a friend. This is all that was shared with me. No idea about build sheet or anything else. Very interesting!!! Thanks again everyone!

 

[Runcharger]

Maybe I'm wrong and I personally like the 500's and their heritage. Having said that in years past I've seen 500's not necessarily carry a premium over an R/T, The T7 may not help it either. Like I say maybe I'm wrong but that's what I've seen over the years. C16 on the tag anyway which I think helps it.

 

[chargervert]

When I bought my 69 500 back in the nineties they were about the same price as a Charger R/T, and considered less desirable because of the grille and window plug. The Dukes of Hazzard was the most popular television show at that time and people preferred the standard Charger more. These days the 500 seems to command more than a Charger R/T, because the popularity of the Daytona Charger has brought the Charger 500s story to light. Your friend needs to check to see if the car is in the Charger 500 registry and if not he should add it to the site. This will help confirm if the 392 production numbers are legitimate or if the currently discussed number of 548 is more accurate. The story of the 392 production numbers were accepted because when Nascar went to verify that 500 were built supposedly only 392 were built by this time,so the story goes that the ones already counted were driven around to the back of the line to be counted a second time. This story may very well be true, but there is no information if the rest of the 500 cars were ever produced. Supposedly the head of Fords racing division questioned the count,and was told several are available at local dealerships if you want to buy one,Dodge had met their obligation to produce 500 examples in Nascars eyes.

 

[DeltaV]

@mrmolding
The above link will take you to a spreadsheet for the 1969 Charger 500.

Their email is pasted below, but I don't know if it is still an active address. I am sure they would like any info and pics the owner is willing to send/share.

[email protected]

 

[#41]

Your friend needs to check to see if the car is in the Charger 500 registry and if not he should add it to the site. This will help confirm if the 392 production numbers are legitimate or if the currently discussed number of 548 is more accurate. The story of the 392 production numbers were accepted because when Nascar went to verify that 500 were built supposedly only 392 were built by this time,so the story goes that the ones already counted were driven around to the back of the line to be counted a second time. This story may very well be true, but there is no information if the rest of the 500 cars were ever produced. Supposedly the head of Fords racing division questioned the count,and was told several are available at local dealerships if you want to buy one,Dodge had met their obligation to produce 500 examples in Nascars eyes.

Those are the oft heard stories, but just to clarify for others, the 392 number comes from a letter that Chrysler wrote to a customer inquiry. That letter was written 2-1/2 years after 500 production stopped. I believe this is how that number got stuck in everyones head.

However, as more info is uncovered we adjust our view. There is a second letter by Chrysler that states 548. It also provides a breakdown of the number of cars with hemis, 440s, autos, and 4 speeds. This letter is also supported by the number of 500 VINs on the list in the possession of Govier (which of course he is not sharing), but quotes from. A few people are said to have seen the list and confirm it (hearsay to me - nobody I know).

The 548 number has more legitimate support...... but, with all that said, I think the real nail in the coffin of the 392 number is that considering the number of the cars positively identified as existing so far, the survival rate would be somewhere around 85% (335-ish/392) if 392 were true. Most people would agree that this is unlikely for a car that even today is under appreciated. With each car uncovered via the registry or elsewhere, the 392 number become even more suspect, not more likely to be true.

So that's it in a nutshell. The letters for folks viewing pleasure:

 

[#41]

Ok. Finally got the pics on my computer and removed the last part of the VIN on the dash and fender tag since for a friend. This is all that was shared with me. No idea about build sheet or anything else. Very interesting!!! Thanks again everyone!

View attachment 1808133

View attachment 1808134

FYI, the SO number 925410 is unique to each car. Each 500 starts with "925", followed by a unique 3 digits.

I took a look, and the car is already a known VIN in the registry.

 

[r4sedan]

Just my opinion. 50k would have to be light compared to rust buckets selling for 25 to 30k.
And this is being a rare car.

 

[mrmolding]

Thanks again guys! We will see if he decides to make an offer!

 

[chargervert]

The 69 Charger 500 was still able to compete in Nascar racing when the 1971 letter saying 548 units were produced was written. There is no way while the car could still be raced in competition that Chrysler was going to admit anything less than 500 units being built. The latter letter stating 392 might be accurate. Some of the cars listed in the registry are known,but no longer exist. I have heard that Galen has the list of actual VIN numbers.