'69 Charger R/T vs '69 Charger 500

[Imperial One]

I'm shopping for a 1968 Charger. While nosing through stuff from Hagerty I came across some information, an anomaly if you will, that I kind of wonder about. In regard to 1969 (not '68) Hagerty is suggesting that an R/T, given the same equipment and condition, is around 8% more valuable than a Charger 500.

According to Hagerty, the '69 Charger R/T in "good" condition has an indicated value of $66,300 whereas the '69 Charger 500 in "good" condition has an indicated value of $61,600.

These are for 440 cars. Hagerty further makes note: "For all Chargers: +20% for 4-spd. -10% for auto. Colors can make an astonishing difference in both value and salability".

So needless to say, the '69 Charger 500 is a MUCH rarer car. I don't know the numbers but I would expect that there were 10 to 20 R/T's made for every Charger 500.

So what accounts for this? Why is the 500 worth less? The "Bullitt" effect? Hideaway headlights? Tunnel back window? Just the name? I'd be curious to hear opinions.

BTW Hagerty values the 1968 Charger R/T at $67,900 for the same specs, so just slightly more dough that the 1969. And the 1970 Charger R/T is at $60,800. For 1971, according to Hagerty, the "poor country cousin" is only worth $41,400.

 

[Thrashingcows]

I think it is the easily recognizable as a top end performance car due to it being an "R/T", where as the Charger 500 is not so well known, even though it's history and special feature make it truly a more performance oriented vehicle.

 

[Lionized]

To add to this, all 1969 Charger 500's (and Daytona's) were based on an R/T. Hagerty's math is skewed.

 

[Hey-O]

I think It's the letters R/T.

 

[Imperial One]

To add to this, all 1969 Charger 500's (and Daytona's) were based on an R/T. Hagerty's math is skewed.

Skewed how?

 

[Lionized]

Skewed how?

You stated in your original post that "Hagerty is suggesting that an R/T, given the same equipment and condition, is around 8% more valuable than a Charger 500."

To me this is skewed when you consider the 500 comes off the assembly line as an R/T. The numbers should be reversed.

As a rule I only use Hagerty numbers in conjunction with other sources when trying to baseline a value.

 

[super-bee_ski]

The actual production numbers of the 1969 Charger 500 have always been disputed.
Today there is an ongoing debate over the actual production number of charger 500s built for production. for 1969 NASCARs Homologation required a car company to build 500 for street going versions pf a car in order for the sanctioning body to allow it on the track.
No one is exactly sure but reliable estimates range from 392 up to 559.
One theory is that a number of 500s may have been either held back or recalled, for conversion to Daytonas.
Remember, at half year the Charger 500 was beaten badly by the Torino Taladega and the Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II nothingnesses running the BOSS 429, in fact Richard Petty drove the 43 Taladega in 1969.

Source of data and support from: Hemmings Muscle Machines, page 26, November 2020

 

[chargervert]

The Charger 500 registry is up to 321 as of this date, the only way to see if the 392 number is inaccurate will be when more than that number are known to exist. My former 500 is on the list. When I bought the one I had they could be bought for the same money as a comparable R/T. The ones that I have seen sell have brought the same or stronger money than an R/T.

 

[chargervert]

The 500 has more race wins than the Daytona's do.

 

[F4R/T]

I would have to say I think that they like to assume. Value is what you are willing to pay for it and what it means to you. Try to build a 69 Charger 500 for that price.. you may get lucky you may not. I really would have to say they should be used as ball park not a true price. It could be the last roll of toilet paper in the world ... and you need it. I would not deduct for an auto or color, it needs to be based solely on the condition of it and it’s story . While I feel it’s way cool to have a high impact color I look at it say hey F4 green actually looks pretty subtle and nice. The beauty is totally in the eye of the beholder IMO.

 

[beanhead]

No offense intended, but to me the 500's just don't look as good. The flush headlights and back window were great on the high banks but doesn't have the same styling impact of the regular Charger. Just being 'rare' isn't always enough in my opinion to put something at the top of the 'cool factor' list....but to some people, rareness is everything. To each his own, but the market values dictate what is more/less valuable and if the difference is only a couple G's in the 60K range I'd pretty much call it a wash.

 

[33 IMP]

I think Hagerty is nuts!.....and wrong.

 

[kramer]

I would bet they are confusing the 69 Charger 500 with the 70 Charger 500?

 

[33 IMP]

I would bet they are confusing the 69 Charger 500 with the 70 Charger 500?

I think that's entirely possible. There is more than a little difference between a ordinary 70 500, and a nascar special!

 

[super-bee_ski]

No offense intended, but to me the 500's just don't look as good. The flush headlights and back window were great on the high banks but doesn't have the same styling impact of the regular Charger. Just being 'rare' isn't always enough in my opinion to put something at the top of the 'cool factor' list....but to some people, rareness is everything. To each his own, but the market values dictate what is more/less valuable and if the difference is only a couple G's in the 60K range I'd pretty much call it a wash.

I personally have only seen 2 in person.
One, Dark green, I think Vinyl top, 440 auto car in a storage lot at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton OH.
Year: 1983
Allegedly he was a Captain in the Air Force overseas.
Great condition
Hmmm, maybe I have only seen that one...

 

[super-bee_ski]

I would have to say I think that they like to assume. Value is what you are willing to pay for it and what it means to you. Try to build a 69 Charger 500 for that price.. you may get lucky you may not. I really would have to say they should be used as ball park not a true price. It could be the last roll of toilet paper in the world ... and you need it. I would not deduct for an auto or color, it needs to be based solely on the condition of it and it’s story . While I feel it’s way cool to have a high impact color I look at it say hey F4 green actually looks pretty subtle and nice. The beauty is totally in the eye of the beholder IMO.

Yup, great point...especially in 1968 AND 1969 the most requested/desirable car color was "Green"
That 69 Charger 500 I saw in storage at Wright-Patt AFB, 1883 was F4 Green...it was a gorgeous car...
Very rare indeed...
But hey!
The "Sheeple" all love the 1969 Camaro...Ha Ha.....

 

[Budnicks]

I personally have only seen 2 in person.
One, Dark green, I think Vinyl top, 440 auto car in a storage lot at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton OH.
Year: 1983
Allegedly he was a Captain in the Air Force overseas.
Great condition
Hmmm, maybe I have only seen that one...

I used to ride my bike or drive by one, in my 68 Charger R/T
a pristine example, a White one, black guts, 426 Hemi with a 4 speed
in Concord Ca. daily, Late 70's early 80's
on the way to my buds Jeff "beaks" house
it always sat out in the guy's driveway
I'd drool all over it on a regular basis

I love the 69 Charger 500's
almost as much as I like the 68 Charger R/T's, my 1st love
it'd be tough to decide between the 2,
if I could afford to buy either one
or I was gifted either & had to choose between them...

 

[super-bee_ski]

I used to ride my bike or drive by one, in my 68 Charger R/T
a pristine example, a White one, black guts, 426 Hemi with a 4 speed
in Concord Ca. daily, Late 70's early 80's
on the way to my buds Jeff "beaks" house
it always sat out in the guy's driveway
I'd drool all over it on a regular basis

I love the 69 Charger 500's
almost as much as I like the 68 Charger R/T's, my 1st love
it'd be tough to decide between the 2,
if I could afford to buy either one
or I was gifted either & had to choose between them...

OH MY GOD>>>>
Yup, 100 percent Budnicks
Mty FAV is exactly the same as yours..
1. 68 T/T
2. 69 Charger 500
3. 70 Superbird?
There is a gorgeous Turbine Bronze one (69 Charger 500) in this months Hemmings Muscle Machine magizine.

 

[Imperial One]

I used to ride my bike or drive by one, in my 68 Charger R/T
a pristine example, a White one, black guts, 426 Hemi with a 4 speed
in Concord Ca. daily, Late 70's early 80's
on the way to my buds Jeff "beaks" house
it always sat out in the guy's driveway
I'd drool all over it on a regular basis

Like this one:

At Mopar Day at St. Thomas Dragway two weeks ago (not sure it's a 4 speed though). It really IS white (crappy cell phone photo).

 

[Budnicks]

Like this one:

View attachment 1009421

At Mopar Day at St. Thomas Dragway two weeks ago (not sure it's a 4 speed though).

I wish it was a Hemi car
my 68 Charger referring to in my above post
was an auto 727 TF 440cid
GG1 green, black rear stripe,
black top & guts, console & bucket seats

had another 11) 68-70 Chargers R/T's, from 1974 to 2007-ish
& 11) 68-70 RR's too
I've been on an exclusive 2) 68 RR trip since then
my current LL1 Surf Turquoise
& prior AA-1 Bright Silver from 1997-2007 {13 RR's in total now}

I don't have any photos unfortunately
I had that car (GG-1 Charger) for 12+ years too
sold it to my cousin Joe, he totalled it some 2 week later
my sister says she "may have some" (?)
one of these days I will look thru my dad's slides too
my exstepmother Patty (bitch) was an avid photo-buff
I know of one photo when I was standing on the hood
flexing my biceps, for a fake pose
after it was wrecked the 1st time
on J-Street in Sacramento, I rear-ended a jacked up Camaro
while staring at girls ahead of them
took out my radiator & front clip (long story)

I know there's at a min 1 photo