Weird vinyl roof option

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Dec 10, 08 11:34 am

I was at that event - that is his black Daytona in the background. I think that was a 4 speed hemi as well - it had a white tail IIRC.

DOH!!! - Just seen the FIRST picture...of course it had a white tail...

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Wed Dec 10, 08 11:48 am

steveo wrote:
R.RUNNER wrote:
Stu wrote:Don't want one, but don't want to see one like that! Jury's out on the rear window of the 500's, but I think I prefer the lines and front end of the 68 as well. Though I like the rear lights on 69's too.

Indecisive, or what..................................................no wonder you own a Barracuda....

....... .....

Not indecisive. Appreciative of many different styles.

68 Barracuda being a particular favourite, hence why DECIDED to have one.

Without a vinyl roof, because they look cack.

steveo · Post by **steveo** » Wed Dec 10, 08 12:32 pm

Stu wrote:
steveo wrote:
R.RUNNER wrote:

Indecisive, or what..................................................no wonder you own a Barracuda....

....... .....
Not indecisive. Appreciative of many different styles. 68 Barracuda being a particular favourite, hence why DECIDED to have one.

Without a vinyl roof, because they look cack.

would have one also if i had the dosh

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Wed Dec 10, 08 12:40 pm

Count me in as one who really likes the 69 Charger 500.

As far as production numbers are concerned, Tony is right about the total number being debateable.

The story goes..... There were supposed to be 500 made, but Chrysler didn't make that many. - So, via 'slight of hand' many of them were 'counted twice' to make up the number. I believe the accepted actual figure is around 350 cars.

I can't honestly say I like the winged cars very much (am I the only one on this board to have driven a genuine Hemi Daytona?). They look great on the racetrack, but the road going cars never looked quite right to me.

I own two E bodies, so of course my favourite Mopars are B bodies; the 70 Coronet and 70 GTX (as long as they are in a high impact colour)

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Wed Dec 10, 08 12:50 pm

Having said all that.......

I also see figures where total production is stated as more than 500 cars? Perhaps the initial count happened befroe Chrysler made enough cars and the balance were produced after.

According to Galens little white books total production of 1969 Charger 500 is about: 450 440's and 120 Hemi's, - including 14 SE's. Or thereabouts.

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Wed Dec 10, 08 12:51 pm

Jim, you should have come to the pub with us last month - would have put a smile on your face. Not high impact though - sorry

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Dec 10, 08 1:58 pm

Adam wrote:Jim, you should have come to the pub with us last month - would have put a smile on your face. Not high impact though - sorry

Two of the best cars in the club IMHO.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Wed Dec 10, 08 2:44 pm

Jim wrote: I can't honestly say I like the winged cars very much (am I the only one on this board to have driven a genuine Hemi Daytona?). They look great on the racetrack, but the road going cars never looked quite right to me.

Now there's a question in itself! Anyone else?

What did you think of it as a driver, Jim? I take it that it's just the "not looking quite right" that puts you off? Any more details or story behind it?

So the 500, then... Apparently the rear plug and the new grille tested out to give it a total of 5mph on the top end speed. Was that deemed a bigger improvement then than it sounds today?

Jim, I found this quote on numbers : "Apparently making a valiant effort to meet NASCAR's minimum production requirement was also good enough to fit the bill. Estimates today commonly list only 392 Charger 500s built for 1969, although it's possible as many as 450 might've rolled out of the Creative Industries facility that year. In either case, someone obviously looked the other way while Dodge's first aero-racer was slipping onto NASCAR tracks."

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Wed Dec 10, 08 2:55 pm

Aww thanks Dave. You Challenger ain't so shabby either - I like the ethos of "looks stock but goes like hell"

Speaking of Challengers, I think they look good with vinyl roofs (lame attempt to get the thread back on track...). Also on notchback Mustangs, early Thunderbirds etc, i.e. where it gives the impression that the whole hardtop might be removeable.

I don't think they suit B bodies where the C pillar flows into the rear quarter. My Coronet should have a green vinyl roof, but I'm reluctant to put it back on.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Wed Dec 10, 08 2:57 pm

Stu, I have owned several Hemi E body and B body cars. The Hemi Daytona is exactly the same to drive as any other Hemi Charger.

I always reckon they just look a bit ungainly. The 68 and 69 CHarger was an excellent looking car in the first place - the nose and wing merely detracts from the look of a great car.

Personally, I reckon a B body is a great place for a Hemi engine. They are great fun to drive. There is nothing much to match the feeling of the Hemi howling while standing on the throttle pedal and gripping the wheel tight. A B body Mopar with a big motor is a very well balanced package (sad but true the same can't be said for an E body).

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Dec 10, 08 3:04 pm

As much as I appreciate their importance, I prefer a standard 69 charger to a 500. Two of the most important styling cues on the standard car, the concealed headlights and flying buttress's and tunnelled rear screen were dropped not to enhance the appeal of the car, but to improve it's aerodynamic performance.

When was the last time you walked into a car dealers and bought a car purely on its cd figure?

Personnally, I go for what I like the look of.

Mr.D's 500 will be a cracker. He has put a lot of effort into it.

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Wed Dec 10, 08 3:06 pm

Stu wrote: So the 500, then... Apparently the rear plug and the new grille tested out to give it a total of 5mph on the top end speed. Was that deemed a bigger improvement then than it sounds today?

5mph is huge Stu, even more so today. I just got back from the final NASCAR races at Homestead, and in qualifying, only about 2mph separated the pole winner from the last spot on the grid (43rd). If you're running 5mph slower than the leader, you're gonna get lapped several times in the race!

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Dec 10, 08 3:06 pm

I have driven Hemi Daytona Clone

In that mine was originally a 440 4bbl car, and I put a date correct 426 with 2 x 4bbls in it.

I think the biggest thing you noticed was the 4.10:1 gears as opposed to the motor, as anything picks up with a good (?) set of gears.

I would still love a Charger 500 as I think they have the best of both worlds - I love the true fastback look with the plug (properly finished unlike a Superbird) even though the trunk lid ends up frustratingly small.

I also like the clean look of the front (awaits brickbats!!) and a bit of weight off the nose.

Or One could buy a '69 Coronet and get a wholly better balanced package all together!!

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Wed Dec 10, 08 3:10 pm

I think that sums my opinion up quite well too, Clivey. I certainly wouldn't have bought one for the extra 5mph. I agree with what you say about appreciating them, too, I do that, but for me I'd rather have a standard 68/69, because I prefer the look of them. I'm not into having to have stuff because it's rare.

Though I'd still happily have one over any modern eurobox, obviously!

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Dec 10, 08 3:10 pm

Pete wrote:Or One could buy a '69 Coronet and get a wholly better balanced package all together!!

Exactly what I was thinking.

I love the look of the 69 Coronet and the six pack cars are the mutts nuts.