Before the Daytona, There Was the Charger 500: The Underdog That Paved the Way for a Legend 1969 Dodge

Fitted with a sharp nose cone and a tall rear wing, the Daytona remains one of the boldest takes on Dodge’s legendary Charger. Only 503 examples were built, making it one of the most collectible Mopars ever made. But it wasn’t the first NASCAR-inspired Charger—before the Daytona came the lesser-known Charger 500.

When Dodge launched the first-generation Charger in 1966, the company wasted no time entering NASCAR. The coupe claimed 18 victories in its debut season, yet still fell short of taking the championship title from Ford.

Hoping for better results in 1968, Dodge introduced the redesigned Charger R/T. Despite its muscle and power, the car struggled to beat Ford’s Torino Talladega on high-speed oval tracks. Wind tunnel testing showed that the open grille and recessed rear window caused unwanted lift and drag. To solve it, engineers made the rear glass flush with the roofline and swapped the nose for a Coronet-style grille.

NASCAR’s homologation rules required a production version for public sale, so Dodge released the Charger 500 for the 1969 model year. Just 392 units were made.

But even the 500 couldn’t outpace Ford’s aerodynamic Torino, prompting Dodge to go even further and create the iconic Charger Daytona shortly afterward. Although Dodge revived the “500” name in 1970 and 1971, those later models shared nothing with the ’69 homologation car—a true one-year wonder and a prized collectible today.

While not as famous as the Daytona, the Charger 500 still carries serious appeal, especially in Hemi form. Its 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8 engine cranked out 425 horsepower, making it one of the fiercest street machines of its era. Only 67 Hemi-powered Charger 500s were ever produced—40 with the TorqueFlite automatic and 27 with a four-speed manual transmission. The Dark Bronze Metallic example shown here is one of those rare manual cars.

This particular 500 will roll across the block at Mecum’s Kissimmee 2026 auction in January. It’s believed to be a semi-survivor, meaning most of its original parts remain intact.

What makes it a semi-survivor? In this case, the car’s body panels are original, the interior has survived more than five decades, and the drivetrain is numbers-matching. It has only been repainted once.

Out of the 67 Hemi 500s built, only five are listed in the registry as finished in T5 Dark Bronze Metallic. It’s unclear how many of those came with a four-speed manual and Saddle interior, making this one potentially a one-of-one classic.

As for value, expect it to bring in a six-figure hammer price. Experts predict bidding will likely top $200,000, placing it among the most expensive Charger 500s ever sold.

To date, just five examples have crossed the $200K mark, with two exceeding $250,000. The record-holder—a low-mileage black example with a red tail stripe—sold for a staggering $341,000 in 2023. While this Bronze beauty may not break that record, it’s sure to fetch a hefty sum.