At a time when racing engines were pushing the horsepower envelope, the manufacturers involved in stock car racing’s premier series knew that, to win, they had to find another way to make their cars faster. One hundred eighty mph just was not quick enough for the new superspeedways, and producing enough reliable horsepower to break the 200 mph barrier was not feasible. Manufacturers turned to aerodynamics to make up the difference, triggering a battle for aero supremacy that gave us such gems as the Plymouth Superbird, Ford Torino Talladega, and the car offered here, the Dodge Charger 500. Subtle yet significant aerodynamic alterations differentiate between the 500 and the standard Charger. Though the car never achieved the racing success that Dodge imagined, it was an important step on the path to wildly successful designs that would soon follow.

Despite NASCAR homologation rules that mandated the production of 500 road-going cars, it is believed that only 392 examples were actually completed. The brilliant red example offered here is documented as number 52 of the original 392 cars in the Chrysler Registry. It is powered by a period-correct example of the legendary 440-cu. in. “Magnum” V-8 engine that is backed by a four-speed manual transmission controlled by the iconic Hurst shifter. As confirmed by research completed by noted Mopar expert Galen Govier, this car was factory equipped with many highly desirable options, including the Track Pak, power brakes, white and black interior with bucket seats, center console, and deluxe radio with 8-track. It has been fully restored and is in exceptional condition throughout.

Rarer than the other ‘Aero Wars’ cars, including the vaunted Charger Daytona, this desirably optioned and fully documented Charger 500 is an ideal example for inclusion in any of the world’s finest muscle car or racing car collections.