How many C-500 4spd cars were built?

[Highwaystar]

It seems the 392 total production numbers are an agreed number by most, but how many were 4 speed cars? It seems I was researching last year and came up with 33 total. Is there anyone that confirm that? Also what is the breakdown of 440 vs. 426 cars with 4 speeds? if that is available.
How about 440 vs. 426 in total production of C-500's? I assume most all 4 speeds were Dana 60 equipped, was there an option to order a 4 speed car with an 8 3/4 Rear?

[Ghoste]

Total four speed is just over 50 with about an even split betweeen Hemi and 440.  No option to get the 8.75 behind the four speed.  Just under 90 of the 392 total were Hemi cars.
This is assuming the 392 and other published numbers are correct.

[hemi68charger]

Numbers from way back showed there were something like 27 440 4speed and 29 426 4speeds........ But, I do believe those numbers are low........... At least for the 440 versions........ Danny would have a better grasp of this....

[Highwaystar]

Great info guys. Maybe the 33 number I came up with was for 440 cars. That sounds closer to what I'm seeing here. It looks to me around 15% of the Charger 500's were 4 speeds. whether its 1 of 392, or 1 of 50, or 1 of 33. Why do you think the Charger 500 isn't bringing better money than cars with higher production numbers? Is it the fact most hobbyist do not know what they are?

[Ghoste]

Thats the biggest reason, far overshadowed by the Daytona.  A lot of people find both cars unattractive but because of the Daytona legend are still willing to step up to them.  It also raced for a short time before the Daytona came along and with less success against the Talladega and Spoiler II.

[hemi68charger]

Great info guys. Maybe the 33 number I came up with was for 440 cars. That sounds closer to what I'm seeing here. It looks to me around 15% of the Charger 500's were 4 speeds. whether its 1 of 392, or 1 of 50, or 1 of 33. Why do you think the Charger 500 isn't bringing better money than cars with higher production numbers? Is it the fact most hobbyist do not know what they are?

The C500 is and will always be, to the collector masses, a redheaded step-child. It has far less of a visual appeal than a regular production Charger R/T or Daytona. Having owned two C500's, I have heard it all........ The C500 is like the 66-67 Chargers, you either love 'em, or hate 'em............

[Ghoste]

And as someone who loves them, I've never really understood that.  It's all too true though.

[held1823]

many people assume the 500 to be a lesser car than an r/t (rather than an r/t itself), as is the case on the '70 models. that misconception might play a large role.

you often see comments about the 500 grille, but rarely about the rear glass. i must be the oddball, as i never cared for the tunnel look of a regular charger. if not for the aero versions, i'd take a coronet r/t or super bee over a charger any day. my love of the '68 coronet grille might be why i prefer the 500's look over the hidden headlights.

imho, the only way to top an A12 car, is with an A11.

forgive me of my heresy, charger brethren...

[Mytur Binsdirti]

The C500 is and will always be, to the collector masses, a redheaded step-child. 

Are you saying that they are the Carrot Top of cars?

[Ghoste]

That would be the AMC Pacer.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

That would be the AMC Pacer.

Even the lowly Pacer looks better than Carrot Top.

[Highwaystar]

I was hooked on them, when I saw my first at the age of 15? It was a rusted up mess, even at that time in the early 80's, but it was cool and bad ass looking. They guy had a few Superbirds there as well wrecked up, but I gravitated to the 500. I was told at that time it was a much rarer car than the Superbirds by the owner, and it was the first car he was anxious to restore. Not sure if it was a 440 car or 426 car, but to him he had the Holy Grail.
I still stick with the general public don't know what they are. I call it the prototype to the Daytona with less production numbers = more valuable, and you don't have to worry about catching your front bumper on a curb.

[XS29LA47V21]

The C500 is and will always be, to the collector masses, a redheaded step-child. 

Are you saying that they are the Carrot Top of cars?

Sure to a Chevy collector maybe..LOL    thank you sir can I have another.

After all it is a 69 Charger... I like seeing a RR, Bees and those Ebody's like the next guy, but have I eyes for those charger lines.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

While we're on a "how many 500" subject, how many came with air conditioning?

[Ghoste]

Of the ones in the 69 Registry, there are less than a dozen with air conditioning doing a quick glance check.

[RallyeMike]

Ghost: OF curiousity, how many 500s are actually in the registry vs. the 392 number or the count that Danny has?

Speaking of AC 500's, I saw one yesterday. It was in my garage 

[Ghoste]

I have 128 registered, I need to touch base with Danny.

[XS29LA47V21]

Ghost: OF curiousity, how many 500s are actually in the registry vs. the 392 number or the count that Danny has?

Speaking of AC 500's, I saw one yesterday. It was in my garage 

    me too and today again . 

Thought old number of AC cars was 19 and was told by the "everyone now hate national register guru guy" of 32ea.  The one I sold was an F8AC car.  The 32ea seems like a minimum number, but I personally think it might be more because of so many RTs and RTSEs that have AC.  Thought the old 392 number of 500s was replace by the updated number of something like 542 or so.

[69_500]

Ok. Sorry guys, very busy around here with travel baseball for my son, and making preparations for an arriving baby girl in september. But I had a few minutes to sit down at my computer and look tonight instead of just trying to go from memory.

I have information on 27 500's that have A/C. That doesn't really answer any questions on how many there are, just how many I have seen.

The production figure is a whole long discussion. For years I heard the 392. Then I heard 548. Basing it off of the ones that I have located over the years, I am more inclined to think that there are probably closer to the 548 number than 392. I have located 275 so far. Have a few leads of a few others that I hope to get to go view in the next few months.

91 HEMI 500's are accounted for as well.

54 total 4 speeds that I can verify. that includes HEMI's and 440's.

23 HEMI 4 speeds that I can account for.
31 4 speed 440 cars I can account for.

Keep in mind that I am only counting ones I have either a fender tag, broadcast sheet, or have seen the stamping of VIN on a trasmission pad. There are cars that are 4 speeds, that do not have any fender tag, or sheet, and its not a numbers matching tranny so I can not verify with certainty that it was a 4 speed car to start with so I do not include those in totals. Of the 275 cars I have information on, there are only 134 that I have complete information on. Well not complete, because I have broadcast sheets for 65 cars, but at least full fender tag info for the 134.

[Highbanked Hauler]

  Well Danny I can assure you mine is an original 4spd as mine has the  (s) struck over with an X on the trans and the engine.

[500Jon]

Great thread Guys!

A12 over A11???
Its all about taste methinks.
Owned both and an A12 Auto Bee with bench seat and column change didn't do it for me!
440 4-speed A11 C500 deffo does it for me!!!
Galen told me 10 years back, 26 Hemi-4's and 25 440-4's.
Obviously that has changed a little, but over 540/500's made, I find that hard to believe?
Seen Daytona's and SuperBird's all over the World, only ever seen a handful of C500's
(Its the 21st Century, get online its easy to find out what 1969-Nascars are methinks?)
I looked at a 1990 Hemmings this morning and the first ad is a 69-C500.
No price unfortunately.
I'm sure all Ford guys know exactly what a C500 is.

Well pleased to own the only 4-speed C500 outside the US.
Tried to buy a Daytona off Galen in 1990 and he don't sell to Limeys LOL!!!
500Jon

[held1823]

A12 over A11???

re-read it

[69_500]

  Well Danny I can assure you mine is an original 4spd as mine has the  (s) struck over with an X on the trans and the engine.

One of these days we will find your broadcast sheet 

[CornDogsCharger]

I've been working on one of the few 440-4spd Super Track Pak C500's!  Danny, do you have a break down on how many had the Super Track Pak... at least in your records?

Justin
"CornDog"

[Highbanked Hauler]

  Well Danny I can assure you mine is an original 4spd as mine has the  (s) struck over with an X on the trans and the engine.

One of these days we will find your broadcast sheet 

  I'd almost bet its in a Hemi Car. You figure there were at least 3 blue on blue cars at  Creative at the same time for the  SE 's sheet to make it into my car and the SE didn't get my build sheet  it got somebody elses.