My one owner Daytona story.

[DaytonaJim]

I saw my first Daytona picture in a Hot Rod or Car Craft mag in July of 1969 and fell in love. I was in the Army and at home in Napa Ca. on leave before going to Viet Nam. When I came home and was discharged I started looking for a Daytona. I found a abused green 44o 4spd in Vallejo Ca. I let go and a blue 440 auto in Phoenix but could not make a deal. The dealer did not want my 67 Barracuda for a traide-in. I found my Daytona at Van Ness Dodge in San Francisco with 36 miles on it. I had the Napa Dodge dealer get the car from San Francisco and I bought the car on July 14th 1970 for $3909.52.
The Daytona was my daily driver until gas got so expensive in the mid 70s. I stored the car as best I could from 76 until 89. In 1990 I had the car painted, installed new seat covers and carpet and detailed the engine compartment.
I'm enjoying the car more now then the day I drove it off the dealers lot so many years ago. XX29L9B379738

[Charger-Bodie]

You among the few people with the privilege of owning a Daytona. And even more-so an original owner. Very cool!

[DaytonaJim]

Can't seem to get more then one pic on my post. Sorry for the con fution.

[CornDogsCharger]

This is too cool!  I agree... it's very rare for such a rare car to have the same owner since it was new.  When was this picture taken?  And do you have any current pictures of the car. 

Justin
"CornDog"

[DaytonaJim]

The picture would have been taken in the summer of 1976. Here is a pic of the car at Hot August Nights in Reno around 98 or 99. Car looks the same today. Thanks

[tan top]

thanks for sharing  your stoy & pictures , awesome stuff 

[tan top]

 

you can add four pictures per post  ,  as long as you name them different  ,
once  you click browse  to find the picture you want to attach ,  click on more attachments  in blue to the right of the browse button ,  will let you search for another picture etc  ,  can do that 3 more times

[DaytonaJim]

Thanks a bunch, Tan Top.  Jim

[hemi68charger]

Can't seem to get more then one pic on my post. Sorry for the con fution.

Now, that's a cool picture.............

[hemi68charger]

The picture would have been taken in the summer of 1976. Here is a pic of the car at Hot August Nights in Reno around 98 or 99. Car looks the same today. Thanks

Looks great with those Torque Thrust wheels... They are Torque Thrusts, no?

Did you wear those rear tires out fast with the wing adjusted so?   

[terrible one]

LOVE the "145 EASY" plate 

[C5X DAYTONA]

Hello Jim G,     Good to see you here.   I was talking with John Murry the other day and asked about you.  Hope all is going well with you.   How is English Dave?    Been a long time.    What ever happened to the green Daytona in Vallejo?   Sean Machado

[johnnycharger]

Howdy fellow Napkin!
looks great! I am the weirdo that was talking it up with you at the downtown show. Welcome to the site!

[65post]

Always nice to see mags and FAT tires on a Daytona these days.....Any more back in the day pics?

[DaytonaJim]

California car, no exhaust tips and it has a duel snorkel air cleaner. Yup, Torque Thrust wheels, 7/15 front 8.5/15 rear. Sean and Johnnycharger I sent you a PM.

[Mopurr]

Hi Jim

I think we met you at Talladega in 99......you do not have any front shots of the car......Chrome Grill?

good to see you here.

Sherri

[nascarxx29]

I did see this car before on the 440 magnum site .Nice car
http://www.440magnum.com/mopars/2004/april/1969chargerdaytona.shtml

Anyone have more info. about Jim Gehrke and his daytona? It's listed on 440magnum web site. There are only three photos of it online there. Looks like a R6 car w/a black int. and tail. Mine will be R6 black int. As far as tail color goes, I'm at a loss as well.
Mark



nascarxx29
Old Timer







    Re: does anybody have a picture of..............
Reply #47 on: July 25, 2011, 10:59:02 PM » Quote Modify  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Found the pictures you mentioned of the Gehrke 1 owner 69 daytona.Never heard anything more on this car then when you last posted   Its outhere somewere
1969 Dodge Charger Daytona By Jim Gehrke.Car was looked up in in old 70s club records Bright red
379738   330   ca      ABC Automotive San Francisco, Ca   8/29/1969

[Old Moparz]

I saw my first Daytona picture in a Hot Rod or Car Craft mag in July of 1969 and fell in love. I was in the Army and at home in Napa Ca. on leave before going to Viet Nam. When I came home and was discharged I started looking for a Daytona. I found a abused green 44o 4spd in Vallejo Ca. I let go and a blue 440 auto in Phoenix but could not make a deal. The dealer did not want my 67 Barracuda for a traide-in. I found my Daytona at Van Ness Dodge in San Francisco with 36 miles on it. I had the Napa Dodge dealer get the car from San Francisco and I bought the car on July 14th 1970 for $3909.52.
The Daytona was my daily driver until gas got so expensive in the mid 70s. I stored the car as best I could from 76 until 89. In 1990 I had the car painted, installed new seat covers and carpet and detailed the engine compartment.
I'm enjoying the car more now then the day I drove it off the dealers lot so many years ago. XX29L9B379738

If you want to sell it, I'll give you what you paid for it, plus a rust free '68 Charger shell. 









I'm kidding, unless that deal sounds good to you.   

Welcome to the site.   

[DaytonaJim]

Hi Sherri, Are you the one I talked to about the grills on our cars? We then talked to  Galan G. about our cars having chrome grills and having the same build date? I remember he didn't want to say any Daytonas came with chrome grills or satin black chin spoilers. He said he considered it "non-stock" or not original. Oh well. I got my car with 36 miles on it and it came with the chrome grill and black spoiler. I have the window sticker from my car and it has a note on it saying "NEW CAR INVENTORY FOR USE IN THE SALESMEN SHOW TO BE SOLD AS NEW AT THE CONCLUTION OF THE SHOW". Did Dodge boll the car up a little for some show? Here's a pic of the front of the car. Thanks Jim

[nascarxx29]

Was your car in MCG sometime back I remember the chrome grille

[nascarxx29]

The Saleshow note is on the WW 69 daytona ship info .The daytona has a 514 buildate 926325 job number

[DaytonaJim]

Yes the car was in MCG 10 or so years ago. Can you give me more info on the Salesmen show note?  My window sticker has a No. 514-BX-926378. Did all Daytonas have this note? Thanks a bunch. Jim Gehrke

[nascarxx29]

relooked it up Different dealers and job numbers? 926325 & 926378

[DaytonaJim]

relooked it up Different dealers and job numbers? 926325 & 926378

nascarxxx29, Here is some more trivia, on the window sticker
SHIP TO: ABC Automotive Pier 468 San Francisco Ca.
SOLD TO: CHRYSLER MOTORS CORPORATION DETROIT MICH
Just trying to keep the confusion orderly, But I'm not very good at it.  Jim

[nascarxx29]

Thanks I guess the window sticker has the last word

[djcarguy]

     Awesum car ,i'll wish you luck and all the best for you and your daytona. seems to me you are already a very luck man to own that great car all these years. and your Daytona is one of the luckest car to be shipped to a dry state and be owned by a lucky guy,to save and keep it all these decades.  awesum car and total love the mags and tire combo that fills the fender wells.  the chome grill and black chin add alot and standout great and break up all one color nose..               great car and take care of each other.thanks for showing it to us .i was 10 in 69 and still was in awe when we saw new daytonas at litha dodge in medford,or.bye

[hemigeno]

Yes the car was in MCG 10 or so years ago. Can you give me more info on the Salesmen show note?  My window sticker has a No. 514-BX-926378. Did all Daytonas have this note? Thanks a bunch. Jim Gehrke

Jim,

From what we can piece together, Chrysler shipped several Daytonas to various "Sales Shows" prior to their arrival at an actual dealership.  It looks like yours was one of those cars.  Van Ness Dodge may have ordered the car, and Chrysler either asked to borrow or simply commandeered the car for use in the Sales Show - then shipped it on to the dealership at the conclusion of the show.  Did you make a copy of the MSO?  I'd be interested to see if it was shown as transferred to Van Ness or to "ABC Automotive".  From the list of late '60s Dodge dealerships (by State) I printed off a while back, there was no ABC Automotive shown for San Francisco or anywhere else in California.  They were probably just hired to receive and take care of the car while at the show, after which it went on to Van Ness Dodge (which IS on the list).  Since the window sticker says what it does, Chrysler was apparently rather deliberate in planning out the car's side trip to the Sales Show.  This was not an afterthought on anyone's part.

I am NOT surprised at the black chin spoiler on your car.  Mine is R4 red, black interior and black stripe -- and its chin spoiler was originally black too (actually, a textured/organisol black).  I've had more than a few folks question my sanity for putting it back the way we found it.  There are at least two other black stripe & black spoiler examples out there, and I have the spoiler from one of them sitting in my shop... it's currently on loan to help convince any naysayers.  The chrome grille/frame was probably something done by the dealer (or for the show) to spruce it up.  My car's original selling dealer painted the fender scoops black on both of the Daytonas they had while waiting for the cars to sell.

As for the discrepancy between the VON's, 926325 is a legit VON assigned to another car, 414650 which is a Canadian-shipped Daytona that has been discussed on this board before...  Linky  The 926378 reference from your window sticker is correct as indicated elsewhere, and for what it's worth, 514 BX 926378 was not a Daytona-specific reference.  Something similar was put on all Chrysler-built vehicles' window stickers... it's a combination of the Scheduled Production Date, Final Assembly Plant, Model Designator, and the Vehicle (a/k/a Special) Order Number.

[moparstuart]

    great car and story  thanks for sharing   

[Mopurr]

Hi Sherri, Are you the one I talked to about the grills on our cars? We then talked to  Galan G. about our cars having chrome grills and having the same build date? I remember he didn't want to say any Daytonas came with chrome grills or satin black chin spoilers. He said he considered it "non-stock" or not original. Oh well. I got my car with 36 miles on it and it came with the chrome grill and black spoiler. I have the window sticker from my car and it has a note on it saying "NEW CAR INVENTORY FOR USE IN THE SALESMEN SHOW TO BE SOLD AS NEW AT THE CONCLUTION OF THE SHOW". Did Dodge boll the car up a little for some show? Here's a pic of the front of the car. Thanks Jim

Yes, we have the sister car and it was so great to meet you in 99, that was our first wing meet.  Since that time I have found out the story of our chrome grill and more history of our car......I will send it to you in a personal message on here.

A few yrs ago we also bumped into another sister car that shimmied down the line shortly in front of ours.....it is a white/red 440 4  spd car.

We have wondered about you since you were not at the 04 or 09 Talladega meets and are so glad to re-establish contact with you again now.



Sherri

[nascarxx29]

Thanks Jim for your cars story and info about it .Any underhood detail pictures etc.Anything you care to share purchase paperwork window sticker fender tag.Be great reference material .That 1970 brought it home picture what was on the rear license plate besides DODGE in big letters.Was that the dealer paper temporary plate

[DaytonaJim]

Thanks Jim for your cars story and info about it .Any underhood detail pictures etc.Anything you care to share purchase paperwork window sticker fender tag.Be great reference material .That 1970 brought it home picture what was on the rear license plate besides DODGE in big letters.Was that the dealer paper temporary plate

Yes that is the dealer paper plate. Above DODGE it says JIM KRESS DODGE, Later today I'll post the window sticker, underhood pic etc. The broadcast sheet that came in my car is for Daytona XX29L9B386543. The car is in Canada and the owner has a photo copy of the sheet. Jim

[nascarxx29]

Thanks for the info and current pictures and info I was searching newpaper achives for Van Ness Dodge.This doesnt pertain to your car but rather the dealer I researched.Sometimes you can find past employees/salesman
http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/493/269/4614/
http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?p=53054
Unrelated to your car but I had info 386543 Y2 SE If current owner hasnt seen this before.Maybe your broadcast sheet will surface

[daytona71]

Great story. I remember following you on the track at Talladega in 99, love the license plate.

[nelson_audet]

wow verry nice you have it since it was new... it is verry coooooool
impatient to see more pic! i love vintage pic:)

[r4daytona]

You are one of a handful that are original owners! I'm jealous! Great that you have all that documentation to go with it.  I double the previous offer of twice the original price!  So how many miles are on it now??

[Chryco Psycho]

I am sure I have seen that car in Person somewhere , Carlisle or the Mats is Vegas

[pettybird]

This doesnt pertain to your car


Unrelated to your car