Vintage Test Drive of a 1969 Hemi Dodge Daytona Charger

[bluefury361]

There was a '68 Charger 500 prototype car. I remember seeing it at at least one local show back in the mid eighties and likely the Nats at that time too. I have pics.

That car belongs to a fellow named Jerry Service, from manchester Michigan. He also owns a Petty Blue hemi superbird and a black, (originally orange) hemi Daytona.
The 68 hemi 500 was the mule car for the 69's, developed and assembled at the Chelsea proving grounds. Jerrys sister was a employee there and had access to the excutive car pool.
Although the car was not suppost to be sold, she managed to attach a "employee purchase" tag on the car, and after 30 days was able to buy it. Chrysler tried several times to get the car back.

In the early 90's, (90 -95), the ICOC series was running Dodge Daytonas from 90 to 93 when they switched to the avenger for the 94-95 season.
Chrysler sponsered a special mopar only show at MIS during the Iroc event held there for each of the five years. A group of us would meet up in Manchester and run the back roads to Brooklyn and the Michigan International speedway. About 20 miles of winding Michigan two lane roads. I remember one year Jerry led the way in his hemi Daytona. There were about 12 cars in the caravan including a 440 Superbird and a friends 64 Beveldere with a 440 6bbl and 4 spd as well as my 69 440 GTX. Most of us had wild hairs back then and bragging rights was an issue.
We started out on a beautiful morning, Jerrys Daytona, the superbird, 64 Belvedere and my 69 GTX. several really nice mopars behind me.
It wasen't long before Jerry started picking the pace up and throwing the Daytona into the curves. The 64 Plymouth was dropping back ... so I just went around him and caught up to the superbird which was trying to keep up with Jerry. I ran on his bumper for a couple of miles and he moved over and let me by.
I was supprised when My GTX ran up on Jerrys back bumper and Jerry was even more supprised. We were cutting a pretty good groove by then and I think I could have gotten around the hemi ...... but good sense kicked in and trying to pass on the two lane wasen't such a good idea. My GTX gained a lot of respect that day.

 

[detmatt]

Jerry Service, that name is even familiar. The first time I saw it was at an all Mopar show at the Edsel & Elenor Ford estate in probably 1984, beautiful waterfront setting for that show! I also remember there being an orange 1970 RR vert with an N96 hood for sale and I'm sure it was less than 5 grand. I think I have pics of it too, or at least I hope I still have the pics from that show.

 

[bluefury361]

Jerry Service, that name is even familiar. The first time I saw it was at an all Mopar show at the Edsel & Elenor Ford estate in probably 1984, beautiful waterfront setting for that show!QUOTE]

That would have been the "Eyes on the Classics" show most likely. I was probably there too.
Jerry had a whole bunch of parts on the 68 500 chrome plated way back in the 70's, when that stuff was stylish, and he would display it with mirrors. The last time I saw it was in the early 90's. He stored it in an enclosed trailer at his butcher shop in Manchester.

 

[BIGBARNEYCARS]

Will, I waz just gonna add that when Jerry ain't playin' with hiz fabulous toyz he'z hangin' cowz on ah hook 'til they bleed out and then he chopz 'um up in bite size piecez. That black ustah be orange 'Tona belonged to a neighbor of mine that waz an engineer at the "Groundz" back in the mid '80s before Jerry hooked it. I had just added two more to my stable when I found out that that car could be bought outright for 18K in the summer of '86 and I cried because with the two new additions at my ponderosa my pocketz were M.T.

 

[detmatt]

I figured you'd chime in on this one Jer. I found the photos from that show and my mistake, the '68 500 had '69 tail lights but did have the '68 side markers. I'll have to scan these pics which means I have to fire up the desktop here at the shop so hang on for those. Hey Will, would you have had your GTX at this show or at a Cestwood Dodge show from the same era? What color was it? I may have some photos of it.

 

[detmatt]

And here they are. That's the vert that was for sale and that's my dad behind it.

 

[1978 NYB]

That car belongs to a fellow named Jerry Service, from manchester Michigan. He also owns a Petty Blue hemi superbird and a black, (originally orange) hemi Daytona.
The 68 hemi 500 was the mule car for the 69's, developed and assembled at the Chelsea proving grounds. Jerrys sister was a employee there and had access to the excutive car pool.
Although the car was not suppost to be sold, she managed to attach a "employee purchase" tag on the car, and after 30 days was able to buy it. Chrysler tried several times to get the car back.

In the early 90's, (90 -95), the ICOC series was running Dodge Daytonas from 90 to 93 when they switched to the avenger for the 94-95 season.
Chrysler sponsered a special mopar only show at MIS during the Iroc event held there for each of the five years. A group of us would meet up in Manchester and run the back roads to Brooklyn and the Michigan International speedway. About 20 miles of winding Michigan two lane roads. I remember one year Jerry led the way in his hemi Daytona. There were about 12 cars in the caravan including a 440 Superbird and a friends 64 Beveldere with a 440 6bbl and 4 spd as well as my 69 440 GTX. Most of us had wild hairs back then and bragging rights was an issue.
We started out on a beautiful morning, Jerrys Daytona, the superbird, 64 Belvedere and my 69 GTX. several really nice mopars behind me.
It wasen't long before Jerry started picking the pace up and throwing the Daytona into the curves. The 64 Plymouth was dropping back ... so I just went around him and caught up to the superbird which was trying to keep up with Jerry. I ran on his bumper for a couple of miles and he moved over and let me by.
I was supprised when My GTX ran up on Jerrys back bumper and Jerry was even more supprised. We were cutting a pretty good groove by then and I think I could have gotten around the hemi ...... but good sense kicked in and trying to pass on the two lane wasen't such a good idea. My GTX gained a lot of respect that day.

Very cool Will!!!!

 

[moparcuda]

In French

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMQV3o_xb_o

this road test was filmed at mt tremblant (in north of montreal qc ) circuit and the driver was jacques duval,a Professional circuit driver who hosted a weekley program in french(prenez le volant)i translate(taking the steering weel)