Re: Tell me about the 79 Magnum GT
[Re: V194]
#1175333
02/09/12 01:18 PM
02/09/12 01:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
racealittle
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
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Quote:
How rare?
4 speed available?
Engine options?
values?
How rare? I worked in the plant producing those cars. We built thousands of them. Some of them were nicely equipped and had sporty look. There are very few on the road today.
No 4 speed versions were available to the public. We did build several "body in whites" that were sent to famous stock car racers.
Engine choice, 318, 360, and the 400 may still have been available.
Values? Basically what ever someone is willing to pay. Unless it is in museum quality condtion, it is a buyers market.
Many of these cars were on the road 20 years or better. Look for one that has been garaged and cared for. The 300's, Cordoba, and Newports of the era were built in the same plant.
Too many cars, too many parts, too little coin, too little space to work in, too little time left to make it all happen!
Update: down to one ride, still too many parts, a little more jingle in the pocket, gaining space, and it's going to happen this year!
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Re: Tell me about the 79 Magnum GT
[Re: V194]
#1175334
02/09/12 10:23 PM
02/09/12 10:23 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167
Maryland
GO_Fish
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master
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Posts: 6,167
Maryland
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The GT was produced in much lower numbers than the typical XE. I think '78 was the last year for the 400. That would leave the 360 4bbl (probably a detuned l'il Red Express engine) as the only performance option. GT was really just a trim and appearance package, not necessarily associated with any mechanical upgrades unless optioned with the 360 4bbl also.
Scott B.
"I'm a self-made man... I started with nothing, and I still have most of it!"
68 360 rusty B'cuda 'vert (GO Fish)13.59@ 98.72 mph
69 340 GTS stock 14.18@ 95.60 mph
01 5.9L Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4
01 3.5L 300M 16.23@ 86.97 mph
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Re: Tell me about the 79 Magnum GT
[Re: GO_Fish]
#1175335
02/10/12 02:27 PM
02/10/12 02:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 801
central CT
cudazappa
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 801
central CT
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Bump for magnumguy... LOL
In 79, there were 4 engines. 318 2bbl, 360 2bbl, 360 4bbl single exhaust (high altitude, J code) and the E58 360 4bbl with dual exhaust (L code)
They are rather uncommon today, with a growing following, and most nice ones seem to come out of California and Ohio.
No 4 speed as that was fazed out in 74/75.
Values, like stated, buyers market. If Magnumguy chimes in he can tell you what he sold his white t-top Magnum GT for.
IIRC GT was a handling package with essentially the B/R-body cop suspension. The body stripes, wheel flares were addtional options. The only clues for the GT package was the engine turned applique on the dash/console and GT badges on the fenders.
Main difference between the two years is the tail light lenses.
400 only in 78. N code (4bbl single exhaust) and P code (Duals!)
And there's different floor pans for dual vs single exhaust. You couldn't get a power driver's seat with dual exhaust.
1971 Challenger
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Re: Tell me about the 79 Magnum GT
[Re: cudazappa]
#1175336
02/11/12 12:43 AM
02/11/12 12:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,647
S.E.Ohio
Magnumguy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,647
S.E.Ohio
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You looking at buying one?
Anyway, CudaZappa has pretty much covered it.
Many small differences between the 2 years, most is small stuff. I counted like 15 once, but CZ is pretty much on it, the taillights and speedometer the biggest, trunk floor is different, as is the gas tank, (26.6 gal in 78, 20 in '79)
GT was a "package' offered mid-year 78 model year.
Consists of:
* Engine-turned applique on dash and console if equipped.
* "GT" Wheels with GR60-15 tires.
* Swaybars (front and rear)
* Quicker "firm-feel" ratio steering
* Color-keyed fender flares
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel.
55,000 and change sold in 78, 33,000 and change in '79. Only 851 GT's sold in 78 (mid year option) and 1500 or so in '79
The rarest of GT's is the E58 equipped 78 model, < 200 built, numbers aren't broken down by XE/GT
Last edited by Magnumguy; 02/11/12 12:44 AM.
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Re: Tell me about the 79 Magnum GT
[Re: Magnumguy]
#1175337
02/11/12 12:49 AM
02/11/12 12:49 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,647
S.E.Ohio
Magnumguy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Posts: 10,647
S.E.Ohio
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Values?
Hmmm, I sold my 78 XE, factory official's car, loaded, with t-tops, needed some oh so slight bodywork and touchup, show-worthy, I got $5600 for it.
A 79 GT was on ebay last year, black low optioned, went over $19000 and didn't sell. Later last year a white 79 GT w/moonroof, optioned decent, was advertised for $15500, listed several times, no sale.
You can pick up a nice driver for $2000 or so, more options, more $$
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Re: Tell me about the 79 Magnum GT
[Re: cudazappa]
#1175340
02/11/12 03:05 AM
02/11/12 03:05 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,407
Highland, MI.
Sunroofcuda
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master
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Posts: 8,407
Highland, MI.
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Quote:
Bump for magnumguy... LOL
In 79, there were 4 engines. 318 2bbl, 360 2bbl, 360 4bbl single exhaust (high altitude, J code) and the E58 360 4bbl with dual exhaust (L code)
They are rather uncommon today, with a growing following, and most nice ones seem to come out of California and Ohio.
No 4 speed as that was fazed out in 74/75.
Values, like stated, buyers market. If Magnumguy chimes in he can tell you what he sold his white t-top Magnum GT for.
IIRC GT was a handling package with essentially the B/R-body cop suspension. The body stripes, wheel flares were addtional options. The only clues for the GT package was the engine turned applique on the dash/console and GT badges on the fenders.
Main difference between the two years is the tail light lenses.
400 only in 78. N code (4bbl single exhaust) and P code (Duals!)
And there's different floor pans for dual vs single exhaust. You couldn't get a power driver's seat with dual exhaust.
Are you sure about the dual exhaust? My '78 Super Coupe E58 package Dodge had single exhaust.
No Man With A Good Car Needs To Be Justified
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Re: Tell me about the 79 Magnum GT
[Re: Sunroofcuda]
#1175341
02/11/12 11:36 AM
02/11/12 11:36 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 801
central CT
cudazappa
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 801
central CT
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Absolutely Positively
Because I'm talking about Late Bs, and Not Fs
1971 Challenger
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Re: Tell me about the 79 Magnum GT
[Re: Magnumguy]
#1175343
02/11/12 05:39 PM
02/11/12 05:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 801
central CT
cudazappa
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 801
central CT
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You'd think for 15k he'd fix the flip down headlamps!
1971 Challenger
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Re: Tell me about the 79 Magnum GT
[Re: cudazappa]
#1175344
02/11/12 07:32 PM
02/11/12 07:32 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167
Maryland
GO_Fish
master
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master
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Posts: 6,167
Maryland
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And that he'd replace the badges and emblems that were removed for the repaint... Should this car have had red GT stripes? Can we tell?
Scott B.
"I'm a self-made man... I started with nothing, and I still have most of it!"
68 360 rusty B'cuda 'vert (GO Fish)13.59@ 98.72 mph
69 340 GTS stock 14.18@ 95.60 mph
01 5.9L Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4
01 3.5L 300M 16.23@ 86.97 mph
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Re: Tell me about the 79 Magnum GT
[Re: GO_Fish]
#1175345
02/11/12 11:28 PM
02/11/12 11:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,647
S.E.Ohio
Magnumguy
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I Live Here
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Posts: 10,647
S.E.Ohio
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Quote:
And that he'd replace the badges and emblems that were removed for the repaint... Should this car have had red GT stripes? Can we tell?
Those GT stripes were dealer add-ons. Not factory as such.
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Re: Tell me about the 79 Magnum GT
[Re: Magnumguy]
#1175346
02/11/12 11:49 PM
02/11/12 11:49 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167
Maryland
GO_Fish
master
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master
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Maryland
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Really? The big GT stripes on the hood were dealer add ons?? Magnum GT decals
Last edited by GO_Fish; 02/11/12 11:53 PM.
Scott B.
"I'm a self-made man... I started with nothing, and I still have most of it!"
68 360 rusty B'cuda 'vert (GO Fish)13.59@ 98.72 mph
69 340 GTS stock 14.18@ 95.60 mph
01 5.9L Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4
01 3.5L 300M 16.23@ 86.97 mph
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Re: Tell me about the 79 Magnum GT
[Re: GO_Fish]
#1175347
02/12/12 12:54 AM
02/12/12 12:54 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228
Colleyville
3hundred
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Posts: 10,228
Colleyville
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This one doesn't have that menacing GT appeal, is it the color? Most I've seen seem to have been nightwatch blue. Is the XE emblem in the steering wheel correct for a real GT?
Robert
'68 Fury Convertible
'69 300 Convertible
'15 Durango 5.7 Hemi
'16 300 S Hemi
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Re: Tell me about the 79 Magnum GT
[Re: GO_Fish]
#1175350
02/12/12 12:49 PM
02/12/12 12:49 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
racealittle
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
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Quote:
Really? The big GT stripes on the hood were dealer add ons?? Magnum GT decals
Those stripes never came from the factory. There were a few interesting aftermarket packages available for the Magnums at the time.
As for the actual production numbers on the GT, I didn't have access to that info. I was working in the 'final car' area, the last two lines before the rolls test and out the door. As a young man at that time that loved performance cars, that car caught my attention everytime one went by. There seemed to be one about every 10 jobs or so when they were running them. Just don't quote me on that; that was a long time ago. In 1979, I was laid off from this plant and sent to the engine plant for a month, then laid off and sent to the B van plant. I was the lowest seniority man in that plant for about a month, and replaced by a man with 13 years seniority when his plant (the one that built Warlocks, Red Express, etc.) closed.
As for me calling these a performance car; they were more of a cosmetic muscle car. They were on par with the 300's for performance, handling and sound. They were just much better looking than the other cars leaving the plant.
I do remember driving them on several weekends in the plant, out to shipping 'back forty', or back from the 'back forty' to the repair area. That oneway stretch was usually full throttle to 80 mph or so. They had a nice sound, good feel, and ok performance for the times. However, some of the 318 powered, single exhaust cars would turn tires for 60 feet and make the butt dyno think they were faster. I now know that just was a case of one wheel peel vs. a suregrip with better tires.
Too many cars, too many parts, too little coin, too little space to work in, too little time left to make it all happen!
Update: down to one ride, still too many parts, a little more jingle in the pocket, gaining space, and it's going to happen this year!
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Re: Tell me about the 79 Magnum GT
[Re: Commando1]
#1175351
02/13/12 11:35 AM
02/13/12 11:35 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,647
S.E.Ohio
Magnumguy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,647
S.E.Ohio
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Quote:
Quote:
I worked in the plant producing those cars. We built thousands of them.
And it seems like every damn one of them had the vinyl roof... 
I've had a few "naked" ones, but most were vinyled.
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