A Legend Reborn - 1969 Dodge Charger 500 Dream Car 

Hi Nick and George, Nick you didn't disappoint me on the test drive, and I was very impressed with how the 500 drove and handled, the Charger is just amazing! I want to thank everyone who worked on the 500 during the build. The talented crew at Showtime Muscle cars, Roger, Fern, Olivar, for your countless hours of hard work until the body was ready for the perfect paint you laid down. Nick, Robert, Manny, Ivan, and Serge, you spent many hours working during your time off. Vasili & Christina thank you for all your help. Thank you George for all of the fantastic camera work over the past two years. You have made it possible for me to watch all of the episodes of Nick's Garage, and make me feel like I was right there with you. I loved the overhead camera shot showing the slick roofline on the 500. The time has almost arrived to have the 500 shipped back to Texas, and I'm looking forward to that first drive after such a long time. I will never forget Nick's Garage and all of my new friends in Canada. Peace, Love and Muscle Cars.

This is what I have been waiting for, the test drive of the 500. I'm anxious to see how she will perform. Nick I know that you have been waiting a long time for this moment, so let her rip. Drive it like you stole it. An epic moment on Nick's Garage, here we go!!!

This is what I love about the 440/383 engines. You can drive them in a mellow manner, like your mom's old V8 station wagon. They are relaxed and do everything you want. You can have a passenger with you and if you drive it lightly then they will have no idea what it is capable of. Then you punch it and it just go nuts and takes you away! I especially like the 440 in my 1971 Super Bee. I can just cruise the freeway all day, it never gets hot or acts up, it never does anything but provide smooth as silk driving. Then I give it just an inch of pedal, and the whole world is now behind me. If you don't get it, you won't ever get it!

I got a little emotional watching this. Been following this build since the beginning. I hate to see it leave. Nick put his heart and soul into this car.

I love Nick's laugh when he spins the tires. He well deserves to have as much fun as possible. Enjoy, Nick!!!

This video kinda makes me sad. My dad (rest his soul) loved talking about old cars. He was a jack of all trades. He was a mechanic. He was a carpenter. He was an electrician. He did it all. He rebuilt he fair share of engines. We could sit and talk about old cars for hours. My dad used to have a ‘68 Dodge A100 van that was 2-tone green/white. It had a 318 with the 727 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic. It had long-tube headers and the old Thrush mufflers. That thing was SOOOO loud. Lol 😂 Put almost 300k miles before she finally gave out. Sure miss that thing. Watching these videos just makes me smile because it makes me think of him. He definitely would’ve loved this video. RIP dad. Sure missing you today. ☺️🥲

One time, during the test drive, it looked to me that Nick was saying to himself, "I have to give this back?!" Maybe I'm just projecting my own thoughts onto him. Nice job to everyone who worked on this and thanks Eugene for making it possible. It's been a real treat.

wow! i`ve had a huge smile for the last 35 minutes, thanks to everyone involved in this car, Eugene must be so excited for his car to finally make it home, have fun with it and be safe

What GREAT GREAT GREAT series. I’m so glad that I was able to come along on this journey with you and your team. Thank you! Scott

Nick. How hard would it be to put every episode of this restoration onto a DVD and offer for sale with your other merchandise? There could be some video of Eugene receiving the car, driving it, and showing us the 50 year love affair of bringing this car back to life!

I love how that Dana 60 and all that compression chirped the tires trying to hold the car back when Nick let off of it……. priceless.

Nick is just like a kid in a candy store. Happy to see him smile . The 500 sounds great & moves with ease. Be safe all !

What an incredible car, and an incredible restoration! I wish I could've been in the passenger seat for that test drive

The moment we’ve ALL been waiting for!!!!! Time, perseverance, patience and hard work have paid HANDSOME dividends!!!! Nick, you are a master automotive craftsman: I salute you, sir!!!! Eugene, you are one BLESSED and greatly admired (and probably very envied) man lol!!!! Congratulations to everybody that had a hand in this beloved work. George, your camera work is outstanding as usual!!! KUDOS EVERYONE!!!!!!

The ending, bringing us back from the start to the end of the build, priceless.

I like how Nick says "I better take it easy", then commences to burning the tires hard! Beautiful car and strong build.

Wow! It's amazing now. Looking better than new. You guys do nothing but the best!!! Thanks for bringing us along for the ride.

I must say congratulations..... that is awesome build!

A Passion of a Mopar from a sitting project of 45years to a brand new Masterpiece...Well done Nick, love your work and good see the Mopar back to life..This car is special.

This has to be a candidate for RU-vids video of the year. What a pleasure watching the restoration of this beautiful car!!

That is one of the most beautiful cars I’ve ever seen. Loved the real metal!!!

Nick my son is almost 3 and most of his life our Monday evening routine has been watching your progress on this project. Never missed a episode on this car. I would have a stroke if I knew what this restoration cost but just hearing it makes it worth every penny!! Chargers are my favorite car unfortunately they are my unicorn also lol. Thanks for showing the world how a proper restoration should be done

Beautiful restoration of a wicked Mopar ! Congratulations to all involved in this project ! Enjoy that beast Eugene ! Cheers !!

Incredible 1969 Dodge Charger test drive video. Awesome restoration……. Reminds me so much of my 1969 Dodge Charger 383 when I was a kid. Nick and all the crew did a great job on this car. Thoroughly enjoying watching the past 2 years. 👍

I remember when the Charger 500 showed up. All I can say is this is why I faithfully watch Nick’s Garage. Passion, craftsmanship, commitment, determination start to finish. Congratulations to Eugene, Nick and crew. And, George, you’re work is phenomenal making these cars and engines come to life in these fantastic videos. Man, what a story!

Nick doesn't disappoint, a long time coming, but I'm sure Eugene will be happy. Great work by all who were involved.

The crown jewel! I’ve followed this build since it was u loaded. I’m gonna miss this amazing car but, Eugene, I cannot imagine how badly you have been waiting for this moment. I cannot imagine the emotion when you finally have it back! Thank you for sharing your service and your car., sir.

Nick ,George, Manny ,and Krew , such an outstanding restoration done by Nick's Garage, and everyone involved 👏!!!!!!!! Museum Quality Work Nick ....

Eugene, can you see the love in Nicks eye for this car? It sure looks like he would like to keep this one. WELL DONE!!! to Nick and his team, you guys are amazing. I think all of us watching along hope you get to enjoy your 500 for many more years sir , and thanks for bringing us along.☺

I hope Eugene has someone film his reaction to getting the car back and his first drive. Hopefully, we can watch the video here on Nick's Garage.

Lucky bugger, look at the sligh little smile, as he puts the pedal down, like a child looking through the glass at the lollies, eye's wide open, excellent car, Eugene must be excited seeing his baby's first steps, thanks for the video, all the best to yous and your loved ones

The coolest thing about Nick is that he is transparent and shows the difficulties/challenges that are associated with building cars. He admits when things go wrong, and shows how he trouble shoots. This is what it's all about. This is REAL car building. Things are expected to go wrong at some point, that's the nature of restoring cars. Thank you Nick.

Congrats Eugene! That's a Million Dollar Car. And a project that will be missed. It's awesome 😎.

The car came out so beautiful. Should be proud of all the work everyone did to keep this part of history on the road.

Nick’s laugh he’s really enjoying the ride😂

Beautiful job on that 69-500. I think that yellow is really sharp.i know that the owner is going to be very happy,I sure would be.hope y'all make a video of the delivery of the car, be nice to see the owner get into the car and fire it up to see his expression and y'all's reaction as well, y'all whent over the top on this car, absolutely beautiful!

Great job Mr Nick and you are the best Mopar surgeon. Congrats to all.

Great job.. I keep sending everyone of these to my friend who brother has one since new .. it was the same yellow with a mod top but was painted black many many years ago .. bro died car still sits

Boy oh Boy Im Impressed with this channel Nick is the man !! I love these cars I miss the sound the feeling of old school muscle!! Watching this and hearing that sound brings back my teenage years !!! Now Im sad and happy at the same time!! keep it coming nick never retire!!!!!!👍

This Charger 500 was restored with tremendous care and great skill. Congratulations to everyone involved that helped restore this beautiful car. FANTASTIC JOB!!!

Absolutely epic! The 500 is outstanding, great job Nick!

Nick, everyone involved in this project did such amazing work and they do so, in part, because you are directing these projects. You should continue doing whatever projects you want, because world class tradesmen are always willing to join your team to work for you. You are unstoppable! No one restores cars closer to factory condition than you. If cars had a soul, then you are the only man on earth who can restore a car without restoring any of its soul; and because of this, your strength, as you and your viewers know, is that you builds cars that drive like they were new from factory. You know the differences like no one else, you care about this more than anyone else, and it makes the importance of your work beyond words and un-explainable. I think it is super cool that you were willing to include tradesmen who want to restore to factory condition with precision because it only makes what you do even better. I am glad you are happy with it, and soon, I think everyone is going to make you over-joyed with it.

Grinnng ear to ear over here on Vancouver Island!! Yup been waiting for this one. Very very cool ride, wish it were coming to my place. Great job Nick. Looks and sounds great, a true muscle car!

That is one outstanding restoration on a beautiful 69 Charger 500, a great job by Nick and his crew.

My fav line, "I just have to spin those tires one more time" Nick is a Morpar GOD ...

Thank you Nick and so many hands that brought this Beauty to Life. Thank you too Eugene for letting come along for the ride!

No matter how old a man gets, he has to giggle when he romps down and breaks the tires loose. I'm drooling!

I know it has to hurt to let it go, with all the care and dedication you all have put into restoring it, like losing one of your family members. Nick made me smile, every time he would do that mischievous laugh doing a burnout. Enjoyed watching the build, and can't wait for the next one to come from the body shop, to start the process all over again. Eugene, I love your car, and hope you have many of years to drive it. Thank you for your service.

Nice Job Nick! Congratulations Gene! We both made the right decision sending our cars to Indy Auto/Nicks Garage! George fantastic camera work!

Many subscribers to you channel have been watching each and every episode in regarding the 500. All of your videos are awesome but the 500 is the creme la creme of Mopars. Nick, you and your whole team deserves every accolades of this car. You all, take a bow. We as viewers are just in awe of the "Mopar wizard". Congrats on your work, to Manny, George. And we are so jealous of Eugene!

The production is top notch George! You captured the best angles of this car. Fantastic job😎

That test drive literally gave me chills, that was AWESOME!

Gave me goosebumps the few times you really let her eat. It’s a time machine back to the 70’s

Well done Nick and everyone involved in this awesome restoration. The Charger 500 looks a beast rolling down the road. This is EPIC to finally see ready to go back to Eugene finished. Love Mondays and cool videos.

I've been watching this car,from the moment it arrived at Nick's garage. It does my heart good,to see such a beloved classic restored to factory condition,for my Brother in Arms,Eugene! Enjoy it my Brother,....you EARNED it ! (By the way,...I'm a Chevy man...but I LOVE ALL MUSCLE CARS! )

Everyone involved with the restoration did an amazing job, WOW, beautiful car, thank you Nick 👍😁❤️

NICK, YOU DID A GREAT JOB

Can’t believe I’ve been subscribed to this channel for as long as I have. Not saying I shouldn’t have, just that time flies. I’ve seen this project from start to finish.

Thanks for posting yet one more excellent video Nick of Eugene's '69 Dodge Charger 500! What a difference it is from when Eugene's car was first brought to your shop and then you and Indy Auto worked to bring another Mopar back to life now!

What a beauty, very stout engine. I wouldn't be able to keep tires on it. Excellent workmanship all around 👏🏼

Have a great time in Greece on your vacation Nick forget about cars for a while if possible and enjoy yourself great job on the charger 500.

This video really shows the love Nick has for old school muscle cars and why he does what he does.

Eugene, Pearland here again. I’m POSITIVE this is the video that you have been waiting for!!! We all have!! What a beautiful work of art. Peace

Eugene, You have a beautiful car! Thanks to Nick and crew for showing the progress all the way to the test drive!

The " Yellow Time Machine " is getting ready to start some serious Time Travel back in Texas ....Amazing 500 ...

There's a 12 second car! Looks and sounds wonderful too. Congrats to Nick and Eugene.

Thank you Nick and George for taking us along on this amazing journey. God Bless all who worked on this amazing ride.❤

That's a ton of work! Congrats to Nick and Eugene

The smile and chuckle say it all. Congratulations on a superb restoration and hope Eugene enjoys his "new" Charger 500!

I love the tall tires. My dad and I had redone a 55 Ford Club Sedan before I went in the army and got a free trip to Vietnam in 70-71. A friend if the family had a 1964 Buick Wildcat Convertible and wanted the 55 so my dad traded the 55 even for the Wildcat and put a new top on the Buick as a surprise when I got home. The 55 was a beautiful pearl white but had a lot Bondo work. The Buick Air Cleaner said Wildcat 445 (401 CID), but every part we put on it including the Carter 4 BBL Carburetor was for a Wildcat 465 (425 CID). The Wildcat 445 which was the 401 CID had a Rochester carb). This big Buick would light up regular 15" Tires and 60 series tires were too wide to fit under the fender wells. My dad put a set of 8-85 15 J tires on her and you could go around corners and it quit trying to spin out. It was a very powerful car and a riot to drive. My dad loved the 1955 Buick Century, he owned 3 of them( 2- 2 door and 1- 4 door hardtops) and my first car was a 1955 Buick Century I bought at a deal and he would never let me drive it at 16, because it was so fast. I ended up with a Black 1956 Plymouth Station with a 277 2bbl we called the Pie Wagon, it was pretty sharp for what it was and I lived to learn to drive properly.

Love-it, Love-it, Love-it There's not enough words to describe how awesome this car turned out!! Thanks to everyone at Nicks & Eugene for the two-year adventure of watching this one come together. I'm awe-struck!!!!

I believe I have viewed every video of this build. Superior restoration, Nick, and a great car !

The 500 Charger looks like it's a flying wedge. Great job Nick and team! Outstanding job. From start to finish. I have watched since the beginning. Thousands of parts to take apart and put back together. 2 whole years! Now the 413 engine. Shawn.

Nick is laughing the same way Mike Tyson’s coach laughed during heavy bag drills… take care Eugene!💪🍻👍🏁

It is bittersweet to see this project come to the end. What a beautiful job on an amazing piece of art that also happens to be a car. I will miss the anticipation of waiting for the next episode about this car. I can only imagine what that car would sell for at auction these days. I hope Eugene keeps Nick and everyone updated.

Dr. Nick, before this video, I went back and watched all of the Charger 500 videos, from when it got to the shop, the strip, then the dip, the dyno, the body shop, and the assembly, the car is stunning!!, and sounds awesome, look out Austin Texas hear she comes, Eugene please keep us in the loop on your Baby, George that was one of your BEST! videos ever, cheers.

What a great story and video. Thanks Eugene, Nick, Manny and George. Great job!

Nick the love you have for these cars touches my heart deeply

The transformation has been complete! Awesome job to Nick, his crew and Rodger and his crew! The 500 has come full circle- from Burgundy Rags to Yellow Riches!

It will be sad to see this girl go, but...I am sure that there will be another build to watch and follow just like after Nick's baby. Eugene, I think that I speak for most of Nick's subscribers...Thank you so much for letting us come along on this amazing journey with you. George, Roger, Manny, Nick and all the crazy talented people who made this beautiful car possible...thank you so much for keeping this piece of history on the road. I Just hope that we will see Eugene's reaction when he first sees her and maybe if we are lucky a video of him taking her for her first drive when she gets back home. From a grateful fan in South Africa. JC.

Great job Nick and crew, beautiful machine, Eugene is one smart guy to hold onto his car that long and see it like new again. Enjoy buddy, don’t forget to post some videos of your first ride, Wayne from Windsor Ontario Canada

Absolutely incredible work! Eugene certainly chose well when he asked Nick's Garage to restore his '69 500.

Man Nick, that is one sweet car. Before watching this rebuild, I never was much of a fan of the Charger 500. But you’ve really changed my mind now. That car is just so amazing. I’m a little surprised that you were so concerned about the engine getting to 195°. I wouldn’t have worried about that at all. Especially for a nice new big block. It actually seems perfect to me. Congrats to you and Eugene!

So cool. For just those who do not know the 500 vs the RT or regular 69 Chargers, The grill they used at Dodge was a 68 Coronet grill. Wind tunnel tests showed incredible drag build up because of the recessed grills on the 68 and 69 Chargers. They also filled out the rear window so is was flush with the trailing edges of the C pillars to also reduce form drag and the turbulence that was created. The windshield also has the drag reducing chrome pieces to smooth out that air disturbance at the windshield edges like the Daytona and Superbird in 1970 had. They raced the Charger 500 at Daytona along with the 69 Daytona and I think regular body Chargers that year. Of course the Daytona with the racing hemi mopped up the competition. Ford's Torinos with their way less drag fast backs were also big contenders. The low build numbers of these cars was required to meet the requirements of NASCAR that cars raced were production, thus like 503 Daytonas, (?) I thought 500 of the Charger 500's but maybe it was only 390 or so, and in 1970, about 1900 plus or the Superbirds were made to allow qualifying. I love this channel!

When I was a new simi truck mech, the shop foreman told me to do this- 1 Install the new belt & tighten it as tight as you can, tight as a guitar string. 2 start the truck & let it idle for 10min. 3 chk the tension & you will find you have 1/2" play-PERFECT. New belts stretch during the first 10min of service. !

There is always something special about filming a video as the sun gets low on the horizon on a warm summer night. The colors are so vibrant and alive, the shadows cast are long. Recording the final reveal of all the cars you restore during the "remains of the day/the golden time of day" should be the norm if the season and weather permits.

Hi Nick / GEORGE / MANNY .... I just ordered a NICKS GARAGE coffee ☕️ cup today ... I will enjoy every morning holding a NICKS GARAGE cup in my hands ... I will feel like Nick is right with me drinking a fresh cup of Java... Nick I will enjoy your cup I just bought everyday I have a cup of coffee before I go to work ... Your the BEST Nick I hope your vacation is going well and you didn't loose your voice... I won't receive your cup til September sometime but it will be worth the wait ... Take care Nick and crew I think of all of you everyday... FROM THE BANDIT.....

Excellent work Nick and the crew. Congrats Eugene! Hey George!

Bon Jour/ Good Day, The grand finally has arrived and I can't wait for the drive.

Eugene: so happy for you. love color. Just painted my 69 Biscayne Butternut. Color changes with the light like your car. It’ll be cruising around central Texas. Looking for charger 500. Cheers.

What a moment seeing this rare Charger 500 come back better than new so many years after it left the production line. Love the level of detail in all aspects of the restoration, body is perfect, engine runs like a beast and barring possible alignment issues I tend to agree with Nick the new belt likely stretched after some use and hopped off the pulley - this was a fairly common problem in some muscle cars of the era, Chevy finally went to deeper groove pulleys to eliminate the issue in Camaros and Chevelles etc. Excellent job Nick and to all the many others involved in this restoration.

Amazing work Nick, always great to watch these videos! By the way I sent my carburator to your guy in Oshawa and he knocked it out of the park so thabks for speaking to me and sending me in the right direction!

Eugene From one Vet to another Thank you for your service. Something tells me you will enjoy that Charger 500 ...

Love the car , love the story behind it. What a beauty.

What an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING car - congratulations, Eugene, Nick and the whole crew, this has been such a pleasure to watch.

The care and attention given to this project is outstanding. Well done to all involved. Eugene , enjoy your beautifully restored car.

Thats a bad ass charger, the owner is a lucky man, Nick does excellent work...

Bring back memories seeing that belt laying there. Growing up in 70's and 80's it seems every hopped up muscle car had that problem. Get on it and 3/4 time it fling a belt off. We all kept a couple wrenches and a big screw driver in the trunk just for putting that damn belt back on. Great job that car will be a blast to take out and cruise.

Thats one beautiful Charger. Congratulations Nick and the boys on a amazing build. Roars like tiger and screams like a Demon. Thank you George for the spectacular camera work. Cheers.

Beautiful beast. Everyone who has a hand in this build did a wonderful job!!