From about 1965 until the middle '70s, I got almost every "price book magazine" I could find on the newsstands. Had a collection of new car brochures from the dealers and/or new car shows. I really liked Challengers, but not the Barracudas so much, earlier-on. There was not a Chrysler product that I would have ruled-out, back then, depending upon my moods or desires, back then. BUT as I graduated from high school in 1970, my favorite was the 1970 Chrysler 300 4-dr hardtop that was on the brochure that year. Crimson Red with white top.
As nice as the Plymouths and Dodges might have been, it had to be a Chrysler for me. HD suspension, manual a/c, AM/FM 5-speaker stereo. Color optional.
So MUC neat stuff, back then . . . for many years!
When the local dealer traded for the DH43N0D that I bought in 1975, I knew I had to have it. A Dodge that I would not have considered back then, but with the Brougham Package and 383 "N", plus W23s, the build date of "03-1970" didn't hurt either. It would have arrived just about the time I was graduating from high school. Still have it, in "survivor mode" awaiting a good bit of TLC.
Seems like there were some issues with putting a 426H in a slab C-body? Cylinder head/exhaust manifold clearance issues? Plus how the a/c compressor would impact the 426H air cleaner. With the 440HP offering very similar street performance with normal gearing, in the B-body cars, AND the 426H being built in a low-production engine plant, having it as "The King" was important and, therefore, NOT a mass-market engine option. Can't forget that it was considered more of a "drag racing/NASCAR engine" than a "street engine", back then. The Big Three would not put factory a/c with an engine that could rev much past 5500rpm, back then. Re-sale value might have been an issue, too? Except in a small niche market, I suspect. BTAIM.
Back then, 426H cars had a very small market, which has tended to fuel their elevated pricing now. Many stories of how hard they were to keep in tune, so the 440HPs made more sense for the typical buyer.
When ordering, there were some "fleet options" and "non-approved" color/trim combinations. BUT some of those later turned-up in "Sales Bank" cars, near the end of the production runs to use up available parts. Those cars were peddled to dealers by the factory reps at reduced prices. Things normal people would not buy, but might buy at a reduced price.
By the time I got out of college, really a few years later, a "triple gold" Cordoba 400HO would have fit the bill, 1977 vintage, as that's the first year for a tilt column in a B-body car. Have to have leather buckets and "SlapStick"!
Too many great/neat cars! FAR too little time! Some day, the DH43N0D will be enjoying life on the Interstates and back roads again! With Springsteen "Born To Run" on the factory stereo and the 383 "N" making glorious sounds!
Enjoy!
CBODY67
