Jun 2, 2018  •  Uncategorized  •  17 Comments

Crunchy Mopar: 1969 Dodge Charger Project

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The 1969 Dodge Charger is one of the most highly coveted Mopars by the general public. The various movies and television shows that starred a 1969 Charger helped to increase the popularity of the model, along with the natural beauty of the car’s design. This particular example was left to die in the 1990s, but has been pulled out of wherever it was hiding and listed here on eBay in South Dakota. With just two bids, the price is up to $12,100 and the reserve is off. 

The interior is in equally rough-but-salvageable condition to the exterior. This car is no survivor, but it’s no basket case either! This is a complete vehicle and everything is there, ready to be put back just the way it should be. A skilled craftsman could easily have this car looking like new, and although it is a little rough around the edges even a talented hobbyist could have this car back to her former glory!

Under the hood is a Chrysler 440 big block V8, and although the original engine was a 383, the 440 will be a welcome upgrade to many enthusiasts. This is a factory air conditioning car, and though it may not look like it, the seller states that this Charger will “lot drive” but doesn’t have any brakes. It will need the gas tank repaired or replaced before it can be run from fuel stored in the proper location.

According to the listing, “will need new quarter panels, partial trunk, trunk drops,rear valance and quarters, floor pans all look good, front frame rails look great, drivers rear frame rail will need replaced, grille is about as close to perfect as you will find.” That may sound like a lot of work, but for a B-body Mopar of this vintage, this amount of sheet metal repair is par for the course. Reproductions of all the damaged metal is readily available from several suppliers. The vinyl top has caused some advanced rust issues, but nothing someone with a welder can’t fix! What do you think; perfect project or too much tin worm?

Comments

  1. Jimmy
    Jun 2, 2018 at 11:42am

    Just my opinion but with all the work needed and not the original engine if you plan on making money selling when finished good luck but if your doing it for yourself and have lots of time and money and plan on keeping it for years to come go for it.

    Like 23
  2. Haygood1111
    Jun 2, 2018 at 3:08pm

    This has Junkerup from YouTube written all over it.

    Like 2
  3. Superdessucke
    Jun 2, 2018 at 5:19pm

    At this price you’re easily going to have a $50,000-60,000 non-R/T Charger when all is said and done. That investment might dip into the high teens after the Boomers die off. Definitely a labour of love here.

    Like 7
    • mag195455
      Jun 3, 2018 at 10:04am

      Whats a Boomers? Who said anything about investment! Somebody might buy it because they like it!!!

      Like 15
  4. Davis
    Jun 2, 2018 at 5:27pm

    Too bad all these era of Mopars just dissolved after leaving the factory.

    Like 4
  5. Poptheclutch
    Jun 2, 2018 at 6:05pm

    At least the owner put in a bigger engine
    In it And not the other way around.
    Example:the car originally had a 383
    But was replaced with a 318.

    Like 5
  6. Bill Shields
    Jun 3, 2018 at 12:36am

    Growing up in the Great White Salted North quarter panels like that were a common sight.
    After several winters the curve of the panel would almost be reversed from the layers and layers of bondo put on every year!

    Like 3
  7. Patrick
    Jun 3, 2018 at 9:46am

    Vinyl roofs were and are evil
    I could never be held to the All-day Original standard – and would watch the potential price drop, like, tears, in the rain – because I’d have to go all metal on the roof. Additionally, I find the band of white color across the near of the rear entirely contrary to the flow of the beautiful body lines. Oh, but there’s more: not fond of wing windows. They break the design flow, too. Lastly, of course, my Holy Grail would be a ’70, with the all-the-way chrome mouth.
    All that said: this one is a find. Prices are high, but that’s the market, I guess.

    Like 1
  8. kerry
    Jun 3, 2018 at 10:03am

    I sold my 70 Charger in the 80s for $5k. And have cried since.

    Like 9
    • Roger Janda
      Sep 24, 2018 at 8:01pm

      My brother sold his ’66 charger in the mid 90s for $3800 to put siding on his house… probably feels like you do.😕

      Like 0
  9. Patrick
    Jun 3, 2018 at 12:44pm

    Ow ! Like a punch to the gut…ohhh ( on floor breathing deeply awaiting relief)

    Like 0
  10. Rspcharger Rspcharger
    Jun 3, 2018 at 1:25pm

    I bought my 69 Charger R/T in the early 90’s for $3K. I’ve smiled since.

    Like 8
  11. Patrick
    Jun 3, 2018 at 1:27pm

    Nice purchase price regardless of condition

    Like 0
  12. SDomko
    Jun 3, 2018 at 2:37pm

    I could have bought a 71 Super Bee, 440, 4 speed back in `82 for $1500.00. My Uncles friend talked me out of it. I`ve been crying ever since!!

    Like 0
  13. Ian F
    Jun 3, 2018 at 3:37pm

    Rspcharger – back in 1990 I passed on a General Lee replica 383/AT for $2200 because it had a bit of rust in the trunk… if only I’d known… granted, I was 20 at the time and probably would have killed myself in that car (or wrecked it).

    Right now, I’m looking at the Dukesfest Crown Vic Charger replica and going, “hmm…”

    Like 3
  14. stillrunners
    Jun 3, 2018 at 9:17pm

    Dissolved just like the GM and FOMOCO did….wait GM A-bodies had that lovely dash rust out few competitors had.

    Like 0
  15. Paul
    Jun 4, 2018 at 1:54pm

    What about that ’70 Road Runner in the background in one of the eBay photos? This Charger would be a worthy challenge!

    Like 0

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