Body Swap Candidate? 1969 Dodge Charger R/T
Some old cars, regardless of condition, will sell themselves with all alacrity. Others require more promotion and schmoozing to generate interest. A 1969 Dodge Charger places itself firmly in the former category. I don’t know when everything went ga-ga for second-generation Chargers (’68-’70) but it has been an ongoing phenomenon for years. One could even go with the belief that these exalted models cause individuals to do the illogical. Understanding that, let’s make an evaluation of this Bright Green Metallic ’69 Charger R/T. It is located in Holden, Louisiana and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $6,999 with twenty-three bids tendered so far.
The images, and the listing text, seem to be a pretty accurate and honest portrayal of this rather forlorn-looking Dodge. It is suggested that it is finished in “Very rare F6 factory bright spring green“. That statement seems irrelevant considering that the roof, trunk lid, hood, driver’s side door, passenger side door, and passenger side fender are hardly anything close to F6 bright spring green any longer. It is further stated, “As you can see it needs a ton of work everywhere. Roof quarters floors trunk rear frame rails tail panel etc all shot…Will need special care transporting so the back end of the car doesn’t fall apart(rear rails)“. You have to appreciate honesty, there’s not much, if anything, being held back here either in this Charger’s description or its images. Beyond the structural shortcomings, most of the sheet metal has corrosion problems with varying degrees of severity.
Being an R/T model, means a 375 gross HP, 440 CI V8 engine – unfortunately it, and its accompanying TorqueFlite automatic transmission, are MIA. Considering the description that the seller has applied to this Charger’s unibody platform, it’s enough to make one consider if this hulk could still support an engine. I must add, however, if you take a glimpse of the last image, the one that reveals that there is no trunk floor, it appears that this Charger is in possession of a Dana 60 differential – I wouldn’t expect that with a 440/automatic configuration
The interior is nothing more than that, the inside of the car. The bucket seats are shot, the floors are falling out, the dash, instrument panel, steering column/wheel, wiring, center console, back seat, and rear upholstery panels are gone – there is essentially nothing there any longer including the basic stability to support the interior components.
The seller suggests, “This would be the perfect car to take a newer charger or challenger body and do an SRT 8 or hellcat swap onto“. I’m not sure that I understand his statement, the usual approach is to place the old body onto the new platform/powertrain and I guess that is what he means. The problem is that the body is only marginally better than the collapsed platform. But, before passing judgment, realize that nine bidders have pushed the bid value of this R/T to almost $7,000! Seriously, this Charger looks like the kind of car that you wouldn’t want to park out front on trash pickup day. Then again, being a late ’60s Mopar, it will likely find a new home at a head-shaking value. So, what do you think, does this Dodge “Yousetabee” have any future, in any form, or is it just too far gone?
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Comments
I’m often left wondering when this insanity will end, the remains of this “car” will require a MAJOR financial outlay after purchase just to stabilize it! IMO, it’s only a step away from crumbling into itself, and I pity anyone who thinks that this will be a cheap way to obtain a venerated, vintage muscle car! This makes my unrestored ’70 Charger look better than showroom new, and even though I’m not considering selling it, I may have to rethink my valuation for insurance purposes!
The “insanity” stops when buyers become disciplined.
Steve R
Beautiful car. What engine? I assume people know what I would like to see in it, but what do you like? Love the color, shades of Kowalski there.
Sharp looking Charger! Love the Magnums.
What the first guy said. Insane what idiots pay for these piles of junk. 20 years ago It was worth $500. Maybe.
Let nature finish its course and push it back into the forest.
yer kidding, right?? up to 7100. Amazing.
Serious question: are most or all reproduction parts are available, and if so, is this just a purchase on a VIN? I don’t know, would someone actually do something with this shadow of a shell?
the rubber plug on the rear end cover makes me think its a 9 1/4 rear end
Must be after the VIN plate, because what isn’t rusted away is bashed in.
General Lee, I enjoy these cars, but this one is gone.
So people are buying just for vin tags now ? That,s good news for alot of people who have rusted down old vehicles. With vin tags and titles. I have a 76 Firebird in alot better shape then this pile of rust. Just a rolling chassie,but clear title. What,s it worth? All glass .Solid floors,
These are unibody construction. There’s nothing to take it off of.
I’m seeing a couple hundred in usable metal and parts, $7K+ good lord! I should be a millionaire for all the crap I’ve thrown out. One option is to take it to one of those TV shows where they do a complete frame up in a half hour. Cheers
too far gone? there’s nothing left.
YIKES!! straight from the forward hold of the Titanic! This thing better be a hemi for the amount its fetching
So I’m curious, what would it cost for say the AMD Installation Center to make this shell basically new again? Anyone have any experience with that or see any numbers from similar builds? I know they can do it just not sure what it costs. Gotta be at least $10k in sheetmetal alone plus what 200 hours in labour? More? Way more? So I’m guessing anywhere from $25k-$40k?
Alot more then its worth.
I don’t quickly find any full Charger replacement bodies, but for a price reference a new Challenger ‘body’ is about $18k, seems okay.
https://www.dynacornclassicbodies.com/1970-dodge-challenger-coupe/
Dynacorn suggests (hopes?) that additional bodies styles will be offered in the future.
SOLD for $8,100.
Another sharp looking stolen car.Will soon be up for sale.Switch the vin numbers is all I can see why anyone would pay that kind of money.For this Charger. That is big business and big jail time if caught.