68/69 Dodge Charger

[bishir]

I'd really like to own a 68 or 69 Dodge Charger before the Dukes of Hazzard movie comes out. I've always like the cars, and I thought about getting another 67 Mustang Fastback, but this time I'm going for something else. If I can play my cards right I'm thinking I can swing 25k-30k. The problem is I know nothing about these cars other than I like 68s the best and a 69 would be a close 2nd. I'm familar with many of the nuances of Mustangs and what to look for, but this I would need help. Anyone here familar with these cars enought to tell me what I can afford in that range. A 440 R/T would be very nice in a Black or that Copper Color. I know I've seen WakkoSS talking about these before so I know some of you guys are familar.

Thanks,

James

[kh440]

a legit 440 rt would set you back upwards of 30k, the 68 models seem to be slightly softer than the 69's price wise. don't rule out a 383 car as possibility either, they are pretty strong as well. try this web site: www.moparts.com under the online swap meet click on "B-body cars for sale" link and you can get a feel for what's out there. also "mopar collectors guide" magazine is a good resource. (if you can hold out until late october-early november check out the "mopars with big daddy" event at the Don Garlits museum in Ocala)

[bishir]

(if you can hold out until late october-early november check out the "mopars with big daddy" event at the Don Garlits museum in Ocala)

I just may do that... it's not that far away...

[bishir]

Oh man, something like this would be perfect next to the GN...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...03980 85&rd=1

[kh440]

look even better sandwhiched between the T and the road runner......price maybe a little high for a clone. VIN will confirm engine and trim level, but no fender tag is a bit of a red flag. (chrysler's version of the famous rpo label on the GN's) These cars are very easy to clone, and unless you know what to look for a crooked operator can get over on you fast.

[Phatman]

I've had a crew working in Ft Pierce the past couple of weeks. I went up Friday to drop of some supplies and on the way back around the Hobe Sound area on I95 I saw a GTX "HEMI"...
Very nice, super clean, but I couldn't tell you if it was a clone.

[Vendor Defendor]

WakkoSS just bought one. '69 440 4-speed. If you want to find pictures of it look on southfloridaracing.com in the pics forum. I think the thread is something like "bought a beater while the GN is being fixed". If you post on there, don't refer to him as WakkoSS, its WakkoGN. He gets a bit touchy about it.

[DKREDT]

http://vettesndreamcars.com/showroom.html

This place has a pretty cool looking 68 in thier inventory. And you thought all Iowa was good for was corn!

[1ARUNEM]

How about a 66 coronet? (R/T clone).. Gonna look like an ole superstocker when done with it.. 383, dog dish caps and a superstock scoop!

[WakkoSS]

Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum, the Charger vs. GN. I've had my car a total of three weeks now and have driven it...ohhh...30 miles or so. Car has alot of mechanical problems that I'm working out, but it's amazing easy to work on these cars. It took me FIFTEEN MINUTES to remove the rear axles/bearings and twice that to reinstall them. Carb/intake swap? An hour. It's great.

As stated, 68s are less money than '69s. I looked at THIRTY NINE Chargers before buying mine. I sent people from www.Dodge-Charger.com to look at them for me prior to purchasing. I flew to Pittsburgh to buy a car once and ended up flying home empty handed. I finally found my car on Ebay in Minnesota. I've got close to 20k into it so far (16k purchase price, plus airfare and shipping) and it still is not driveable. (overheating issues, but an easy fix).

You will NOT find a nice car for under 10k in the mainstream. You will be hard pressed to find a nice one under 12k that doesn't need quarters or a trunk floor, but that's ok. For 20k, you can get a beautiful car. You have to decide what motor you want, what options you want and if you need original numbers. My car is an original 383/4 speed car that's been converted to 440/4 speed RT clone.

Come over to DC.com and browse. There are two of us GN/Charger guys on there laughing at the guys that hoot and holler when they break the 12's. Email me if you like and we can talk some more about this off board.

[WakkoSS]

I installed a Holley 750 double pumper and Performer RPM and have since removed the smurf intestines and braiding. 440s with a cam sound SWEEEEEEET. Oh, and I put a new air cleaner on too.

[WakkoSS]

I've added a confederate flag license plate and Dixie horns too. These Centerlines are coming off for Vector wheels (i.e., 85 GN wheels, but Dodge bolt pattern of course) too. No plans for 01 treatment since the paint is so purty. Again, this is an R/T clone...or it'd have gone for a helluva lot more money that I got it for. The 4 speed with console is rare enough as it is. The Florida Ave pic was taken in Minnesota, by the way.

[toofastforyou]

I've owned a brand new 1969 Charger R/T with the 440 engine, automatic transmission, and a ''Dana 60'' rear axle with 4.10 gears. Back in '69, we found it was quite fast, but by today's standards, it's still fast but not as much as our memory sometimes makes us think it was. It had great looks, but was not very comfortable, rode like a truck and handled like a truck too. There were some water leaks in the car since day one and neither we or the dealer were able to fix them, probably due to poor body construction or quality control. After installing some headers, a shift kit and a cam the best I was ever able to run with it was a 13.13 et. I have nothing but good memories about that car (which by the way is now fully restored to it's original condition and is in England). But now, times have changed, my GN is waaaay faster than the Charger, and even if I had an opportunity to buy the car back, I wouldn't be interested anymore, now that I've tasted the performance of my GN with a little 231 engine that is much, much faster than that big 440 gas guzzling slug.

Claude.

P.S: ''bishir'', do yourself a favor and get yourself something more recent, that handles better and performs as good ( or faster which is not really difficult to find) as a Charger with a 440 engine and that uses less gas...unless you really, but really have to have one...Like I said, it still looks beautiful with it's coke-bottle shaped body, but unfortunately, it is now a dinosaur by today's standards. ... I do not want to discourage you, just telling you my opinion about the car and hopefully you can benefit about it...)

[TurboBuckeye]

http://www.dodgecoronet.com/

[bishir]

I appreciate the comments guys. I'm really considering trying to find one at the Auburn Auction up in Indiana when I go up there this year. Having owned a 69 and 67 Mustang in the past I do sorta know what I'm getting into with old cars, but it would be my first old Mopar. Having watched the prices of certain Mustangs soar like my 67 Fastback after Gone in 60 Seconds, I'm afraid the charger prices will go crazy after Dukes of Hazzard. Wakko, I think you have a great looking car! I'd be very interested in a similar, though after doing a lot of work on my 69 Mustang Convertible, I'd rather find one that is mostly finished. Cheaper in the long run! I checked out dodgecharger.com and it looks like a great site. I'm probably getting way ahead of myself here, but I want to be prepared. I think I read the vintage-mustang forums for a year before my first Mustang.

[Grumpy]

A clone wouldnt bother me ... Wouldn't have to worry about it as much as if it were real . AND who would know ?? Old cars are neat BUT as others said ride like a horse drawn wagon I a 66 Shelby that I havent scene for years .. If it were a clone I would prob have drivin it and sold it by now

[bishir]

You're right, a clone doesn't bother me either. Old cars don't have to ride like wagons though. THere is a lot that can be done I know at least on Mustangs that help out tremendously. My 67 road and handled much better than my Buick. Then again, it had a few mods. Grumpy, I know we've talked about your Mustang before, but being 1 of 3 you could buy about anything yhou want if you barrett jackson that. Or I'll give ya 10 bucks!

[72firebird]

AFter looking through that auction I think I might have noticed some problems. If you look at the engine bay pictures in one the motor looks red and then the next set it looks orange, but this is probably just lighting. Then I was looking at the alternator which looked immaculate in the first and pretty decent in the next set. So then I figured something was wrong. Well in the first set of photos there's a fluid container right next to the alternator but on the second set it's not there. Also on the second set of pictures the upper radiator hose has a part decal on it but in the first set it doesn't. I don't know mopars very well but I just wanted to point out what I noticed and if you're serious about the car to ask about.

[Grumpy]

Originally posted by bishir
You're right, a clone doesn't bother me either. Old cars don't have to ride like wagons though. THere is a lot that can be done I know at least on Mustangs that help out tremendously. My 67 road and handled much better than my Buick. Then again, it had a few mods. Grumpy, I know we've talked about your Mustang before, but being 1 of 3 you could buy about anything yhou want if you barrett jackson that. Or I'll give ya 10 bucks!

ummm 1 of 4 ...anyway I drove this for the summer when I bought it in 1976.. I was use to big block Cobra Jets ect ect . Sooo this was slow !!! I moved it maybe 5 years ago and drove it around my circle . It was weird .. Not my thing anymore . Now the 67-68's are horses of a different color well at lease they have some power hmmmm $10 bucks??? $10 bucks isn't what it use to be That Black Charger looked nice !!