It’s sad when you see someone’s entire world being auctioned off. That’s because no one else loved that stuff like the deceased, and the memories he/she once had are all but lost. Case-in-point is this upcoming auction in Ashland, Massachusetts, where at least five vehicles, a bunch of tools, and tons of personal belongings will hit the auction block here on American Estates. A 1969 Dodge Charger R/T may be of specific interest, which looks to have been sitting for years (along with everything else). If you’re interested, then April 20 and 21, 2024, will be the time to engage in the auction. Our thanks go to “RichardinMaine” for this tip!
Among all the treasures up for sale are a ’69 Dodge Charger R/T, a ’48 Ford Super Coupe Deluxe hot rod, at least two Triumph TR3s (one black, the other white), and a Honda Spree scooter. And there are enough tools here to populate several shops along with loads of spare parts and miscellaneous items (including two trailers) that are up for grabs. Given what second-generation Chargers are going for today, it might be the goldmine in the “collection.”
After a modest sales response in 1966-67, the Charger was redesigned in 1968 along with the rest of Chrysler’s B-bodied intermediates. That’s when sales took off, from under 16,000 copies in 1967 to more than 96,000 in 1968, of which 17,000 were the new R/T models. R/T stood for “Road/Track” and was the performance version of the Charger. Like the Dodge Coronet R/T and Plymouth GTX, a 440 cubic inch V8 was standard fare, so Chrysler’s wasn’t holding anything back (except the optional Hemi). However, the seller’s car may be an R/T clone because the VIN doesn’t jive with what an R/T should be.
The popularity of these Chargers was helped by the media, with a ’68 Charger R/T being in one of the greatest movie car chases of all time (Bullitt) and later on television as the General Lee (The Dukes of Hazzard). Because an auction house is conducting the sale, little is known about the seller’s car. We assume from the thick coating of dirt and dust that it hasn’t moved in some time. We’re told the machine is in “nearly original” condition though the passenger side front fender wears a coat of grey primer (from an accident or a repair of some corrosion?).
Whether the Mopar is in running condition is anyone’s guess and we can’t tell if the passage of time has been unkind to the body, chassis, or interior. But if the Charger isn’t your thing, there’s a 1948 Ford that appears to have been set up to race or was on its way to becoming a racer at some point. The two 1950s-era Triumphs are pretty well covered up by stuff the owner had accumulated, so gauging the condition of these will require a personal inspection. Doing anything special on April 20, 2024, and are you near New England?
The VIN start with XP29 so it is not a R/T, should be XS29
Okay, heading to the garage for some organizing & weeding.
Auctions are often the best thing to do. I have a friend that started collecting speed equipment and memorabilia in the mid-1960’s when he was in junior high school. He has a 6 car garage where every inch of wall space is covered with porcelain signs, posters, banners, manufacture displays, plus an upstairs showroom for the good stuff. He left instructions for his daughter to take what she wants after he passes, then call an auction house. On the other hand I have multiple friends that spent over a year of weekends and vacation clearing their parents old house, this is a luxury of time not everyone can afford, that can easily turn into a burden. That doesn’t factor in estates where children or relatives don’t live nearby. The best thing that can happen is for the owner to make a plan to either distribute what they want to go to specific people or take steps to get rid of the stuff they don’t really want. It’s a sad but inevitable end to nearly everyone’s life, planning for it before hand makes it easier for those left behind, even under the best of circumstances it’s a complicated and time consuming process.
Steve R
The F means a 318 engine, still a valuable car tho
On first glance I was thinking, “oh no another rusted out Mopar, again?””, but I could definitely be wrong on this! There’s plenty to work with here and I’ll bet the car goes for a considerable amount of shekels.
Seems kosher, no?
Not an RT car and with the mismatch body panels reeks of front end collision. Being a MA car would suspect photos not showing quarters, floor, trunk could make this a Hugh project. Chargers prices are high yes, but full paint mechanical repair and rust repair could make this a money pit…
would like to know what day are the cars going to be selling thank you