Garage Find Project: 1969 Dodge Charger SE

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Dodge seemed to struggle in finding a market for its new Charger in 1966/67. After a decent mid-year launch in ’66, demand fell by half in ’67. But that all changed in 1968 when Chrysler redesigned all of their mid-size cars, and from there the Charger flourished. This 1969 SE edition has been idle for years and needs a long list of stuff done to it. Located in a garage in Angola, Indiana, this project is available here on eBay for $21,000 OBO.

Between 1967 and 1968, Charger sales grew by six-fold to more than 92,000 copies. The styling made the difference, accentuated by a tunnel back roofline similar to GM’s 1966/67 mid-size coupes. Demand was still stout in 1969 at 85,000 units, perhaps due in part to the Charger’s car chase scene in the Steve McQueen cop movie, Bullitt. That action sequence is considered by many to be the best one ever made.

This Charger SE (Special Edition for its fancy trim) was not a rocketship when new. We’re told the 318 cubic inch V8 and TorqueFlite are from the day of manufacture. The car is thought to be largely complete with a spare fender and grill. There’s no telling what will be needed to get it to run, so a rebuild is likely in the cards.

The car has not escaped the rust bug and in several key places. The rear quarter panels provide a gateway view of the trunk. We’re guessing the original paint was Tor Red or Hemi Orange, flanked by a black vinyl top (or what’s left of it now). The snappy black interior will also require an extreme makeover. Too bad the seller doesn’t quote the VIN or fender tag. Bring lots of cash and a trailer.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. 8banger 8bangerMember

    OK Mopar fans: Get ready to put your credit cards on the skillet!!

    Like 8
    • J

      Oh man, the rust. Not for the faint of heart or anyone who lacks patience and a deep pocket. I see cars in this condition and all I want to ask is why did you wait so long? Ugh.

      Like 4
  2. Steve R

    When you are selling a car with as much rust as this and you choose not to put it on the lift, which is in the background of several pictures, to show the condition of the undercarriage, that tells you all you need to know. I’d keep looking for a better car, you’ll likely pay more, but save money in the long run, they made 82,000, there are others out there, they aren’t particularly rare.

    Steve R

    Like 11
    • Mikey P

      Remember the fact that Bo and Luke Duke sent a good portion of those to the bone yard!!

      Like 2
      • Steve R

        I read the production company used a total 300 68-69 over the course of filming. Many were kind of shot a designated as jump cars. I live in the SF Bay Area, those cars were plentiful, LA would have been so too. It made a small dent in the supply available today, but realistically an insignificant amount. What it did do was help cement the cars place in pop culture and drove up it’s desirability and its price, much like Smokey and the Bandit did with black and gold Late 70’s TA’s.

        Steve R

        Like 5
      • Shuttle Guy Shuttle GuyMember

        I’m a “Daisy Duke” guy.

        Like 1
  3. Melton Mooney

    No need to have the giant mess in your shop. Just go the Classic Industries catalog and start from scratch. It’ll be fun.

    Like 1
  4. Fahrvergnugen FahrvergnugenMember

    GarBage Find.

    Like 5
  5. Mark

    He we go again with a high price on a old rusted mopar!

    Like 5
  6. Mark

    Also pretty bad when you can see the spare tire from the bottom side of the trunk in the adds pictures.

    Like 4
  7. Al camino

    Is this the definition of a pig in a poke?

    Like 2
  8. Terrry

    And in keeping with BF tradition, we have yet another typical Mopar rust bucket. And this one doesn’t disappoint. How long has this thing been underwater? Probably as long as the person who buys this will be, at that asking price. I really don’t understand the love for these things. They were so cheaply made with that black plasticky interior, and rust proofing? It wasn’t in Chrysler’s vocabulary. The build quality was about a half click above Chevy’s Vega.

    Like 5
  9. Shuttle Guy Shuttle GuyMember

    Imagine this one on day one! To bad. sell the parts. Glass eng. etc…

    Like 2
  10. George Mattar

    Is every 69 Charger a total pile of junk?

    Like 2
  11. STEVE

    Did I read this right? A 318 rust bucket and the seller wants how much?

    Like 2
  12. Ron from MnMember

    Buy an old car they said…. It’ll be fun they said…. wallet draining money pit. I really do want a second-gen Charger, but, WOW.

    Like 0

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