Remember The Dukes of Hazzard TV show? As the story goes, they went through more than 300 1969 Dodge Chargers in the process of making the show. You’d think that would have helped put a dent in the surviving population, yet we see ’69 Dodge Chargers all the time here on Barn Finds. Like this Charger SE project that needs a lot of love, time, and money. The SE meant Special Edition with a higher level of trim. From a warehouse in Angola, Indiana, this Mopar opportunity is available here on eBay for $20,000.
This Charger’s VIN decodes as having been built with a 318 cubic inch V8. Whether that engine or another is under the hood, it doesn’t look as though it has run recently (no radiator, for one thing). It’s the SE model which added items like leather and/or vinyl bucket seats, a wood-grain steering wheel and gauge cluster, hood-mounted turn signals, and fancier interior lighting. This car likely had a vinyl roof when new, but it’s long since been peeled away.
As the fender tag is MIA, we can only guess if this was Hemi Orange paint at some point. We’re told all the body stampings match, which tells us none of the surviving sheet metal has been replaced. But the grille is no longer along for the ride. When you undertake a restoration, the frame rails in the rear passenger area will require attention.
The 1969 model year was a near banner year for the Charger at 85,000 units (demand for the ‘68s was 10% higher). Despite the large initial population, these cars aren’t particularly scarce and command big bucks at times. We’re told you can make an offer on this Mopar, but that button hasn’t been activated by the seller, so you’ll have to contact him or her if you want to pay less than $20k for this project.
Is it April 1st already!
I am not a Mopar person, but I cannot understand why these rusted old Chargers get so much attention. This car is really rough and I am being so polite.
Seriously, some of the glass and bits of the stainless could be used in the restoration.
Apparently, one of the 317( some say 330) that was left behind and somebody found it. I read, there was a shop in Cal. that’s all they did was make General Lees. In fact, ’68, ’70 and ’71s were modified to look like ’69s in the show. You know, this is actually becoming entertaining, how far this will go. I think the seller would have a better chance selling it, saying it WAS a Dukes car. Fender tag lost? Yeah, right, it’s all the last person wanted from this silliness, and don’t worry, this too shall pass.
The 1968s were modified by changing out the taillights and swapping the side marker lights. Not sure about using 1970s with the new front clip/wrap-around bumper. By 1971, they were a whole different fuselage body, aka 3rd gen.
For 20k I’d rather put a down payment in a cream puff…
I am at a lost for words the insanity is never ending with these prices.
This looks like it was on the show and didn’t make it and landed in the river and was left there until recently What a pile of junk if he gets any offers over 500 dollars he should take it
The 300+ Chargers used in the show would have been relatively insignificant to the number that survive today, though it might have made a dent in the Los Angeles area. There were over 104,000 Chargers built in 1969, the show was filmed in Southern California, where rust wasn’t an issue and cars could literally be found in by driving around many residential neighborhoods looking in driveways. That’s what we would do in the SF Bay Area through the late-1980’s. The production company was probably more than happy using Chargers that were rough since they would ultimately be destroyed. They likely had deals with tow companies and wrecking yards to supply them.
Steve R
I was still doing this in the mid thru late 1990s in the Bay. My buddies and I found some really cool cars, Grandma cars, one owner low mileage type of cars. From random knock and talks, I bought a unmolested 1972 Olds Cutlass, bamboo with saddle interior, buckets and console, SSI wheels – extremely clean car with only 47k miles on it when I purchased it in 1998. I’d had the car two weeks, I just got new tires and had dual exhaust put on. One afternoon shortly after work I was coming out of some townhomes at a stoplight where there was no turn lane and if turning you’re supposed to yield…well some idiot did not yield, turned right into me, hit me just aft of driver’s door, the car spun and I hit another car that was turning right. It wasn’t the hardest of hits but it was enough to tweak the frame and both quarters were toast. Insurance totaled it. I bought it back from insurance and took the wheels, new tires and exhaust off and ended up trading it eventually to a body shop buddy for partial payment for paint on a Viking blue 72 Cutlass that I purchased after the bamboo car was totaled.
Those were the days though. Cars sitting in driveways, garages, the street. I used to take late night trips with my girlfriend to scour neighborhoods looking for cars. You just never knew what you would find.
$20k for this crate?!! Not sure what meds the seller is currently taking, but he/she needs to see the doc about a dosage adjustment. Sheesh!
I can hear the conversation now with a friend. “What should I ask for this $2000 Charger?”
Friend…”Well, it is a Mopar, so you’d better just put another zero behind the price.”
Typical for prices on a lot of muscle cars today, but especially so on Mopars. These sellers watch too much of those high-dollar auctions.
Things are still crazy!
Yes! However, you have to keep it in perspective. Which of the two can you do..drop 20K or drop 100K or more on the real deal? Yes, EVENTUALLY you may have the 100K in the car for a builder, but then you have your 100K car. Very hard to come up with the initial 100K, most people cannot, and these 20K cars are almost gone….in just a couple of years, no more left, then you will be forced to drop the 100K to purchase a rare muscle car…the writing is on the wall
20k to play then at least 100k to have look fresh. no big powerhouse just a 318. these Mopar dudes need to get their heads out of there you know what’s and price their junkers accordingly
Mostly complete? Why is the line from Princess Bride playing in my head? Mostly dead is closer.
10K maybe. A man can restore it with skills. Otherwise it’s a money pit. No data tag sucks. You may be able to get one with the VIN and use Chrysler Historical Services.
Ten to 15 years from now, sellers will be giving this old junk away. I am in the car business. Nobody wants to work on cars anymore. And body shops cannot find workers. Everybody wants money, but don’t want to work. It’s coming faster than you think. Think about it. Guys who can work on a carburetor or use a timing light are dying and or retired. I showed a kid my timing light I’ve had since 1972. He had non idea what it was, let alone ny dwell meter.
“Remember The Dukes of Hazzard TV show?” As the former owner of a beautiful 69′ Dodge Charger R/T, I try not to.
Me too Paul, me too.
I had a yellow with black vinyl top 68 in highschool that I paid $800 for. It was only a 318 auto but was still a great looking ride. After that I spent $2800 on a 69 se 383 4spd. No ps or pb. This was in the late 80’s . Man I wish I’d been smart enough to hold on to them.
I’m a gear head….. Have been since 16 years old….. 49 now….. Mainly a GM guy, but I’ve had about all makes, and they all have their plus’s and minus’s….. Couple of years ago I picked up a 96 mustang GT for $5000…. Under 100,000 miles, paxton procharger kit installed when it was new, and other hypo extras that original owner did…. It cherry and Got a good deal… But I’ve noticed the prices of stuff people are asking for things nowadays…. And well, cars are starting to lose the value they once had for me…. I’m sure this mustang will be my last hot car I’ll own…. Even if I had 100 million dollars, I wouldn’t pay 20 grand for this or any other car in this condition…. 20-30 years ago I could have got this car for 500 bucks…. And it’s value to me hasn’t changed…. I’d still be reluctant to give 500 for a half complete rust bucket car today…. Why you people are paying nuts prices for these things is beyond me…. Get real… You ever go to a garage sale and see high priced OLD JUNK??? Sure, almost every single one is full of junk…. Maybe 1 or 2 diamonds in the rough… But just because it’s old, doesn’t mean it’s worth more than a quarter…