This 1969 Dodge Charger looks pretty rough and ready, but there does appear to be some potential in it as a project car. The person who takes the Charger on will be facing a pretty major restoration project, but the owner has already started on that and has also very candidly identified the work that remains to really bring the car back to life. Located in Fresno, California, you will find the Charger listed for sale here on eBay.
The Charger has a number of dents and dings, but none of these are particularly bad, and the body is generally pretty straight. The primer on the door and quarter panel on the passenger side are indicators of recent rust repairs. Part of the quarter panel and the entire rocker were replaced with metal from a donor car, and the repair was hit with a coat of primer. Similar work has been completed around the rear window to address the rust there. Rust still remains in the floors in several places, including the driver’s side, and in the trunk. The owner does say that the majority of the trim that appears to be missing is actually sitting in the car.
Powered by the 2-barrel version of the 383ci V8 engine, the Charger would have produced 290hp. I really shouldn’t talk in the past tense about the engine, because after sitting for a while, the owner has undertaken all of the usual work to wake it from its slumber, and it’s reported to now be in good health. The engine is backed by the TorqueFlite transmission. The transmission has been serviced and adjusted, and apart from a minor fluid weep, the owner says that it is fine. The car is fitted with power steering, power disc brakes, and air conditioning. The owner reports that while the gauges fitted to the dash are a bit dubious, he has hooked reliable gauges and equipment to the car, and the oil pressure and engine running temperature both appear to be good.
The interior is going to require a complete restoration, but the vast majority of the original equipment is present, so the new owner looks like they will have a pretty decent starting point. The Charger was well-equipped when new, and thankfully, all of the good stuff is still there ready to be used or restored. The car is fitted with Rally Gauges, including my personal favorite item, the Tic-Toc-Tach. The gauges do provide some odd readings, so they may need to be refurbished. The original radio/8-track player (with optional twin rear speakers) is still in the dash, and the power windows and all of their associated hardware are present and operational.
I really don’t need to tell you that these are a popular car, and that good ones sell for some respectable prices. This one needs restoration, but it is complete, and it appears that all of the desirable optional equipment is present. The owner has set an opening bid of $33,000 for the Charger, but at the time of writing, there have been no bids. However, there are 18 people who are watching the auction, so who knows what will happen. I just hope that someone doesn’t buy it and make it into a “General Lee” clone because I think that it would be a shame to do that.
Perhaps the seller should move the decimal place on his price one number to the left? This is a rusty, column shift, 383 2-Barrel that will need a full restoration, not a clean 440-equipped version.
On the plus side, the black CA plate appears to be correct for the year.
This may explain why there are no bidders, thus far…
Yep, 33 large is outrageous. With everything that needs done, less than 10 grand would be a much more realistic starting point for what once was a daily driver.
Nice starting point for a Charger restoration, but…$33,000? I just keep running that number through my head because I can’t process it.
That nice ’70 Charger that was here a few days ago sold for $29,700. It wasn’t numbers matching, but it was a turnkey 440 car in much better shape than this one.
$33,000 ? The ppl selling this must have had a hell of a lot of fun back in the 80’s because the brain damage from the drugs is hard not to see ! I remember when these were $1000 and they’d throw in a tank of gas. Auctions have ruined it for anyone without a huge bank account !
No;it’s not selling for $33.000. That’s the starting bid,reserve hasn’t been met yet…so the dope heads you’re referring to believe it’ll catch more…!
Guessing by the primer on it I’m thinking the quarters have a serious bondo infection. 33K? Someone’s checking what Chargers go for at barrett-ripoff….
33 large? HA HA HA HA! I NEVER should have sold my ‘68 R/T…
Boy, the guy who did this must be kicking himself in the butt right about now! That hood alone is probably worth more than my entire E36 M3.
I thought the 86 Buick GN was pretty funny at $7800 but this one is really a hoot.
Lol🤣
To whomever manages to make this MOPAR their own, I have but one request.
From the very bottom of my muscle car loving soul, I ask that you please please PLEASE don’t paint it orange.
Thank you.
I had an 70 orange one, it had a white top and interior, sold it 15 years ago for 10k, it had 3 build sheets but no fender tag. The muscle car hustler that bought it from me thought he was buying a 500 like the 69 version! He sold it for 14k after hanging a new quarter panel and repainting it. Don’t know why people bother with these, i prefer the 68 ragtop version of the Beautiful Dodge B Body!
It was in the early 90’s that I first noticed ridiculous prices for hemi cars. $75,000.00!! OMG. You would have to be crazy to pay that much.!!! Now a tired 318 car goes for $33 large. My brain never processed beyond the fact that they were just old cars that I didn’t even want when they were only used cars. But I do like looking.
When I first looked at this car it seems all the hard work was done until I saw the ratty interior and dash pad,then the price,someone is looking to retire early!
Judging by the quality of the “repairs” to the rear window area, I would have to have the entire body stripped to the metal if I were considering a restoration! :-)
Craigslist has a ‘69 Charger listed for $5000 today and looks like a solid project with no interior!!!