With the popularity of the second-generation Dodge Charger still in full swing, just about any example is considered exciting these days, no matter what’s under the hood. However, when one comes around that still has its original 426 Hemi intact, the wow factor for Mopar enthusiasts goes through the roof. This 1969 Dodge Charger R/T is one such car, and while this one’s a project, it’s almost all there and is said to be extremely solid. This coveted B-Body is in Celeste, Texas, and is available here on American Steel Classics. Mitchell G. sent us the tip here and posed the question if the price of $159,500 might be a bit high, so it will be interesting to hear what our readers have to say. As always, thanks, Mitch, for making us aware of another great classic!
Before considering spending this kind of money, it’s important to confirm you’re getting the real deal, and fortunately, this one seems to check out. The seller includes photos of both the Vehicle Identification Number and fender tag, with the J in the VIN and code E74 on the tag indicating this one did indeed leave the St. Louis assembly plant with a 426 Hemi, and the D32 confirming a 727 TorqueFlite transmission.
Both the monster motor and the bulletproof automatic are said to be numbers-matching factory components, with the exhaust system also stated as original. Though things still look orderly in the bay, there aren’t any specific details about the engine, so it’s a mystery whether it will turn, start, or run. No particulars are mentioned about the transmission either, so it’s possible the time has come to rebuild the pair.
Looking around the exterior, some bodywork has already been started, with the fenders replaced with parts from two different shades of green donors. Many of the other panels appear to be original, and rust doesn’t seem to be an issue on the driver’s side. The right door looks really good, but it’s hard to tell exactly what’s been done to the quarter behind it. However, compared to other Charger projects from this era, this one will likely require less effort to smooth the sheet metal than many in the marketplace.
Most of the interior is still present, with the radio being a noticeable exception, but it will also need some attention to look like it did back in the late sixties. Photos are also provided from inside showing the seats removed and the carpet lifted, and thankfully, the floors seem sturdy, as does the roof area underneath the missing section of the headliner. I’d have to agree with the seller that this one’s a more solid project than most, and the pedigree and numbers-matching 426 and 727 certainly add significant value. However, like Mitchell, I’m curious if this one may be a little overpriced. What do you think?
Maybe high but try finding another matching numbers 1968 Charger for less $
The first time I ever went to Mopar Nats was in Ann Arbor in ’85 or ’86. There was a low mileage, pretty clean, matching #, running/driving Hemi/4speed 69 Charger for sale in the swap meet area with a $9K asking price. All I could think at the time was…who on earth would pay 9 thousand dollars for a 69 Charger?
I passed up a kinda rough 440 6 pack Superbird for $1500.00 back in 82.
About the same time i passed on a super clean engineless 68 Hemi 4 speed Charger and a super clean engineless T/A 4 speed Challenger for $1800’00 for the pair
Very cool find Mitchell G. a great write up Mike. Must be a fairly rare color combo if it’s red on red.
This seller has had their eBay listings featured countless times, sometimes more than once, often a year or more apart. They are expensive and seem more than willing to wait for a buyer to come along, like it or not, that’s their business model.
Steve R
“willing to wait for a buyer to come along”….true and kind of funny.
Since this is not presentable as a “patina” car, the gear heads who could possibly deal with this car are closing down their shops and selling their tools (or giving them away) and headed into retirement by attending cruise-ins in whatever they have that’s decent. They already have two of these out back that they have never touched since purchase.
The millions of guys that played video games growing up have no idea what to do with something like this.
So ya better not wait too long.
Price is way too high, rare or not.
For that price it better be like brand new in my book, hemi or not!
Why would you spec that engine with an automatic gearbox?
Because you were faster with a torqueflight unless you were Ronnie Sox.
Doctors or showoffs.
The 1st Muscle Car Era is coming to a close for collectors who drove them on the streets.
It’s now up to provenance and rarity.
$159k is steep.
But if I were a person with deep pockets – worth the investment
One Hundred Fifty Nine Thousand Five Hundred Dollars. Are You Nuts? This car Is Over Priced. Virgil
59K too high if ya go by Hagerty’s value on a “fair” condition 1969 Hemi Charger.Seller has priced even above the “good” condition value which is 145K.I prefer 1970’s myself :D
I’d like to know more about the ’71 Charger 500 parked behind it. It doesn’t have a PowerBulge hood, so it must be a 500. Only those & the R/Ts came with those taillights.
It’s likely somewhere on their website. They show all current and former vehicles, including projects.
Steve R
Thanks, Steve. I’ll check it out.
I checked it out and it turns out that it’s a Charger SE. I once owned a ’71 SE and it most definitely did not have those taillights. The ad says it was custom ordered by a Chrysler exec, so he/she must have had them installed. When they’re on, they resemble the taillights on a ’68 Charger.
If this car was completely painted and the drive train completely gone through maybe you could justify the price. But as is not realistic.
After watching decades of Barrett Jackson and Mecum auctions I can tell you that this car fully restored would bring $500,000 plus dollars from a wealthy collector. We’re talking in regular guy terms my friend. Rich people don’t think like us
Are there any examples of these Chargers (non-Daytona) selling for $500K? Or anywhere even close to that? That’s Hemi ‘cuda hardtop money. This isn’t that.
A quick look shows that there are hemi Chargers that are good looking drivers all over the place that are not even listed as this much.
$179K done: https://www.americansteelclassiccars.com/vehicles/266/1968-dodge-charger-rt
If this is so rare and a great deal, why don’t they restore it ??
They appear to be a dealer, not a restored. Many restoration shops that sell cars, won’t do restorations unless it’s for a paying customer, that’s where the money is. It’s not by doing a restoration on spec.
Steve R
I’m not an appraisal person but yes! He will get that price. I wouldn’t doubt if he already has. When you have Mopar people like Mr Worman and others he will get that without a doubt. As the above comment states, try finding a numbers matching Charger in its most popular sought after year with its original hemi engine! Good luck! As far as things being too much money let’s all agree that everything is too much money. I just bought a new high roof cargo van on a social security retirement income. Yeah too much money but gotta have it
Wish it was a 4-speed!
If a guy wants to spend that kind of money there are a lot of them finished and look very good! Hemi? So what this is no collector classic.
I don’t understand the confusion…it is a 1969. (Split grille/cat-eye tail lights).
The wood grain dash=SE.
R/T SE cars are rare.
Std engine is a 440 Magnum in an R/T, and they can easily top $100K.
If this truly is a #s matching HEMI R/T SE, the price is reasonable if you’re a Mopar guy.
…if you expect to pay $50K for a 2nd gen Charger, get a tetanus shot first.
Lets all follow along…
https://www.gaaclassiccars.com/vehicles/44002/1968-dodge-charger-426-hemi-rt
Dollhairs maybe……lol
160k to buy 100k to restore to as born. this is only for a person that a 160k is like 1.60 to us. it’s rare with a hemi for sure but just way too much money for us barn finders
These guys are crazy on their prices
Too much money. Almost a 60 year-old. There will be plenty wrong with it. In 10 to 15 years, hardly anyone will want this car, or any muscle car. Yes, the very good ones with bulletproof paperwork will still sell. The guys who grew up with these cars are 70 years old plus, like me. I love the old stuff, had a 70 Road Runner 53 years ago. Bought it from original owner for $1,200. Perfect shape. FE5 Red with N96.
Sooo we are going directly to web sites for content ? Like all have said – it’s pretty steep price and like the West coast guy – WHY are you selling considering you have a retoration shop ?
For investment purposes rather than that thing, If I had that kind of disposable money, I’d be buy
ing Palladium, Platinum, or Silver bars. Still, despite the recent increase. When the last of the boomers, like me at 65, are no more, the gens after have no interest in reliving their HS years. At least not with these. Few will be buying AND keeping for collector value. There’s no romantic or passionate interest for them.
My 32 & 34 yr olds had zero interest in several of the muscles I had the last 14 years & sold, despite flawless bods, #s matching & all 4sp, ’66 GTO, ’69 Z, ’70 T/A & ’69 Mach 428. Last to go was the ’69 Firebird 400 4 yrs ago, that was a T400 though. I literally would have given any one of them to them had they expressed an interest.
Their friends would say ‘cool car’ but would follow with its ‘too big’ or ‘eats a lotta gas, huh?’ It was hard for me to comprehend their mindset. But made me rethinking acquiring any more, regardless.
Young tech guys are into the hopelessly boring supercar realm. 4 wheeled baubles that they dont begin to understand.
Yet the entire hobby, with the exception of a few guys like you, continue to believe that muscle has no limit. You wisely got out at the top.
The frothy upper tier will hold, for a while. Its the wildly overpriced mid tier stuff that is about to crash hard. Once the gates open, and people realize their $100k Z-28s are now worth $55k on a good day, the gates of hll will open wide, all across the country, as people people need to liquidate their “retirement assets”. $55k becomes $40k in private transactions. Maybe less.
If you’re in at that value, all good. If you’re in at $95k, due to an auction mental lapse, your wife is gonna have something to say.
Unlike crashes in the past, there ain’t gonna be anyone on the other side to revive it and set a floor.
At least whatever true hobbyists are left will get to enjoy the cars they like again, at very reasonable money.
This will have little or nothing to do with the overall economy this time. Mecum is already moving on to the supercar market. They know what’s coming.
Take a zero off that asking price and I’ll take it.
Looking at just the “money” side of this misses the point. BTW Hagerty predicts a bull mkt. Anyway, these Chargers will never be forgotten with Dukes of Hazzard, Bullitt, Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry, etc. 68-70 Chargers will always be iconic.
Unfortunately, NO ONE can predict the future. There have already been examples of cars bought and stored away for years, only to find now, that their value has not appreciated as intended. As previously stated, once the generation that grew up with these cars is gone, there will be minimal interest in them. Reminds me of the “Twilight Zone” episode where a train carrying gold bars was robbed. The robbers went into suspended animation for 100 years, only to find out upon awakening that gold was worthless!
As Moparman as stated, no one can predict the future. And personally, it’s not a concern to me. I have a 69 Camaro Super Sport that I spent 5 years restoring. I have over $100K invested in the car, and I did it all for me. It’s the car I wanted in highschool but couldn’t have. I’m 74 and have no intentions of selling it. I love the car and very much enjoy driving it and occasionally showing it. My 30 year old son thinks it’s cool, but when I’m gone, will he want it? I don’t know and it’s not something I worry about. I’ve already told him to do whatever he wants with the car. So if it’s worth $25K in 20 years, so be it. But I enjoyed it for many years and that’s all that counts.
The price is steep, but if you’re well-heeled and have another $100k to invest in a full restoration, you’ll get your money back and then some — if that’s your aim. Otherwise, you’ll have yourself a very nice, if not rare piece of automotive history.