Just because a classic car spends its life in California doesn’t necessarily guarantee that it is going to remain rust-free, but it certainly doesn’t hurt its chances either. That seems to be the case with this solid 1969 Charger R/T, which has recently been listed for sale. It is located in Bellflower, California, and can be found for sale here on eBay.
It appears that the seller has owned the Charger for several years, and has taken a few tentative steps down the restoration pathway. The original Gold paint is looking quite baked, but the car has just been treated to a new Black vinyl top. While the paint might not be the best, the Charger does appear to be free of any rust issues. The owner does use the word “solid” in his description, and while that alone doesn’t guarantee a lack of rust, the supplied shots of the vehicle’s underside are certainly encouraging. The panels wear a few minor dings and marks, and while the majority of the glass appears to be in good condition, the windshield will require replacement thanks to the fact that it sports a substantial crack.
It really doesn’t look like it is going to take a lot of time or money to return the original Black interior of the Charger to its absolute best. Both the dash pad and steering wheel have some crack, the lid on the console is warped, and the carpet is showing some wear and fading. I think that the lid could probably be fixed without requiring replacement, and even the wheel could probably be restored. The pad will definitely require replacement, but the carpet probably isn’t bad enough to justify replacement at this point. Otherwise, the interior is very original, and with those few issues addressed, it would be a very nice place to spend some time.
A 440ci V8, TorqueFlite transmission, power steering, and power brakes. That’s not a bad combination to find in a Charger. With 375hp to burn, the result is a car that is capable of impressive performance. A 0-60 time of 6 seconds and a ¼ mile time of 14.3 seconds is pretty decent in anyone’s books. The news on the mechanical front with this Charger seems to be nothing but good. This is a numbers-matching car, which is a huge plus when we start to consider values, both now and into the future. In addition, the owner says that the car runs and drives really well, meaning that it could certainly be driven and enjoyed as it is, while the restoration tasks could be undertaken at some point in the future.
I would be willing to bet that we will have readers who will look at this Charger and immediately envisage it being turned into a General Lee clone from “The Dukes of Hazzard.” I can understand that sentiment, but I hope that this car doesn’t suffer that fate. Don’t get me wrong, because I would be lying if I said that I didn’t love that car. However, it took me less than 2-minutes online to spot one genuine and four clones for sale right now, and I really wasn’t trying very hard in my search. To me, that is enough justification to not follow the clone path and to restore this one to its original glory. What do you think?
I just watched “Bullit” again tonight, and that ’68 Charger chasing Frank was really cool. This gold car looks great too. One of the best car bodies ever designed in my opinion.
So did I…first time I watched it without changing the channel after the chase scene…good movie overall…
Your opinion is right , so very right. That’s my opinion!
It would be a CRIME to inflict such a fate upon this car. The television production of “DOH” was responsible for the destruction of many 69 Chargers! It only took one landing from a ridiculously high jump, with the car landing so hard that you could see the body ripple and twist, w/ the front suspension collasping; but then driving off seemingly unharmed, to turn me off! BTW: I NEVER cared for the show! Hopefully, this car will be restored to its original glory. GLWTS!! :-)
How weird- just this morning I stumbled on to John Schneider’s youtube channel (who doesn’t have one?) and ended up watching a video of him answering common asked questions about DOH and he estimated that 280 Chargers were destroyed during the show’s run. 2 jumped cars per episode. What a waste and shame.
He also mentioned that the engine sounds were dubbed over and were the same ones used for the Charger in Bulliitt.
Between wrecking chargers and watching Daisy Duke i was teetering on the brink!
Far more chargers rusted away into nothing than the show used up.
Just the good ol’ boys
Never meanin’ no harm
Beats all you never saw
Been in trouble with the law
Since the day they was born
Staightenin’ the curves
Flatenin’ the hills
Someday the mountain might get ’em
But the law never will
Makin’ their way
The only way they know how yeah
That’s just a little bit more
Than the law will allow
Just the good ol’ boys,
Wouldn’t change if they could,
Fightin’ the system like a two modern day Robin Hood
Thank you, the lyrics have always evaded us.
For good reasons.
I think you forgot the Yee HAwww.
I think the General Lee time is WELL past us… Would be cool to see this car kept as a survivor but understand if it was restored. Agree wit Rex Kahrs, one of the best bodies ever. ‘68 my fave of the Chargers.
Well past us?
I don’t think so!
Not if you come to Cooter’s place in Nashville and Pigeon Forge TN.
As popular as ever!!!
https://cootersplace.com/
Beautiful. Looks like some paint mismatch but is understandable. Underneath looks really nice as it appears to be undercoated well. The torsion bar anchor crossmember looks like it might be w tad rusty. Sure would make a nice cruiser as is or a great candidate for resto. Good luck to the new owner.
Cheers
GPC
I read where it’s in Bellflower, and instantly thought of the old Cal Worthington Dodge on Bellflower boulevard commercial. I remember old Cal would be riding a steer. Oh yeah, another beauty of a Charger.
His dog Spot came in many different varieties.
This has his cars featured on this site often. I think they wrote up another Charger and an Impala SS within the last few weeks. Look at his completed listing and you will see he has an impressive knack for finding cars. Location doesn’t hurt, he’s in LA, but cars like these are out there.
Steve R
I’d walk a mile for a camel, but I’d walk across Cali for this R/T. It would match my 69 Coronet with the same color exterior/interior combo as this Charger.
Good to see a running driver and not a roller that’s been beaten so bad the motor and transmission are gone!! I don’t understand the general lee thing at all!! Make the car yours not something that destroyed so many of this beautiful model of car!! I’m sure the price point will be high but it’s a solid car that hasn’t had multiple people do there version of what is cool!!!
Nice to see the more common back in the day wheel covers.
Odd for ’69(& ford cars too – some even in ’70) that the ignition switch is not on the column, which does not lock either, unlike GM cars for ’69.
Ignition coil looks original.
Most beautiful muscle car design ever. Wish I could afford it. I would go over it mechanically, keep it in my dry carpeted garage and drive it on nice days. No new paint. No new repo China junk parts. Only original once.
If I see another General Lee I think I’ll lose my lunch; that’s been done to death. Nice car with potential to be a great one with fresh paint and a little interior work. Too bad most of us can’t afford one, though.
Nice clean Driver unlike the hands off red ’69 Ford Cobra posted earlier. The most recognizable 60’s speed machine ever if you ask me. That aggressive looking body style just looks the part of a race car, even if it was unstable on the super speedways.
No need to dress it up like the General Lee, always seemed kinda dumb, to me anyways,to use a car with such high profile graphics and paint for moonshine runs. Could be spotted miles away, miles and miles. Best thing about that show for me was Daisy.
I had something similar 40+ years ago, it handled horribly and got 8 MPG on a good day. Our son has a 2018 Honda Civic Turbo that may not go 0-60 in 6.0 seconds, but in 6.8 seconds and gets 40 MPG to boot. Plus more comfortable, and handles like it is on rails. We have come a long way in 50 years. I like nostalgia as much as the next guy, but how much are we willing to pay for it. Our son paid under 22 Grand out the door for his brand new warranted car. Just saying.
If you or your son want to drive a plastic mass produced Honda with a turbo that’s fine!! It’s your prerogative!! I’m sure you could go buy another tomorrow!! They don’t make these anymore!! In ten years if your son still has his Honda with over 100k miles on it and the engine light comes on and you can’t get it inspected let me know what it’s worth then!!!
A fine point Lou, and it puts things in perspective. How much to pay for nostalgia? Whatever its worth to the individual I guess.
Of course, we all have our own opinions and dreams. That is a right we all should cherish. My point is simply, that at 100K after a full blown restoration, you are going to be setting aside some real money here and is it really worth that? At 25K, I can buy a Civic SI that would embarrass this thing, in the curves, and maybe even at the drag track. I could save 75 Grand and be king of the road. Not to mention, I think the new cars are lookers. This was awesome in its day, but half a century has passed, don’t live so much in the past and enjoy the here and now. The 75K I would save would mean a lot of money to spend driving to wonderful places. Around here, 75K will even buy you a house! Or , think of the great garage/shop that it would buy. I like going to shows to remember my yesterdays, but I let other people spend their money to make it happen. But again, that is just me. If spending six figures on a car is your thing, go for it. Just seem like a lot for a few memories. What I really worry about is the huge bubble that has just got to bust and a lot of Everyday Joes are going get blown away. I heard of a guy in my town that has his 401K in two muscle cars that he takes to shows. He is only in his very early 50s, in a dozen years, will he be able to retire?
Hey grandpa not meaning any disrespect but a Honda any Honda will never get the response from car guys that a Charger like this will…I know from experience. I own older cars and trucks and newer cars and trucks imports and domestic..at any car show or gathering or just cruising down the street this charger would draw more attention from the young and older people than that Honda
Didn’t mean to step on anyone’s toes. Just trying to point out that if we own cars to drive, the modern offerings are a small fraction of the cost and a much better car. This car is going to cost many multiples of a brand new car and in the end it will not be practical and certainly not as good as an enthusiasts car. If this car were 4 or 5 grand, then fine, keep it in the garage for a few trips a month down memory lane, but 10 or 20 times that? I can think of many better ways to spend that kind of money, but of course, that is me, you may have different priorities.
Practical. Really? The car is 50 yrs old, never will be a daily driver again but a weekend warrior. Myself would never buy it (doesn’t have a 4 speed) but many people will enjoy the car for what it is, nostalgia.
I like old cars because of the way I feel when I drive them. A modern car can’t come close to that feeling.
We don’t even need to talk about the lack of style on the new cars. Heck, they don’t even have dedicated turn signals anymore.
There are car guys and then there are “CAR GUYS”, you can’t compare apples to oranges .I get your point but there is no rhyme or reason why some of us “collect” what we do or spend what we spend. I’d paint it Black and get it mechanically sound.
Grandpa Lou makes some good points, but hell, it’s obvious that people spend lots of money on cars, and who am I to question why they do it. I am curious why Lou is on this site dedicated to old cars…if you aren’t here for the nostalgia, why not find a Honda site?
Personally, Hondas never held any interest for me. I view them as just transportation, with nothing interesting about them, but that’s just my opinion.
Retirement? Like my buddy in Denver says, “Why would you want to?”. Oh sure, lots of folks work in an office for 30 years and can’t wait to get out of there and collect the pension, and I get that. I probably should have done that myself, but I just couldn’t sit in an office watching the clock every day, I’d go insane. I chose self-employment, and never dreaded going to work a single day. Smart choices and good investments and I don’t need to keep building stuff after 35 years, but I still like it, and my clients won’t let me stop!
Nice car but no VIN provided.
No fender tag
No build sheet
Gotta see those on Mopar.
Bidding up to 29 but reserve not reached
Do not think it will go much higher
It’s not stepping on toes Grandpa its personal opinion..and that is what makes our car culture great. I personally would rather take my old mustang gt out for a weekend cruise than daily drive my wife’s new Honda lol..that new Honda is more comfortable..better on gas..etc. but it ain’t no mustang.
I have a photo of this car, in pristine condition, as my desk top photo. This is my #1 dream car.
It would be a crime to turn that into a general Lee clone.
I’m not sure how “original” that paint is. Every panel is a different color, and parts of it look like rattle cans made a pass at it.
I get what Grampa Lou is saying, that is why I drive my Hyundai on a daily basis (if not driving one of my toys). But with that thought in mind, I have my toys because I like how they make me feel.
The Hyundai is great to get me to & from work, especially when it is snowy outside. But one of my motorcycles, or convertibles, or even my beater BelAir or a vintage hearse all FEEL different than my Hyundai.
I use the Hyundai when I go on vacation too. 42 miles per gallon just makes more sense to me when driving across our great country. But I guaranty I would prefer to drive one of the other cars. Maybe not the 1951 Pontiac, because it won’t make it around the block yet lol, but one of the others. To cruise route 66 in my 1972 Eldorado drop top would be awesome! Especially if I could get the top to go up if it rains lol. Darn GM scissors top lol!
The hyundai is a great, reliable appliance. Not much style, but it does the job well. Same as a new Honda. I still love the old iron & will continue to check out my vintage porn I find on this website, & I will continue to play with my toys because I love how they make me feel.