Although it currently cuts a sad figure, this 1969 Dodge Charger could become a stunning classic. It is a blank canvas because although it retains its original drivetrain, the buyer might decide to slot in something more potent to create a genuine muscle car. It appears it is a stalled project, but the limited progress means a new owner is unlikely to confront any nasty surprises. The Charger is listed here on eBay in Maiden, North Carolina. The seller set a BIN of $16,500 but left the option for interested parties to make an offer.
Second Generation Chargers have developed a reputation for rust issues, and we’ve seen some pretty sad examples over more than a decade at Barn Finds. This one doesn’t make a positive first impression, with most of its Bright Blue paint consumed by surface corrosion and rust. However, the seller commenced returning the car to a sound state and is candid about its needs. They have replaced the driver’s side rear quarter panel, while the list of included new steel includes a trunk pan, trunk extensions, rear valance, taillight panel, wheel wells, and other associated parts. The buyer must source floor pans, a roof skin, and many other body parts. Only an in-person inspection will determine what else is required, but the seller indicates rail issues needing attention. Whether they are repairable is unclear, but budgeting for a worst-case scenario would be wise. The seller includes a couple of decklids and bumpers, but it is best to consider this Charger as a “what you see is what you get” proposition.
The lack of carpet allows us to gauge the extent of this car’s floor rust, and the seller wasn’t exaggerating when they said it needs floor pans. Apart from what we see in the supplied shots, it seems the only included interior component is a set of headliner bows. The buyer must source complete seats or seat frames as a starting point. They can add most of the dash and a full retrim to the list, meaning this aspect will likely consume a few dollars. On a more positive note, the original owner ordered this classic with air conditioning, and the system appears complete.
Although this Charger retains its numbers-matching drivetrain, its condition is unclear. The original owner selected the 318ci V8 that produced 230hp in its heyday. They also chose a TorqueFlite transmission, power steering, and power brakes. This combination was the most conservative within the Charger’s V8 range, although it could still return a ¼ mile ET of 16.6 seconds. This is where things become interesting, and the buyer will face choices. If the engine turns freely, revival may be possible. That leaves the path clear for a faithful restoration, which some would prefer. However, with the BIN price and required work, the financial viability of that approach could be questionable. Modified Chargers continue drawing impressive sale prices, so slipping something more potent under the hood could be worth considering. A 383 or 440 would unlock this car’s potential, although pushing out the boat for a Hemi could prove impossible to resist. If someone happens to have a healthy Mopar V8 squirreled away in their workshop, the world could be their oyster.
Returning this 1969 Charger to its former glory will take a dedicated owner with a reasonably thick wallet. By the time they return it to a rust-free state, they will have contributed significantly to the college fund for the steel provider’s children. However, with 169 people watching the listing, a few must see the potential lurking below its tired and corroded exterior. Either that or they are watching in morbid fascination to see if anyone is willing to put up their hand to tackle this build. Which do you think it is?
Gawd.
p.u.
crazy
As a youngster I always loved this body style yet did not like mopars.I still love the body style and kinda like mopars as I’ve gotten older but don’t see the $ here for this one. Too much for too little imo.
If I had the money I’d take it to mark worman from graveyard carz to restore it wouldn’t be to far gone for them
To involved. I don’t see a return on this one
Ya no not this one. I have been fortunate to have owned quite a few classic muscle cars mostly 68 / 69 Dodge Coronets & Darts big block Scat Pak cars. Two chargers a 71 440 R/T & a 66 Hemi Charger minus engine $500 . The others were $300 & under 50,000 miles driven away . This has every bit of $70,000 and up to restore and with no big opt car not worth it. JMO.
That quarter isn’t replaced either, it’s just hanging on the side of the car. That flanged area at the top of the “B” post should be under roof skin. I’m betting they cut the old away and found some structural problems similar to the driver’s floor that they weren’t counting on.
Back in 1981 I bought a 69 Charger with 69,000 miles for $750.00. It had a 318 in it. It was a great car. I was 21 at that time. I had the car for a year and half. I am very lucky to alive today due to an accident. I let someone else drive it with me in passenger seat who drove it dead center into a telephone pole. It totaled a good a car. I lost 4 pints of blood with the juggler vein exposed.138 stiches from the neck up and broken ribs. The safety belt is what saved me.
All cars are replaceable with other great cars over my lifetime.
Always use your seat belt.
“Second Generation Chargers have developed a reputation for rust issues” Why do you put that on every Charger you post ? First of all , its a B body Mopar, so it wouldn’t be just the Chargers that have a reputation for rust , secondly , why single out this particular car ? Aren’t first gen Mustangs prone to severe rust issues ? First gen Camaros ? 70-74 Cuda / Challengers ? We’ve seen plenty of severely rusted away pony cars , so its not just the Chargers that have “issues” The truth is, in most areas, is that ALL cars rust – The reason you dont see many postings with severely rotted out 4 door Darts , LTDs , Matadors, etc, is that when they were used up to the point of not worth fixing, they went to the junkyard and were crushed decades ago. For example , they sold thousands of 66- 70 Falcons that rusted just as bad as their prettier sister the Mustang, but nobody saved them. The more desirable cars were saved, although in most cases still not taken care of, and they sat and continued to deteriorate for years while other cars from the same are had long been scrapped. You can go to any old time junkyard and find plenty of long stripped out rotted Mustangs and tri 5 Chevies , but try finding a Gremlin or Pinto – nope, crushed long ago .They will always hang on to the popular cars, even if they are completely trashed. This cars been around for 55 years now , how many cars from 1968 didnt even make it to 10 years and were junked ?
I’m not a Charger fan either, its Chevy for me ; I’m just stating facts
16k for a Vin tag and one ton of iron oxide? Outrageous. Sorry, I’m just naturally pessimistic, while some people are pie eyed optimistic about these old mopars, but you must REALLY want a 2nd gen charger to take on something this far gone. Plus it’s not a big block or R/T or stick shift, but it is factory AC equipped. Good luck to the optimist who takes on this project.
I would try to source a LS 6.0L to slot in there. Try something different people!
I’m interested in the 1969 Dodge charger for a hobby car and I have a 440 Magnum engine and transmission aswell the engen i have also has a 4 bbrl carburator so I do have a complete drive train for the charger Allen Jennings and I live in two rivers wi my phone number is 920 629 4067 if you’re interested in letting it go as is
Looks like he may be keeping this one for a long time
16 k, not for all that rust
Another junkyard refugee riding on the movie Mopar rage. True these were popular but in the early and mid 80s, these and everything else was stacked racked and crushed by the gross. I placed many in the crusher. There is a hulk like this in an old yard not far from me. Rusted, busted, and bashed and like most of these dreamer junk guys he wants 10k for his piece of crap he towed off when Carter was president. Not sure why I was getting the sales pitch on it while I was there. I was asking about parts from an older Chevy van but I was driving a 75 Coronet. Seems everyone that is in possession of one of these pieces of scrap want more than a nice can obtained for. You cannot restore crap like this for what a decent runner can be bought for. This should have been pressed ions ago but laid in some off the wall junk hole that was not close to a shredder or like many had no equipment to process cars just shove them in rows in trees here there and everywhere. This guy had a delusional dream when he found this and now is hoping for a big fish to save him……NOT!