Regardless of their favorite brand, muscle car lovers instantly recognize the 1969 Dodge Charger design as a classic, and not just because of its appearance on a popular TV show. The design evolved as a collaboration of multiple designers, and it’s a beauty. This body style has no bad side. Unless your thumb gets in the way, you can’t take a bad picture of a second-generation Charger. Interestingly the “C” insets in the doors were added late in the process to gain clearance for the bottom door hinge. Take a virtual walk to Allpar.com for this and other fascinating details about the iconic design of the ’68-’70 Charger. This specimen hails from Columbia Station, Ohio, southwest of Cleveland. A rich listing here on eBay includes a host of pictures and a video of the running non-original 440.
Rebuilding has begun with new quarter panels and floors. Purchased from the estate of the late owner, this single-family ride deserves to be put right. The C-pillar cuts look like the correct location if those drilled-out spot welds are any indicator. Please don’t slather Bondo in the only seam on the car that requires lead.
Any car with a three-foot long Hurst shifter and a “cue ball” knob means business. Surely *somebody* out there knows the prior owner and the history of this car, but apparently it was not relayed to the seller, who states, “The fender mounted VIN plate, build sheet, and driver side quarter panel VIN are no longer with the car.” File that under “Things that make you go Hmm.” Though this picture has a green cast to it, all visual evidence suggests an original blue on blue color combination.
This later 440, a 1973 version, powers the Charger today, and it runs. While not as potent as the top motors of 1969, an application of bolt-ons can make serious power if complete originality is not on your checklist. Mopar engine compartments of this vintage were painted body color, yet someone, perhaps inspired by the Rolling Stones, decided to “Paint in black” at some point. You’ll see this B Body engine compartment over and over again; this platform underpinned countless muscle cars. The electric “pusher” fans and Griffin aluminum radiator may represent countermeasures to an overheating problem. Don’t call this car a driver; it lot drives, but the seller plainly describes frame and body rust and other limitations. The listing is well-written with many pictures so take your time before clicking “Buy It Now.” Where do you value this quintessential muscle car?
That’s “Paint IT Black”, just say’n. The ’69 Charger is one of the finest looking cars ever produced, others may disagree, I don’t care!
Painted Black, according to that video.
The actual name of the song is Paint it, Black.
Once again a car so valued by its only original owner that it looks like it was fished out of the back of a junkyard. Given the importance of fender tags and other esoterica indicating original build, and with a non original engine, why would this shell be treated or valued as anything more than the value of the block?
For a one family car. Looks like most of its life it sat neglected somewhere for a looong time to deteriorate like that.
The prior family that owned it must have really hated it.
So vin plates missing,orig. family car, this charger has at the least not been treated well. All said,far from original.Buy it as a project and disregard the other claims to up the price.
This one family car was owned by a little old lady who beat the hell out of it. The rigamarole about the title is comical. The value of one owner cars is when they are well preserved, not basket cases.
1 family owned didnt do much for this car…
“What are we gonna do with Dad’s old car?”
“That pile of junk?”
“He loved that car.”
“You take it.”
“No, YOU take it!”
“NO, YOU take it!”
“I know a guy who’ll give me 5 grand for it.”
“Let HIM take it!”
Let Mikey try it….He’ll eat ANYTHING !!
Though Columbia Station is technically southwest of Cleveland, a more accurate description would be that it’s about 15 miles due east of Columbus, on Rt. 16.
That is totally wrong, Columbia Station is 100 miles from Columbus on Route 82.
Correct….Columbia Station is Southwest of Cleveland and West of Strongsville at SR 82…..no where near Columbus.
Nope…SR 16 is about one and a half to two hours South of Columbia Station. Google Maps ?
I stand corrected, confused by Columbia Center and Summit Station out there between Columbus and Granville. I live in Florida now, which probably explains this.
MoPar, or No Car. A little double entendre`.
Never watched the “Dukes of Hazzard”… DOH! Dumb show, destroyed too many irreplaceable cars! :-)
They were just another used car at the time.
In the early-80’s cheap, rust free muscle cars filled the local California Auto Trader’s and news papers classifieds. At the time no one I knew gave a second look at car that wasn’t a true muscle car or had a 4 speed. If you had $1,500 to spend you practically had the pick of the litter.
Steve R
This car has been featured on here before. Last month, IIRC.
Anyway, I suspect the documentation is in someone’s filing cabinet when they started restoration then lost after death. Hope you have a cop buddy.
AC equipped, I see….or used to be…now it’s rust-equipped…
At least the tires are shiney.
Looks like the quarter panel and floor replacement needs to continue on to the firwall/ toeboard area, as well as fender apron, and..and…and
Bullit, Dirty Mary crazy Larry, dukes of hazzard, and some old David caridine movie that’s name escapes me now, the list is long on these old chargers, sort of a movie star with wheels if you like. So hopefully someone will save this old star from going to the crusher.
Death Race 2000
Nice early shifter there…..
Grew up in CLE. In fact, I just left Strongsville, Rte 82 area and moved to Florida 18 months ago. This car is a victim of the Cleveland salt mines under Lake Erie. They all were back then.
Better have a thick wallet if you take on this project.