This 1969 Dodge Charger is fresh from a close to three-decade sleep, having last turned a wheel some 27 years ago. The exterior presents surprisingly well, but the close-ups reveal a project that has more than few cosmetic issues to sort. Old-school Oregon license plates confirm its long-time departure from road-going use, but the seller has acquired Vermont title to make it easier to register should it be restored. Find it here on eBay with bids at $12K and no reserve.
It always shocks me to see some the prices these cars get bid to, despite the impressive amount of work that will be needed. I caught some flack from commenters on my 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 project for being too rusty, but it’s hardly any worst than this (better, if I say so myself). But that’s the fun part about this hobby: if it’s a car we’re passionate about, all we see is potential – not the problems. The good news is this Charger has some nice lines down the side, with rot limited to the lower sills.
The amount of surface rust is unsettling, and it is everywhere. The seller notes that the engine is believed to be a 383 but does not confirm whether it is matching. He also adds that “…grill, trim, lights, in nice condition and will need most sheetmetal repaired or replaced.” That all but confirms my thoughts that the body is rustier than it seems, and the amount of visible surface rust likely indicates prolonged exposure to moisture. Still, it is a complete Charger, and there’s significant value for that alone.
The interior features bucket seats and a full console, along with very musty carpets. However, the seating surfaces look surprisingly good, and green-on-green color combo would appear to be original based on the matching color in the door jambs. The seller has provided additional pictures of the undersides and trunk floor, both of which appear to be suffering from rot of varying degrees. Included in the sale will be a set of Magnum 500 wheels, a spare instrument panel, and an extra rear valence with surface rust. Is the bidding justified or is this too much of a project for the money?
Cost a lot of money to restore this car. Would have to be a labor of love.
I know I knew a guy who bought a 68 restore nice for only 14.500 dollars this guy is in love with this car sold for 14 dollars plus
Any car that requires a full hazmat suit just to drive on the trailer is probably one that you want to walk away from……….fast.
In addition to the above, who in their right mind puts a spotlight on a Charger?
Around here (northern Wisconsin) people use them to illegally shine deer at night. I agree, looks tacky, just like the tacky people who do things like that. Also the kind of people who let a car rot away as an eyesore for decades, allowing mold and vermin to flourish. Why is it those kind of people so often benefit in the end?
86 Vette,
Perhaps a small-town Police Chief who was given a certain budget to purchase a vehicle for his use, but allowed to buy the vehicle of his choice. Would make a great chase car!
Roscoe P Coltrane if he ever catches the Duke boys
Answer: spotlight ??? EX-COP
Man I love mopars but come on already how many people need to buy these rusty turd buckets there has got to be a nice project out in the world for way less money that doesnt need every panel replaced
As the saying goes “There is no such thing as a problem, only a solution”
Solutions wouldn’t exist without a problem.
looks like a rust bucket
They’re all mostly like that but 12.000 thousand dollars that’s crazy money for that not even a rt model the person who purchased this must have more money than Brains or must be a body man restoration professional
The data plate/fender tag confirms that this car had a 383-2V, not exactly the engine people lust after. Given the hatchet job on the roof, the rot everywhere else and the condition of much of the interior, this restoration calls for jacking up the ignition key and driving another car under it. The goons at Graveyard Carz have brought back worse than this. Apparently someone thinks it’s worth having because it sold for not insubstantial money. Good luck to the new owner. Better him than me.
Now watch, the new owner drops a fresh 318 or slant 6 in this car for gas mileage. The 383 sounds great now, right?
While I have seen worse, unless it was your car 48 years ago, what is the point of spending a dime on a rusty old POS. I like the 68-69 body style, one of the best ever but….. It’s a Mopar POS without a Hemi.
This looks like one that should have been snatched up in the 80’s along with the majority of 68-70 Chargers for use in “The Dukes of Hazzard”!
To me this poor thing looks like a flood car, looking at interior photos. Could be wrong of course if it is RUN AWAY. Too many problems with flood cars
Sold for $14,300. Grandpappy always said a fool and his money are soon parted.
I like that way of “Grandpappy’s” thinking. But at least the money is staying in the USA maybe? Why does everyone now days buy BMW’s, Mercedes, & LandRovers etc.. In stead of buying from the big 3 assuming they are all still based/headquarters in the USA?
It’s a used car in Oregon, so the money IS staying in the USA. It doesn’t matter where it was made, it’s used. I have trouble being loyal to corporations, knowing they will close a plant down after 100 years, and move it to another country,(GM)
Looks to be in same condition as my Polara
‘Old-school Oregon license plates confirm its long-time departure from road-going use, but the seller has acquired Vermont title to make it easier to register should it be restored.’
Huh ?
Isn’t that a bit curious ?
dweezilaz. Yes it is very curious especially since the car has Washington plates on it.
Keith? Hello?
I was going to ask where Keith was. In fact I was scrolling through looking for a snarky Mopar remark from him.
And thanks to a show with a pretty girl wearing Daisy dukes….there will always be a demand…also a shortage of them due to in part to said show…get over it !!!
I love all u guys ! I giggle inside every time I hear a good comment ,must be a guy thing ! Ussually.any time I wanna purchase something in this shape ,my mind tells me certain things ,and 9 X out of ten the lesson I learnt is listen to your gut ! Ha Ha there’s more my nose ussually tells me how sha- la- la- oppie do a deal is !! Funny how a clever dude could smell a rat ! And low and behold I’m sure the owner might be a killer guy /gal but this car has nested several families ! So I’m out boys go geter!
Prices for rusty project Chargers has gotten to the point where if I want a fun one to play with, it’d be cheaper to duplicate the Crown Vic Dukes Fest jump car.
Kicking myself for missing the chance to get one of these back when prices were almost affordable.
No one paid 15 Gs for this scrap.
More fake bidding ?
For a 1969 Charger in this economy? I virtually guarantee someone paid 15k. It’s an original 318 car FYI.
After buying this you still wouldn’t be any closer to that dream car you’ve always wanted. You would just have a rusted out wreck with too many hurdles in front of you.