My First WIW - '69 Charger R/T-SE 440-4 Speed F6 Green

[bill440rt]

OK, so this all started a little while ago when Chris (Just6T9) asked me if I had any interest going in on a '69 Charger.    Who doesn't?    

Here's what has landed. As far as '69 Chargers go, at one time this was one very special car. This car had to be drop dead gorgeous when it was new. '69 Charger R/T-SE, F6 green, white vinyl top, black leather interior, stripe delete with R/T emblems on the quarters. Originally powered by a 440 (now missing), it was a 4-speed (matching numbers trans is there), and a Dana rear (also there). The option list looks like it was outstanding. Options, that we can see, included power disc brakes (Bendix booster is there, brakes are missing), power steering, power windows, 3-speed wipers, tic-toc-tach (it's still there), woodgrain wheel (no cracks), pedal dress up, center console, 6-way seat, shoulder belts, rocker moldings, remote mirror, the light package, and tall bumper guards.  
This is the ONLY '69 Charger R/T-SE F6 green 440 4-speed known to date in the registry.

The good part is a lot of those parts are still there. The grille is in fantastic shape, too.
Now the bad.    As mentioned the original engine is long gone. And so is the fender tag. The body is so badly rusted, it would take a giant leap of faith to restore it, if it even could be saved. Floors, crossmembers, frame rails, quarters, rockers, wheelhouses, etc are heavily rusted.
It was given a quickie black paint job at some point in the '70's. However, the amount of original F6 green is painfully obvious in all the hidden places, so is the original white top and black interior. Inspection sticker is from '88, and we were provided with some documentation of the car.

We pulled what was left of the broadcast sheet, and were able to verify it came with the heavy duty cooling package, full wheel covers, and a basic AM radio.

At this point we are deciding what to do with it. We have a pretty good idea of what the parts alone are worth. We understand you can't save them all but on the flip side would really hate to see a car like this wiped out. Neither one of us can tackle a project of this magnitude right now, but at least the car is no longer rotting away in a field somewhere. We may sell it as a whole (in hopes of it being saved), or end up deciding to part it out.

So, let's get this WIW started.    

[bill440rt]

Some more pics.
Chris also took a bunch, I'm sure he will chime in with either some more info I forgot and/or pictures.
We took a lot of pictures, and will probably post them either on Photobucket or something similar.

[bill440rt]

One more.
The VIN on the core support also matches the dash and on the trunk rail. Number on the 4-speed trans also matches.

[charger_fan_4ever]

I'll go first

No build sheet either i assume ?

As it sits if it had a tag $6-8k. No tag 4-6k.

[cdr]

THAT CAR IS really gone !!!! its worth the sum of parts ,dana that needs rebuild 1000.00----18 spline trans needs rebuilt 500.00,nice grill 1000.00 . seats 400.00,dash 600.00

[Indygenerallee]

$2500 tops

[69charger2002]

super cool car originally. so sad to see it like that. i think it's worth $4-5k

[1974dodgecharger]

$2500 tops

to someone who knows the rarity and what not im sure alot more...i seen worse shape sell for more.

[Back N Black]

Tuff call, the car needs everything. BTW my was F6 green with white top (White Hat Special),sometimes i wish i went with the original color.

[F8-4life]

The cooler the car, the sadder it always is. I say 3k for low end and maybe on up to around 5-7k on ebay if you found somebody in love with it.
F6 and 4 speed sure help the rust look better...

[Davtona]

Ok the F6 paint is rare I agree and I like. But with the fender tag gone do you have the part of the build sheet left that spells the car out as F6 paint code. If you don't then what proves it to be an F6 car. I can see in the pictures and agree it was originally that color. But after restoration what would prove it to the next owner or buyer? If nothing does then it isn't the only one. There isn't any. 

[Fred]

On the plus side, that is one beautiful grill.
I hope someone will bring her back to life.

[JB400]

THAT CAR IS really gone !!!! its worth the sum of parts ,dana that needs rebuild 1000.00----18 spline trans needs rebuilt 500.00,nice grill 1000.00 . seats 400.00,dash 600.00

I'd have to agree.  I think the grill is worth more than the car.  But, it sure would be nice to see this one returned to its former glory.  But, I think if you sold it, it would be parted out and scrapped.  If you do sell it, make sure it's to someone that will restore it.

[surmanajaja]

its probably not worth more than 3k. but I wouldnt part it out. sell it complete without the grille (thats the only thing in it that really worth money). I would make that a custom job, like the guy in Florida does, put a awd late model charger floors and running gear in it, but keep the 69 dash and exterior. of course it needs a lot of time and metal and definitely is not worth it if you wouldnt do it for yourself.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

This car definitely brought a tear to our eyes when we saw it.  Such a shame  Sat under a tarp in northern NY for 25+ years.  Still has the keys in the ignition & the keys work for the glove box lock also!

The car would need a restoration of biblical proportions....but it can be done today thanks to AMD and their extensive part catalog.

Attached is a pic of what was left of the BS...basically the bottom half as well as some of the top left corner.....shows the Sequence number as well as the SPD (604)...grease pencil marking of "RX"....missing the "C" or CRX for black leather seats

I have 4 F6 RT/SE auto cars in the Registry (one being a sunroof)....This is the ONLY 4-speed RT/SE I have in F6....would really love to see this one restored back to its former glory

[BrianShaughnessy]

It's a long term project...    I mean I could use some of the parts myself but I'm hoping you guys decide to step up.    Once they get to a certain level of floorboard rot they're all the same.     But just like Sinnamon the front part looks pretty good shape.   What's the roof like under the vinyl?

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

   What's the roof like under the vinyl?

RR corner rotted

[68RT440]

I'd try and restore it...I mean, heck, if LEE1 could be brought back, so could this! 

[DixieRestoParts]

For my  , R/T SE 4-spd cars are about as good as it gets in'69 for a Charger, short of a Hemi. You just don't come across many of them. The color combo adds even more value to it. But, as posted above, ya gotta be able to prove it on the back end to bring the money if you ever decided to sell. Also, there is another board member here with the sister car to that. I believe it's undergoing resto now, but I'll let him chime in if he wants to. I'm sure he'll see this post.

The pricing for WIW, is probably right at the sum of it's parts, maybe a little more depending on how bad you want that particular car. What would it be worth restored? Well, that again depends on documentation. It will be a NOM resto will mostly repro sheetmetal (unless you find a donor car, good luck with that !)  So, look at what R/T SE auto cars bring in similar shape and add the premium for 4-spd and paint and you'll be in the ball park.

Personally, I see it as an excellent candidate for a day "two" restoration, where you don't go OE crazy, but rather build it to drive as you would have in '69.

[resq302]

I know that price guides have a premium % for 4 spd cars but how would one put a premium on the rarity of a color?  Especially since there is no solid proof from Chrysler with exactly how many of each color car was produced?  This is absolutely cool though that this is the FIRST one that Chris has come across.  Certainly rare for sure, but how much more money does rare bring?

[F8-4life]

I agree the car doesnt need a 70k restoration, but at the same time it certainly shouldnt be parted out. Then it will be wiped off the map.
And it is just way too rare/cool in this day and age.
Even in its current rusted NY condition it still exissts and that is enough. Putting it back under the tarp would be a better option then parting it.
You will always have a line of guys saying its a rotbox gonner etc... but all you need to find is that one guy who understands what this car is and they will know its special.

Curious as to what $$ you got it for. Would be helpful for us charger geeks that fallow prices.

[tan top]

wow  , rare tri color combo   , must of been an awesome car when it was new    
got to be saved ,    & now with all the AMD repop sheet metal & stuff seems crazy not to , & easier than going to wrecking yards & cutting off large chunks of charger & spending all weekend drilling / unpicking all the spot welds of the dona charger metal    , would deffo restore this car  if i was 20 years younger  , although having to only pay for parts is an advantage for me &  only my time ,  paying a body shop to do it , wont be cheap  

got loads good stuff & rebuildable cores , if you were to part it out  ,  IMO would be crazy to though , not as if its a 318 XP charger  ,   no offence meant  XP charger guys  
these cars as we all know dont grow on trees ,  15 years from now think guys will be kicking them selves parting out cars like this  ,  just like they do parting them in  the late 70 early 80s ,  prolly more so , as in 70s & 80s there were still around   , i know what i'm trying to say but not sounding right typing it out  
got to be saved  

good luck what ever you decide  

looking forward to seeing more pictures  

[Beep Beep Dave]

What a sad sight. Totally cool when it was new. I am sure someone with deep pockets and some talent could keep it alive.
As others have said it has to be worth the sum of its parts, anyone attempting a resto....well I don't think it would matter cause they would be way upside down when they are done.

Dave

[ws23rt]

Wow what a tough call. To put it back under the tarp would be like keeping a young brain dead person on life support and letting useful organs die of old age. Having that vin tag left on the dash and building a car around it seems like a heroic attempt. I wonder about what most people would think is over the top. Say the radiator support and trunk drip rail were all that is left. Is that enough? I have heard of dash tags being reproduced based on fender tag info along with body vins to back it up which feels ok to me. Back to a tough call. Looks like time to pull the life support and fix another car with handy caps.

If it was a hemi car with vin on original block that would make it a keeper to me.

[RJS]

Chris I'm sure Mark Worman can fix it!!!