69 Charger RT on Ebay.

[Dodgelover]

There is a 1969 Dodge Charger RT listed on Ebay. It needs to be restored.  My husband is looking at bidding on it and I was wondering what is a good buy for a vehicle like this.  Also wondering approximately how much it would cost to restore it to original condition.  He told me it would be a good investment?  Thanks

[JB400]

First off, welcome to the group.  Do you have a link or some pix?

[polywideblock]

welcome to the site     is this the car   http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Dodge-Charger-RT-loaded-/231000915465?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item35c8ba3e09   

[nvrbdn]

yep, welcome to the site. and definately post a link so we can view the condition. more than the investment is the joy of driving one of these around. thats where the fun is.

[Dodgelover]

Thanks for the welcome!! And yes Poly, that is the car.

[Daytona R/T SE]

$50,000+

[nvrbdn]

everything is there. you wont be hunting for parts. that means alot of the hard part is done. can he do any of the work himself?

[Brian in GA]

And just so you know, the $50k isn't what it's worth, it's what it'll take to get it back to original condition.  

If he wants an investment he should buy gold.  Seriously.  

[DixieRestoParts]

Welcome to the site. You'll get several opinions on the subject. Here's mine for what it's worth, and I've been messing with these cars since 1982.

I looked at ebay and found one project '69 R/T. Your question depends on a few factors:

Is the car a desirable car?
  *Most 69 R/T's are, does it have cool options? Color?

Is it all numbers matching?
   *Does the engine & transmission have the same vin number on them as the title, dash vin, radiator core support, fender tag and trunk lip?

Condition of the car and components?
   *If it's a rust bucket, your restoration cost's will skyrocket. As an investment, you won't get big bucks for a poor restoration, so you can't slap it full of bondo or take other shortcuts. If it needs a ton of work and you can't do most of it yourself, you'll more than likely have more in it when it's done than you can sell it for.

My opinion is that you can buy a really nice car already done, for less than it would take to restore most project cars, and that includes the one you asked about. Even if you're doing a lot of the work yourself.  

Are you buying it just as an investment? Big mistake, again in my opinion, as unless you're very experienced you will probably not be happy with the final outcome. Now if you're buying it because you love it, that's a different story. If you've always wanted it and don't mind that it may not have a big payoff when it's done, then go for it. There is nothing like the feeling of bringing one back to life. If done properly, it can be a fun family project, going to car shows and swap meets looking for parts, helping out in the garage, etc.  Driving it !!


Anyway hope that helps, don't want to scare you, just educate you on the reality of restoring one of these great cars. The TV stuff you see is all BS.
Randy

[Dodgelover]

When I read Datona's reply...I almost fainted.  Thought 50K to BUY it...lol He would have to pay someone to restore it. That's a lot of money to restore something. What would it be worth after it's restored? And what is a good buy in it's current condition?

[Daytona R/T SE]

When I read Datona's reply...I almost fainted.  Thought 50K to BUY it...lol He would have to pay someone to restore it. That's a lot of money to restore something. What would it be worth after it's restored? And what is a good buy in it's current condition?

My estimate of $50,000 is on the conservative side, for restoration costs only, not including the purchase price of the car.

I'd recommend that you have at least another $20,000 on hand, assuming you're paying a shop to do all the work.

You'll probably need it.

And the car still won't be OEM "Correct"

If that is your goal...

Hock the house.

[Dodgelover]

What is OEM Correct? Excuse my ignorance.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Looking at the tag codes they listed R4 Bright Red exterior color with C6R red interior.  This is a non-standard color combo that would not be available without the V08 color variance code on the tag. (which is not listed....would need a pic of the tag)
There are a few cars registered in the 69 Registry with this variance....pretty rare

Looking at the few pics of the car, the engine compartment red looks too dark to be R4....more like R6.

Either way it will be a very cool car when restored

[polywideblock]

What is OEM Correct? Excuse my ignorance.

                                         original equipment manufacture

[Homerr]

Not all that loaded, but a good project for someone for the right price.  If you want a restored car then it's almost guaranteed that you'll save money buying a completed car(something like $35-50k for a '69 R/T (non-Hemi)).

As stated, R4 is Charger Red (Bright Red on non-Chargers) and R6 is Red.

E86   440-4 Barrel High Preformance
D32   H-D A-727 TorqueFlite Trans / Some Years A-998
XS29   
X = Dodge Charger
S = Special
29 = 2 Door Sports Hardtop
L9B   
L = 440 375HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL
9 = 1969
B = Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
145897   Sequence Number '145897'
R4   Paint Code: Unknown At This Time
C6R   Trim Grade/Style/Color
C = Charger
6 = Vinyl Bucket Seats
R = Red
R6   Upper Door Frame: Unknown At This Time
918   Date Built: 9 / 18 / 1968
079235   Order Number: 079235
C16   Roof Type OR Color:  Console w/ Buckets
C55   Bucket Seats
G11   Tinted Glass All
H51   Single Air /w Heater
M21   Roof Drip Rail Moldings
M31   Belt Molding 69-70
R11   Music Master Radio AM
V1W   Full Vinyl Top - White
V88   Delete Transverse R/T Stripe
26   26 in. Radiator
END   End of Codes

http://www.stockmopar.com/mopar-fender-tag-decoder.php?Code1=&Code2=&Code3=&Code4=&Code5=&Code6=&Code7=&Code8=&Code9=&Code10=&Code11=&Code12=R11&Code13=V1W&Code14=V88&Code15=26&Code16=END&Code17=&Code18=C16&Code19=C55&Code20=G11&Code21=H51&Code22=M21&Code23=M31&Code24=R4&Interior=C6R&Code25=R6&DateCode=918&OrderNum=079235&Code26=E86&Code27=D32&Vin1=XS29&Vin2=L9B&Vin3=145897&vin=XS29L9B145897&Submit=Decode

[ws23rt]

When I read Datona's reply...I almost fainted.  Thought 50K to BUY it...lol He would have to pay someone to restore it. That's a lot of money to restore something. What would it be worth after it's restored? And what is a good buy in it's current condition?

50K is a lot of money when you consider that most of it won't come back when you part with the car down the line.
These cars for most of us are a hobby not an investment. If your husband were to do most of the work himself he would save money and enjoy the car more fully when it's done. I am sure most here would agree that the personal hands on investment adds a lot to enjoying the finished car.
If that is not going to happen than the best way to go would be to find a nice driver/ finished car. If you shop well you could find something to enjoy and return your money when or if you need to back out later.
Folks like us that fix problem cars have something wrong inside that allows for ignoring rational thinking and logic.

[polywideblock]

if your just wanting to spend some money and have a nice driver e.g. don't want to do the work yourself I'd be looking at something like this   http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Dodge-Charger-RT-440-Automatic-PS-PB-Console-HAVE-TO-SEE-THIS-ONE-/111101681403?_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&forcev4exp=true     you'd be at least 10k better off

[1974dodgecharger]

theres your problem you said INVESTMENT.  go into stocks, bonds , etc.

There is a 1969 Dodge Charger RT listed on Ebay. It needs to be restored.  My husband is looking at bidding on it and I was wondering what is a good buy for a vehicle like this.  Also wondering approximately how much it would cost to restore it to original condition.  He told me it would be a good investment?  Thanks

[Ghoste]

Yes, you have to buy with your eyes open and know that it CAN be a good investment.  It can just as easily turn out to be a horrible one so buy it first because you love the hobby and the cat and let the investment part of it take care of itself.

[moparstuart]

Looking at the tag codes they listed R4 Bright Red exterior color with C6R red interior.  This is a non-standard color combo that would not be available without the V08 color variance code on the tag. (which is not listed....would need a pic of the tag)
There are a few cars registered in the 69 Registry with this variance....pretty rare

Looking at the few pics of the car, the engine compartment red looks too dark to be R4....more like R6.

Either way it will be a very cool car when restored

this one is most likely in the registry but it is one of the few  very cool combo     MOPARHOUNDS   car

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

if your just wanting to spend some money and have a nice driver e.g. don't want to do the work yourself I'd be looking at something like this   http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Dodge-Charger-RT-440-Automatic-PS-PB-Console-HAVE-TO-SEE-THIS-ONE-/111101681403?_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&forcev4exp=true    you'd be at least 10k better off

Lots of cool cars coming out of the wood work

[Ghoste]

It does remind me of another car.

[Cooter]

Yes, you have to buy with your eyes open and know that it CAN be a good investment.  It can just as easily turn out to be a horrible one so buy it first because you love the hobby and the cat and let the investment part of it take care of itself.

I thought most all Car guys love the 'cat' Ghoste....

Good advice though. I guess if it weren't for the 'Investment' side of things, many of these cars would have been crushed, but I just can't stand it when I see this type thing happening. Agreed, Stocks and Gold are for investing. These cars are for the Hobby. That poor R/T has prolly been passed around like a cheap hooker already, with too many 'Investors' trying to make a quick buck.

[Tilar]

welcome to the site     is this the car  

His reply to one of the questions that was asked...

According to what I have been told, this car is not like a Chevy as it does not have stamps on the transmission or the motor. The 440 was mass produced and could be put in any car on the assembly line. If you can help me find the numbers, I will be glad to look again, or you are welcome to come take a look for yourself.

[bakerhillpins]

Looking at the tag codes they listed R4 Bright Red exterior color with C6R red interior.  This is a non-standard color combo that would not be available without the V08 color variance code on the tag. (which is not listed....would need a pic of the tag)
There are a few cars registered in the 69 Registry with this variance....pretty rare

Looking at the few pics of the car, the engine compartment red looks too dark to be R4....more like R6.

Either way it will be a very cool car when restored

I thought that it was listed on the Broadcast sheet only and not on the fender tag. At least that's what I recall on the tags I saw when I was looking at cars??