New Member. '69 Charger R/T 440

[MrSharky]

Not sure if this is the correct place to post this blog but if it is not, I'm sure and I hope the Mod's will move it to it's correct location.

Here goes.  I am a current member of Corvette Forum, I own and have owned Corvettes for many years.  However, at this juncture in my life I would like to purchase the predecessor of all Muscle Cars; a Classic Mopar.  I am from the North and up here Classic Muscle is hard to come by and if you do find something, it's a rust bucket.

Here is my dilemma and reason for posting here.  I have found a '69 Dodge Charger RT 440.  It is totally disassembled and in mid rotisserie restoration.  It has all new sheet metal where needed and new carpet, upholstery, a new Dana rear end, doors hood and ect.  The owner states that he has all parts necessary to put the car back together plus extras.

The owner wants $10,000 for the whole kit and caboodle.  My problem is this.  I don't know if this is a good deal because I have never dabbled in Mopar's nor have I ever had someone do a restoration on one.  What I'm getting from my peers is don't do it; get a complete car.

What are your views on this matter and why.

[mikepmcs]

Welcome, 
Need to see some pics and throw the first 2 letters of the vin up as well to make sure it's a real r/t.

I would say $10000 is a very fair deal considering what these cars go for.  Are you gonna do the work yourself or farm it out?  That can get expensive, but if most of the hard work is done then you are way ahead of the game.  Like I said we need pictures of the car to make better internet mediators for you, but I'd buy it if I had $10k and it's a real r/t.

Others will start chiming shortly.

But, the ball is rolling and get set for some great advice from some great people.

Chris runs a great site to get some facts if you have the vin and the fender tag.  Good luck to you.

http://www.1969chargerregistry.com/default.htm

v/r
Mike

[skip68]

Any photo's ?   What is the first 5 digits of the V.I.N. ?   And third,  Welcome to the site.   

[mikepmcs]

But if you don't want the hassle of building it, you could probably find a decent 2nd Generation Charger in the $20+ range.  Won't be an R/T though.

v/r
Mike

[hemigeno]

Welcome to the site, Mr. Sharkey!

I'll move this thread over to the General Discussion forum, where it will probably be read & replied to a little more.

[Joshua]

Welcome Sharky.....Price sounds fine to me, and I'm a cheapskate......as long as you can do all the reassembly yourself.....and every part is there and in good, usable condition.....

FWIW..... a "predecessor" of all musclecars would more like a '55 Chrysler 300.......

And are Charger owners (or guys looking to buy) all former "Vette Guys" besides me?

[tan top]

hello & welcome    ....   any pictures    ..how much body work does  it need ? whats the comdition of all the mechanical stuff & suspension  ... all the stainless trim there  ...what about the grill assembly ??  are you sure all the parts are there ??
     yeah  good point ( skip 68 )  vin #    should start  XS29L9   ...................

[1969chargerrtse]

Welcome, I sold my 72 454 vette conv, 4spd a/c pw,etc for a 69 Charger R/T and so far no regrets.   

[Hemidoug]

You may want to check for the vin numbers on the engine and transmission....if they match it would be considered "numbers matching". Far better deal then if they didn't ....but being a 'Vette guy I'm sure you know about the numbers game. Welcome to the dark side...you won't regret it. Many former Chevy owners have fallen for Mopars!

[MrSharky]

Welcome Sharky.....Price sounds fine to me, and I'm a cheapskate......as long as you can do all the reassembly yourself.....and every part is there and in good, usable condition.....

FWIW..... a "predecessor" of all musclecars would more like a '55 Chrysler 300.......

And are Charger owners (or guys looking to buy) all former "Vette Guys" besides me?

I would not have thought it to be a '55 300.  Still a Vette guy but just broadening my horizons.

[MrSharky]

hello & welcome    ....   any pictures    ..how much body work does  it need ? whats the comdition of all the mechanical stuff & suspension  ... all the stainless trim there  ...what about the grill assembly ??  are you sure all the parts are there ??
     yeah  good point ( skip 68 )  vin #    should start  XS29L9   ...................

No pictures yet.  Will get VIN# when I go to take pictures.  Car is on rotisserie with all replacement panels in place but the weld seems need to be mudded (totally solid), doors and hood are in great shape, top of car had no vinyl top and is pit free.  Suspension parts are new or in good condition.  Engine needs rebuild.  Trim appears good, grill assembly is good and I'm not sure if all parts are there or not.  Seller states that they are.

[Orange_Crush]

A couple of things for you to consider.

1.  The last six digits of the VIN are stamped on the radiator core support (usually on the top right on the '69s I've seen) and the trunk lip.  Make sure they match the VIN tag on the dash.

2.  Check the  stampings on the engine (machined pad on the right side of the engine by the oil pan) and transmission to make sure they match the VIN.

3.  Check the quality of the bodywork.  Fords and Chevies are very easy to restore compared to Mopars....Mopars have their own peculiarities  due to manufacturing anomalies and bad repro parts.  A bad resto may cost as much to put right as just buying a car needing a full resto.  Look for corrosion around the cowl, windshield and rear window channel, and sail panels.  Also, look for welding seams on the insides of the quarters.  If you can see them, The resto guy's not doing it right.  It may not really make a difference to the casual viewer...but if you're anything like I am, you'll know they're there and it'll eat at you.  I know of a guy who just spent 42,000 dollars on his '69, the car's not even close to done yet, and the guy is going to have to have it done ALL OVER AGAIN to fix the other guy's screwups.

Try to have a knowledgeable Mopar guy go with you.  I'm sure there's someone here or on Moparts.com who is in your area and willing to help.  The Mopar community is small and we like to help each other out.

[Orange_Crush]

BTW...where are you located?

[MrSharky]

BTW...where are you located?

I am in Elkhart, Indiana.  About 30 minutes from South Bend (Notre Dame).  And thanks for all the good information.

[Orange_Crush]

BTW...where are you located?

I am in Elkhart, Indiana.  About 30 minutes from South Bend (Notre Dame).  And thanks for all the good information.

As I said, there is probably someone here or on Moparts.com who would be happy to help you out.

[mikepmcs]

I am in Elkhart, Indiana.  About 30 minutes from South Bend (Notre Dame).  And thanks for all the good information.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO........... IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOTRE DAME SATURDAY is just around the corner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSd_l508dwA

  We're going inside of 'em, we're going outside of 'em -- inside of 'em! outside of 'em! -- and when we get them on the run once, we're going to keep 'em on the run. And we're not going to pass unless their secondary comes up too close. But don't forget, men -- we're gonna get 'em on the run, we're gonna go, go, go, go! -- and we aren't going to stop until we go over that goal line! And don't forget, men -- today is the day we're gonna win. They can't lick us -- and that's how it goes... The first platoon men -- go in there and fight, fight, fight, fight, fight! What do you say, men!



Bet you can't guess one of my favorite movies of all time.

[MrSharky]

I am in Elkhart, Indiana.  About 30 minutes from South Bend (Notre Dame).  And thanks for all the good information.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO........... IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOTRE DAME SATURDAY is just around the corner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSd_l508dwA

  We're going inside of 'em, we're going outside of 'em -- inside of 'em! outside of 'em! -- and when we get them on the run once, we're going to keep 'em on the run. And we're not going to pass unless their secondary comes up too close. But don't forget, men -- we're gonna get 'em on the run, we're gonna go, go, go, go! -- and we aren't going to stop until we go over that goal line! And don't forget, men -- today is the day we're gonna win. They can't lick us -- and that's how it goes... The first platoon men -- go in there and fight, fight, fight, fight, fight! What do you say, men!



Bet you can't guess one of my favorite movies of all time.

Ummmm,     Rocky?       

[mikepmcs]

 

It does start with an R and end with a Y.

Rocky is a great movie as well.

[MrSharky]

Thank you all for your sound advice. 

Since this will be my first Mopar (Charger), I have decided to pass on this disassembled vehicle and try to find one that has been restored or will only need a frame on restoration.

Thanks again and I look forward to being a future Mopar owner.

[Joshua]

Since this will be my first Mopar (Charger), I have decided to pass on this disassembled vehicle and try to find one that has been restored or will only need a frame on restoration.

Very smart of you ......sometimes a guy gets all excited about a new purchase, but if the car needs alot of work, it may drag out for quite awhile before you can drive it, and ya get burned out. Unless yer a type of guy that likes building cars as much as driving.
Otherwise, getting a car that doesn't need much can be much more fun.....
Keep lookin'.....good cars are out there....

[mikepmcs]

On the other hand you might wanna post the info for the rest of the members here to take a shot at it.

I still think 10g is a decent price to pay for an R/T for someone that can do the work, right?? Sadly, I can do the work but don't have the chaching$$$

Good luck to you.

v/r
Mike