Hey everyone -- A hello and some questions ('69 Charger oriented)

[85shelbycharger]

Hey everyone, long time no post.  I'm not sure if any of you remember me or not, but I used to post on this board quite frequently about a year ago.  College has practically taken over my life (I'm currently a junior at Penn State (a branch campus) majoring in Business -- marketing and management and I don't have as much time for my hobby anymore haha.  Regardless, I felt that before I go asking questions, I should atleast tell everybody, "Hello."  Some of you may have even seen my cars at Carlisle the past several years.  In '06 I took my '85 Shelby Charger and this year I took my '90 Daytona Shelby.  For the past five years, I have also helped my brother take out his '85 Plymouth (Direct Connection) Turismo.  I'll post a couple pics up:

My Charger and my bro's Turismo, Carlisle '06:


My Daytona Shelby, Carlisle '07:


Now that I've re-introduced myself (does that make sense? lol)  I'll go ahead with my questions.

I may have stumbled upon one of my dream cars -- 1969 Charger R/T.  All that I know about it is that it's been parked for 20 years or so and it was in good running shape as well as good shape (body wise) when it was parked.  In a few months I may have the opportunity to buy it but before I even think about it, I would like to know the following:

Were all '69 R/T's 440 cars?  I know this car is not a Hemi (obviously), but the guy said he wasn't sure if it was a 383 or a 440.  I didn't think that R/T's came with 383's?

What are some specifics that I should look at prior to possibly purchasing? (i.e. rust spots, specific parts, etc.)

With just the vague description (all that I was told about it for now) of being a real R/T car, and having been in good shape prior to being parked in a cement-floored garage (I'm guessing it should still be in somewhat decent shape), what price range are so-so shape R/T project cars going for granted it has all of it's correct parts?

That's all for now, I'm sure I'll think of more questions to ask as the time goes on.  Thanks for taking the time to read my post everyone!  Talk to you all soon.

[69charger2002]

welcome back! your 85 and 90 shelby's are very nice cars! you are correct as far as original R/T's, only 440 and HEMI, no 383's. for reference when you go back and look at it, the VIN should start XS29L9...... that means 69 R/T with 440, if it starts XP29G9 or XP29H9.. it's a 383 car.. hope this helps
trav

[Brock Samson]

bring a camera and post pics,.. look for rust lower quarters under the V. assuming it has one,.. top door jambs and signs of repainting... assume it has one... again look for rust around the rear window stainless, check the wiring under the dash and where stuff comes through the firewall for weird hack jobs... look at alot of pics on this sight to see how '69s are supposed to look,.. also the '69 charger registry.
welcome back and good luck... ask alot of questions of both us and them,.. nice rides! 

[69bronzeT5]

Were all '69 R/T's 440 cars?  I know this car is not a Hemi (obviously), but the guy said he wasn't sure if it was a 383 or a 440.  I didn't think that R/T's came with 383's?

What are some specifics that I should look at prior to possibly purchasing? (i.e. rust spots, specific parts, etc.)

With just the vague description (all that I was told about it for now) of being a real R/T car, and having been in good shape prior to being parked in a cement-floored garage (I'm guessing it should still be in somewhat decent shape), what price range are so-so shape R/T project cars going for granted it has all of it's correct parts?

All '69 R/Ts had either a 440 or a 426. None had 383s. Like Trav said: "the VIN should start XS29L9...... that means 69 R/T with 440, if it starts XP29G9 or XP29H9.. it's a 383 car.. "

Chargers commonly rust in the quarters, rear valance, floors and I've seen alot with dutchman panel (panel between the rear window and the trunkid) rust also. Also, if the car has a vinyl top, beware..the roof might be rusty underneath the vinyl.

And regarding what they are going for, its hard to pin point a price for the Charger you are looking at without pictures. Search around Ebay, that might give you a good idea.

[85shelbycharger]

welcome back! your 85 and 90 shelby's are very nice cars! you are correct as far as original R/T's, only 440 and HEMI, no 383's. for reference when you go back and look at it, the VIN should start XS29L9...... that means 69 R/T with 440, if it starts XP29G9 or XP29H9.. it's a 383 car.. hope this helps
trav

Thanks for the compliments!  The Daytona is my "baby" and doesn't get out much lol.  Since those pics, the paint on my Charger has really started to go downhill, but I'll hopefully have that redone by the end of '08.  Also since that pic, I have swapped in a Turbo 2 engine from an '89 Daytona along with an A568 5 spd from an Iroc Daytona...amongst other upgrades.  Right now I'd say it's pushing around 230 hp 

I have not seen the car yet, and won't get the opportunity to see it for another couple of months atleast.  I'm just trying to start my research now so that when I do see the R/T, I'll have a good knowledge base built up.  Thanks for the VIN codes and stuff, that'll surely help.

[85shelbycharger]

bring a camera and post pics,.. look for rust lower quarters under the V. assuming it has one,.. top door jambs and signs of repainting... assume it has one... again look for rust around the rear window stainless, check the wiring under the dash and where stuff comes through the firewall for weird hack jobs... look at alot of pics on this sight to see how '69s are supposed to look,.. also the '69 charger registry.
welcome back and good luck... ask alot of questions of both us and them,.. nice rides! 

What do you mean by "under the V"?  Thanks for all of the tips, I'm taking notes as I type    And trust me, I'll be asking TONS of questions, especially if I end up getting the car.

[85shelbycharger]

Were all '69 R/T's 440 cars?  I know this car is not a Hemi (obviously), but the guy said he wasn't sure if it was a 383 or a 440.  I didn't think that R/T's came with 383's?

What are some specifics that I should look at prior to possibly purchasing? (i.e. rust spots, specific parts, etc.)

With just the vague description (all that I was told about it for now) of being a real R/T car, and having been in good shape prior to being parked in a cement-floored garage (I'm guessing it should still be in somewhat decent shape), what price range are so-so shape R/T project cars going for granted it has all of it's correct parts?

All '69 R/Ts had either a 440 or a 426. None had 383s. Like Trav said: "the VIN should start XS29L9...... that means 69 R/T with 440, if it starts XP29G9 or XP29H9.. it's a 383 car.. "

Chargers commonly rust in the quarters, rear valance, floors and I've seen alot with dutchman panel (panel between the rear window and the trunkid) rust also. Also, if the car has a vinyl top, beware..the roof might be rusty underneath the vinyl.

And regarding what they are going for, its hard to pin point a price for the Charger you are looking at without pictures. Search around Ebay, that might give you a good idea.

Thanks for the info.  I've heard about the vinyl roof cars and how they generally are the worst to come across.  I'll try and get pictures when I evenutally get to see the car.  I was checking out ebay, but there weren't any solid "project" cars listed.  I'll keep my eyes peeled 

[Mike DC]

The 383/440 RT confusion comes from the fact that the RT designation on the early E-body Challengers started with 383 Magnums. 

But the RT B-bodies always started with the 440 4bbl.

 

[PocketThunder]

and R/T cars certainly came with 4-speeds also... 

[bull]

One thing that's been missed here is the possibility that although it may actually be an R/T that doesn't necessarily mean it's got a 440. It's supposed to have one but does it? It wouldn't hurt you to take a good look at the engine because 383s, 400s and 440s look very similar at a glance. If it's a '69 I believe it should have a stamping on a flat, milled pad at the lower right side of the block close to where the pan bolts on. IIRC some of the numbers should include "440" as well as part of the VIN. I can't remember what all those pads are supposed to have stamped there but someone here will (I'm still trying to get all the '68 info figured out). Also there should be an engine designation on the top, front of the engine and according to allpar the 440 should have it on the drivers side while a 383/400 will have it on the passenger side near the base of the distributor:

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/383.html

"Over 3 million 383 engines were produced through 1971, and over 3/4 of a million 440 engines have been produced which makes parts readily available. The 361-383-400 series is referred to as the 'B' engine and can be identified by the cubic inches stamped on the right side of the block deck adjacent to the distributor. The 413-426W-440 series is the 'RB' engine and can be identified by the engine size stamped on a pad at the left front of the engine adjacent to the front tappet rail. All 'B' and 'RB' engine distributors are located at the right front of the engine. Parts replacement information (such as undersize crankshaft) is located next to the engine size."

My point is, don't just assume it's got a 440 just because the VIN starts with XS. Check it out carefully and figure out what to look for before you go.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Welcome back to the site & good luck on getting the 69.


Some good info here at my registry site as well....

www.1969chargerregistry.com

[NMike]

email me the address and i'll have a look at it for you. i'll even see how low they'll go on a price.....

[1969chargerrtse]

Another important thing to look for is, If it says lets say, XS29L9B123456 on the Vin on the dash, then look on the upper radiator support towards the battery side for a stamping of those same last 6 numbers.  That way if it is XS29 (R/T) then the same number needs to match on the support.  Right on the flat top part of the radiator support, under the paint but look at an angle you'll find it.  Good Luck.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Another important thing to look for is, If it says lets say, XS29L9B123456 on the Vin on the dash, then look on the upper radiator support towards the batterry side for a stamping of those same last 6 numbers.  That way if it is XS29 (R/T) then the same number needs to match on the support.  Right on the flat top part of the radiator support, under the paint but look at an angle you'll find it.  Good Luck.

this # will also be under the trunk weatherstrip on the drivers side of the trunk

[69bronzeT5]

Another important thing to look for is, If it says lets say, XS29L9B123456 on the Vin on the dash, then look on the upper radiator support towards the batterry side for a stamping of those same last 6 numbers.  That way if it is XS29 (R/T) then the same number needs to match on the support.  Right on the flat top part of the radiator support, under the paint but look at an angle you'll find it.  Good Luck.

I completely forgot about that

[84shelby]

                       Welcome back


                                 Thanks for the pics the Daytona looks great.

                                    Good luck with the 69 persuit

[bountyhunter]

That sounds great! I go to Penn State Abington campus, near Philly...I could bring my car up to campus sometime if thats where your at. We could chat Charger.  I'm a beginner here to...but awesome forum. Keep asking questions these guys are the best.
Johann