Any big differences between 68 R/T's and S.E's?

[ChargerMad]

Hi,
Just been puzzling me for a little while, i know that R/T Chargers VIN tags begin with XS29 and that S.E's began with XP29. Other than that, are there any other big differences. Such as Axles, gearboxes etc? I was wondering if any S.E Chargers were manufactured with disc brakes? Also, was there any things that the R/T's could have that the S.E's couldnt and vice versa? Been talkin about this with club members and just wanted to know the facts.

Cheers

[Slowpoke]

Well the biggest difference is thta R/T's only came with 440's or Hemis for engine chocies.
the Se's biggest was the 383 i think.

[hemigeno]

The SE package (at least in 69-70) was an option that you could order - it had nothing to do with the VIN.  It started in 1969, incidentally.

You could order an R/T with the SE package, so they are not mutually-exclusive "options".  Here is the rundown from the Dodge Dealer Data Book from '69:

Charger R/T & Charger Optional Special Edition Decor Group

Leather and vinyl trim is available as an extra cost option in the S.E. Decor Group.  In addition to the leather and vinyl front bucket seats, the Decor Group includes wood-grain steering wheel, wood-grain inserts in the instrument panel, hood-mounted turn indicators, pedal dress-up, deep-dish wheel covers, light package, and Special Edition name plate...

FWIW, in 1969 you could not order an R/T SE with the 426 Hemi.  In '70 you could...  Third Generation SE packages are a different story, and someone else will have to give you the rundown on those. 

You can tell whether a car has the SE package by looking at the fender tag (or Broadcast Sheet) which will indicate Sales Code A47.

[bull]

There's no such thing as a '68 SE. You've got your '68 base models that came with 225s, 318s, or 383s up to and including the 383 HP engine with a four barrel carb. Then you've got your '68 R/T which either came with a 440 or a 426 Hemii. There were no SE packages in '68, that's a '69 and up thing. There are few differences between the base model Charger bodies and the R/T Charger bodies. The R/Ts had larger torsion bars and an extra leaf in the spring pack on the right side (I believe), R/T emblems front and rear and I think there were torque boxes added to the Hemi cars but someone who knows more than me can clarify that. You had to order any '68 with disc brakes as they were not standard on R/Ts.

[Chris G.]

There's no such thing as a '68 SE.

Perhaps that's why it's been puzzling him so long. 

BTW Geno, I never knew you couldn't get the SE package with a Hemi in 1969. Thanks for the info. 

[hemigeno]

BTW Geno, I never knew you couldn't get the SE package with a Hemi in 1969. Thanks for the info. 

Isn't that weird?  Never did figure out why that was, but right on the 1969 Confidential Price Guide is a notation that looks like:

A47  Special Edition Pkg. (NA W/426 Hemi)

Galen noted that same factoid in his little white book too, but I wouldn't rely on that notation alone.  I've never seen one, but as with a lot of other things someday a well-documented '69 Hemi SE might show up.  It wasn't "supposed" to be built is perhaps a better way to phrase that...

[ChargerMad]

Lol, sorry lads. haha, i meant the 68 base model.    Thanks for all your help. learnt a few new things already.  

[Chris G.]

Never did figure out why that was, but right on the 1969 Confidential Price Guide is a notation that looks like:

Geno, if you're interested in the '70 confidential price guide, you can see it over on our site. http://host219.ipowerweb.com/~1970char/Misc/Price_Guide.html  Just in case you want to come over to the dark side. 

[hemigeno]

Never did figure out why that was, but right on the 1969 Confidential Price Guide is a notation that looks like:

Geno, if you're interested in the '70 confidential price guide, you can see it over on our site. http://host219.ipowerweb.com/~1970char/Misc/Price_Guide.html  Just in case you want to come over to the dark side. 

Thanks, Chris!  Nice to see how the "other" side lives every now and then...   

Incidentally, I don't know if Chris G. is going to post it on the '69 registry as you have for the '70 stuff, but I sent him a copy of the '69 Price Bulletin so he could get all of the options' MSRPs posted (at least for options available at the beginning of the model year).  I think it's fantastic to see information like this available - it makes the hobby more enjoyable IMHO.

Thanks again for the link!!!

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Geno, I did post all the prices (that I could find) from the stuff you sent me.   Pretty interesting stuff.
The fact that the SE option was'nt avail on a Hemicar was on the site as well

[hemigeno]

I noticed that some of the mid/late year options weren't listed on the Price Bulletin, but you do have a couple of the "missing" options' MSRPs listed on the site.  Did you get those from a Window Sticker or a Dealer Invoice?  You've listed the prices for (major) options on the list, and some of the more rare options might be tough to find out what they cost back then.

I suppose there's a supplemental bulletin out there for each option added to the initial Price Bulletin - but I sure don't have all of them.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Yes Geno I got a lot off original window stickers