Looking to buy! Any help is appreciated

[DadsCharger00]

Hey all! I'm new to the site. Looking at purchasing a Charger for my dad. He had a 69 when he was a kid. He's been fighting cancer for 6 months, and I want to get him a car again! So I'm shopping around, and have some prospects but wanted some help with things to look for so I don't get myself into trouble! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[twodko]

Welcome to the forum and my prayers for your pop! Other members will chime in here but I think the best way to start would be to take some pix of a car you are interested in and post up here. Also do your homework and ask a seller lots 'o questions. The guys/gals will help you look where you really need to look etc. Good luck.......your dad has a good son.

[DadsCharger00]

Thanks for the kind words. They are appreciated. I was able to find one that I'm interested in, in Kansas. Not original. Not numbers matching. I'll try to get some pics posted here this afternoon (I'm at work. Gotta love it) It's a 68 with a 440. Nice looking car. Was originally deep green, now lime green. Had a friend in Kansas take a look at it. Guy who rebuilt it was an older gentlemen. Did a good job from what I can tell. No rust anywhere's that you can see. Had some body work done in the past (rear quarters...imagine that!) runs strong, drives good. Kinda was wanting a blue with white top. That's what dad had...but it's tough to find those I guess.  But I'll work on the pics, and again, appreciate the words and help!

[DadsCharger00]

Here's some pics.

[bakerhillpins]

Do your interests lie in a car with #s or any kind of paperwork? Or are you just trying to get into a car with a short list of options (original or not)?  I see you found

It would be helpful to know what options you are looking for and a price range you were targeting.

I found the following useful when finding my Charger:
For sale section of this site useful (can sign up to be notified when a new post is made).
www.autotempest.com
http://www.cars-on-line.com/dodge.html

Ebay is fun to watch but I didn't like having to make quick rash decisions like that unless I could view the car in person.

[bakerhillpins]

Specific pics of the undercarriage, rockers, lower rear window corners, trunk, rear frame rails and behind the rear valance corners as well as engine bay and internal pics will help more than just 20' photos of the car. 

On that car you can see there is mud work in the lower rear as the valance corners are smoothed over.  If you are looking for a car that is setup as a Charger would have left the factory there are many issues with that particular car.

[DadsCharger00]

I know what I would like....but it's well out of my price range. I'm thinking 18-22ish...

As far as the numbers....hey we all like numbers, but at this point I'm not that concerned. The car doesn't have to be show quality or anything, but I do want him to have something that he can drive now, and look good doing it. What I don't want is a total fixer upper (I don't have the time for that).

I've been watching for awhile now. And I missed a numbers matching original 70 with a 383 for a really good price. Feels like your hearts torn out when you miss em!   

Like I said, ultimately I'd love a 69 blue with white top, and white interior with a 383....(that's what his original one was before he sold it!)

And I agree with eBay. They had a 70 blue one on there for 26000 but without seeing the car in person it's so tough. Pictures can be very deceiving...

[DadsCharger00]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Dodge-Charger-RT-/271004706990?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3f1923a8ae

Something like this maybe? Just needs more information posted with it....gotta love eBay....

[DadsCharger00]

Know this isn't much more but its all I got till I drive the 7 hours to see it....or is it worth the drive? I appreciate any opinions or suggestions. Don't want to make a mistake and PAY LITERALLY for it in the end

[Aero426]

Maybe I missed it, but what is the price of the car?  

I assume it is not an original 440 car.

[DadsCharger00]

Sorry! Suppose that would be a good addition to the post. He posted it at 24000 said he could pry do 20000.  It's not an original 440. I think he's a little high with the price but that's what people are selling em for in the area. He's not out of line with the area anyway.....Ya think it's a pass? I mean a 7 hr drive is what it is, but I sure don't want to waste the time or the money....

[Aero426]

I see lots about the car that I don't like.

Non-offered color for the year.   Probably be better if it was still dark green like it used to be.
How does your dad feel about Sublime green?  It's not for everyone.
Many non original components, (rad, hoses, air cleaner, missing wheel opening trim)
Black painted underhood is a turn off, but is OK for a driver
Non-original wheels.
Bondoed rear valance does not inspire confidence.
Column shift is low end.

[DadsCharger00]

Well those are the things that I want to hear. That's why I came to the forum! I really appreciate the honesty. I'm good with continuing to look until I find whats going to be a great replacement car for my dad.  And for the money if I can do even a little better, them I'm good with sucking it up and holding out!

[Aero426]

Is your heart set on a Charger for your dad?   I know of an excellent 1970 Road Runner, 383 auto, nice restoration with working A/C, ready to show, high impact color too.   Car is in the low 20's and priced to sell.   Pretty much a turn key car.

[DadsCharger00]

Kinda set on the charger......after siting in one......kinda hard to bite on anything else. Appreciate the thought though

[ChgrSteve67]

Got any pictures of the floor pans or the undercarriage?

Pay the money for the 7 hour trip to go see it if your serious about it.
Never buy a car without inspecting it or having someone you trust inspect it.
When I see cars painted like this the first thing that comes to mind is "Polished Turd"
Generally cars like this end up on a boat out of the country.

Why didn't they paint the hood to match the car? Maybe trying to sell to the younger and less knowledgeable crowd?
The the block painted body color is horrible not to mention the black engine compartment that should be body color.

For 20k I think you can find a much better car.

[Indygenerallee]

There is a 69 4 speed 426 Hemi Road Runner for sale over on B bodies only.com!!! $23,500!!!!! Better snag it!!! RUNS AND DRIVES AND LOOKS DAMN GOOD!!!

[DadsCharger00]

Thanks for the reply Steve...like I said all the info I can get the better!

[DadsCharger00]

That's a crazy price...kinda makes you wonder if he's leaving something out? for a hemi? hmm....

[hemi-hampton]

The sublime 68 looks like perfume on a pig to me. Might look good now but in a year or 2 all that bondo will be falling off the 1/4's. Trunk & rear frame rails probably need replacing along with other things. I don't like it. Looks like $9k car to me. The Blue 69 on ebay looked much nicer. I would even inspect for you in person since I live nearby. LEON.

[DadsCharger00]

Thanks Hemi. I sent the guy on eBay a message. If he replies, and the offer is out there I may just take you up on that!

[Indygenerallee]

Here is a link to the $23,500 4 speed Hemi Road Runner!! http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?t=36887

[Aero426]

"Zero mile rebuilt Hemi" topped with slimy looking carbs doesn't make sense.   Sounds too good to be true.

[bakerhillpins]

Sorry! Suppose that would be a good addition to the post. He posted it at 24000 said he could pry do 20000.  It's not an original 440. I think he's a little high with the price but that's what people are selling em for in the area. He's not out of line with the area anyway.....Ya think it's a pass? I mean a 7 hr drive is what it is, but I sure don't want to waste the time or the money....

For a 14 hr day and an asking price of 24k I would expect this guy to give you whatever hi res pics you ask for... 


I personally hate the look of the car.      Take hemi-hampton up on his offer of looking at the blue car on ebay! 

[1974dodgecharger]

Sorry! Suppose that would be a good addition to the post. He posted it at 24000 said he could pry do 20000.  It's not an original 440. I think he's a little high with the price but that's what people are selling em for in the area. He's not out of line with the area anyway.....Ya think it's a pass? I mean a 7 hr drive is what it is, but I sure don't want to waste the time or the money....

if the bottom looks as good as the top the price 20k is very nice!!!!! ONLY if the bottom looks as good...ask for under carriage pics.