Numbers Matching Charger R/T 440 Magnum 4 Speed Dana 60

We all have our ultimate cars. Mine just happens to be a black on red 1969 Dodge Charger R/T. And, no, not a Hemi, but a 440 Magnum with a 4 speed manual. Having owned more than 300 Mopars in my life, you'd think it would be easy to find one, but it turned out to be easier to find a Hemi Cuda convertible than to find this beast!

For more than ten years, I looked for this car. Occasionally, I got close, but either the interior color was wrong, or it was an automatic, or it was a butchered car, etc., etc., etc... Then, about three years ago, I stumbled across THIS complete numbers matching West Coast 1969 Dodge Charger R/T. When I first found it, I was skeptical and assumed I'd find all of the usual reasons not to pursue it, but as I went down my list, I realized that my search was over. Black on red? Check. 440, 4-speed Dana car? Check. Red tail-stripe? Check. Original sheet-metal? Check. Original engine & transmission? Restoration photos? Check. Documents? Well, no, but who cares? It's much easier to fake paperwork than to fake a 1969 Charger.

After a thorough inspection, the Charger was trailered up and brought back to Ohio, leaving the sunny & dry West Coast for the first time in its life. When I saw the Charger for the first time, I was in love. But I quickly realized I was stuck in the same box that many of our customers are in-I had my dream car but I was terrified to drive it. For the next year, I looked at it lovingly, wiped it down, took it out for the occasional 3 mile sunny day drive and eventually realized it was too nice for me to beat on! So I sold the Charger to a good customer in New York and decided to build a Pro Touring Charger.

This led to the build of our 1970 Dodge Charger 500 Pro Touring car, a car that debuted at the 2009 Mopar Nationals and ended up being so spectacular that we were offered $160K for it practically before the amazing paint was dry. Next came the 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 440 4-speed tribute car, black on red, which I drove last summer and summarily sold to an Austrian buyer for $75K (amazingly fast car). In between somewhere was the 1969 Dodge Charger RT/SE, black on black 440 4-speed that won the 2008 Chrysler Classic points series and out-pointed everything at the 2008 Mopar Nationals. Obviously, you can't drive that car much! That quickly wooshed out the door at $110,000.00.

And all along the way, I had guy after guy calling me as these Chargers were quickly snatched up asking me "you got anymore black 4-speed Chargers coming in?" The answer was always, "Probably not but we can build you one", (we're building a few right now).

Well, if you're one of those guys, your ship just pulled into port. The car that started it all, the black on red, numbers matching, California sheet-metal, 440 4-speed Charger R/T has come home. Driven a mere 3 miles since I sold her in 2008, she's looking as spectacular as she did when she left. In fact, she's better, because the paint has fully cured and we just polished her to within an inch of her life.

This 1969 Dodge Charger R/T was delivered new to a buyer in sunny, dry Southern California, in November, 1969. Until we wrapped our hands around this beauty, it had spent its entire post-assembly line life. This Charger is an absolute numbers matching car. Present are the original VIN tag, original fender tag, original radiator core support body/VIN stamp and original trunk weather-strip channel body/VIN stamp.

Before we go any further, let's break down the original fender tag and VIN tag:

E86 = 440-4 Barrel High Performance
D21 = Heavy Duty 4-Speed Manual Transmission
XS29 = Dodge Charger / Special / 2 Door Sports Hardtop
L9B = 440 375 HP 4 barrel / 1969 / Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
249428 = Sequence Number 249428

X9 = Black (paint)
C6R = Charger / Vinyl Bucket Seats / Red
R6 = Red Upper Door Frame
C26 = Date Built: 12/26/1968
118922 = Order Number
118922A33 = Dana 60 Track Package
B51 = Power Assisted Brakes
C16 = Console w/Buckets
C55 = Bucket Seats
C15 = Special Sound Insulation Package
70s80J25 = 3 Speed Variable Wipers
L21 = Cargo Lamp
L31 = Hood / Fender Mount Turn Signals
R11 = Music Master Radio AM
V8R = Bumblebee Stripe Red
26 = 26 inch radiator

How's that for a build? Personally, I would have opted for the Power Steering and the 8 track player, but this was a MANS car who needs that crap anyway?

With 48,050 actual, original miles on the odometer, this Charger was treated to a complete ground-up restoration completed in 2007. The entire body tub and all body panels were stripped to bare metal, massaged to perfection and repainted in correct TX9 Black. The body is extremely straight, with no waves, dings or dents. The paint is smooth and shiny (over-restored) with only a couple of minor defects that you have to hunt for.

All of the exterior stainless steel trim, including the original wheel lip moldings, was removed from the Charger and polished. All of the original chrome, including front & rear bumpers and the door handles were re-chromed. Likewise, all of the lenses on the Charger, including the tail lights and side markers are originals, restored. The original grill was removed and restored to perfection as well.

All suspension components are correct stock and either restored or replaced, including shock absorbers. The entire braking system was restored to like new status, including brand new lines and hoses. The original Dana 60 axle was torn apart and cleaned, with new seals and gaskets installed. Present is the original 3.54 gear set. A brand new reproduction fuel tank with new lines and hoses looks right at home on the rear underside of the Charger.

The heart of this Charger is the ORIGINAL 440 Magnum, 4-barrel, 375 horsepower engine. The engine was torn completely down to bare block and rebuilt with a mixture of new and original components. The motor is topped by the original intake, heads, valve covers, carburetor, air cleaner and exhaust manifolds, all carefully and properly restored. The correct and original wiper motor, alternator and brake master cylinder were all properly rebuilt and function as new. A correct reproduction radiator keeps the perfectly tuned 440 Magnum running cool. A brand new Turbostart sealed Group 27 reproduction battery provides all of the cranking power you need to spin the 440 to life. The engine is finished off with the usual assortment of correct reproduction Mopar hoses, clamps, wires, etc.

The rebuilt engine sends power to the original A833 18-spline four speed manual transmission, also completely rebuilt, surrounded by a new pressure plate, clutch and throw-out bearing.

Driving this Charger is a joy (I know-I put about 200 miles on her and worked out all of the bugs). Twist the key and pump the gas a couple of times and she fires right up. Shifting is smooth, yet firm, with the new clutch assembly and rebuilt tranny. The Charger tracks downs the road in a straight line, stops appropriately and doesn't have any funny squeaks, rattles or groans. Get on this Charger and the torque monster 440 will deliver power to the rear wheels like a hammer! If you get on this one too often, you'll need to keep a spare set of tires close. Close your eyes and its 1969 all over again when you are driving this great Mopar.

When you open your eyes, you'll take in the gorgeous restored red vinyl bucket seat interior. You'll notice the restored original parts, like the dash pad, sun visors, instrument cluster, kick panels and original wood-grain steering wheel. The restored headrests are a work of art! You will note that, unlike every other B-body out there these days, this Charger has an ORIGINAL console and 4 piece console top and bezel they are NOT reproductions. They match nicely the original inner door handles and window cranks. The usual stuff is all new, including the seat covers, seat foams, carpeting, headliner, sill plates, lower door panels (upper pads are beautiful restored originals) and package tray. The original AM radio works perfectly, as do all other controls, including wiper, heater, defroster and all gauges. This Charger was treated to brand new wiring harnesses and it shows.

To finish her off, brand new Wheel Vintique reproduction Magnum 500 14-inch wheels were mated to Firestone G70x14 reproduction tires and installed at all four corners. Let's do a quick market recap for all of those who weren't paying attention: a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T CLONE, black on red, 440/4-speed brought $75,000.00 just six months ago here at RK Motors Charlotte. That was right on the heels of the non-numbers matching black on black 1969 Dodge Charger RT/SE, 440/4-speed which brought $110,000.00 in July and sandwiched between the custom black on black 1970 Dodge Charger 500 Pro Touring car which sold for $160,000.00 in August, 2009. And all the while, there were 8,000 of you begging me for more black Dodge Chargers.

Your bluff has been called, gentlemen! Were about to separate the posers from the true diehards! Here you have a properly restored, complete numbers matching 1969 Dodge Charger R/Tone of the most beautiful cars ever designed, in the BEST color combination ever invented by man, with a completely streetable 440/4-speed/Dana 60 combination. This IS the perfect Dodge Charger to both own as an investment and to show, drive, and enjoy. They just don't get any better than this and if I weren't building three more 1970 Dodge Chargers right now, I'd keep this one for myself! This one won't last and unless we get it back again, you'll never see another one. Wait on this one at your own risk!