Frame Up Built Charger R/T Pro Touring 440 V8 5 Speed

Whoever says you can't own a nice six-figure Mopar without a framed broadcast sheet and a call to Galen Govier obviously hasn't been to our 78,000 square foot showroom. That's because, as dedicated gearheads who sweat 30 weight motor oil, we strive to deliver both the finest investment grade metal on the market AND world class muscle cars that literally define the term “pro-tourer”. Take, for example, this wicked 1969 Dodge Charger R/T. Although it hasn't had a nut and bolt rotisserie restoration, it is an exceptionally well done piece that's certainly one of the coolest pro-tourers we've ever featured. Although it doesn't have coveted documentation or a stack of plastic trophies, it does have a massaged 440 cubic inch Magnum V8 and a tough 5-speed drivetrain that'll eat a concours showpiece for lunch and attack a modern sports car for dinner. And although it hasn't been inspected by many white glove judges, you can rest assured the phrase “merely adequate” is not a part of its owner's vocabulary. In short, if you're looking for some old school Detroit metal that wraps some of the nastiest muscle your money can buy in one of the best looking packages to ever prowl American streets, this badass Charger is your kinda style!

After spending most of its life in the dry California air this awesome B-Body was the perfect starting point for an outrageous frame-up build that mixed a killer big block engine with classic Mopar attitude. The car's arrow-straight body, which includes solid-closing doors on top of better-than-factory panel alignment, was stripped to bare metal, massaged into shape and thoroughly block-sanded into virtually flawless surfaces. Once those surfaces were completely clean and fully prepped, a positively glowing coat of Jet Black basecoat was sealed under a thick and glossy clearcoat shell. And today, this positively evil Charger sits as one super slick Mopar road warrior which features a perfect combination of no-nonsense looks and vicious street manners.

There's just something about a broad shouldered Dodge muscle car that appeals to pretty much everyone. Maybe it's their wow factor. Maybe it's the sense of strength they convey. Or maybe it's simply the surface development of their hard-edged, modernist panels. Whatever the case may be, this Charger carries all that classic Chrysler charm under a whole slew of details which highlight a clean and monochromatic appearance. At the front of its mirror-like body a prominent, dual-port grille hangs a bright “Charger R/T” script between artfully hidden headlights, a body-width chrome bumper and round marker lights that are centered around Dodge's old school fratzog emblem. Above that grille, the car's scalloped hood holds correct turn signal indicators in front of smoked and tinted glass that's cleared by traditional silver wipers, framed by well-maintained stainless trim, and capped pristine chrome drip rails. At the sides of that hood multi-faceted body panels, which add unmistakable vintage flavor to the car's design, hang brand new marker lights and traditional chrome door handles next to a correct chrome mirror and an elaborate chrome fuel filler. And at the back of those body panels, a fresh gray bumble bee stripe hangs bold “R/T” call-outs in front of stylish, recessed tail lights, a red-inlayed “R/T” emblem, a second body-width bumper and great looking stainless exhaust tips.

When this sinister Dodge rumbled into our RKM Performance Center it caused such a commotion that our entire staff came out of their offices just to check things out. And when they lifted the car's big black hood and found a 440 cubic inch Magnum V8 that's been bored .040 over, completely rebuilt and fully show-detailed, they certainly weren't disappointed! At the top of that highly impressive mill a satin-finished air cleaner funnels wind through a reusable filter element into a giant Holley 4-barrel carburetor that's cinched to an Aeromotive fuel pump, an Aeromotive pressure regulator and a polished Edelbrock intake. At the sides of that intake aluminum Edelbrock Performer RPM heads, which have been fitted with Comp roller rockers, prop welded aluminum valve covers over a Comp Mutha Thumpr cam. At the front of that cam, a billet points distributor shoots fire between a chrome cased coil and red MSD Super Conductor plug wires. Below those wires, nickel-plated TTI headers send spent gases into a pair of free-flowing 2.5 inch exhaust pipes. In front of those pipes, fresh V-belts spin a chrome Powermaster alternator above a high performance aluminum water pump. And in front of that water pump, a large aluminum radiator sends water past two quick spinning Flex-a-lite puller fans. Aesthetically, the big gray block provides an excellent complement to the car's smooth, Jet Black panels. And details like a full set of braided fuel lines, a billet brake booster, a reproduction Mopar red cap battery and a few bright-finished accessories exchange pro-touring's typical 'all-business' mindset for a well-rounded, show worthy engine bay.

Like its exterior panels, the bottom of this super cool B-Body is solid, road ready and in excellent shape! The powerful Magnum engine sends its thrust through a modern Tremec 3550 5-speed transmission that's been equipped with a Centerforce billet flywheel, a Centerforce dual friction clutch, a hydraulic throw out bearing and a Lakewood bellhousing. That rugged transmission is connected to a traditional 8.75 inch Chrysler rear end that's been upfitted with an Auburn limited slip differential and tall 3.91 gears. And that awesome drivetrain is held off the ground by a rebuilt torsion bar front and triangulated four link rear suspension which now benefits from Magnum Force two inch drop spindles, double adjustable Magnum Force upper control arms, an oversize front sway bar and a large rear sway bar. The car's exhaust is handled by 2.5 inch true dual pipes which send spent gases through an X-pipe crossover to great sounding Flowmaster mufflers and traditional stainless tips. Its braking is handled by a Wilwood four wheel disc system which mixes an electric booster with 6-piston front calipers, 4-piston rear calipers and a full set of 13 inch drilled and slotted rotors. And its power flows to the ground through custom Boze alloy wheels, 18x10 inches up front and 19x12 inches out back, which spin two 275/40 Bridgestone Potenzas in front of two 345/45 Bridgestone Potenzas that tuck neatly under three inch mini tubs. Overall, this Dodge's solid frame and undercoated floors are clean and display no signs of rust or serious weathering. And everything from the car's big stainless fuel tank to its high-torque starter is fully sorted and ready to go!

Fully restored, and fully lined with high quality sound deadening material, this Charger's attractive vinyl interior is one of the best combinations of form and function to ever roll out of a Chrysler design studio. The car's completely rebuilt front bucket and rear bench seats feel as firm as the day they left the showroom; and perfectly complement a tight black headliner, like-new black carpet and fresh “Charger R/T” branded floor mats. In front of those seats, a pliable and crack-free dash anchors a continuous motion clock and a pristine speedometer next to a full set of factory accessory gauges and a modern Alpine CD player. At the sides of those seats ornate “Charger” branded door panels hang pristine armrests between bright stainless trim and elastic-lined map pockets. Between those seats a correct black console centers a traditional Hurst shifter inside attractive wood trim and a pair of fully functional courtesy lamps. In front of the driver, a small diameter Grant steering wheel spins matte spokes around a Flaming River tilt steering column. And behind the passengers, two great sounding JL Audio speakers hang above a large, fully restored trunk.

With a tenacious big block V8, a modern 5-speed transmission and a slick black on black color combination, this super cool Mopar pro-tourer combines explosive horsepower with modern driving characteristics and classic appeal. It's fast. It's tons of fun. And best of all, your hard-earned money is buying a car that can actually do more than sit in a field and attract presumptuous experts. If you're in the market for some stunning Detroit metal that has the bare-knuckle muscle to back up its killer good looks, this 1969 Charger is your next car!