Mouth-watering Dodge Charger R/T Heads to Auction
Big block ’60s Mopar has been fully restored with some upgrades but all original parts are included.
In the world of classic Mopar muscle cars, there are few vehicles that are as sought after as a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T with a factory 440-cubic inch big block V8. This was Ma Mopar’s second-most-powerful engine during the original muscle car era, trailing only the 426 Hemi, making this one of the top dog’s in the collectable classic car culture.
Of course, the popularity and collectability of the 1969 Dodge Charger R/T makes original 440 cars hard to find and when you do find them, they are either crazy expensive or in rough shape. This car has been completely restored and it being sold at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction next January, so the odds are good that it will be crazy expensive, but for the person who takes this car home, the money spent will be worth every single cent.
From Texas to the United Kingdom
The stunning B5 Blue 1969 Dodge Charger R/T shown here was purchased from the previous owner in Houston, Texas, where it had been tucked safely away in a garage for decades. In 2012, the British buyer had the car shipped to the United Kingdom, where it underwent a four-year restoration process during which time it was lifted to a nicer-than-original form.
When found, this Charger was clean enough that a frame-off restoration was unnecessary and during the restoration process, the only sheet metal that had to be replaced was the floor of the trunk. Everything else was cleaned up and reused, resulting in a car that is 99% original parts and entirely numbers-matching.
Prior to the restoration, this 1969 Dodge Charger R/T had been owned by two different Americans and it had never been torn apart for a refresh. As a result, both of the original build sheets were found in the car and they are included with the sale, as are the original owner’s manual, the original purchase paperwork, the 1969 warranty booklet and the original keys.
Upgrades During Restoration
The listing on the Barrett-Jackson website lists this 1969 Dodge Charger R/T as being a numbers-matching car, but it should be noted that there are some upgrades.
The original 440-cubic inch V8 was completely rebuilt with a new electronic distributor, a new carburetor and a set of ceramic-coated exhaust headers, but the original exhaust manifolds, distributor and carb are included. There are also modern shock absorbers and a tubular front subframe, but once again, the original parts are included in the auction.
Finally, there is a full stainless steel exhaust system with Magnaflow mufflers, allowing the big block to breathe easy and roar like a proper Mopar muscle car.
Like-New Interior
During the restoration process, the entire interior was removed, all of the exposed metal was repainted, the factory bucket seats were wrapped in new leather, new carpeting was installed and the trim on the doors and dash are new, but once again, the components are original. One exception is the RetroSound replica radio which looks like the original radio, but it includes modern features such as Bluetooth and media connectivity with the sound coming from upgraded speakers that are tucked away to preserve the original interior look.
If you have been looking to get into a numbers-matching 1969 Dodge Charger R/T with a lightly modified 440 big block, you will have your chance at the 2019 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction, but you had better be saving up now, as this car is all-but-guaranteed to go for well into the six-figure range.
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