1969 Dodge Charger R/T

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 1969 Dodge Charger R/T (Page 1 of 4)

Posted: 8/28/2013 10:41:46 AM EDT

Thought I would post some pics of my restoration project. This is a 69 R/T with numbers matching 440. Originally an auto, the first owner converted it to a 4 speed. The second owner tore the entire car apart- I mean every nut and bolt. The car had been in pieces since 1986. He did a good job of boxing everything up though, so that was nice. I just rebuilt the engine, finished assembly about a week ago. Just got the car back from metal work. It looks really good. Next up is final body work and paint.

Some factory options:

Speed control (will not be installed)

A/C

PS & PB

Stripe delete

F8 Green (dark green)

Front disks

Console/buckets

It was a very nicely optioned car. I am taking it back to 4 speed, everything else will be original. I just got the axle housing, k member and a bunch of suspension components back from powder coating. I'm very excited!!!

I have the original build sheet, owners manual and some various paperwork to go along with the car.

Posted: 8/28/2013 10:50:19 AM EDT

[#1]

very nice . . . looks like you have a great place to work on it as well

Posted: 8/28/2013 11:19:16 AM EDT

[#2]

Awesome. Tag.

Posted: 8/28/2013 11:19:35 AM EDT

[#3]

Nice. Good luck and take your time.

Posted: 8/28/2013 2:48:38 PM EDT

[#4]

Projects like these look like they would induce lots of swearing and throwing of tools.

Posted: 8/28/2013 3:02:47 PM EDT

[#5]

Looks great!

My BIL had one in blue. I got to drive it one time coming back from the beach. It was a BEAST.

Yours is like a time capsule.

IIRC, the suspension was fairly soft and, consequently, steering was a little vague for a performance car. What do you plan to do on the suspension?

Posted: 8/28/2013 3:05:38 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
Projects like these look like they would induce lots of swearing and throwing of tools.

View Quote

New-Skin Liquid bandage is good stuff.

Posted: 8/28/2013 5:34:53 PM EDT

[#7]

Can't wait to some day have the scratch to do the bodywork/paint on my Charger....

Tag!

Posted: 8/28/2013 6:42:57 PM EDT

[#8]

I would bang the hell out of that car.

Posted: 8/28/2013 7:03:12 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:

Looks great!

My BIL had one in blue. I got to drive it one time coming back from the beach. It was a BEAST.

Yours is like a time capsule.

IIRC, the suspension was fairly soft and, consequently, steering was a little vague for a performance car. What do you plan to do on the suspension?

View Quote

Thanks all!

This car is going back to original. Thankfully, at least there were disk brakes up front. It will ride like a giant uni-body turd, but that's ok. The only thing not original will be the 4 speed trans. I was planning on making a pro-touring type car with it, but frankly I was feeling a little guilty taking a numbers matching R/T car and turning it into something it's not meant to be.

Actually, now that I think about it, it did also have a green vinyl top that was slightly lighter in color to the rest of the body. I will not be putting a green one back on, instead it will be black.

So the 4 speed trans and the black vinyl top will not be original. Other than that it will be pretty correct.

Posted: 8/28/2013 7:05:36 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:

Can't wait to some day have the scratch to do the bodywork/paint on my Charger....

Tag!

View Quote

It is an expensive mother fucker, that's for sure. I could have already bought an M16 with what I have in it in labor/parts and I feel like we are barely getting started.

I had the machine work done on the motor over the last few months and just put it all together. It all went together beautifully. Only .003" end play in the crankshaft.

Motor is also bone stock- stock cam, stock rebuilt heads, stock style pistons (forged, however), original stock crank, cylinders bored .030" over.

Posted: 8/28/2013 7:51:32 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

Projects like these look like they would induce lots of swearing and throwing of tools.

View Quote

You truly have no idea. You know you are on the right track when you want to roll it outside, douse it in gas, and watch it go up in flames while you call your insurance company.....but you don't and go back to wrenching instead

Posted: 8/28/2013 8:57:06 PM EDT

[#12]

That looks clean and straight. Got any "as purchased" pics?

Nice blasting cabinet.

Posted: 8/28/2013 9:15:54 PM EDT

[#13]

Very cool, keep us updated on the progress.

Posted: 8/28/2013 9:34:48 PM EDT

[#14]

awesome project. Best friend has a 70 340 swinger..it drives like the front suspension is sitting on a pillow..but it works mighty fine.

I set this thread so it won't archive.

Posted: 8/29/2013 8:47:23 AM EDT

[#15]

I really like seeing old cars in that stage of restoration.
Just something about looking like a blank canvas, all the cleanup is done, and the fun of putting it all together about to begin.

Nice project!

Posted: 8/29/2013 10:51:14 AM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:

awesome project. Best friend has a 70 340 swinger..it drives like the front suspension is sitting on a pillow..but it works mighty fine.

I set this thread so it won't archive.

View Quote

Thanks! I'll keep you all updated on progress.

Posted: 8/29/2013 10:57:20 AM EDT

[#17]

Damn sexy. In for updates.

Posted: 8/29/2013 10:59:07 AM EDT

[#18]

Here is what the car looked like when I brought it home. I have a few more pics, but they are on my camera. Ill have to download them.

Posted: 8/30/2013 9:19:15 AM EDT

[#19]

Great project. That is a mighty fine machine you have.Looks like its. in good hands though. Will be checking in for updates

Posted: 8/30/2013 9:23:38 AM EDT

[#20]

I can't wait to see the progress.

Posted: 8/30/2013 9:58:51 AM EDT

[#21]

Looking good!
The irony is you could have bought a fleet of those back in the day for what one restored goes for now.

Posted: 8/30/2013 7:08:52 PM EDT

[#22]

Looking Good

I also share the sickness

Posted: 8/31/2013 6:54:53 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:

I really like seeing old cars in that stage of restoration.

Just something about looking like a blank canvas, all the cleanup is done, and the fun of putting it all together about to begin.

Nice project!

View Quote

Most of it is not fun, especially the countless hours of sanding. I'm a little jaded since I do bodywork for a living, though.

Posted: 9/2/2013 1:58:04 AM EDT

[#24]

Man that's sexy as hell!! I just bought a 2013 Hemi Charger and would love to have the old school original to match..................

Posted: 9/2/2013 3:14:22 AM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
Looking Good

I also share the sickness

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WkRv0CVOoh0/UbQ8o3eh1XI/AAAAAAAADvQ/Sf33fNuXthc/w1061-h796-no/IMG_0973.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-N6nU0qijYco/SmwNFUWuuRI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/GVgdPaE6VSc/w1194-h796-no/_054.JPG

View Quote

Nice! 2 70 Chargers and a 340 71 Challenger.

Posted: 9/5/2013 10:58:55 PM EDT

[#26]

This thread is awesome. OP, great base to start with. Not enough guys going with the original greens. They look good when clean.

RedMist, I ran across your megasquirt thread on DC.com just the other day. I don't venture over there much as most of my net time is on 1 motorcycle forum, some ARF.com and an occasional T bucket forum. My spare time right now is on a '23 T Bucket, but some day my Charger will get the attention it deserves. 1969 Charger R/T SE Q5

Posted: 9/5/2013 11:07:15 PM EDT

[#27]

Brings back memories! I had a factory 4-speed '68 Charger R/T back in the early '80's - same dark green w/green vinyl top. I wish I still had it. Good luck with the resto!

Posted: 9/6/2013 5:44:50 PM EDT

[#28]

Thanks for the compliments fellas. I just sent the grille off to be restored today. Charger may leave Tuesday for body and paint.

Question- how many hours do you think it should take to do all the body work and paint on this bad boy? Two quotes so far are not close to each other at all.

Posted: 9/7/2013 5:31:40 PM EDT

[#29]

There is no real answer. It depends on the shop. If the shop that is more highly rated is the shop quoting more hours, it is safe to say that they will do a batter job. Paying extra for extra work only really makes sense if you are doing a show car, IMHO. If it were me though, I would pay more for a more thorough job; thats just me though.

Posted: 9/7/2013 8:40:48 PM EDT

[#30]

Tag for further details on my dream car as well.

Posted: 9/10/2013 2:03:47 AM EDT

[#31]

I hate you.

That is my second most lusted after Charger, after a '69 Daytona. *homerdrool.jpg*

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Posted: 9/10/2013 12:36:22 PM EDT

[#32]

Car is leaving for paint and body work. Should have been today but its raining and hauling a bare metal muscle car in the rain isn't the best idea.

If these guys do a good job on the paint I may have them finish out he entire car. We will see.

Posted: 10/20/2013 12:59:06 AM EDT

[#33]

A couple photos from the shop it's at. They built a rotisserie for it and it's up on there now.

Here is a link to the web page:

http://www.classicrestodenver.com/galleries/69-Dodge-Charger-RT/69-Dodge-Charger-RT.html#69-Dodge-Charger-RT-01.jpg

Posted: 10/20/2013 1:04:58 AM EDT

[#34]

Saw a beautiful one done in some kind of metallic tangerine today.

Set me to drooling.

I am generally a ford guy but I will make an exception for the other sharp angular cars of that era.

66-67 chevelles and the chargers, simply incredible.

Posted: 10/20/2013 3:48:05 AM EDT

[#35]

There are four different 69 chargers for sale right now in the Nashville Craig's List ads.

Normally there's not a one on there.

Really got me thinking these days.

Posted: 10/22/2013 12:34:20 AM EDT

[#36]

Should drop a new 5.7 in her..................

Posted: 10/22/2013 3:55:50 AM EDT

[#37]

Awesome! The '69 Charger may very well be my favorite body style of the muscle car era. Looks like fun.

Posted: 10/22/2013 12:30:04 PM EDT

[#38]

I would love to have that here in NY

Posted: 10/22/2013 11:17:54 PM EDT

[#39]

Quote History

Quoted:

Should drop a new 5.7 in her..................

View Quote

Not when I have the original engine that was in her out of the factory. I do love restomods though.

Posted: 10/23/2013 1:07:24 AM EDT

[#40]

I'm envious. That is one of my dream cars.

Nice Ibis too. I just built up an HDR.

Posted: 10/23/2013 7:57:41 AM EDT

[#41]

Looks great!! Also, nice bikes

Posted: 12/18/2013 11:55:13 AM EDT

[#42]

Charger to the booth for Epoxy primer on the 26th.

I received my grille back from restoration- looks amazing!!!!

Posted: 12/19/2013 6:11:29 PM EDT

[#43]

nice rebuild so far!

Posted: 12/20/2013 10:19:09 PM EDT

[#44]

Cool! I keep checking back in hopes of an update. Grille looks awesome!

Posted: 12/26/2013 6:49:19 PM EDT

[#45]

Tag for updates!

Posted: 12/30/2013 9:17:11 AM EDT

[#46]

Charger is in epoxy primer!!!!

Posted: 12/30/2013 11:58:50 AM EDT

[#47]

tag

Posted: 12/30/2013 2:11:45 PM EDT

[#48]

I really hope the door openings were braced while that surgery was going on......

Posted: 12/30/2013 3:07:53 PM EDT

[#49]

Quote History

Quoted:

I really hope the door openings were braced while that surgery was going on......

View Quote

Not sure if they were braced or not. The surgery was performed by a different shop than the one that is performing final body work and paint. They did compliment the previous shop- saying the metal work looked excellent.

The guys I used have a great reputation. I suspect everything was done correctly and will be fine.

Posted: 12/31/2013 11:49:01 AM EDT

[#50]

If it all fits nicely, it will be fine. I once had to straighten an early Barracuda that some uneducated gents shaped like a banana due to lack bracing while on the rotisserie. Nice project, btw.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 1969 Dodge Charger R/T (Page 1 of 4)

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