dodge charger 440

DODGE CHARGER 440

When the Pontiac GTO kick started the ‘Muscle Car’ era in 1964, GMs other divisions were quick to follow suit, as did Ford with the Mustang, while Plymouth responded first of the Chrysler Corporation divisions with the Barracuda. Although Dodge produced cars with the power and performance to out run all of these on both the street and strip, the image of the Coronet was deemed to be too conservative. Dodge dealers wanted a ‘Muscle Car’ of their own to sell. Under this pressure, an ‘idea’ car was shown during 1965 although the Dodge

Charger 440 was already sanctioned for the 1966 model year. This was warmly received by both dealers and public and was officially launched to the viewers of the Rose Bowl, on 1st January 1966 as the new ‘Leader of the Dodge Rebellion’.

With over 37,000 units produced in 1966, this was a very successful mid-year introduction; little was changed for 1967 though this eventually saw sales tail off. For 1968 a revamp was put in place and the power options broadened to include, for the first time, 6-cylinder engines. In order to bolster the Charger’s muscle car status, a new high-performance option, the R/T (Road/Track) was added, with the 440 Magnum engine as standard and the 426 Hemi as an option. One of the most recognisable of Chargers (and indeed of all American cars) is the 1969 model, due in part for its being the model chosen as the General Lee in the TV series Dukes of Hazard. Again, little had changed from 1968 other than having a new grille with centre divider, new longitudinal tail lights and new badging and stripe options.

This model is an original 1969 Charger R/T in rare red on red colour scheme, powered by the 440 Magnum that is bored .30 over with steel crank and fitted with new pistons, new high capacity oil pump, and Comp Cams version of the Mopar performance purple cam, spiral cut valves, valve guides, valve springs and hardened seats. Built from the ground up along with the original specification 727 transmission, it has covered probably less than 100 miles since. Fueling and ignition are taken care of by a new Holley 750 cfm polished carb and a pro-comp electronic distributor. The engine runs very well and sounds great with full length 3" aluminized exhaust from Summit. It will run fine on normal petrol but it will scare you with racing fuel. The suspension was overhauled around two years ago with new bushes and steering components along with four new gas shocks, while the brake lines and both wheel and master cylinders were also new. The rust free body was repainted in the original colour and a new vinyl roof fitted. The interior has also been refurbished to the original specification. Oil pressure and temperature gauges have been replaced with supplementary items while the original speedometer and ‘tic toc tach’ said to work well.

Having been the property of a Charger enthusiast for more than 20 years, the car is now UK registered and there is a V5C document and a current MOT present, along with a copy of the last US Title Certificate. The all-important ‘fender tag’ is still present and complete too, confirming the original specification and options.

Year of Manufacture: 1969

Estimate: £25,000 - £28,000