2nd Gen (1968-70) Dodge Charger -The Rise, Fall And Rise Again Of America's Quintessential Musclecar

It's hard to believe that the iconic second generation Dodge Charger at one point was considered undesirable by both the general public and the hot rod community, but for a brief period of time you couldn't give them away.
Here's the story of how these cars came to be, the elements that made them wildly popular while in production and how they ended up being shunned by the world just a few years later
#classiccar #mopar #history #60s #movie
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[@scatpack68]

I must have been the exception to the rule. Since first seeing a '68 Charger on the street in the mid '70's when I was about 8, I vowed to eventually own one. I was 19 in 1987 and bought a solid numbers matching '68 Charger R/T. Still have it 36 years later.

[@ryancopas4317]

And let me guess you got it next to nothing lol little jealous

[@scatpack68]

@@ryancopas4317 compared to today's prices, yes. $3500

[@artoodiitoo]

@@ryancopas4317 yeah I hear cars like these were sold for the prize of scrap metal back then lol

[@scottsmith1897]

Same here 69 RT/SE for 900.00 if I remember correctly....... and of course sold it a few years later...... a lot of cars I wish I still had now but dont we all.... remember finding a AAR Cuda also and was cheap but missing a fee pieces.

[@Copperheadroad1]

I still have all my chargers. The REAL charger guys are guys like us that loved them then and kept them because we still love them today.

[@geebopbaluba1591]

I traded a pioneer car stereo for a dodge dart 6 cylinder push button automatic in 74. The car ran great and got me to work and back for a year or two without any problems.

[@lilmike2710]

You just took me down memory lane with that one. Not the dash button dart, but that era pioneer car stereo systems. We had a separate component for each function. A stereo receiver, a cassette deck, equalizer, amplifier and even a crossover component to control it all. And adjusting for inflation they were more expensive then than modern day car audio. In fact, if you had the whole shebang then you dropped some serious coin on your stereo. And with proper speakers they sounded great. I'd argue that you can't get that great sound from modern high end stereos. Today they think it's all about having bass that rattles people's furniture as you're driving past. My favorite set up was made by Alpine but I had some nice pioneer equipment in my time as well..

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

​@@lilmike2710 Do you remember the speakers called "Mind Blower" speakers?🤯

[@lilmike2710]

@scottofford3061 I had a Chevy Impala like that. Actually did it so many times that it damaged the flywheel

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

@scottofford3061 And you kept grinding off the flywheel teeth?

[@J.Ray1776]

We had a '64 fury 2 door with a Poly 318 and push button torquefite that 318 run good but we came across a deal on a 360 with all new parts but it needed assembly. So we put that together and pulled the 318, it wouldn't idle right so I got to thinking the 360 is externally balanced and the 360 torque converter wouldn't fit the torqueflite so I put the two converters next to each other marked the weight location on the torqueflite converter cut the weight off and re-welded it on the torqueflite converter, hey it worked and ran great after that.

[@dandennis7649]

I know a guy that bought a 70 Hemi Cuda in 1975 for 3800. & traded it in 82 for a Firebird because of Knight rider...I said I wouldnt ever tell that story ever again.

[@DanEBoyd]

Aw man, I cringe for that guy.

[@scarborosasquatchstation1403]

@@DanEBoyd : Really that dude with the Knight Rider car most likely got laid with the ladies a whole lot more, say than when driving the scary Hemi Cuda ...chicks wouldn't even ride in these monster machines ! lol 🙄🤩😂

[@Jgeneraledger23]

If he traded Straights that was a good deal at that time. About 10 Grand. Of course that was the first and last time they would be worth the same.

[@mrshaftshots2591]

hey man the birds will be worth something soon!

[@triggerskull]

He’s talking about himself

[@andrewweltlich9065]

I love hearing your stories Uncle Tony. I was born in 1989, so to me it's fascinating to hear about how things were in the 70's and 80's.

[@ReidHenderson]

1987 here brother and I love listening to these old guys spit knowledge. But we are getting old too

[@andrewweltlich9065]

@@ReidHenderson That's the circle of life. Not too long from now we will be the old timers.

[@douglasjarvi9803]

I love your stories and channel! I'm 63 years old and I'm retired from the automotive repair vocation. Just hearing you talk about the 60-70's era of cars brings back so many memories of myself and my buddies and the cars we had and built! Anything from 66 Mustang to 70 Challenger to 57 Chevys!! All were a BLAST to build and run!!

[@dirtlump]

Yep.... I own a 'survivor' factory original X9 Black 1969 Charger R/T SE, 440 Magnum/Auto, V88 Stripe Delete, still in great shape completely Numbers Matching throughout, unrestored, unrebuilt, Fender Tag/Broadcast Sheet, everything still unmolested/intact with full Ownership and Servicing History from brand new..... and being an always garaged California Car SOLID Original Sheet Metal ! I tried selling it for 6 long years ! and it being still in premium 'minty' condition unrestored.... I obviously tried asked a premium dollar for it as prices rose over those 6 years ? Never got an Offer above 70% of my asking Price !.... everyone citing the fact it was a Buckets/Buddy Seat/Column Shift nobody wanted. So I gave up and kept it.... and now I'm glad I did ! GREAT Car to get in and cruise with in summers... runs like a watch, solid & reliable !

[@kkksss9359]

I had a 1968 Charger R/T back in 1978......paid $2,000 CAD for it. Came with new Cragar 5 spokes and new tires. Dark green paint, green vinyl roof on a green interior, with a torqueflite. Twin white bumblee stripes. Miss that car....... Great video !!!

[@Jgeneraledger23]

A very fair price for that time. '83-'84 is when prices went out of control!

[@danielschaw6305]

You're an absolute poet sir. Your description of the car, the styling, and the changes from what was to the next generation just beautiful. Thank you so much Uncle Tony

[@randylear8264]

I bought a 1969 Charger in 77. It was a 383 automatic console car. It had just been painted emerald green with a black vinyl top. I was a junior in High School and car crazy for Mopars. I drove a 72 Hemi Orange Duster as my daily. The Charger was my street racer. I put M/T valve covers and a Wiend 2X4 barrel intake with 2 Carter 4 bbl. Headman headers and a shift kit. The car was a screamer. Unfortunately my brother a few years later blew his 400 in his 72 Roadrunner. We took the 383 out and placed it in his RR. My father complained about the Charger sitting there taking up space. So it was sold to a guy who turned it into a General Lee show car. I hear it’s still making the rounds. Thank Uncle Tony. Nice video.

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

Great stories Tony!! My first car was a 68 with 383 4bbl. Was moms daily into the 70s. But it got parked and replaced in 1980 with 145k miles, a slippy trans, and tired engine. I ended up with it at 13, about the same time I discovered cars, and Mopar mags with your articles in them. Became a Charger/Mopar maniac right away. By the end of high school I'd bought a second 383 68, and stripped every Charger wreck within 100 miles, and had a serious parts collection. Continued in over the years, and have had 5 68s... Now, with kids grown, I'm ready for one more, but yikes, the prices are insane. As a lover of them all my life, even when they weren't popular, and certainly not because of their increased value, I deserve one more before I die...

[@kevs56chev]

So cool👍👍 I was born a couple decades late. Wanted a 68-70 as a teenager. Bad. They were always a few thousand bucks out of reach. They still are. So cool you had five of em!!

[@w.e.s.]

Of course u do bc we're all entitled in america!!! Chances r you'll get it. Rich people problems

[@Vegaswill714]

In 1976, I wanted a second gen charger. As Tony points out, the bulk of the cars I found were 318's and I was looking for more oomph. The asking price on the few I found with big blocks (all 383's) was high. I ended up picking up a 1970 383 Fury and it was a great car. Because Fury's were still in use by police departments at the time, I got away with all kinds of stuff. I loved the car.

[@petepeterson5337]

I had a '68 charger that I considered to be absolutely beautiful; no grill divider and round tail lights that were in my opinion even more beautiful than the '69. Why oh why did I sell it (cheap)!!!! I loved how Chrysler artfully tucked in the metal below the front quarter panel to give it the illusion of a low profile - genius. A new car with a $100K+ sticker today isn't as joyous to be in as my rock solid '68 charger. I am currently on the market for an early 70s car to be my next daily driver, and following Tony's teaching, the model will NOT be a highly collectible museum piece, but will be comfortable and reasonably good looking.

[@musclecarmitch908]

Got my 1st 68 charger in 1978 for a pickup truck load of firewood which sold for about $30.00 at the time. Got it from my uncle, it was a 318 two barrel red with black vinal top. I only got the body but that got me started.

[@marcgucciardo1942]

You got ripped off. Ut paid $25😂

[@musclecarmitch908]

@@marcgucciardo1942 yep!🤣

[@chrisparsons7043]

Brilliant story Uncle T, this is a great insight into American young guy car-culture of the late 70s early 80s. It was similar here in England where the easy to fix worthless cars of the 60's were the go to cars for teenagers. We didn't have the fun of the V8's, but we still did the 'worlfrace wheels on everything' look and even jacked-up-rear look on British and Japanese cars. Starsky & Hutch stripes got painted on anything red and rusty 😄

[@benjamintresham9649]

Tony, you have just done one of the best KZbin videos I’ve enjoyed watching mate!!!!! I live in Australia and could only dream of these Charges. Keep your memories and experiences coming PLEASE 🙏

[@BBDragon66]

I was trying to go to bed when you dropped this. I just had to finish it tonight. Love these stories. Thanks Uncle Tony!!

[@Coelacanth97]

I enjoyed your story and found your take on the 1970 front loop bumper interesting. I was 18 and this would've been about 1986, I was looking for my first car on a $2500 budget and I was set on a Mopar muscle car. I really was hoping for a Challenger, my favorite at the time, but none were in my budget at the time. I looked at a red 3rd gen Charger with a 400 and 3-speed and a goofy design fiberglass hood that reminded me of Corvette Summer; a gold Cordoba-generation Charger that was in great shape, also with a 400, and an olive green '70 Charger with 383 Magnum that had some rust issues, but the powertrain was solid. I went with that '70 for $2200, $200 less than the seller's asking price. I still have it and will never sell it. I remember at the time that the '70 was the least desireable of the 2nd-gen's, probably because it was the most different of the 3..but back to the front loop bumper. I personally like the '70 the most of the 3 years, I think the front loop bumper is the cleanest design, one single piece of wraparound chrome instead of multiple smaller bits of chrome. I agree that the horizontal taillights of the '69/'70 are the best, they look the meanest while the double-circles of the '68 seems like a design afterthought to me, and copies a bazillion other car taillights that use double circles. I also like the single taillight finish panel of the '70 that wraps around both taillights. Clearly I'm biased because I own a '70, but as the years pass on, I only love it all the more. :)

[@Jgeneraledger23]

I remember John Schneider talking about how "NO" '70 Chargers were used on The Dukes of Hazzard, and he pointed out what you did about the grille, he was very adamant about that!

[@pete540Z]

Charger memories: I was in high school in Columbia, MD, 1976-1980. One of the nicest, fastest cars was a 68 Charger R/T. 440 Magnum, built up by Ray Cross and his dad, who owned a Sunoco station. I think it had 4.56:1 gears in it. My junk was just a 70' Camaro that I rebuilt a 327/300 for. The guy advising me was Steve Kantor who ran Douglas Speed and Sport in Silver Spring MD. He talked me into putting a 327/350 hyd cam in it. Being a kid who didn't have much money, the car kept it's 3.08:1 non-posi rear and was a dog until about 30 mph, but ran pretty good after that. I was really lucky, as on my street, within just a couple of houses were guys with: 1970 SS Chevelle 454, 1970 SS Chevelle 396 convertible, 1968 Shelby GT500 4spd convertible, 1968 Shelby GT500 automatic fastback, 1971 Firebird with a built 455. Damn, those were some fun times!

[@holycarmods66]

1969 Charger is one of my dream cars. I think they were one of the coolest cars made

[@danielbell3390]

Thanks Tony , great history lesson. I had a green 70 charger 318 2 barrel used in ‘78 , loved the lines but it was a brick to drive in suburban roads and parking lots. The Arab oil embargo changed everything here. I was wishing I still had my Dodge Dart slant six. Truth be told, the chrome fender mounted gas cap captivated me. Was great on highway trips though. One of those cars you wish you had put away somewhere for a later day. Your stories bring back such a nostalgic feeing to me, God bless.

[@clembob8004]

Ah, yeah, I was a teenager back in those days too. But, there was a 69 R/T Charger that a high school buddy had that must have been special ordered with a lot of the luxury stuff deleted, because this was a 440 4 spd, no power steering car and it had 3.91 gears and it was fast. There was almost nothing that could touch it in the quarter mile at that time. I think he paid about $1200 for it in 1978, and then he sold it for $900. I'm not sure if the car is still around, but it would be worth 6 figures today in restored condition. The 68-70 Charger is to Mopar what the 55-57 Chevy is to GM. An instant classic, period. Actually, all the 68-70 B bodies are fantastic, but the Charger was the ultimate musclecar and the Charger 500 and the Daytona only added to the greatness of that body style.

[@tommybello8928]

As a Staten Islander, I love your references to when you lived in Staten Island. Your mention of Yaccarino's junk yard brought back memories. I was cracking up when you said that you brought the used engine home in pieces because you had no way to transport it. 😂

[@jamesblair9614]

I never get tired of watching the short prelude to the chase Bullett video on KZbin, right up to where he dumps the clutch on the Charger and the 440 explodes, driving gloves, Inland shifter and all.

[@0004612]

The 440 explodes, well said. That’s my favorite car chase, especially that part… puts on his seatbelt and then roooaaar!!

[@Boatman-dz5iz]

You remember the Mopars the way I do, but left out you were actually looked down on in the late 70s by other guys into cars at the time for even owning a Mopar. I had a few, a Duster 318, mom and pop car. Then a 71 GTX, 370 hp 440 Super Commando, auto, I bought in 1981. I was 22 years old. Very nice car, paid $1350 for it. I wanted a Corvette, but couldn't afford and wrenched enough to know the Chryslers were tough engines and not prone to blow if over revved and abused so that's what I bought,. Later I bought a 70 Barracuda Gran Coup 383 4bbl 4sp. Paid $500 for it. Put the 440 out of the GTX in it, fixed it up nice, new 750 Holly, shaved the heads, Hooker headers, accel dual point ignition. Fun cars, but they sure did bottom out in price. I belonged to a Chrysler club in Fairbanks in 1981, and we used to meet and drive around town sometimes. I worked at a convenience store gas station and I remember people making fun of us for driving Mopars. One guy I remember came in and said, 'Hey, I saw that club you're in. Some of those things don't even have hoods and unprimered bondo showing!' and then he laughed. He was right, a lot of our cars looked like that. But it still made me mad for him to say it.🤣

[@Jgeneraledger23]

BONDO showing?!?? lol That was like taboo where I lived, prime it before going inside, all the time, every time

[@Mark-qw8lc]

Definitely want to hear the stories about your other vehicles. Enjoyed seeing those old pictures in your youth on Staten Island. Thanks Tony and Kathy!

[@user-zf8rl6ig3m]

Bought my 70 Plumcrazy 500 in 73 for $1650 dollars at 18 years old. My Dad had to cosign the loan. It's sitting out in my garage right now and it ain't going anywhere until I die.

[@shadowreaper2577]

Hey Tony glad you talked about this! I pined after the 68-70 Chargers for years ever since I'd seen and sat in one in a car show in the past. Just recently I seen it's smaller sibling the Dart, still looking for a Charger but i'm very happy with the Dart.

[@yavin99]

I still remember a friend I went to high school with bought a 1972 Z-28 for $2500 in 1988 and took a loan out for $10k and had a fully built LT1 with at least 450 hp and then 10 years later he sold it for $12k and at the time I thought that was outrageous I was shocked how much these cars were going up when still in high school there was like 6 1970 Barracudas in various states of decay but a couple were really nice but all these cars were bought for around $200-$1000 and never imagined they would sell for the prices they are today.

[@captainjohnh9405]

Uncle Tony, now that you have told me a bedtime story, will you tuck me in? Honestly, Tony, I could listen to your stories all night as we sat around a campfire and Maggie and the pack chased anything that moved. Cheers!

[@bobsmith-mh7xz]

Tony..... I bet your close friends & family absolutely knew you would be a KZbin hit!!! Natural story teller... Love it... Cuz you actually been there got the T shirt.... Right down to the rocking chair... Awesome 👍

[@anthonytruta2745]

I paid $800.oo for my 1970 Dodge Charger R/T SE 440 automatic a/c 3:23 gears electric windows leather seats, cruise control, headlight delay. Back in the late 1970's this was my 3rd 70 Charger. And today I have 2 69's I love 2nd generation chargers!

[@firstgeneralee2105]

Great past time stories! I’ve always wanted a 69 charger after watching the dukes! The best looking muscle car!

[@petesmitt]

The reason they chose the '69 Charger for the Dukes was that they were cheap and plentiful.

[@Channelscruf]

Great history lesson, Anthony. Great stuff.

[@archieguitarz4700]

Great vid Tony! Third gen charger guy here who always admired 2nd gens like everyone else. Any third gen stories you would like to share? While everyone loves the 68-70s, many seem to either love or hate the later 71-74s.

[@skeezix8156]

It’s like the third gens were loved, hated, then loved again because they’re all hidden away now. Anything 71-74 my personal preference is triple black color combo, they look meaner

[@Riverdeepnwide]

Yup. Third gen, '73-'74 my favs with no vinyl roof to interrupt those beautiful lines.

[@renchjeep]

Tell us ALL the stories, Uncle Tony! Any time you want, please take us on a trip down memory lane, brother! Your stories are the best, and the way you remember every detail is simply amazing! More stories, please!

[@1HeavyHitr]

Let's hear the story about the two before the charger! Absolutely love this stuff. Could listen to it for hours!

[@jayweiss4378]

Prefer this sort of historical models chat over the tech mechanic talks! Thanks Tony for looking out for us less tech minded fans👍🏻

[@aussiebloke609]

Tony, you're dead right about people not wanting those sorts of cars, back when they were just another old jalopy and not a collectable. My first car was a '70 VG Valiant Pacer hardtop (think '69 Dart hardtop with a 245 c.i. hemi 6) which I bought off a mate for the princely sum of $200 (he'd bought it a couple of months earlier for $50.) I recently looked at what they were selling for (because of a combination of nostalgia and regret that I hadn't held onto it) and found that a good one can go for over $100k these days. And to think I could own one for less than it would cost now to fill the tank smh

[@richardrichards8401]

I remember seeing my uncle’s 66 Charger in my grandparents garage in 1986 and just admiring that fast back styling and fat rear tires so different from cars at the time! I was 16 years old at the time and had never seen a muscle car in person. That experience changed me. I couldn’t figure out why these cars had been cast aside, by that I mean the muscle car era. Two years later I bought a 67 Chevelle SS 4 speed, 4:11 rear for $4000. I loved driving that car, the rumble, the whine of the transmission, so different from modern cars. Anyway thanks for your story, really enjoyed your passion.

[@ericy3415]

Great stories Uncle Tony! Such a bygone era. I really do enjoy the passion you have for these incredible cars. Keep up the good work my friend.

[@claytonechols4876]

Over 300 69 Chargers were destroyed the 7 seasons of the Dukes Of Hazzard. In the last years of the show, producers found they had created a shortage of 1969 Dodge Chargers. They used AMC Ambassadors, painted them orange and used fancy camera angles and editing techniques to try and hide the switch.

[@JRC99]

They never used AMCs. They just used miniature models. No evidence of them using an AMC has ever surfaced and I don't think I've ever even heard that rumor but once or twice.

[@gorflunk]

Oh, them Duke boys!

[@mikewong5888]

Complete waste of a classic car for a mediocre tv show. 😢

[@0004612]

@@mikewong5888cheesy show indeed but as a 12 year old I thought it was so cool and Daisy was hot.

[@MrJeep75]

Never used AMC

[@slipperyj6155]

Tony, You are a treasure and I really appreciate those old stories, and the pictures of you as a young man.

[@Rgh71fish]

Great storytelling. Always such a joy to listen to

[@LifeisGood762]

Your description of the junkyard charger in the snow was spot on. I've got pictures of my 78 lincoln mark V early fall morning with a perfect layer of frost. It was beautiful. Matte like black primer but perfectly even and slightly white silver.

[@user-pe2uo5ui2i]

You are exactly right I was around when the Dukes of Hazzard had very little influence on someone wanting a Charger, I was in the 9th grade of High School when that show came on TV and I do not remember anyone in my school saying I got to have a Charger, We were into 55 - 57 Chevy's and several other old cars then for Hot Rods. When I was a senior in school I bought a 1973 Charger 400 motor for 500 bucks and loved it, Then in 1996 I bought a 1970 Dodge Charger 500 383 4 speed for 3,000 and all my friends said I was nuts for paying that much for a car that cost that new in 1970. Well I still have it and it has been my favorite car out of all of them that I have ever owned, just looking at the car in my garage right now without even starting it up makes me smile, Best 3,000 bucks I have ever spent. Thanks for the videos you are the most intelligent Master Mechanic I have ever listen too. You and your wife and family have a Very Merry Christmas.

[@LifeisGood762]

You keep saying "beautiful from any angle" and it's such an accurate statement.

[@austin2466]

Im a ford chevy guy and that may be appalling to some car guys, but i love and watch all your mopar content! Appreciate your devotion to hot rodding

[@dlyrag755]

Love the story and pictures. Really takes me back. I remember seeing those cars for sale in the used car lots for under $1000.

[@quentinstacy35]

This is why I subscribe. Great story telling.

[@artoodiitoo]

I love these car history videos (and reading about it in magazines), that´s why I love Steve Magnante and his knowledge about old cars as well as Tony´s

[@ercost60]

Excellent info! Only Tony can make a video like this!

[@mynameis9057]

Ahhhh the good ol' days!!! I loved the shape of my 66 Coronet. I paid $50. for a '70 Dart GT a week later I got a '72 Barracuda for yup, another $50!!! Man I loved the '80s!!! I was to young for the great scores of the '70s but we done good when we struck 80s gold!!!! Anyone seen my time machine lying about somewhere?

[@ridervfr2798]

The line about the car in the junk yard with snow on it still looking good struck a note. Your a poet in addition to a host of other talents. Thanks

[@sullivantim1633]

Hi Tony, I love these Fireside Chats of yours. They bring back great memories. A couple other points I think that had a big impact of the mid 70's was of course the oil mayhem of the time and the rapid detuning of the factory cars. I was a Ford guy and we went from "balls to the walls" to the 74 Mustang II. It seemed like the Trans-am was the only thing that stumbled along as a factory performance car for a while but they never had much street/track creds around here as a modifiable car. The other major factor in my area at least was that all of our mentors (guys a few years older) were jumping into the van craze of the later 70's. Shag rugs, goofy paint, CB's, booze, and hormones and all that. The silver lining for us High School kids was that the boneyards were full of wrecked muscle cars as you mentioned. Now you could take say a Duster or Granny's Dart and turn it into a beast on the street or on the track on the cheap. Wednesday nights at New England Dragway was packed for many years to come.

[@timrayburn2461]

Great video,thanks Tony

[@combustion-junkiecustomart8083]

Loved this episode. Also want to see more Uncle Tony vintage pics!

[@jbqc1548]

Yep.. as an 8 year old hillbilly from east tn it was the dukes of hazzard that did it for me! Thanks Uncle Tony.. love the stories and the mopar trivia

[@user-fi9iw4gd8k]

Love watching. Love your knowledge of mopars. The South Houston Police Department in 77 will never forget the 70 6 pack Charger disappear in front of their eyes. When they pulled up in front of my friends house where we quickly garaged the car. I asked how they found me, He said They just followed the rubber on the street and people pointing the way.

[@ziggysolczaniuk3797]

Love the story’s of ur past please keep videos like this coming hear and there it’s like hearing cool old stories from a grandfather 😊👍👍

[@chuckschillingvideos]

You're right, Tony. The silly General Lee craze never happened until long after the show was over.

[@richa7jrdoneill272]

Keep the stories and old pictures coming. I love this stuff!

[@Joesmusclecargarage]

I’ve owned 68-69 Chargers. I’d never want to own another one. I got out of the Mopar scene after owning, building, and restoring dozens of A and B-bodies. In comparison, a stripped down Road Runner or Super Bee has it all over an upscale Charger of the same year.

[@torekristoffersen176]

‘68 Charger is king 👑 ultimate muscle car looks ..❤

[@dp1651]

Uncle tony is full of shit

[@Lester.M]

Great video!

[@jamesmarze9850]

Great stories, Tony! I like hearing all of them!

[@Carstuff111]

I dig story time. Thing is, I went to a Chili's to sit at the bar, have a good beer, maybe a snack and chill after a long day. I sat down, and a gentleman next to me was a retired WW2 veteran. I do not remember how it happened, but a conversation was struck up and he told me about his time in Europe during WW2. You sharing your early hot rod life is keeping that era alive, it is history, and it should be preserved just as any piece of history. And I am all for killing half an hour on a slow day listening to Uncle Tony tell us about his early hot rod years. I seriously need to start finding the magazines you wrote in so I can relive some of that, because I am 99.9% sure I read your stuff growing up.

[@hippydippy]

I love these stories. Very cool Uncle T.

[@skeptic3332]

What great memories thanks for sharing.

[@bobbylibertini]

BTW, Tony, I LOVE these old stories of yours...and pics too!

[@hooville9059]

Chrysler was the technology leader in Engine, Transmission, Suspension and Virgil's forward look, one major problem was metal prep and coating (metal worms) in 1970 my brother purchased an almost new 69 R/T with 4spd hemi orange (top hat). He met Dick Landy and found a 68 Hemi RR rear end total (easy fix today) to go SS/E. Swapped Hemi to Charger sold 440 few hundred bucks, RR towed to junk yard for scrap and a few bucks for AT. Love the 67 GTX. My friends dad was a CP Dealer he had a 70 SB 440 AT Lime Light that couldn't sell into1974 and considered removing the Wing and Nose Cone, finally sold at a heavy discount. Always interesting with Mopar fever. Keep e'm coming Tony. .

[@speedy_pit_stop]

Beautiful story UT. Love the untold historical perspective you often have. And the old pictures put me right back into the era... very cool.

[@HarleyHawk1]

As for what happened to your Charger, I can relate. My dad's first car was a 72 pontiac lemans and we couldnt bare to see it out in the world so we cut it up and buried it in the backyard. It was well used up.

[@rcanderson4328]

68-70 Charger, 68-70 Roadrunner, 69 Chevelle are THE muscle cars. They just look awesome and instantly what I think of for muscle cars.

[@terrystewart2070]

My best buddy from high school bought a used 68 Charger R/T in about 1970 from a used car dealer in Santa Rosa, Ca. (about 60 miles from our little home town). It was a real beauty...dark green, black vinyl top, rally wheels, 440 with an automatic, all black interior. At the time it seemed to me he paid a fortune for it, and actually had to get a loan, and real car payments....something none of us 20 year olds had ever done at that point. I think he paid somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 grand for it, at a time when for guys our age if you were making $5 an hour, you were doing okay. He kept it until gas went to a buck a gallon, then traded it in on a new VW Beetle. What a come down LOL He got a lot of razz from all of us over that!

[@tkflanagan4449]

You are just WONDERFUL!!! I'm 70 so I understand you fully!!!♥

[@curtisbrowning4682]

keep posting these great videos.. love to hear the history

[@wrenchinwithgrandpa4586]

Always love hearing your history lessons on Mopar !! I would love to Wrench on an old school car with you it would be a learning experience!👍👍

[@modeljetjuggernaut4864]

Awesome story Uncle Tony... i actually sat thru the whole thing.

[@rickpatterson7438]

Keep up the good work !!

[@Timrsnakess]

Always enjoy the tales of old Tony thanks

[@happyrv2061]

TRUE STORY- I seen a black 1970 charger driven to the city car dump and left there. It had some rust and dents and it smoked really bad. The next day a fellow dragged it out from the dump,....took it home , pulled the motor and put in a 327 chev motor and tranny and drove it around foe a couple years. LOL Hard to believe but True.

[@HOCKENBERGER]

I just want all my junk, engines, valve covers, intakes, 4 speeds....sitting around somewhere I can just spend all my time gawking at it. I was looking at the motor in front of Bottle Rocket the entire video....realizing this fact. Spend my golden years reminiscing and daydreaming of the good old days. When you tell these tales, Tony....I relive my younger years over and over. We were so blessed to live those days, when it all turned the corner...and the factories started going fast again. I know you asked for us to NOT send you stuff, but look for an Englishtown Grand National shootout souvenir in the mail. Sorry. 😁

[@WhiteTrashMotorsports]

I remember when mopar guys were shunned.

[@douglashewitt5064]

My brother in law still shuns Mopar guys. He loves Ford, especially Mustang. 69 years old. Says Mopar was too expensive.

[@WhiteTrashMotorsports]

@douglashewitt5064 My uncle and dad were GM guys, on my mom's side I had 1 cool uncle tha always had a Mopar.

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

Yup...back in high school I got laughed at because of my "big ugly Dodge" by the Mustang and Camaro guys... Of course with a built engine/trans, bigger tires ,headers and dual exhaust, that 68 Charger was spanking em all senior year...!!!

[@windycityben4850]

That was a great story!!! Loved those old school pictures!! Very cool 😎

[@aju483]

So informative. Uncle Tony is so intelligent and well versed! Thanks for these videos!

[@Joebauers2505]

Buddy pal i may he alone in this, but you remind me of my old man and uncle and i really enjoy the stories of back in the day. Thank you sir

[@3balam3]

Thank you for the story Tony!

[@spankyham9607]

I just did some grinding on a pair of heads and intake on my kitchen table. It's nice to watch TV while grinding some iron away!

[@mw4992]

Thanks for the memories, Tony. Somewhere in my basement I have a magazine with Gus’ Cherry Charger in it, I remember it well! I still have the 1970 Charger R/T that I bought as a 17 year old in 1983. Fresh 440, Pistol Grip 4 speed, 3.54 Dana for the low, low price of $1000. Dressed in gray primer over the factory FC7 Plum Crazy paint. It had some right rear quarter panel damage, and of course repro parts weren’t available then. An airman brought a rust-free 70 Charger SE to Dover AFB from New Mexico, and a buddy & I went halves and parted it out after driving it home. It was a B5 blue car, white vinyl top, N code 383HP (missing), auto, blue gut, six way seat, A/C, cruise, etc. My buddy kept the installed 71 440HP for his 70 GTX and I cut the body up for the rust free quarters. Today it’s a crime but back then it was just sacrificing a lesser car to save an R/T. By the way, there was a blue Daytona that sat at a Sunoco station by the airbase for years, if anybody out there knows the story on that car I’d love to hear it!

[@sccarguy8242]

Great storytelling thank UT

[@nicolasstanley1392]

awesome video, Tony! My first car in 97nwas a 67 coronet and comng from a hardcore gm family, this was NOT ok. thanks for the memories! looking forward to more Boomer Chair

[@3gcraftsman]

Great history lesson. Would be awesome to see pictures of all the images you described.

[@EarlwithanE]

What an interesting life you have lived UT. You were born at the right time to see these cars when they were new and when they became classics…..The More You Know 👍💪😎

[@jefftschetter5881]

Happy holidays ppl Much luv from Buffalo NY. Mopar or no car

[@archieguitarz4700]

Merry Christmas from Syracuse!

[@bertamusprime618]

My Old Man picked the Family 68 Roadrunner for $400.00 in 77. If he had not picked up the car when he did and then held on to it there was no way we could own late 60's Mopar B-Body today. Keep up the great work Tony!

[@moth450]

Great video

[@skunkedworx]

As always, I enjoy your history lessons.

[@ddd1968rt]

You are right on the money about the 68-70 Chargers bottoming out in value in the mid 1970s. Back in the fall of 1975, I was looking to buy a slant 6 Dodge Dart for commuting to college. I had saved up enough money from working summers since 1971 (when I was 14) to be able to pay cash. I go into our local Dodge dealer to look for a good used slant 6 Dart. I run into a body shop employee our family knew and told him what I was looking for. He tells me, "You don't want a six cylinder Dart! We have a car back in the body shop that you'll want when you see it." He takes me back to the body shop, and there sets the most beautiful car I ever saw - a 1968 Charger R/T! Medium gold metallic, no vinyl top (much sleeker looking without the vinyl top), gold interior, headrests (actually more like padded bricks), shoulder belts as well as lap belts (most cars didn't have shoulder belts yet in 1968), automatic in the console, wood grain steering wheel, turn signals in the hood, etc. I feel in love with the car immediately. I figured there was no way I could afford that car, as I only had $1,500 to work with. They said that they would sell it to me for that. So instead of leaving with the most economical car Dodge had, I left with their most beautiful high performance model. I sold the car 8 years later in 1983 for almost $5,000. I parted reluctantly with it then, because I needed the money at the time. Of course, that was when the values of 68-70 Chargers were just starting to rise. Mine was "only" a 440 Magnum, not a Hemi. But anyone who owned a 440 knew they were a far better street engine than the Hemi. And the 440 was very mildly tuned from the factory. With basic upgrades (hotter cam, headers, hi-riser intake manifold, bigger carb, and electronic ignition) the 440 would really come alive and still be completely streetable. Just love that style Charger (of course the 68 R/T is my obvious favorite) and the 440 Magnum engine!

[@RandallSoong-pp7ih]

Thanks for the history Unko

[@adleiesposito3902]

Black primer, Dog dishes. Just like me. Cheers from Brazil. About my users photo, I'm a proud ownwer of a Galaxie 500 1979. God bless my mess.