I Bought A Rusty 1969 Dodge Charger! (But It's Worse Than I Thought)

Isn't that how it goes, though? You see a couple pictures that look like they were taken on a potato. They're shot from above the car at a downward angle, so you can't see any of the gigantic holes in the bottom of the quarters. There's crap piled inside, obscuring your view of the lack of floor panel. The trunk hasn't been opened in decades, but at first glance it looks like there's still some metal back there. Then you see it in person, and it's already much worse. Then you start poking at it... and before you know it, you've got a 1969 Dodge Charger, Swiss Cheese Edition (TM). The good news is, it's only going to take an incredible amount of time and financial outlay to make it as good as you first thought it was. But hey... it's still a Charger.

[@indianaslim4971]

I like the fact that you buy these project cars for personal reasons and not with a flipper mentality.

[@dwaynepadgett9322]

I completely agree! The Love of Chargers should be a personal thing not a financial thing!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeah. This is what I love. And when I do sell things… I don’t really make money. So if I am a flipper, I’m a really bad one 🤣 thank you.

[@zcam1969]

@@DeadDodgeGarage paint it blue , please .B-5

[@ScottDLR]

I agree; one of the best looking cars ever made, especially in B5 blue. I vote for street cruiser because I want to see more of these on the road.

[@Turkeybaby1972]

Burnt orange,plum crazy best two colors

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I want it ready for street duty, and for a real good time!

[@zcam1969]

Honestly i can't tell if that car was originally blue or red ! lol. does it have a fender tag

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

@@zcam1969 It was definitely B5 blue, and appears to have had black interior originally. The fender tag is gone, so I have to rely on the available clues.

[@zcam1969]

@@DeadDodgeGarage see if it has a Dana 60 rearend .that will you clues as to the original engine

[@kevinrabe55]

Thought you might like this. I was born in 1962, and in the early 70’s my uncle who was a mechanic loved mopar. He also had a chopper with very long front forks. (Easy rider style) anyway my best friend and I use to get in and play like we were driving in the 2 R/T chargers that were sitting in his yard . Neither one ran - I guess they were waiting in line. They were there for quite a while. I loved sitting in them and dreaming. One was that blue on this car with white interior. The other was copper with black interior. They were set side by side so imaginary racing with be and my buddy was inevitable!

[@dwaynepadgett9322]

Any day you can trailer a Charger home is a good day!

[@Mike_Collins392]

For sure !!!

[@Bob-Whiting]

Very True!

[@torekristoffersen176]

Very cool! ‘68 is 👑 in my book as well!

[@johnmullins2798]

Hahaha "I need to stop with the shop vac while there's still some car left." Good stuff.

[@kart70]

Stop with the shop vac before the DDG Charger becomes a UTG 55 Chevy sedan.

[@danielweith1075]

Jamie, please turn the lovley old Mopar beer can into a street machine!

[@mrkeopele]

one of my first cars 1975 i got a red 1969 dodge charger, oil burning 383, loved it, drove it around mountain curves Estes Park Colorado, thanks for the video

[@peacemaker6156]

You found poor mans gold. Sandpaper, primer, something alittle rowdy under the hood. And enjoy it.

[@scottsmith1897]

Nice find and now the fun begins......... 😆 Cant wait to see many more videos on this project.......

[@Littlehotrodshop]

I don't need any special thanks. I'm glad the car's been saved and I'm glad I was able to help out. Btw That's one sweet looking d100

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It sure is. People keep trying to buy it. Haha.

[@pcbullets8726]

Wowza! That is one rough Charger! But at the same time, like you said, you can make it your own. It would look pretty bad ass painted primer black with a white stripe on the back. Can't wait to see what happens with this one!

[@greggsvintageworkshop8974]

You're a very lucky man to even find one of these even in poor condition. Make it Cool and fun and we want to watch it happen! Regardless of what you do, it is a solid investment. These cars are going nuts as far as value! Of course, you already know that. LOL

[@geebopbaluba1591]

Well you have a lot of work and a whole bunch of money to spend on panels. I still think that those are the coolest cars ever built.

[@rockystanaitis2908]

You are correct about needing 30 Chargers. It works out nicely for DD Speed shop. So it appears that you have purchased a similar project to his first Nomad. About halfway through he said “really I just bought a roof and a title”. Best part is, you are one of the most “gitrdone” people on KZbin. You got this.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeah someone else commented that’s what I bought here too. Haha. I’m on it! But first I need to save up some bucks and call AMD…

[@mightymikethebear]

@@DeadDodgeGarage If the guys at AMD see this video they will be more than happy to talk to you.

[@Sonoma_Coast]

My new favorite channel. I've had 3 Darts. In High School in the 70's, they used to cruise in a pack.

[@musclecarmitch908]

Awesome find! I never could make up my mind weather I liked the 68 or 69 the best, so I got one of each! Then like a idiot I sold them both together at the same time! I had a 70 too! If I had to choose 1 it would be a 68 for sure though. A project charger like that is nonexistent around here nowadays and if one popped up it would be a bidding war and fight for it! I've finally came to terms that I'll never own one again but at least I got to enjoy them in my younger days!👍

[@dinadaughtry8993]

You might be able to find a 73-74 for a decent price, maybe not the best Chargers but far better than anything 75 up, and Firm Feel makes parts for the front end that helps immensely with the isolated K frame on those cars

[@sinistercharger]

That's going to need a collossal amount of work...Your a brave Guy...Can't wait to see the videos. ..Will make great viewing 👍

[@scofab]

I dunno... back in the 80's we drove 'em around looking like that. Spend some time together and see what else she tells you... remember Christine... lol. Always fun, thanks again.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I fully intended to, until I realized the full extent of it. For what I have in mind… I’m concerned the back half of the car may not survive the experience as-is.

[@steveash9831]

OMG! It's story time! In 1983 I was 24, and living in the rust belt of Western NY. I was in the market for a Superbird. I found an orange Daytona with black guts and a white wing. The original owner was selling it for $2000. It was a 440, 4 speed with 54,000 miles. It ran and drove great, and everything worked. It was completely an untouched, all factory equipped original. I had the cash in my pocket, but I passed on it because it had 2 dime sized rust holes in the quarters behind the wheels. My friend bought it... parked it his yard for ten years and sold it for $8000. Yep. Wing cars were two grand back in '83! It sounds like a bonehead move, and missed opportunity today, but had I bought the car, I would have drove it for a year and sold it to buy something else. I had three more chances to buy a wing car... a Hemi Daytona that was missing its engine, and 2 Superbirds. The best one was a pristine Superbird for $4500, but after I drove it, my desire for a wing car died, because ironically, people in those days called you stupid for driving such an ugly car!

[@lancenorton1117]

Back to 1983, just finished Basic Training for the Army Infantry and had a bonus check burning a hole i my wallet. See a 1970 Charger at a local used car dealer for I think around $2000. It was Root Beer Brown with a white vinyl top an brown interior. The engine was a 2 barrel 318 with an auto transmission behind it. I kept it for about four months and found it boring with the 318 so I sold it to another soldier. He never transferred the title and sold it to another soldier that I had to go to the title transfer place to get the car into his name. He got drunk one night and creamed the rear end into a telephone pole.

[@jeffpriem4888]

Great Find. I took it all for granted when I was 17 in 1984. I bought nearly this exact car in the exact condition for $100 then.. Hello From Wisconsin.

[@clembob8004]

Yeah, this is definitely the ideal "fun machine", a car you can just do whatever you want with and not worry about originality and all that other "buzz-kill" kind of stuff. The 440 is the way to go, and then flat black on EVERYTHING for a "murdered out" look. Actually, anything you do with it will look cool, because....CHARGER!

[@CarTech1976]

Another awesome video!! It would make an awesome drag car because you already have two beautiful street cruisers. Do what your gut says! Thanks for the content

[@dwaynepadgett9322]

Black with flames...baby moon rims...7" front, 10" rear...dual high rise with funnels...chrome roll bar...new chrome slappers. That would a badass! Name it "CRITICAL MASS"

[@swissarmychainsawadams9541]

I kinda like the "house paint white, with triple color fade!" look!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It’s actually primer gray. It does look pretty crappy white on camera. Haha.

[@mattfarahsmillionmilelexus]

-I never saw this coming- I totally saw this happening, and soon too. Great find, totally restorable, with the usual blah blah blah boring caveats. I see 2.5 reels of MIG wire in your future, and a water cooled VISA card. AMD is gonna love you.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeah, all those things you just said 😅

[@TigerDrop787]

Seeing this makes me happy my dad kept his 70 r/t in the garage all these years he bought it in 84 for 800$ the rear quarters got rusty so we cut them out and bought new ones and there's a tiny bit of rust around the rear window above the trunk and that's it currently about to start it for the first time since 87

[@vermontguy7692]

Gotta go with the drag car plan. It's already got the post-factory light weight body and floor delete option. 😁

[@prorebuilder]

Nice find. My 69 R/T was in similar shape. Look forward to this build. 440/ Flat black sounds a like a good option. All the panels for my 69 Came from AMD, However, a lot of parts can be re-purposed from a 4 door. IE Cowl, A posts, frame rails....etc.

[@curly239]

440 no question! Love your Mopars and your channel!!☺️👍❤️

[@curly239]

Oh, one more thing! Have considered a rebel flag on top of the '69 Charger?!😉☺️👍❤️

[@danielweith1075]

After my 2nd viewing I wish to add to my previous comment; please build the street machine you can daily drive and be afraid every day knowing how much fun (trouble) you can have in her. The fun part is missing out of daily transportation with round aerodynamic no style modern vehicles.

[@davidbrown4180]

Good thing AMD makes all the parts to fix it 😂

[@kart70]

Now all it takes is time and money.

[@matthewlangowski6398]

As we used to say back in the 80s...Super choice! Lucky bastard!

[@ballantyne1173]

Subbed after I saw what you got can't wait to follow the journey

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I can’t wait either… welcome, and thanks!

[@jhillaudio]

This one is one only a parent could love. Your prodigal has returned.

[@dinadaughtry8993]

I have a special affinity for Dodge Chargers, the 69 is probably the best body style but I like them all (as long as they are 74 and down) my first car was a 72 Charger that I bought for 50 bucks back in 85

[@SchoolforHackers]

You’re killing me…

[@0004612]

Get Birdsong to weld on all the necessary sheet metal, he’s got lots of experience. Congrats Jamie! Owning one charger is great but two is phenomenal.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I have a welder and some experience too 😁

[@michaeladamo1188]

I love it! You did good and you know it! Are those front seats from a hang 10 dart?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Big time. No, I think they are brand X.

[@shanew.williams]

Looks like you live in a beautiful part of the country. Can't beat those #452 heads (for a good smog era head). I ported mine & shaved .060 off of them to make my '65 Dodge Coronet go real good.

[@alanhowe225]

There is an old Charger just down the street from me just sitting in a driveway rusting away. The owners try to keep it hidden underneath a tarp and do for the most part, but the first time I saw it, I knew it was a 2nd generation Charger just by the shape. Then one day, there was a big storm and the wind tore the tarp off and low and behold, a very ratty B5 Blue 68 Charger, I've never gotten to see it close up as I don't know the owner's but something tells they are not very receptive to the idea of selling her, hence the tarp. Hopefully, one day she will be in the hands of someone with the motivation and resources to make her awesome again.

[@MidnightOilsRestoration]

What a beautiful rustpile🤗! AMD is going to love you 😅. The charger lives-🤷🏻‍♂️we’ll it will…all in due time my friend 😁

[@jayweiss4378]

Uncle Tony on the big screen 👍🏻😎

[@doublebackagain4311]

All it needs is 'Everything'

[@auteurfiddler8706]

My first Charger R/T was in roughly the same body condition as yours. It was also medium blue with a white vinyl top and white interior. It did run and drive great. This was long before there was replacement panels available.

[@Mclovingarage]

Happy I could assist you in your Mopar hoarding! I enjoy enabling friends to make expensive car choices! I personally would enjoy seeing a dirt road thrasher maybe more mad max style. Burnout machine, drifting, and all the hooligan shenanigans you can imagine!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Coming right up!

[@Darryl-69SE]

You are right, you do have your own show! And so many new videos!

[@007fredh]

Jamie, seriously! You are 10 times more intelligent than I am, and I know when I buy a car that rust is the most important thing to look at nothing else matters it doesn’t matter what type of car it is or anything it is how bad is the rust. I’m absolutely wishing for the best but maybe someone will come by and say look I’ll give you 20 bucks to pull that thing out of there and you take it.😳😂😂 looking forward to all your future videos no matter what you film!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I did look, just not hard enough. Haha. The thing is, if you want one of these, and you don’t want to pay $50k, this is what you get. There are no other options. I got lucky and bought this one before it hit Marketplace, or there would’ve been 100+ other guys lined up to buy it.

[@garageofdreams3549]

A ratty Charger is a perfect project, perfect numbers matching anything are boring but keepers. I bought a ratty 70 RR and it’s going to be a blast to drive around once it’s done. It’s my dream car. ❤

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Outstanding! Yeah that’s a good one.

[@localcrew]

“The sea was angry that day, my friends...”

[@idaholineman5788]

Hardcore hot nasty beater vibes comin in strong!! I have no doubt this will be a badass road machine before too long

[@matthewmckee9914]

That red charger is a real nice cruiser.

[@Pappy64]

Name her whatever you want, but I'm calling her Daisy. She's beautiful and I love her

[@lessharratt8719]

That fork was a bonus.

[@tyhogue8316]

2 mighty chargers, 1 good, 1 evil!😈

[@thomasrounds3337]

Even as a lifetime Chevy guy, the 68-70 Charger is one of the most beautiful and perfect cars ever built! Street/Strip Jamie! Then you have 1 Charger to baby and one to beat on and have fun! As far as engines, you have enough to choose from and you can just swap back and forth between LA&RB engines. Enjoy your new old Charger Jamie!

[@rexkean]

Here is my input Jamie. You build that bad boy the way you want the thing to be! I will agree, i think the B5 blue would look great on it!

[@kart70]

Just not orange. Pretty please?

[@bendeleted9155]

Yikes, brother! My favorite also, but wow. Did they park it in the bay? Hey, I see you have my 1st car up there ('66 Barracuda) That was a great car.

[@scottmaziar4136]

I hope someday to visit you as I love chargers just like you. Someday, when I get back from Virginia, I will go over to Rocket while you’re working and will visit.

[@joshjesch6000]

To me, this car is absolutely beautiful.Because it reminds me and johnny of our old 69 so much ...and it actually resembles a decent charger... unlike that hot steamer that tom just picked up on his video today. 😆

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh yeah, his purchase makes mine looks like a mint one owner 🤣

[@jeffhutchins7048]

I had Remington Mud Brutes on my '91.5 W250 Cummins, BEST truck tires I ever had.

[@BlindBatG34]

You and Birdsong need to do a collaboration on this car. Here's a couple bucks for the patch panel, mig wire and beer jar.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I plan to do it myself - but I know whose videos to watch for reference! Haha. Thank you very much! I’m gonna need it…

[@halseyknox]

Bummer that muscle cars of this era are pretty a rich guys world now and the rest of us get the rust bucket scraps. Im a Ford guy but I do love mopars as well, just have never owned one. As far as chargers go I do think the 68/69 chargers are the best looking but I prefer the 68. My favorite mopars are the 64/65 coronets and belvederes, two doors of course. That numbers matching 68 you have with the 383 is a real nice charger.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It is, and I worked hard and made a handful of good decisions to get it. I’m sure not a rich guy. But it can be done.

[@louislepage5111]

Good luck with this one 😊

[@Anthony-nw5zv]

Well you made my Saturday 😂 listening to you ramble on about the rusty 69 charger. P.S. for sale fifteen projects for sale, y'all pick & choose which one.😊 $2500. Each. Always great to watch UTG 😊

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

All that, and more

[@meh-canics9628]

More stickers will make it go faster! Good score! Good investment

[@HOCKENBERGER]

I feel your pain, and excitement. I share your affliction for old rotten hulks. I just couldn't resist this poor old 62 C30 long panel truck last summer. And I STILL haven't even towed it out of the guys yard yet!! At 55 years old, I honestly have NO IDEA if when or how I'll finish ANY of my project vehicles. But, I dont care. It's what makes me happy. I thank GOD for this hobby.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh yeah. Awesome. I resigned myself to the fact that I could never finish everything that I want to. But the drive and the excitement for the projects keeps me going. It's my main motivation for getting out of bed in the morning. I hope not to watch all of them rust into the earth around me, but I will never get to all of the builds, and that's ok.

[@HOCKENBERGER]

@@DeadDodgeGarage kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZjOpmR5rcaLqpYsi=jaNioKqELjK8NZhq This one IS just to rot back into the Earth

[@willythewave]

Operator...will you help me make this call. Isn`t that the way it always goes?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

“Well let’s forget all that - and give me the number, if you can find it, so I can call just to tell her I’m fine…”

[@Darryl-69SE]

The very first car I ever rode in, came home from the hospital in was a 1970 Dodge Charger.

[@barryrussell4106]

I love it. I have a ratty 68 mustang fastback and people lose their minds over it. It is crazy how people are attracted to an iconic car that is not restored or about to be. Party on Jamie. I have a buddy that has a satin black charger with the flat black callouts it is really hard to beat the look. It just looks sinister

[@forterierocks]

I like the wild 440 idea👌

[@Cfchild1]

Definitely a good candidate for a track drag car as you will have to cut out and replace a good portion of the metal regardless.

[@cumminski]

Id go for performance cruiser and instead of flat black i would choose satin or semi gloss black. Since that car is kinda blank canvas, there is almost no limits what to do. Well, your car your rules. Looking forward to this.

[@jamesdamron2065]

Like your red 1 ,,but it's way better having 1 you can beat on a little. Cool car congrats!!

[@mikemiller3650]

Well, I'm glad I asked in last week's live chat how much of a Charger you could build from repro sheet metal because I think I'm gonna get to see. I think as long as you keep that VIN tag, it still the Ship of Theseus

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes I think you’re right. Haha. It really only needs like the whole back half… well and some other things

[@richardweyland116]

Thanks for revealing your garage status. Now I don't feel so bad.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Many viewers use me as an example to show their significant others to make their situations look better 😅

[@ppeters480]

The red one will like its new nursing home friend, its rough but still would be Uncle Tony approved, his orchards of pickins are likely a bit better in TN than in the PNW. Looking forward to future updates !

[@Darryl-69SE]

I know a guy whose brother has a general lee. He bought it done. Has had it for a few years. It is in mint shape. Anyways, the guy has a shop like yours. He is going to take the general lee and change it back to original which happens to be red. I know you will like this story.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Most excellent.

[@wiggyjones]

Really looking forward to this one. Unlike the Valiants, everything is available as a repop for this, right?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Just about, yeah. There’s a lot of stuff available.

[@swilkobarfingtoniii1642]

My first car was a '68 that I bought off the little old lady next door. Body and interior were perfect but she let her son work on the engine (383) and the top end was off and full of mouse nests. But it was rusty and that's a good sign, right? Anyways, I had it towed over to my family's shop and within a few hours one of our customers offered stupid good money for the car. I sold it and bought a 1970 Nova and had plenty of cash left over. Good times!

[@josephkay7785]

I always felt the most beautiful version of the Charger would have the 68 grill and the 69 tailights

[@butcher390]

Nnnnnnnioce score , Jamie 🙏🏆 Let's talk about , the elephant in the room . Your towing , hauling & winching skills are absolutely impressive ‼️ #B5blue #440 #HordingChargers ❤

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh, thanks. I’m really proud of that actually. Haha. I can get into (and mostly out of) some trouble.

[@Rallykylen]

Put in whatever engine you want but it would be awesome see it going down a dirt road going sideways😁 And congratulations on the new to you Charger!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I couldn’t agree more. Haha. Thanks!

[@haroldschultz5864]

The good news is , it looks worse from under here . Lol . I love this channel.

[@tonyb3864]

I'm surprised that thing didn't disintegrate while you were driving next to the ocean....all I can say is Oh My God

[@Legacy_Lou]

Congrats on the new Charger dude. Who cares what condition its in. Its STILL a 69 Charger 💪

[@Beauloqs]

😂😂 oh boy, that's just going to be the gift that just keeps "giving".......

[@jmendo2546]

It was worth the buy, it has the *hard to find black inside trunk taillight cover. 23:23. When I seen you scraping trunk then wildly poking that caused spark's over gas tank, I thought oh boy he's gonna catch new car on fire lol. Seat's look like late 1970's Van, I recognize Lug nut is for Cragar sst rim's 23:41

[@Totalstang]

I think it would be cool with your skill level and tools available to take a donor more door A body and strip all useable parts-slant six,a904,7 1/4 and bolt it in. Then take patches of all the donor a body metal (roof, floor,trunk-anything metal) and canabolize it to make patches for a floor and trunk in the charger. Extreme budget build. I bet you could come out cheaper using an a body donor and putting together a budget charger than trying to find b body parts to affix. I wouldn’t mind cruising in a slant charger, as long as it’s reliable. Either way nice find!

[@user-kw5qf9bw4k]

you can always turn it into a planter.. you know add a little more dirt, plant some roses, tulips, etc,...it'll drain the excess water off easily

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

🤣

[@user-ss3kp3oe8t]

what was that supertramp song? oh ya dreamer LOL

[@user-ng2rx4qc8o]

go with the slant six engine...it would actually be very refreshing to see someone build a really smooth quiet nice driving charger that just floats down the road effortlessly and runs perfect...the kind of charger you could just lolly gag around in all day without a care, not performance oriented but comfort and smoothness

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I have that. It’s my almost completely stock ‘68 383 car. I would trust it to go anywhere. It’s smooth, it’s comfortable, and everybody craps their pants when they see it. I would never ruin it by making performance modifications. It’s my highway cruiser. Now, I have actually started to put together a slant six powered daily driver quality car on the channel before. For some reason I traded that to my brother.

[@jeffrowlette]

I'm sorry, but '68 is the best year for Chargers 👍 But that car deserves restoration!!!!!

[@brianbloom1799]

I stopped Fixing Cars that were that rusted, You have to fabricate to many Panels, Or break your bank account buying them, Its a nice car when finished, But unless you have a full love of the car, Your patience run thin quick. I just missed out on a 69 super bee, I'm glad I did I seen the car , It was Real bad, The car Parted it out. Well Good luck Happy welding.

[@VerifiedVIPMember]

Good Luck - I can't deal with rust!

[@user-vs4hg4og5p]

This is so worth it. It's a 69 Charger right? Common man, 😅 labor of love! Wife and I are old, nurse and retired mechanic/truckdriver. If I could, I, uh WE, would go for it😊.

[@MetallicAH2O]

Tin grills and chargers are always a good day! I'll live that dream some day 😆 Are those hang ten seats?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

No, but the pattern isn't too far off. They definitely aren't 60s or 70s Mopar.

[@chadvetter8190]

😃Great show!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Cue up that meme of the guy behind the tree rubbing his hands together

[@jeepsblackpowderandlights4305]

i got a 76 Jeep j10 with nearly as much rust as that took me 4-5 months to rebuild it all.. lots of cutting welding etc

[@richardweyland116]

Agree, most beautiful body style ever.

[@ChristopherArmstrong-et3ud]

Maybe I missed it but would love to see a video on your Ram Cummins. I love Diesel’s. It’s music to my ears.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh yeah, I did a couple videos way back when I got it. The Cummins stuff doesn't get views so I don't bother anymore. But I love that truck - and I do have a Cummins powered ramp truck build coming up that I have wanted to do for like a decade now.