We Save A 1969 Dodge Charger From A Wrecking Yard - Was It Even Worth Saving?

In this video we take a road trip to rescue this 1969 Dodge Charger from a wrecking yard. The owner is a friend of ours and knew we were looking for 2nd gen Charger's and graciously let us buy the car. We may end up regretting that decision. It starts out us picking up the car and bringing it home. It was parted out over the years so it did not have a front end at all. Luckily we have a giant hoard of parts so we found a k-member and drums to make it a roller to get it off our trailer. Super hard to find any 2nd gen Charger, even rusty ones, so what does everybody think? Worth saving? Make it into a resto mod?

[@acardiac5983]

AMD will be thrilled from this purchase

[@rocketresto]

So excited

[@MrWill73]

Wow! I can’t believe 69 Chargers are in this much demand. I bought my 69 Charger SE with 81,000 miles with it’s original #’s matching 383HP and transmission rust free from California in 2006. I restored it and I still have it. When I bought it I never thought 20 years later the market for them would be like this. Best of luck with it!

[@rocketresto]

Prices are crazy on these things.

[@MrWill73]

@@rocketresto Definitely. They have been in high demand since the late 90’s. The last time I saw a 69 Charger that was under $7k was in the mid 90’s. It was a 383 car that was a complete car, running and driving, roadworthy but had some rust and interior was run down. Seemed like it was a high school kid’s car in the late 70’s.

[@karensavarese5684]

Since it has a vin & title, I would say yes. You dudes for sure, but not for someone without parts!! Love,,,DUBS,,,,

[@idaholineman5788]

The hoard provides!! What an incredible resource, I’m sure it’s invaluable in your line of work.

[@rocketresto]

It’s one reason we are so good at what we do. If you have to order every nut and bolt we are missing it not only gets expensive but also takes a ton of time.

[@waynedavis7245]

You need to get a few cargo containers to put your extra parts in . It would probably help with organizing them and protect them from the weather. Good video.

[@rocketresto]

It’s on the to do list

[@clevelandmaker386]

@@rocketrestoany Mopar between 57-75 you can't afford... And don't be an idiot like me and want a forward look

[@michaelfurlan7077]

the tire waterfall was hilarious - also i recognize those fenders - keep stuff long enough and they will eventually find a place.

[@rocketresto]

Perfect home for those fenders! Few more of those parts will probably end up on this car.

[@joshjesch6000]

Well, at least it still has the tail light assembly.So that way, you can't look all the way through the grill clear through to the rear end. Odd it still has the rear light assembly

[@richdiscoveries]

Awesome save brother.

[@1FeistyKitty]

it's beautiful

[@beljames1563]

The only thing better than a Charger behind you is a Charger under/all around you.

[@rocketresto]

Word

[@Darryl-69SE]

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!!

[@pcbullets8726]

Wow, is that thing rough. But, like you said, vin and a clear title for the win!

[@rocketresto]

Clean title and a VIN is the only reason I got it.

[@robertmcfarland3323]

It's worth it if you got the skills and money

[@pjm8047]

OCD!!! Organize that garage!

[@rocketresto]

It’s on the to do list for the summer

[@user-cl5gd4xv9m]

Even Jaimie's latest charger aquasition is better,damn. But good for you on saving it.😊

[@rocketresto]

He’s mentioned that 20 or 30 times.

[@SnowMonkVX]

That's rough, but with a little TLC, and some parts it can be flipped. A little cash in hand, not getting scrapped, and a project for someone else seems like 3 good reasons to do what you're doing. Nice!

[@rocketresto]

Somebody will save this but most likely a restomod project.

[@chevinkennedy]

I saw this on Facebook I wish I could have bought it

[@ABobsLife]

Just found your Channel. Liked and Subbed.

[@rocketresto]

Appreciate it!

[@OlderNotNecesarilyWiser]

WOW!

[@tomneedmorebeer5525]

If you’re interested, I have a “high performance” composite 4X4 for the torsion bar delete.

[@rocketresto]

Ooo, that’s an idea, put it on a 4x4 chassis

[@clembob8004]

I know the 68-70 Chargers are super desirable, but damn that's a lot of work when there is so much rusted out in the body structure. It does make me feel good about my 73 Roadrunner that is pretty solid other than the rear quarters, a small rust hole in one door, and the rocker panels. Otherwise, the floor and lower structure is all pretty good.

[@rocketresto]

99% of the time I get it but just aren’t any 2nd gen Chargers left. Sometimes you have to start out with something this rough.

[@clembob8004]

@@rocketresto Yeah, and I am very happy whenever someone saves another Charger. And like you said, all the parts are available to do a full restore.

[@ronaldrey8474]

Love ur Dedication to the MOPAR hobby & thx for sharing. Happy Father's Day & pat Hemi for me /⁠ᐠ⁠｡⁠ꞈ⁠｡⁠ᐟ⁠\

[@rocketresto]

Will do!

[@christianheidt5733]

You gotta start somewhere 🙂.

[@rocketresto]

Be nice to start with a cleaner car but these are kinda all that’s out there anymore.

[@christianheidt5733]

@@rocketresto no kidding, at least you can order everything you need. I was watching Scott on cold war motors doing a 60's fury, he had to fab everything, no sheet metal available. Keep posting your progress I will subscribe 😁!!!

[@oscarwalton1188]

Amd is going to put you on there Christmas card list but yeah you can save it

[@rocketresto]

Hopefully it’s a good discount.

[@heavensmopars]

I’d love to get my hands on this!… 🤔 I don’t mind projects, but I have a handful already. ‘But it is a Charger…’ (I’m arguing with the demons in my head…) I’ll send you an e-mail. 👍

[@rocketresto]

Replied

[@p-m2127]

Hi Tom,Just curious what parts from a four door would fit the Charger..floors, frame rails, inner front fenders??

[@rocketresto]

Most of the structure is the same yes, frame rails, torsion bar cross member, firewall, and inner fenders.

[@1STLAR2147]

Poor old girl has seen better days. Glad you saved it from the crusher! Lot of blood and cussing in someones future! LOL Maybe you know the answer to my problem. I recently bought a 1968 Chrysler 300, and one of those engine hood Tortion springs was laying over the rear of the engine. Is there a special tool or method for re installing those springs without killing your self? I’ve googled, and KZbind how to install them, and can’t seem to find a safe manner. One guy used a ratchet strap attached to his pickup truck, and I have to say that was some sketchy sh*t! Thanks for your time, Greatly appreciate some insight.

[@rocketresto]

You have to be real careful and helps having another guy to help.

[@RonNorman-ie1nv]

Everything is available to build this car you got the good bones of it might as well finish it

[@rocketresto]

Absolutely

[@peacemaker6156]

It will look better on a rotissery. Or make it roll and name it george. Lol

[@dh2360]

I've resurrected worst, just get busy and do it right.

[@rocketresto]

Get very busy.

[@rustandmagic]

Did you try to start it ? ;) some polish and it should be fine

[@rocketresto]

I made some vroom vroom sounds that count?

[@butcher390]

Technically , all 2nd gen B bodies are worth saving 🏆 Your in house parts department ( & AMD ) will determine that I've see ln worse in New England

[@rocketresto]

We aren’t used to this kind of rust out here, it must have originated out your way, they don’t rust that way out here.

[@samuelgoodman2825]

Hey Tom

[@rocketresto]

Hey!

[@robertspence831]

Yikes.

[@rocketresto]

Ya….

[@MikeOlson-ne5jv]

How much you asking and where are you located

[@rocketresto]

Car is located in Olympia, Washington and asking $8k. Shoot us an e-mail if you are interested - tom at rocket resto dot com

[@Jeff-io2zn]

I don't think so clark.

[@Darryl-69SE]

Your extra parts especially for 2nd gen chargers are worth a fortune. You have a great problem.

[@rocketresto]

Somebody will save this thing, it won't be us, but somebody will.

[@acardiac5983]

How much did you pay?

[@rocketresto]

The least I’ve ever paid for a Charger and it still might have been too high.

[@michaelstrafello7346]

Most people would look at this as a piece of sh!? I see a beauty and a challenge

[@rocketresto]

I like your attitude

[@msh11467]

Roached. Forget it

[@rocketresto]

Can be fixed with AMD metal now.

[@carebear2272]

If it cost more then a three speed wiper motor it’s not worth it

[@carebear2272]

A true bench seat charger that’s a 4sp would be sooooo cool, with the lady riding you could call it the witches broom stick!

[@rocketresto]

Hard to find those wiper motors!

[@Doggymcdoggy664]

Why didn’t you put the price if you selling. It’s very easy. Morskie does

[@rocketresto]

Sorry who is Morskie? These videos have a shelf life and if I put in a price it’s going to be out there forever.

[@Doggymcdoggy664]

@@rocketresto mortske repair. So does his. You type it in your discription. Then add sold when sold to discription

[@Doggymcdoggy664]

@@rocketresto just say price is in discription in video

[@rocketresto]

@@Doggymcdoggy664 guess I could do that, haven’t quite decided what it’s worth yet.

[@darrylcampbell4411]

NO....

[@rocketresto]

Yes

[@bartschwartz9233]

Not worth saving unless hemi or 6 pack minimum $100:000 to $150:000 plus even if u do your own work

[@johnbaxter4837]

its not a car

[@rocketresto]

It does have 4 wheels

[@johnbaxter4837]

@@rocketresto 😂🤣😅🤣

[@tonyb3864]

You should have left that thing in the dirt. You may have upset the balance of nature on the planet.

[@rocketresto]

It was becoming one with the earth.

[@1FeistyKitty]

do electrolysis in a kiddy pool

[@rocketresto]

That’s an idea

[@1FeistyKitty]

@@rocketresto ---- prime opportunity --- remmember me when the video takes off

[@lennardlennard414]

Bankruptcy starter kit. 👍

[@rocketresto]

You aren't wrong...

[@lennardlennard414]

@@rocketresto I know... I'm on my second.

[@Darryl-69SE]

lol, you are correct.

[@johnkelly6942]

VIN. TITLE.