WOW Muscle Cars

1969 Dodge Charger RT – A Classic American Muscle Car

The Legendary 1969 Dodge Charger RT is on top of everyone’s list of best Classic American Muscle Cars. The Charger has stood the test of time. I’m sure we can agree that when you see one driving down the road, it still inspires many emotions. No matter, if you are a Mopar fan or not. The Charger is also one of the most recognized classic muscle cars ever. Due to, the General Lee a bright orange 69 Charger in the 80’s TV show The Dukes of Hazzard.

The Charger is a midsize rear-wheel drive 2 Door Hardtop build on the Chrysler B platform. The RT models hit the Showrooms in 1968. But, for most 1969 was the golden year for the Chargers. Do to the introduction of the slippery Charger 500, and the legendary Charger Daytona. The Chargers dominating the street, the strip, and NASCAR that year.

Watch this cool 1969 Dodge Charger vintage TV Commercial

1969 Dodge Charger – Original Color TV Commercial

The High Performance R/T Package.

R/T is the performance designation used on Dodge automobiles. The R/T models are equipped with more powerful engines, upgraded suspensions, performance tires and better brakes. The R/T cars also came with sportier trim, special paint schemes and racing stripes. In 1969 the Charger RTs came standard with Mopar’s very powerful 440 Magnum engine, with the NASCAR inspired 426 Hemi as an option. Regrettably, only 432 Hemi Chargers were manufactured, making them very desirable.

1969 Dodge Charger R/T Engine Options

The R/T came standard with the 440 “Magnum”, with the 426 Hemi optional.
The 440 was rated at 375 bhp (280 kW) with a single 4 barrel carburetor, and the 426 Street Hemi rated at 425 bhp (317 kW) With dual 4 barrel carburetors.

The 440 Magnum

The Mopar 440 Magnum is a 440 cubic inch overhead valve engine with cast-iron block and heads. It has a 4.32 inch (110 mm) bore, and 3.75 inch (95.2 mm) stroke for an overall displacement of 439.7 cubic inches (7,206 cc). The High-performance version of the 440 Magnum with 10.1:1 compression and 4 barrel carburetor were rated at 375 brake horsepower (280 kilowatts).

The 390 brake horsepower 440 with three two barrel carburetors called the “440 Six Pack” was never available in the 1969 Charger.

440 Magnum Horsepower Ratings

The 426 Hemi

The 426 Hemi is a 426 cubic inch overhead valve engine with cast-iron block and heads. It has a 4.25 inch (108 mm) bore, and a 3.75 inch (95.2 mm) stroke for an overall displacement of 426 cubic inches (7,000 cc). The street version with 10.25:1 compression ratio was rated at 425 gross brake horsepower (316.9 kilowatts) with two Carter four barrel carburetors. In actual Dyno tests it produced 433 brake horsepower and 472 lb⋅ft (640 N⋅m) torque in stock form.

426 Hemi Horsepower Ratings

1969 Dodge Charger RT Performance Numbers.

Note: The performance of the Chargers varies depending on Drivetrain, engine and Trim options.

Video – A Documentary, History & Explanation of the Chrysler 426 Hemi

Charger Styling

Dodge needed a mid-size car to compete in the new muscle car craze. So, Dodge Studios redesigned the new 66 Dodge Coronet. They changed the deck lid, roof line, quarter panels and front grille and came up with the Charger.  In 1968 the car was redesigned. New hood and trunk lines, scalloped doors and new sexy Coke Cola bottle shape side profile. The new Charger was a success and became an instant classic.

Except for some minor modifications, the Charger remained the same for 69. But, the most noticeable changes were the new front grille with center divider. And, new horizontal taillights. The rear bumble bee stripe was also changed. Now, one wide stripe in the middle of two smaller stripes, with an RT logo cutout on each quarter panel. Cars without the stripes got a metal RT emblem on each quarter. Also for 69, a new SE (Special Edition) Trim option that was available on the RT and Standard Charger models. The SE trim includes leather front seats.  Chrome rocker moldings,  woodgrain on the dash, center console, and steering wheel. The SE trim gave the Charger a more luxurious look. Also, a new Sunroof option was also available for 69.

The Chassis

The 1969 Dodge Charger RT is midsize 2 Door Hardtop build on the Chrysler B platform. Charger shares its chassis with the Dodge Coronet, Super Bee, the Plymouth Belvedere, Satellite, GTX and Road Runner. The car has a 117-inch wheelbase with front torsion bar and rear leaf spring suspension.

Produced from 1962 to 1979 the B Platform was Chrysler’s midsize rear wheel drive passenger car chassis. All Chrysler B-platform cars shared the same Drivetrain, suspension and chassis with only trim and styling differences to distinguish between the Plymouth and Dodge models.

Chassis Info.

• 117” Wheelbase
• 207.9” Width
• 53.2” Height
• Torsion Bar Front Suspension
• Leaf spring rear suspension.
• Weight 3,934 to 4,575

Dodge B Platform Models:

• 1962 Dodge Dart
• 1962–1964 Dodge Polara
• 1963–1964 Dodge 330
• 1963–1964 Dodge 440
• 1965–1976 Dodge Coronet
• 1966–1978 Dodge Charger
• 1968–1971 Dodge Super Bee
• 1977–1978 Dodge Monaco
• 1978–1979 Dodge Magnum

Plymouth B Platform Models:

1962–1964 Plymouth Fury
1962–1964 Plymouth Savoy
1962–1970 Plymouth Belvedere
1965–1974 Plymouth Satellite
1967–1971 Plymouth GTX
1968–1975 Plymouth Road Runner
1975–1978 Plymouth Fury

Five Different Wheelbases Were Available:

116 inch
• 1962 Dodge Dart
• 1962–1964 Dodge Polara
• 1962–1966 Plymouth wagons
• 1962–1970 Plymouths (except wagons)
• 1963–1964 Dodge 220/330/440

115 inch
• 1971–1979 2-door models

117 inch
• 1965–1970 Dodges
• 1967–1974 Plymouth wagons
• 1971–1974 Plymouth 4 doors

117.5 inch
• 1975–1978 Plymouth and Dodge 4 doors and wagons

118 inch
• 1971–1974 Dodge

1969 Dodge Charger RT Production Numbers

Total Charger RT 20,057
With 4 Speed Manual Transmission 3,812
With Automatic Transmission 14,964
With 440 Magnum Engine 18,344
With 426 Hemi Engine 432
RT/SE Models 4,243
With Sunroof 131

1969 Dodge Charger RT Hemi

A limited numbers of 1969 Dodge Charger R/T were produced with the very powerful 426 Hemi engine. Only 225 had automatic transmission and 207 were made with 4-speed manual transmission. This makes the Hemi Charger one of the most desirable and rare classic American muscle cars.

1969 Dodge Charger RT is a TV and Movie Super Star.

Over 40 years have passed. And still, the 1969 Dodge Charger RT is one of the most recognized Classic American Muscle Cars ever. Because, over the years the car has starred in many movies and TV shows. The Dukes of Hazzard TV series featured a bright Orange 1969 Dodge Charger RT called the General Lee. The orange charger performed remarkable jumps in every episode. Over 300 General Lee cars were created for the TV show. But, most were destroyed performing stunts. The TV series ran from 1979 to 1985 and made the bright orange 69 Charger the most famous TV cars. Once again, in 2005 the orange Charger was the star in The Dukes of Hazzard Movie.

1969 Dodge Charger RT in Movies and TV Shows:

• The Dukes of Hazzard TV series 1979 to 1985
• Dirty Mary Crazy Larry 1974
• Dukes of Hazzard 2005
• Death Proof 2007
• Drive Angry 2011

Video Clips of the Dukes of Hazzard TV Show 1979-1985

A video of the General Lee – Jumps and Stunts – From The Dukes of Hazzard TV Shoe

Video – Dukes of Hazzard-General Lee jump special

Video Clips – General Lee Jumps The Detroit Autorama.

Video of the General Lee Jumping the Detroit Autorama

Spectacular Video of the General Lee Jumping the  Detroit Autorama

TV Commercials

1969 Dodge Charger RT TV commercial

 1969 Dodge Charger – Original Color TV Commercial

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