Charger R/T and charger difference

likefire

Hello my name is Robby, i just found your forums, thanks great to find a place where people love cars! let me give scoop about me, i am turning 17 july 22, i recently about 4 weeks ago purchased first car from the orignal owner of 35 yrs, a ford ltd xl 1969, bought for 300 dollors even, very nice generous//honest man and wife, it runs v8 390 it has a lot of work to do, but i am happy. in prcoess of restoring it with my father, anyway i recently discovered i really want to purcahse a charger.. what i like of them is the 1969's, bassicly alln i know about em is they are made by dodge, i noticed they say r/t then regular just say charger dodge. what is the difference? i am really curious and do they come with sticks stock? I am looking for one that is unrestored and close by, so i can restore myself, but i want to get the low down on the beauty, please if you have any information on where to get some good deals on some, and answer to these and many more quesitons, feel free to reply back, i would apprecaite it, thanks agian take care all.

Mr_Shiftright

Hi,

We could tell you all this but really if you are interested in the Dodge Charger you must have this inexpensive but very informative book, which you can even get used from Amazon.com for a measly $7.50.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0760308012/qid=1120404921/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs- _ap_i1_xgl14/103-7739935-2013423?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

This "red book" will help you identify and authenticate all the Charger models from 1967-1974. You have to be careful about these cars as there are lots of shady deals going on with them.

As for "good deals", you might try www.hemmings.com classifieds---but don't expect any bargains like your Ford. Those days are over. If you are on a budget you might buy a regular charger with a small block engine, as these are much more affordable than big block cars; of course, they won't go up in value like the big blocks and they aren't as much fun to drive, but they'd be a great starter car.

The Red Book will tell you all about this.

likefire

I appreciate the reponse, i ordered the book from amazon after i signed up, i am looking forward to the book, thanks. anymore replys would be appreciated, thank you!

tex10

I thought R/T only had hemis, 440 and 440 6packs

herc

Tex10 is correct. The 1969s came with 440s, but they also had the 426 Hemi as an option. Yes, they came stock with a 4 spd manual. While the 4 spds are a hoot, many people preferred the automatic for racing. After 1971 the Charger RT was history (until 2006 of course). In 1972 it was the 340 Magnum and 440 Magnum as the hot models but the horsepower dropped significantly. After 1973 the 440 was dropped. A 400 was available but it was pretty much a boat anchor. Even though the 340 was down to 240 HP by 1973 it was the better engine choice if you really want to drive the car. By 1974 even the 340 was gone.

The first thing we need to learn is that Dodge is a great brand and we car lovers call them Mopars. :-) This is just a suggestion...if you're interested in testing the waters by restoring a Mopar, it's helpful to start with one having a small block engine. The reason is that parts are more readily available and they cost less. Plus the small blocks can really spin the RPMs and take a beating. The big blocks are more temperamental, run hotter, use a LOT more fuel, and are generally a little more difficult to work on. Best of luck to you!

Mr_Shiftright

That's good advice. The Mopar big blocks, meaning the 440s and 426, etc. are really no fun in daily street driving. What you get is sort of a typical huge displacement, high compression behavior....you step on the gas and your neck gets snapped one way, and then you let off the gas to brake and your neck goes the other way. An automatic (heresy?) might help this.

Lots of folks are building clones, too. You can take a bare bones 318 coupe and build it the way you like with various engines, trans and trim pieces...and you don't have to sweat bullets every time you take it somewhere because it is more easily replaceable.

440rt

It is fun reading what others think of the Dodge Chargers. I own a 1972 SE with a 400, and 727 Auto. The other one is a 1971 R/T, 4spd, dana trac/pak car. One comment I would make on the 400 engine is it may be a boat anchor in it's stock condition, but it can be bought at a reasonable price, and modified easily into a quick car. Here's how....Edelbrock Heads, 9.5 compression pistons, and a hotter cam. That will add 100 plus hp. If that is not enough a 440 modified crankshaft goes in, and it becomes a 451. I agree that the big blocks are not the best daily drivers, but when the sun is shining, and a friend says lets go for a ride you know the R/T rolls out of the garage. When we hit third gear, and that beast breaks the tires loose you know there are two guys in there grinning ear to ear.

stever

"Of all the major auto manufacturers, DaimlerChrysler seems to have done the best job of keeping the true cost to own its vehicles within close range of their market prices. Most of the Chrysler vehicles, as well as many of the standard Mercedes-Benz vehicles, fall in terms of cost either right along or just below the ownership status quo."

True Cost vs. Value (Inside Line)

Steve, Host

scottmandrake

I agree with steve on that one for sure. They have also managed to stay on top with the rest of the automotive manufacturers without being "in your face" about it. I have seen a lot of custom chargers being produced by small builders and the like, which is great considering it hasn't been out very long this year.
scott.

stever

Glad you liked it, but the two Phils wrote the blurb so I can't take any credit. I just linked the story.

Looks like you need to set up your page and post some pics of your own rides. Just log in with your user name and password and you're in.

Steve, Host