'69 Charger R/T

What would be an approximate value difference in a numbers matching car vs. not?

I have read that there are getting to be so many fraudulent numbers put on blocks and transmission cases, that the market difference is narrowing between mismatched numbers and those retaining their original drivetrain.

Is there any truth to this?

If someone found the original block and transmission for a '69 R/T that you already own, what would it be worth vs. any random 440/727 cores?

My car needs both quarters, trunk floor etc. and is on the plain side... F5 green/green interior, column shift, 323 open, manual brakes, no vinyl top, and a white R/T stripe.

Any input would be appreciated.

There are too many variables to answer your question directly but I will take a stab at it. The answer is...it all depends.


Let's say you have a vanilla numbers matching 318 charger, that wouldn't be worth as much as taking that car and cloning it to a R/T hemi charger. Would you ever get the money you sunk into making the clone out of it? Not very likely...

Let's assume you have an original r/t hemi charger with numbers matching. That is going to bring a lot of money depending on condition. Take that same car where the VIN and body is from an original hemi charger but the trans/motor are not but date coded correct then that will effect the value but not by a lot. Date code correct motors are acceptable for a lot of folks these days. It of course will never have the appeal of the numbers matching but is considered the next best thing. And the more time goes on the full number matching cars are going to get harder and harder to find. But this example is for the top dog car...the hemi.


You are talking about a 440/auto car with not a lot of super desireable options. Fully restored original, in this market, with numbers matching, I would guess your car could sell for upwards of $42k. With non-numbers matching drivetrain but date code correct engine and trans....maybe $38k, with non date code correct $30k. This is just my gut based on what I have seen in the market. Others may have another prospective.


Then there is the whole matter of fendor tags matching the car options being presented which can also affect the value. Also correct body stamping etc...

As far as fraudulent numbers...I have never seen any myself. I would think it would be painfully obvious to spot if someone tried to do that. Especially if you are accustom to seeing the real stampings. I am not saying people wouldn't try it....Just my own thoughts are it would be pretty easy to spot.

The guy I bought the car from 20 years ago, found the block and transmission at the place he bought the car from some 20+ years ago.

He wants $1,500 for both peices, but the block was dismantled and bored .030" 25+ years ago and is admittedly very rusty and the main caps are missing.

The 727 doesn't sound like it had any issues, but what if the block won't clean at .060" or if it has cracks that won't be found until you are at the machine work stage?

$1500?!?!?!?!?!?! Holy crap... Sounds like a real *** if you ask me. I see that little different than hostage taking.

I would offer him a comparable engine, same year etc... complete and a 727 from the same year and see what he says. You should be able to pick up an old engine in a similar state to your numbers matching motor for $200-300 and a used 727 for $300-400. That way you are only out $500-700 bucks....so if the motor is shot the pain isn't as great. If he doesn't take that deal then see previous comment about hostage taker. Just my opinion.

worst case buy them and keep them so if you sell it you can sell the numbers matching stuff with it , Yes 1500 is expensive and it would be nice to get them for a grand or under . But this is a 69 R/T expensive car so yes if you have them , it will ad at least that to the value of your car . My two cents , That being said I'm cheap and would for sure try to beat him up on that price . Remember your the only one that they would be worth more then cores to .

Just want to thank you guys for your input, and I will let you know how it plays out.

I checked out your pictures and see that we have some similar iron, the '69 and the '70 Runners

has2bmopar said:

The guy I bought the car from 20 years ago, found the block and transmission at the place he bought the car from some 20+ years ago.

He wants $1,500 for both peices, but the block was dismantled and bored .030" 25+ years ago and is admittedly very rusty and the main caps are missing.

The 727 doesn't sound like it had any issues, but what if the block won't clean at .060" or if it has cracks that won't be found until you are at the machine work stage?

Click to expand...

I would pay that in a minute to keep the car all original. I don't think that is out of line.
Regards,

My GTX drivetrain has been long gone for many years. I bought the car in 1986 and then bought another GTX with a drivetrain that was manufactured the same month in the same plant and the serial numbers are very close. I would rather have the originals but who knows where they're at. I did locate the original 4 speed and the guy wouldn't sell it nor would he take another on trade and cash to boot. That's a sorry SOB right there.

Buy the originals, you will kick yourself if you don't. Even if it's $100 a hole to fix the block you will be money ahead if you sell it and the satisfaction of having the original is worth the money. I would gladly pay $1500 for my originals.