I'm looking for an opinion or recommendation

I am looking for some opinions. I looked at a 69 charger over the weekend. The guy selling it claims he is selling it for his dad who is much older. He claims his dad traded a chevelle for it years ago and was going to finish the car but never did due to health. His dad did come out and walked poorly. Spoke very politely though. The car was stored in a building by a business who does Dyno's etc. and I got the impression the business was wanting the car out of the warehouse. I dont know if they were going to do some work on the car and never did or what. Anyway, the body looked straight, the seats were new, the headliner was new but not a perfect job. The dash and console were original and worn but not beyond salvageable. The rear dash had 4 speakers cut into it. It had american racing rims on that were older. Trunk was original and showed it. The car was packed in so tight with about 10 other cars around it that I couldnt even get under the car to see it other than I could tell it was undercoated. Engine compartment was so/so. Not great but no where near presentable. Car had the original 383. Surprisingly, with some gas in the carb., it started right up. Hoses were aging. Guy had a new gas tank in the box for it along with a new set of headers in a box as well. Overall, best I could tell it looked straight but again, in a light restricted warehouse crammed in amongst other cars. Original color was white but now Dukes of hazzard orange. Couldnt get in the car to see what works and what didnt, nor was it able to be driven considering it was packed in. The guys son said he wanted to sell it as is. There were no paint issues I could tell on the outside but again it was covered in dust. I noticed some areas in the engine compartment had orange paint flaking. Im not naive, I realize the car is what it is. I thought about buying the car as a project for my son but I honestly have no place to store it right now. What I want to know is what is a 69 charger worth in this described condition? I have seen some fairly high prices (at least what I thought were high) even for 69 donor cars but honestly have no idea what to offer. What I was trying to determine is what I should pay so I couldnt get hurt even if there were issues I couldnt see like a rear end or lots of interior mechanicals etc. I definitely know there is an issue with the back window. I could see where someone tried to silicone around the molding. The car is no where near presentable but it appears to be driveable. Anyway, any opinions what someone thinks it would be worth? I know some are going to say where are the pics and I dont have any. The lighting sucked and it was packed with cars I couldnt have gotten a decent shot anyway. Just assume the condition I explained or worse regarding your thoughts. I appreciate any opinions.
Brian

20k

Does he have the title for it?

The car will have unseen issues, no doubt for an Indiana car that has seen salt. Chargers bring crazy money, more so for a factory BB car, even more if matching numbers and a lot depends on the overall condition of the metal or lack of rot. You're probably looking at north of $14k, probably more since it sounds pretty complete.

The older guy (owner of the car) said it was a clear title and he pulled it out of his back pocket and showed me while I was there. Kind of got the feeling the older guy needed the money. Im not the type of person to take advantage of someones misfortune but didnt want to get hurt on any unseen problems either. Just wanted to make sure mostly worse case scenario I couldnt get hurt.

is it a factory 383 car? 4 barrel car? Auto? Fender tag? original engine?

all of these matter on value

has it had major body work? if so what? was it done correctly?

all of these matter on value

most importantly- does it have clear title and does the title/VIN match the body?

again, all matter on value.

good place to start-

1969 DODGE CHARGER 318-235hp (8cyl-2V) AT


MOBILE
#5 #4 #3 #2 #1
2dr Hardtop 3075 9425 19975 30225 41600

Add:
383-290hp (8cyl-2V) 15%
383-330hp (8cyl-4V) 25%
4spd manual trans 5%
Air conditioning 10%
Power windows 3%
SE pkg 10%

I would say to get the car pulled out into daylight, it will have to be anyway. Then record the fender tag and vin, check against the papers. Get under and in it. Really appraise it. Then you can make an informed decision rather than an emotional one.

remember #1 cars basically don't exist for the general public, and I like to equate #2 with a "retail" price from a restoration shop or major classic car sales business.

if the current owner wants to sell it as is without any further access, then it would behoove you to wear some dirty clothes and take a powerful flashlight ans magnet the next time you go to look.

crawl in through the window if you have to, and crawl under it as far as you can.

take pics

get under the dash

get in the trunk

feel in the dropoffs

look in the cowl with the light

put the magnet anywhere that's likely to have a repair panel seam, and any common rust prone areas including the frame horns.

There is sealant on the rear window so rust in the window corners (typical). That means there will be some damage on the trunk floor (typical). Midwest car so there will be some rust in the lower quarters and fenders (typical). Without even seeing it a complete 69 charger with a running 383 and a clear title will sell for in the neighborhood of 20k. If you get it bought under that you are ahead of the market. Not going by any book value. Just experience with the market on 2nd gen chargers recently. Crazy market right now.

Did they not have a price they wanted? Asking price?

It all boils down to what you feel comfortable paying for it. And where to store it. What part of Indiana are you from?

Its an XP charger so it had the premium package I guess you would call it. It is NOT an SE. It has a 383 2 barrell and is an automatic. No air. Quite honestly, I dont recall if it had both power Steering and brakes. No visible rust anywhere but again, I see a problem with the back window. Has clear title. Their asking price is 27K I know its not worth that but the son sees these cars available and he thinks theirs should be worth that as well. Thats why I wanted to offer a price I know I cant get hurt on and if they take it great, if not, I'll walk. I am not a spur of the moment buyer. Figured Id make an offer contingent upon at least pulling it out, getting a better look at it, over and under and as long as I see no major problems, great. Thanks for all the info and opinions so far!

I would show him i'm serious about it and get it pulled out into daylight. After he sees you crawl all over it and listing the condition truthfully he may reconsider getting rich and be glad you want to buy it anyway.

PP1RT said:

Without even seeing it a complete 69 charger with a running 383 and a clear title will sell for in the neighborhood of 20k. If you get it bought under that you are ahead of the market. Not going by any book value. Just experience with the market on 2nd gen chargers recently. Crazy market right now.

Click to expand...

I have to agree with PP1RT. The market is huge on 2nd gen Chargers right now, and has been for a while. If it is as clean as you are describing, all original, and is running,.... I would say 20K could be considered reasonable. That being said,... even if it is as clean as you say, it will take a lot of money to bring it back to nice. Ask me how I know!

I agree with the others. If you are seriously considering it, go back and ask to get it out where you can have a better look at it, and look it over closely inside and out. I agree with not taking advantage. Just be honest with the guy about everything it needs and see what he will do. If it checks out like you described, start out at 15-17K and find a happy middle ground between his asking and the real world price. Big block helps, but 383-2V with auto (Column or console shifter?) doesn't pull $27K numbers for a project starter. It's not a hemi car, or even a 440 R/T.

What part of Indiana is it in? If it is up around Chicago, I would be even more worried about rust and want to get under it. Middle to southern Indiana where they hardly plow the roads, let alone salt them, still want to look for rust, but not as scary as Chicago area.

68-70 Chargers go for alot of money now days. I would offer 10k .If he wants more and you may be willing to pay more I would tell him you need to pull it out and look at it before you could offer more.

I doubt he would even open the door for you if you offered 10k. I know i wouldn't. Let alone dig it out..

Either way make a offer you can live with. If he wants more pull it out and look at it before you offer more.

68383GTS said:

68-70 Chargers go for alot of money now days. I would offer 10k .If he wants more and you may be willing to pay more I would tell him you need to pull it out and look at it before you could offer more.

Click to expand...

You will do good to find a rolling shell for 10k

Running, driving, rust-free, clear/clean title B-Bodies start around $15k these days. The less there is to do the price increases. Chargers are have a higher value than comparably optioned other B-Bodies. Check all of the VIN locations best you can to make sure they all match. Definitely need to get it into the light and make sure no hidden rust or body damage.

I understand you not wanting to screw the old guy, but at the end of the day you should try to buy it as cheap as possible. Just because the guy looks like he needs the money doesn't mean you need to give yours away. Your buying a car, not contributing to United Way. If condition is good as you think, I think you could go $20k. Do your homework on what it needs and projected costs so you can back up your offer (e.g., you want it to be a solid #2 worth around $35k, it needs $15k in parts and work, then the most you theoretically should pay is $20k).

Good luck!

I would think that a good place to start is by asking him/them what they want to get for it. If they say 30, then walk away. If they say 20 (or in the unlikely event, less) it's worth your while to crawl around and really scrutinize it. But act fast before the word gets out.