1969 Dodge Charger History

1969 Dodge Charger History

In '69 the Charger received minor changes, including redesigning the front grille by dividing it in the middle with a gray plastic centerpiece. The side marker lights changed from a round to rectangular shape, and were also placed lower on both the fenders and quarter panels.

In the rear, the taillights changed from two separate round units per side to a single elongated assembly per side.
The basic 1969 Charger was offered with the slant six cylinder (225 cid 145 bhp), and strangely enough managed to find 500 customers.

As far as models, Dodge continued the Charger R/T, and added a more luxurious model—the Charger SE (Special Edition). The SE trim option was available on both the Charger and the Charger R/T, and included options such as front bucket seats covered in leather or vinyl, wood-grain (simulated) instrument panel and steering wheel, C-pillar nameplate, deep-dished wheel covers, special floor-pedal package and hood-mounted turning signal lights.

Dodge's previous success in the NASCAR racing circuit prompted them to introduce two new models of the Charger in order to be more competitive.

The 1969 Dodge Charger 500
Not much different from a stock Charger, except for a few body mods in order to improve the aerodynamics. These included a flush mounted grille being used on the Coronet with fixed headlights, and a flush mounted rear window. There were 392 Charger 500's sold in 1969.

The 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona
The most talked about street muscle car of its day. Dodge touched on extreme design boundaries in order to come up with a "better" and "faster" version of the Charger 500.

The Daytona, with its 18 inch extended sloped rubber nose and out-of-this-world tall rear wing, proven to reduce drag and improve downforce, was rewarded well at NASCAR racing, winning its fair share of races, including a championship.

On the street version of the Dodge Daytona, the rear wing needed to be as high as it was in order for the trunk panel to fully open. Apparently some Chrysler dealers went ahead and removed them, as they believed it to be the only way people would buy them. Overall it was quite a radical looking and very fast muscle car.

As far as engines went, you had your choice of either the 440 cid or the 426 cid Hemi.

There were a total of 503 Charger Daytona's sold in 1969, at a price tag of $4,000.