Here is just a walk around to begin with to take a look at the car from all sides. It's a 1969 Dodge Coronet R/T that came from the factory with a 440 and 4 barrel carb, a 4 speed hemi spec 883 with the 23 spline shaft, a Dana 60 with 3.71 gears as the car was optioned mildly with the Trac Pac option that also includes the power steering line cooler
the RamCharger Air Grabber hod scoops are manually adjusted from taking hot air from under the hood in cold weather or while warming the engine up (450 pounds of iron can take a couple minutes if in a Minnesota January cold snap of -30 degrees in January)
the rims are 15 inch Magnum 500's with beauty trim rings
This R/T was not optioned with the side scoops. They weren't functional, just decorative, and detract from the flat sides design
Now for some detailed looks at some important areas on a 1969 car, like the front edge of the fender... you can see here that no one dented the beak! Tiny dings, yes...
The scoops are perfect, the chrome is in great shape and so are the engine size numbers
Stepping into the office you can see the bar speedo, and the mileage which of course has went over 100,000 miles, though the car doesn't show it
higher option, the AM / FM radio works too!
as do the ignition key area, and the reverse indicator
This photo shows the foam dash panel hasn't warped much at all, the distances around the ashtray, and between the glove box and ashtray piece
and for the pleasant touch, no cigarettes in the ash tray, just coins for parking meters, spare light bulb for the brake lights, and the lock lug key
a better look at the passenger side
still has the original seat belts, and thye are in good shape, and not just a lap belt, but also the shoulder belt option
pardon the easy to see belts in these photos, which are contrasted by the sunlight and do not help photographers!
Drivers side door shows the striker area not peeled open like an old tin can, the door panel is in great shape
Original stickers masked off at the last paint job, the only new paint job it's had, in 1980, when laquer was still legal
Original inspection marks
and the passenger side strikers too, along with reciever
Back to the passenger side receiver and factory air specs for the tires
the Hurst option! Rebuilt by Hurst when the reverse action broke in 2003, for free, as they have life time warranties. Yes, that is incredibly cool considering the abuse these shifters might take
Some rubbing from 40+ years of drivers shoes. Notice that the gas pedal and brake pedal are at exactly the same height from the floor.
no kids ever kicked the backs of these seats!
the original reciever latches for the seat belts so they can be left flattened out... these sides of the seat belt were not built with retractor spools. So you could either drop them wherever, or click them onto these for good flat storage and good looking aesthetics when not in use
new carpet, and new floor mats. Cheap little things, but I haven't let anyone ride in the back since learning just how brittle and sun damaged the rear seat was
Here you can see the quiant old cigarette ashtrays in the arm rests, and the tears in the seat bottom... yeah, one person, just one time, tore this perfectly fine seat. Un-repairable, but replaceable
I can't recall if it was a factory, or dealership item, but these little Scat Pack bees are meant for the rear window corners.
1969 was the first year for headrests I've heard. Along with the side reflectors on the fenders and quarter panels, the insurance companies were (rightfully) getting some safety measures added to cars. The little chrome strip around the headrest was an option I believe
Under the hood, well, that is where stories begin. First, the chrome valve covers were an option, or dress up kit from a dealership, and this car now has a 426 max wedge, with a 440 six pack intake, the Edelbrock aluminum unit with Holleys that was a rare 1969 1/2 year option as they rolled out the A12 Super Bees and Road Runnners, and my car has this 426 due to the prior owner spinning a bearing on the #6 con rod to crank shaft. So the 440 that is numbers matching and in good condition, but needing a new crankshaft and con rods, is in my garage
the last owner, or the time it was painted, resulted in fresh silver paint on the hood latch
this isn't the correct 6 pack air filter base for a 1969 but I'm not wasting money replacing it. It works, it's just fine. K&N air filter I bought for my 1969 Super Bee with the same RamCharger Air Grabber hood scoop system, as I had this and that Bee for about a month before finding a buyer for my Bee
the decal on the valve cover from the Dyno Shop... that gets earned and paid for, not given out. Who are you going to trust to tune a 6 pack? Install the right ignition curve kit? Not a shadetree mechanic
Clean inner fenders, new and never used windshield washer resevoir
Power assist brakes, dual resevoir
custom bent radiator overflow hard line to a hidden catch can inside the passenger side fender in front of the tire. Not factory equipped with a catch can, (coolant retrieval system) they just let them puke antifreeze on roads and parking lots. Not a pretty site, and deadly to animals that I've been told think antifreeze is sweet tasting. How in the world would anyone know if animals think something tastes sweet?
newish radiator
the area behind the grill and in front of the radiator is painted black for good looks and heat dissipation. Black transfers heat about 10% better than other colors, by conduction and convection
the air for the air ducts comes in though this grill, and like most every other repaint I've ever seen, they never get this area clean and ready for painting, so it peels and looks tacky (just look around at the next car show, unless it was media blasted, this probably will happen
numbers matching fender tag and vin plate
the 1969 reflector above, about the size of a chalkboard eraser, was a big improvement over the 1968 "bullseye" lit side marker light... but without any light behind it.. so in 1970, Mopars were further improved with an even longer and lit side marker/reflector
the tallest tires in front I could buy, to get the 8 quart oil pan farther from the pavement. Still only is 5 inches off the ground at the drain plug, which has been peeled open by bad roads several times
More than a photo of the Chrysler pentastar logo, the above shot also shows the flashier optional rocker panel, and wheel opening trim pieces
under the trunk lid you can see that someone once drilled holes and mounted a wing. Why the splotchy paint, I don't know
Might be a replacement/reproduction jack and spare tire instruction decal
original or period correct spare tire, and a correct part number jack foot, lug wrench, and wingnut
only the slightest surface rust under the truck mat. Trunk mats made of rubber. Terrible idea, holds moisture for weeks or months
optional trunk light and it's switch are in the middle of this photo.. I took it off my Super Bee. That's why it's red
No rust in the typical areas of the front corners of the trunk lip
no damage or rust inside the quarter panels
an original dealership brochure, for letting people look at while displaying at car shows
But looking at photos does not give you a notion of the cars quality to make you happy driving it, or if the engine is strong and sounds great... so ... as my helpful assistant will demonstrate, a car twice her age is thrilling and exciting
just turn the key
step gently on the gas pedal for a smile
stomp on it for a full bodied laugh
and that is satisfaction delivered with brute strength
