1969 Dodge Challengers for Sale

The Dodge Challenger is a sporty two-door model that has been produced in three series. Part of the original Dodge Scat Pack program and starring in the Vanishing Point films, the first-generation Challenger was an upmarket pony car that competed...

The Dodge Challenger is a sporty two-door model that ha...

Like the contemporary Plymouth Barracuda and ’Cuda, the 1970-’74 Challenger used the Chrysler Corporation’s E-body platform that blended attributes of the A-body Valiant-based 1964-’69 Barracuda with the B-body (Charger/Coronet/Road Runner/GTX) firewall. That E-body accommodated Mopar’s large B- and RB-series “big-block” engines, as well as the 426 Hemi V-8, along with accessories like power steering and (depending on engine choice) A/C.

The original Challenger rode on a 2-inch longer (110-inch) wheelbase than its Plymouth counterpart, bringing more rear seat room, and came in pillarless hardtop coupe and convertible (through 1971) forms. It used a 198- or 225-cu.in. Slant-Six engine or one of numerous V-8s: 318 2-bbl.; 340 4-bbl. or 6-bbl. Six-Pak; 383 2-bbl. or 4-bbl. Magnum; 440 4-bbl. Magnum or 6-bbl. Six-Pack; and 426 8-bbl. Hemi. Available transmissions included a three- or four-speed manual and a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic. Special Edition (SE) models added luxury, while the R/T was the high-performance variant; the R/T and SE packages could be combined on the same car if desired. There were also a small number of Trans-Am package 1970 Challenger T/As were built to homologate the car for SCCA racing.

This youthful car came in many paint colors, including extra-cost “Performance” hues: Plum Crazy, Sublime, Go-Mango, Hemi Orange, Top Banana, Citron Yella, Green Go, and Panther Pink. Vinyl roof covers, stripes, the Shaker Fresh Air hood, and the “Gull-Wing” trunk spoiler further personalized the car. Changes through its five-year production run were minimal, centering around new grille/taillamp treatments and differing engine availability and specifications. Rising insurance rates meant the R/T was replaced by the Rallye for 1972. More than 193,000 first-gen Challengers were built.

This nameplate returned to the lineup for 1978 as a captive import built for Dodge by Mitsubishi. The compact four-seat, two door hardtop coupe was also sold as the Plymouth Sapporo, Mitsubishi Galant Lambda, and Chrysler Sigma. It was powered by a 2-bbl.-carbureted, hemi-head 1.6- or 2.6-liter SOHC four-cylinder engine–both using the Japanese automaker’s patented Silent Shaft balance shafts and MCA-Jet combustion system–that sent power to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. Dodge sold this Challenger as a GT with generous equipment including standard alloy wheels, power disc/drums or all-disc brakes, full instrumentation, tilt wheel, overhead console, and more. Nearly 87,000 units were sold before production ended with the 1983 model year.

Dodge teased the Challenger’s return with a retro-styled, carbon-fiber-bodied 2006 Detroit show car that directly inspired the 2008 production model. This rear-drive coupe was based on the LX platform that also underpinned the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger sedans and Magnum wagon. It launched in SRT8 trim and used a “Gen 3” 6.1-liter Hemi V-8. For 2009 the Challenger R/T debuted with a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 and six-speed manual transmission with a retro-style Hurst Pistol-Grip shifter; the base SE used a 3.5-liter V-6. This model received numerous updates for 2012 including a stronger 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 SXT and the 6.4-liter 392 Hemi. Dodge emphasized Challenger heritage by offering 1970s paint colors like Hemi Orange, B5 Blue, TorRed, Sublime, and Furious Fuscia, plus an expanding number of special editions and trims like the Scat Pack and T/A 392. All-wheel drive was exclusive to the V-6-powered Challenger GT AWD.

The 707-hp, supercharged 6.2-liter in the facelifted 2015 Challenger Hellcat was a warm-up for the stripped down, drag racing-focused 808-hp (840 on race fuel) SRT Demon, limited to 3,300 units and available with the Demon Crate containing track-prep tools. That was followed by the flared fender/wide track Widebody package, the 797-hp Hellcat Redeye, and the 807-hp Challenger SRT Super Stock.

Regardless of which Dodge Challenger is your favorite, you’ll find the cars, parts, and services to fuel your high-style, high-performance Mopar hobby in Hemmings.