In 1968 Dodge introduced the all new Charger, hailed as one of the most beautiful cars ever designed. For performance enthusiasts, they added a model.....the Charger R/T. It had the same driveline as the Coronet R/T, the 440 Magnum backed by a Torqueflite transmission or 4 speed manual. Optional was the 426 hemi, which sold like ice cubes in Alaska. Word was out, it simply didn't perform as well as its price tag promised. The R/T was a sleeper....the only identifiable aspect other than the R/T emblem was a stripe around the rear quarter, which could be deleted.  17,665 Charger R/Ts were minted in 1968, including 475 with the hemi engine.

1969 Charger R/Ts  stole sales away from all other Chrysler muscle car lines. 1969 saw little change for the Charger. Why mess with success? Instead, Dodge introduced two special versions of the Charger to better compete in Nascar. The first was the Charger 500, which  had a flush mounted Coronet grille and  a flush mounted rear window over the recessed backlight. Although the Charger 500 had some racing success, Dodge engineers felt they could do more. 

They went back to the wind tunnel and came back with the ridiculous looking but very effective Dodge Charger Daytona. In front, the Daytona sported a pointed 18 inch nose extension which reduced drag. The Daytona had the Charger 500's recessed backlight and added a horizontal tail stabilizer (commonly known as a laundry rack) on tall vertical extensions. The wing had to be tall enough on production models so that the 503 idiots who bought them could open the trunk, and some dealers had to remove them in order to sell the cars. Priced at $4,000, the Daytonas were available with either the 440 Magnum or the 426 Hemi.  Weighing almost 300 pounds more than regular Chargers with the same engines, the Daytonas were slower on the street but could get up to 200 mph on the Nascar circuit. Today, they bring huge money because they are a true novelty. I never saw one on the street. As for the regular Charger R/T, 20,057 were sold. 

1970 saw another facelift for the Charger, which now had a new chrome loop front bumper and a new full width tail lamp housing. R/T versions got a fake reverse body scoop on the front doors and an optional hood cutout with engine numbers for people too stupid to remember what engine they had ordered. Colors such as Top Banana, Panther Pink, Plum Crazy and Go Mango became available (but not very desirable) and a pistol grip handle now topped the available four speed shifter. Also available was the extra cost SE version with  leather upholstery, and  an electric sunroof. Engines consisted of a duplicate of the Coronet R/T lineup, with the hemi getting hydraulic lifters. The 440 six pack was available for the first time; it had not been offered in 1969. Still, rising insurance costs took their toll and only 10,337 R/Ts were sold in 1970. Of these  116 were 440 six packs and only 42 were hemis.

1971 saw a new body and falling sales due to insurance costs and emissions. The R/T was offered with a slightly detuned 440 Magnum, with the Six Pack and 426 hemi optional. After 1971 the R/T was discontinued.

Collectors should be aware of engine codes, as a lot of these cars saw severe usage and do not have their original engines. Also, do not pay extra for cars that have had the six pack added, as it is incorrect and will have to be replaced if the car is to be restored to original specs. The package, if original, can be worth a couple of thousand dollars if sold. Clones, fakes, and custom cars with non original equipment and interiors may be fun to drive, but they have zero collector value. Junkers, wrecks, "project cars" and other disasters are not worth buying unless you just need some parts. They will cost more to restore than they will ever be worth.

The most famous Charger is the black R/T driven by Bill Hickman in "Bullitt." Its whereabouts remain a mystery.