The Summer of 1969

[WO51]

It's been nearly 40 years since I went with my late father to a Dodge dealer.. he wanted a new 1969 Dodge Charger real bad. So late in the model year, August or September to be exact, he put a down payment on his '69 Charger..

The lot was full of Coronets, Super Bees, etc. .. as I roamed into the showroom floor there was a brand new 1970 Hemi Orange, Hemi Challenger, 4-sp, pistol grip -- I remember every detail, especially the window sticker... $5,500.

My dad finally wandered into the sales office.. I called him over to take a look see... I said: "dad, let's buy this one." He said: "son, no, that wouldn't be a good vacation car, we couldn't get you and all your sisters in the back seat... plus your mom can't drive a 4-sp and we wouldn't get very far with those four barrel carbs."

We both loved Chrysler products, watched NASCAR every Sunday together... as we went to my grandparent's house each week, for about a year, he would drive by another local Dodge dealer to see a Dodge Charger Daytona as it sat on the corner of the lot, unsold...

Boy I can say for certain, those were the days... or are these really the days? I guess it's never too late to fulfill a dream, I only wish my dad was still here to see one of these Orange Hemi Challengers.

If I could just spend one day with him again, it would be taking a spin in a new Challenger SRT8.

.

[ChuckG]

WO51- For many of us this car is an emotional trip back. Sometimes I have to remind myself what the Challenger means to so many people. It's more than just a car. It's a time in our lives that will stay with us while we're here. The younger crowd who's purchasing this car has no idea what I'm talking about....which is fine. But when they get older and look back at these days, they will also have the never-forget memories.

There are people on this forum that have "fallen" for the Challenger. I understand it completely. How many times have I read people have waited over 30 years for this to happen.

So Chrysler has made it possible for us old(er)-timers to remember, and the younger people to experience a new round of memories. What a combination.

[JS29R0B]

...summer of 1969

...I had just graduated from highschool and was driving a new triple black 69 Chevelle SS 396/375 conv...MOPARS were always on the scene locally due to having a Chrysler plant in our small town...summer of 1970 I finally decided to join the MOPAR faithfull in my town (run with the BIG BOYS)....I wanted to order a new 1971 Challenger RT, 440 SIX PACK, 4 spd, Plum Crazy/black interior.....I got a low draft lottery number and had to cancell my order plans...a few months later I was working for Uncle Sam in a far away place

...returning to "the World" I ordered a new red 340/AT 73 CUDA and I never got to purchase a new Challenger until now....I've owned lots of Challengers thru the years, HEMIs, 6 PACKS...but this is the first NEW Challenger for me, and I can't wait....it may be here tomorrow


pix....my first MOPAR

[Go Goody]

JS29ROB........We are cheering for you...I hope you get your car on 6-17!

I had a little 71 R/T 340 4bbl 727 in Hemi Orange in college (class of 87) and I had more fun with that car than i can remember having.

That car was loaded with options, A/C & Black and Orange houndstooth cloth seats.

Oh the memories!

[WO51]

JS29ROB.. good story and I hope all here appreciates your sacrifices as a young man, as well as those that fought in wars since then. I'm a tad younger, graduated from high school in '74 ... the war was over by then.

I've had my share of muscle cars, but never a Hemi Cuda, Challenger or E body... loved them, and admired those who drove through the filling station I managed at night while in high school -- I remember a guy that had a '70 Orange Cuda, 440+6, 4-sp that gave me goose bumps.

A teacher at the high school I went to had several Hemi cars.. the last was a '71 Hemi Charger, Super Bee, red w/white interior -- a rare breed. He got his pick every year due to some prior racing sponsorship with Chrysler -- he got burned real bad in a 1/4 mile mishap. I would always run to watch him pull into his reserved spot, I loved Hemi cars but couldn't afford it making $1.65/hr.

I was pumping gas in 1973 when you could only get it on "Your Day." My day was every day since I worked in the business so-to-speak... I have several stories.

Makes me want to run out and buy a Hemi Challenger SRT8 now..

.

[JS29R0B]

Originally Posted by WO51

JS29ROB.. good story and I hope all here appreciates your sacrifices as a young man, as well as those that fought in wars since then. I'm a tad younger, graduated from high school in '74 ... the war was over by then.

I've had my share of muscle cars, but never a Hemi Cuda, Challenger or E body... loved them, and admired those who drove through the filling station I managed at night while in high school -- I remember a guy that had a '70 Orange Cuda, 440+6, 4-sp that gave me goose bumps.

A teacher at the high school I went to had several Hemi cars.. the last was a '71 Hemi Charger, Super Bee, red w/white interior -- a rare breed. He got his pick every year due to some prior racing sponsorship with Chrysler -- he got burned real bad in a 1/4 mile mishap. I would always run to watch him pull into his reserved spot, I loved Hemi cars but couldn't afford it making $1.65/hr.

I was pumping gas in 1973 when you could only get it on "Your Day." My day was every day since I worked in the business so-to-speak... I have several stories.

Makes me want to run out and buy a Hemi Challenger SRT8 now..

.

...thanx, your story had a lot of similarities to my life.....my dad was a car guy until he passed away a couple of years ago....we took fast trips to his home state in a Viper every so often....he loved the speed, even though he was about 90% blind he could feel the speed and was always wanting me to pass a string of cars...yep, he would get a kick outta the new Challenger too

[DirectConnection]

Summer of '69

You guys fall directly into the demographics Chrysler is selling to. Young enough to still want to drive a "cool" car and old enough to afford one (kids grown and moved out). It must be great to have such memories.
I bought my first car in the summer of 73 (actually my Dad helped, I owed him for a long time, working many jobs). At the ripe age of 15 I got a '73 Cuda 340, Autumn Bronze, with black interior and stripes down the side, ralley wheels, A/C, rear defroster, ralley dash, light package, and tinted glass. I could only drool as my dad drove it home and parked in next to the house. It was a long summer until I got my learners permit and then come winter Dad would not let me drive it. The next spring, I got a 1969 Plymouth Duster. Get this, it had a 198 CID engine. It became my "commuter car" to High school and then later to college. All the while I would drive the 'Cuda like an old lady and only to church on sunday 8^). I have had many MoPars since then, other dusters, a GTX and, yes, even a 1970 Superbird (built in '69).
I sold my 'Cuda when I came back from military deployment in 1991 with 15000 original miles on it. Got married and now I can hardly wait to get my '09 Hemi-Orange Challenger SRT8.

A toast, Cheers to all those with the muscle car memories!

-Phil

[JS29R0B]

Originally Posted by DirectConnection

Summer of '69

You guys fall directly into the demographics Chrysler is selling to. Young enough to still want to drive a "cool" car and old enough to afford one
-Phil

...my wife thinks she is smarter than Chrysler about demographics, she had this built for me for Christmas last year...a few weeks later I found a real Judge to add to my collection

pix...Judge Junior

[WO51]

I see something in that pic that looks familiar...

Summer of '72

When I was 15, my first was a '64 Corvair Spyder.. $350. I worked all summer and save enough money for a down payment.. worked off the $250 balance staining wood for the open-beam ceiling on the room addition my dad was building.

My dad and I pulled the motor to install a new clutch, rebuilt the Carter sidedraft and Rayjay turbocharger... very fond memories. I learned a lot about turbochargers -- enough to never want another one. LOL.

Oh yea, back to the pic... my second was a '65 442, 4-sp Muncie, third '69 Camaro SS 396/375 4-sp.. I had these while in high school.. no one messed with me, except for the teacher with the Hemi.

[shodanusmc]

The stories made me reflect back to when I left active duty in 69 and wanted a Roadrunner. I really wanted the Hemi, but the additional cost of one I was believe around $600 was too much for me to swing so I got the 440 six pack with torqueflite trans, PB, PS, AM radio for around $3600 and I was not sure how I could afford the $50 a month payments as I was also going to be starting college and working part-time. There was such a thing called gas wars back then...and they gave away glasses and S&H Green stamps. THose were the days. Several years ago I came across a MINT 69 Roadrunner 440 6-pack with 5500 miles. Price was good, wife gave me permission, and I bought it. It is now sitting in storage and my kids all have their eyes on it. ALmost like they are waiting for me to pass on to the Marine Corps in the sky. I will keep on living and enjoying.