1969 Dodge Charger 318 3 on the tree Premium Trim A/c

[Bandolero]

Howdy Fellas and Ladies,
I've been a member for several years but the knowledge here is immense so I read a lot and post rarely. I am coming to a close on my 1969 Dodge Charger Project and as I stared at the pile of factory parts that originally came on the car I couldn't bring myself to toss them. Not because I am concerned with the cars resale value (which I know some will cringe) but because they are such an odd combination. My car is a 1969 Dodge Charger it drove the streets on the original power train until the late 80s when the rust finally ate a hole In the gastank and she was parked for 30 years. What is driving me crazy is my car was a 318 3 on the tree column shift with A/c and all the chrome moldings. No Vinyl top .... steel wheels.... the car is a very oddball package. I have a buddy seat which I find cool but again not the most common setup. Does anyone know of 3 on the tree 318s being produced for any specific reason in 69 chargers . I have always assumed it was just a special order and the guy invested his money where he felt most passionate but wanted to fish around and see if maybe this was a popular value package or something in the late 60s. The build sheet is intact and the fender tag is 95% complete the car left Hamtrack this way for sure.

 

[Auggie56]

You do have a special order car all right. I don't blame you for keeping her original. I worked in a Chrysler dealer in the seventies. A 69' Charger came in for service. Six cylinder, AC, console automatic shift, vinyl top with a sun roof. Another one I saw was a 70' Coronet wagon. Wood grain sides, 383 super commando engine, four speed with a console and of course bucket seats.

 

[69Coronetrt]

Howdy Fellas and Ladies,

What is driving me crazy is my car was a 318 3 on the tree column shift with A/c and all the chrome moldings.
Vinyl top delete ....
steel wheels....
the car is a very oddball package.
I have a buddy seat which I find cool but again not the most common setup. Does anyone know of 3 on the tree 318s being produced for any specific reason in 69 chargers .

I have always assumed it was just a special order and the guy invested his money where he felt most passionate but wanted to fish around and see if maybe this was a popular value package or something in the late 60s. The build sheet is intact and the fender tag is 95% complete the car left Hamtrack this way for sure.

The standard drive train for the V8 Charger was the....318 with three on the tree. You have a standard Charger. Three on the tree was falling out of favor by the late 60's but they were still offered due to low cost.

A/C was an available option for this set up. Nothing unusual here.

I don't know what you mean by Chrome Moldings. I don't recall any chrome moldings be optional.

"Vinyl top delete" you can't delete something that is not standard. A vinyl top was optional. Nothing special here.

Steel wheels. Standard.

Buddy seat. Meh...not that odd. Available option.

It's an odd ball only because it is a low cost, low optioned car. But there is nothing 'special' or unusual about it. Everything you've stated was standard or a commonly available option. What WILL be odd is if you can resist the temptation to yank the 318 for a 440 and add a four speed and not keep it a 318 three on the tree.

 

[Bandolero]

The standard drive train for the V8 Charger was the....318 with three on the tree. You have a standard Charger. Three on the tree was falling out of favor by the late 60's but they were still offered due to low cost.

A/C was an available option for this set up. Nothing unusual here.

I don't know what you mean by Chrome Moldings. I don't recall any chrome moldings be optional.

"Vinyl top delete" you can't delete something that is not standard. A vinyl top was optional. Nothing special here.

Steel wheels. Standard.

Buddy seat. Meh...not that odd. Available option.

It's an odd ball only because it is a low cost, low optioned car. But there is nothing 'special' or unusual about it. Everything you've stated was standard or a commonly available option. What WILL be odd is if you can resist the temptation to yank the 318 for a 440 and add a four speed and not keep it a 318 three on the tree.

Lol I didn't say I had a 426 Gem just seemed like an odd package to me. You make good points only reason I asked was because I wouldn't have ordered the car this way . I appreciate the feedback

 

[Bandolero]

As far as the chrome molding I meant the chrome rocker panel and wheel well molding. Another thing that seemed odd in my limited knowledge. Not saying it gives it any value just odd to me.

 

[YY1]

For some reason Chrysler mandated (I know, awfully strong word) a column shifter on 3 speed B body small block cars until VERY late, 72 IIRC. Big block B body could have either. Small block A body could have either. I've never really understood that.

The rarity is that no one (or the factory) optioned up anything.

I personally love my base model 73 Satellite, which I believe the only options are side molding and A/C.

 

[69Coronetrt]

As far as the chrome molding I meant the chrome rocker panel and wheel well molding. Another thing that seemed odd in my limited knowledge. Not saying it gives it any value just odd to me.

The wheel well molding was standard. The rocker molding was optional.