The Dodge Charger (1966–1974) was Dodge's B-body muscle car, competing with the Pontiac GTO and Chevrolet Chevelle SS. The 1968–1970 R/T with the 426 Hemi is the most collectible American muscle car, at $120,000–$250,000 (#2). The 1969 Charger Daytona and 1970 Super Bee with 440 Six Pack are the rarest variants. The 1968–1970 R/T 440 Magnum is the best value buy at $50,000–$75,000 (#2). The 1966–1967 first-gen Charger with 383/440 V8 is the entry point at $25,000–$40,000 (#2). The 426 Hemi is the holy grail — only ~600 Hemi Chargers built across all years — with #2 examples at $150,000–$250,000.
The Mopar Muscle Legend
The Dodge Charger was Dodge's answer to the muscle car movement that the Pontiac GTO started in 1964. The first-generation (1966–1967) was a fastback with a unique four-door-like greenhouse. The second-generation (1968–1970) is the iconic Charger — the car that starred in Bullitt (1968) and Dukes of Hazzard (1969 General Lee). The third-generation (1971–1974) was the last of the classic Chargers, with the 426 Hemi ending production in 1971. The Charger R/T (Road/Track) package and the 426 Hemi engine made the Charger the most feared car on the drag strip.
| Generation | Years | Styling | Key Engines | Collectibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Gen | 1966–1967 | Fastback with full-width taillights; 4-door hardtop available; electric shaver grille | 318ci, 383ci, 426ci Wedge, 440ci | Medium — 1966–1967 is the affordable entry point |
| 2nd Gen | 1968–1970 | Coke-bottle fastback; hidden headlights; flying buttress C-pillars; R/T package | 318ci, 383ci, 440ci Magnum, 440 Six Pack, 426 Hemi | Very High — 1968–1970 R/T and Hemi are peak Mopar |
| 3rd Gen | 1971–1974 | Split grille; B-pillar; more formal roofline; 426 Hemi last year 1971 | 318ci, 340ci, 383ci, 440ci, 426 Hemi (1971 only) | High — 1971 Hemi is the last of the breed; 1972+ less collectible |
The 2nd gen (1968–1970) is the iconic Charger — the car most people picture when they hear "Dodge Charger." The 1968 model starred in Bullitt with Steve McQueen. The 1969 General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard is one of the most famous TV cars ever. The 426 Hemi was available 1966–1971; only ~600 Hemi Chargers were built.
Production Numbers
| Year | Total Production | R/T Production | Hemi Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | ~37,300 | N/A | ~270 (426 Wedge) | First year; fastback; 4-door hardtop available |
| 1967 | ~15,700 | N/A | ~118 (426 Hemi) | Low production; fastback styling didn't sell well; rare |
| 1968 | ~96,100 | ~17,700 | ~475 | All-new 2nd gen; R/T introduced; Bullitt movie; huge sales jump |
| 1969 | ~89,200 | ~14,800 | ~567 | General Lee year; Charger Daytona introduced; 503 Daytonas built |
| 1970 | ~49,800 | ~9,500 | ~42 (Hemi R/T) | Last 2nd-gen year; 440 Six Pack introduced; production declining |
| 1971 | ~82,600 | ~7,300 | ~356 (all Hemi) | All-new 3rd gen; last year for 426 Hemi; split grille |
| 1972 | ~75,600 | N/A (R/T dropped) | N/A | Hemi gone; 440 detuned; Rallye package replaces R/T |
| 1973 | ~119,900 | N/A | N/A | Highest production year; 440 still available but detuned |
| 1974 | ~69,800 | N/A | N/A | Final classic Charger year; 360ci introduced; muscle era over |
Production data from Chrysler Corporation. The 1967 Charger is the rarest (~15,700) — the fastback styling was unpopular. The 1969 Charger Daytona (503 built) is the rarest and most valuable Charger variant. Total Hemi Charger production across all years: ~2,000 (all body styles). The 1971 3rd-gen Hemi (~356) is the last of the breed.
Engine Specifications
| Engine | Displacement | Years | HP | Torque | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 318ci V8 | 318ci | 1967–1974 | 230–275 | 340–375 | Base V8; reliable but no performance appeal |
| 340ci V8 | 340ci | 1971–1974 | 240–275 | 340–375 | Small-block; good power/weight; rare in Charger |
| 383ci V8 | 383ci | 1966–1971 | 290–335 | 390–425 | Most common big-block; good value; decent performance |
| 440ci Magnum | 440ci | 1967–1971 | 375 | 480 | R/T standard engine; excellent torque; most common R/T engine |
| 440 Six Pack | 440ci | 1969–1971 | 390 | 490 | 3x2-barrel carbs; nearly as fast as Hemi; rare and valuable |
| 426 Hemi | 426ci | 1966–1971 | 425 | 490 | The holy grail; dual plugs, twin 4-barrels; race engine; ~600 in Chargers |
| 426 Wedge | 426ci | 1966 | 365 | 470 | Pre-Hemi 426; rare; only in 1966 first-gen |
The 426 Hemi is the most legendary American muscle car engine — dual spark plugs per cylinder, twin 4-barrel carbs, hemispherical combustion chambers. Rated at 425hp but actually produced ~470hp. Only ~600 Hemi Chargers were built across all years. The 440 Six Pack (390hp) is nearly as fast and 30–40% cheaper. The 440 Magnum (375hp) is the best value R/T engine.
R/T, Daytona, and Super Bee: The Performance Packages
The R/T was the Charger's performance package: heavy-duty suspension, larger brakes, R/T badges, and a choice of 440 Magnum (375hp), 440 Six Pack (390hp), or 426 Hemi (425hp). The R/T was standard with a 4-speed or TorqueFlite automatic. The 1968–1970 R/T is the most collectible Charger. Total R/T production: ~42,000 across all years, but Hemi R/Ts are only ~600.
The Charger Daytona was built for NASCAR homologation — 503 produced. Features: 23-inch tall nose cone, massive rear wing, flush rear window, special trim. Engine: 440 Magnum (375hp) standard, 426 Hemi (425hp) optional (~70 Hemi Daytonas built). The Daytona was the first car to exceed 200 mph in NASCAR. Today, a Hemi Daytona is worth $300,000–$500,000 (#2). The 440 Daytona is $180,000–$280,000 (#2).
The Super Bee was Dodge's budget muscle car — based on the Coronet (1968–1970) then the Charger (1971). The 1971 Charger Super Bee featured the 383 Magnum (335hp) standard, with 440 Six Pack and 426 Hemi optional. Only ~5,054 Super Bees were built across all years. The 1971 Charger Super Bee is the rarest and most valuable — ~2,700 built, with Hemi versions worth $150,000+.
Market Values by Condition (2026)
| Variant | #1 Concours | #2 Excellent | #3 Good | #4 Fair | 5-Year Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 Charger Daytona 426 Hemi | $600,000 | $400,000 | $250,000 | $120,000 | +70% |
| 1969 Charger Daytona 440 Magnum | $350,000 | $250,000 | $150,000 | $70,000 | +60% |
| 1970 Charger R/T 426 Hemi | $300,000 | $200,000 | $120,000 | $55,000 | +55% |
| 1968–1969 Charger R/T 426 Hemi | $280,000 | $180,000 | $110,000 | $50,000 | +50% |
| 1971 Charger R/T 426 Hemi | $250,000 | $170,000 | $100,000 | $45,000 | +48% |
| 1970 Charger R/T 440 Six Pack | $120,000 | $85,000 | $48,000 | $21,000 | +42% |
| 1968–1969 Charger R/T 440 Magnum | $90,000 | $62,000 | $35,000 | $15,000 | +35% |
| 1970 Charger R/T 440 Magnum | $85,000 | $58,000 | $32,000 | $14,000 | +33% |
| 1971 Charger R/T 440 Magnum | $75,000 | $52,000 | $28,000 | $12,000 | +30% |
| 1971 Charger Super Bee 440 Six Pack | $110,000 | $75,000 | $42,000 | $18,000 | +40% |
| 1971 Charger Super Bee 383 | $65,000 | $45,000 | $24,000 | $10,000 | +28% |
| 1968–1970 Charger 383 Hardtop | $55,000 | $38,000 | $20,000 | $8,500 | +25% |
| 1966–1967 Charger 440 Hardtop | $50,000 | $35,000 | $18,000 | $7,500 | +22% |
| 1966–1967 Charger 383 Hardtop | $40,000 | $27,000 | $14,000 | $5,500 | +20% |
| 1972–1974 Charger 440 Hardtop | $35,000 | $24,000 | $12,000 | $5,000 | +18% |
| 1968–1970 R/T 440 Convertible | $150,000 | $100,000 | $58,000 | $25,000 | +38% |
Values from Mecum, Barrett-Jackson, and Bring a Trailer sold data (2024–2026). The 1969 Hemi Daytona is the most valuable muscle car in the world — only ~70 built. The 426 Hemi Charger is the holy grail — ~600 built across all years. The 440 Magnum R/T is the best value — same R/T package, 80% of the performance, 60% cheaper than Hemi. Convertibles are extremely rare (only ~900 R/T convertibles built) and command 60–80% premium.
Value Trend Chart (2020–2026)
Dodge Charger Average Values (#2 Condition)
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 R/T Hemi (#2) | 130000 | 150000 | 170000 | 185000 | 195000 | 200000 | 200000 |
| 1970 R/T 440 Six Pack (#2) | 55000 | 65000 | 75000 | 80000 | 83000 | 85000 | 85000 |
| 1968–69 R/T 440 Magnum (#2) | 42000 | 50000 | 56000 | 60000 | 61000 | 62000 | 62000 |
Charger vs GTO vs Chevelle: The Big Three
| Factor | Charger R/T Hemi | Pontiac GTO Judge | Chevelle SS 454 LS6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Chrysler B-body | GM A-body | GM A-body |
| Top Engine | 426 Hemi (425hp) | 400 Ram Air IV (370hp) | 454 LS6 (450hp) |
| Torque | 490 lb-ft | 445 lb-ft | 500 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | ~5.1 sec | ~5.5 sec | ~5.3 sec |
| Quarter Mile | 13.5 @ 105 mph | 14.0 @ 100 mph | 13.7 @ 104 mph |
| Weight | ~3,800 lbs | ~3,600 lbs | ~3,800 lbs |
| Hemi/Judge/LS6 Production | ~600 (all years) | ~11,100 (all years) | ~4,475 (1 year) |
| Value (#2, top variant) | $180,000–$200,000 | $75,000–$100,000 | $150,000–$200,000 |
| Rarity | Rarest of the three | Most common | One year only |
The 426 Hemi Charger is the fastest and rarest of the Big Three muscle cars — and the most valuable. The Hemi's dual-plug, twin-carb design gives it a power advantage that the LS6 and Ram Air IV can't match. The Charger is also heavier, but the Hemi's power more than compensates. The Charger R/T 440 Magnum is the smart buy — 80% of the performance at 30% of the Hemi price.
Key Option Codes (RPO)
Dodge Charger RPO Codes
| Code | Name / Description |
|---|---|
L2 | 426 Hemi V8 425hp; dual plugs, twin 4-barrels; race engine; ~600 in Chargers; 1966–1971 |
L6 | 440 Six Pack V8 390hp; 3x2-barrel carbs; nearly as fast as Hemi; 1969–1971; rare |
L5 | 440 Magnum V8 375hp; 480 lb-ft; R/T standard engine; most common R/T engine |
L4 | 383 Magnum V8 290–335hp; most common big-block; good value; decent performance |
D21 | 4-Speed Manual (A833) Close-ratio; preferred over automatic; standard on Hemi |
D32 | TorqueFlite 727 3-speed automatic; strong; common on non-Hemi cars |
Dana 60 | Dana 60 Rear Axle Standard on Hemi and Six Pack; strongest rear axle; 3.54 or 4.10 gears |
A36 | Performance Axle Package 3.54:1 or 4.10:1 gears; Sure-Grip limited-slip; essential for performance |
J42 | Power Disc Brakes Front disc; standard on R/T; optional on others |
N10 | Dual Exhaust Standard on R/T; adds performance and sound |
V21 | Performance Hood Functional scoops on R/T; Hemi gets special hood with scoop |
A01 | R/T Package Road/Track: HD suspension, R/T badges, 440 or Hemi; 1968–1971 |
A13 | Super Bee Package Budget muscle; 383 standard, 440/Hemi optional; 1971 Charger only |
V8X | Charger Daytona Package NASCAR aero: nose cone, wing, flush window; 503 built; 1969 only |
Buying Guide
- Best investment: 1968–1970 Charger R/T 426 Hemi
- The holy grail of muscle cars; 425hp; ~600 built across all years
- $180,000–$200,000 (#2); appreciating 15–20% annually
- Verify Hemi-specific parts: dual plugs, twin carbs, Dana 60 rear, build sheet
- Best aero: 1969 Charger Daytona 440 Magnum
- NASCAR homologation; 503 built; wing and nose cone
- $250,000 (#2); the most extreme muscle car ever built
- Verify Daytona-specific parts: nose cone, wing, rear window, fender vents
- Best value: 1968–1970 Charger R/T 440 Magnum
- 375hp 440ci; same R/T package as Hemi; $58,000–$62,000 (#2)
- 80% of the performance at 30% of the Hemi price
- Most common R/T engine; easier to find and restore
- Best Six Pack: 1970 Charger R/T 440 Six Pack
- 390hp with 3x2-barrel carbs; nearly as fast as Hemi
- $85,000 (#2); 40% cheaper than Hemi
- Verify Six Pack-specific parts: intake manifold, carbs, air cleaner
- Best first-gen: 1966–1967 Charger 440 Hardtop
- Unique fastback styling; 350hp 440ci; $35,000 (#2)
- Affordable entry to Charger ownership; rare (especially 1967)
- Good for collectors who want something different from 2nd gen
- Best entry point: 1968–1970 Charger 383 Hardtop
- 290–335hp 383ci; 2nd gen styling; $38,000 (#2)
- Not an R/T but has the iconic 1968–1970 look
- Can upgrade to 440/Hemi later, but numbers-matching is worth more
- Best Super Bee: 1971 Charger Super Bee 383
- Budget muscle; 335hp 383ci; $45,000 (#2)
- Only ~2,700 built; rare and rising in value
- Verify Super Bee-specific parts: decals, hood, suspension
- Avoid: 1972–1974 Charger with 318ci 2-barrel
- 150–230hp; no performance appeal; not collectible
- Only buy as a cheap project or parts car
- Better to buy a 1966–1967 first-gen than a 1972+ 318
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the 426 Hemi and why is it so special?
- The 426 Hemi (1964–1971) was Chrysler's race engine with hemispherical combustion chambers, dual spark plugs per cylinder, and twin 4-barrel carburetors. Rated at 425hp but actually produced ~470hp. It was designed for NASCAR racing and dominated the sport. Only ~7,000 Hemi engines were installed in production cars across all Chrysler brands (Dodge, Plymouth), making it the rarest and most desirable muscle car engine.
- Was the General Lee a real Charger?
- Yes — the General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard was a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T. The show used over 300 Chargers during its run (1979–1985), destroying most of them in stunt jumps. This has made real 1969 Chargers more valuable and rarer. The General Lee is typically an orange 1969 Charger with a Confederate flag on the roof, "01" on the doors, and a push bar on the front.
- What is the Charger Daytona?
- The 1969 Charger Daytona was built for NASCAR homologation — Dodge needed to build 500 for street use to race the aero package. It featured a 23-inch nose cone, massive rear wing, flush rear window, and special fender vents. Only 503 were built. The Daytona was the first car to exceed 200 mph in NASCAR. A Hemi Daytona (~70 built) is worth $300,000–$500,000+ today.
- Are Charger and Plymouth GTX the same car?
- They share the Chrysler B-body platform, but they are different cars with different styling, interiors, and trim. The GTX was Plymouth's version of the Charger R/T — same engines (440, Hemi) but different body. The GTX was positioned as the "gentleman's muscle car" while the Charger was more aggressive. Both are highly collectible; the Charger is worth 10–20% more due to pop culture fame.
- Why is the Charger more expensive than the GTO or Chevelle SS?
- Three reasons: (1) The 426 Hemi is the most legendary engine — only ~600 Hemi Chargers vs ~600 LS6 Chevelles, but the Hemi has more mystique. (2) Pop culture — Bullitt and Dukes of Hazzard made the Charger iconic. (3) The Daytona is the rarest and most extreme muscle car — 503 built with a wing and nose cone. The Charger R/T 440 Magnum is actually comparable in price to a GTO Judge or Chevelle SS 396.
Get an AI-powered valuation for your Dodge Charger — free, instant, based on real auction data.
Value My ChargerSources & References
- Hagerty Price Guide — Valuation Tools — Independent valuation data by condition grade #1-#4
- Bring a Trailer — Auction Results — Real-world auction sale prices for market comparison
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