I have owned a 1971 Dodge Charger now for almost 15 years. Recently I got a hold of a 1969 Dodge Charger and have been enjoying both cars a lot this last several months. I have had some people ask me about the differences in both cars and have performed my own evaluation of both body styles. Both Chargers have good and bad points.

I am not really good with words and have no professional back ground in engineering or driving. I'll try to keep things in order as I rate both cars.

Both Chargers are standard 318 Automatic cars with AC.

Comfort:

After 2 months of driving both cars and having passengers I find that the 1969 Dodge Charger is a much more comfortable car to drive and ride in then the 1971. It seems to have more leg room and is easier to get in and out of. Passengers in the backseat seem to have more room. It is easier to get in and out of the backseat. The front seats tip straight forward unlike the 1971 where they angle. Only one side of the backseat can exit at one time in the 1971.

The 1971 is still a comfortable car to drive but not as well as the 69 plain and simple.

Score: 69-2  71-1

Visibility:

I find this to be a mixed finding. The 1971 has a terrible blind spot to the passenger rear wheel area for the driver. You can miss a car in the other lane very easy! The front hood area on the 71 gives excellent view.

The 1969 has no side to side blind spots that I can find and visibility is good but you seem to be sunk down some in the cab and the hood is higher and front end visibility is not as good as the 71! Its still not bad.

Score  69-1  71-2

Aerodynamics:

We all know both body styles were NASCAR legends and built for the high speed ovals.

Both cars will flat go down the highway and handle PERFECT!

Wind seems to be almost non-existant in the 71 with the windows down. I think one could light a cigarette running down the highway with little or no effort.

The 69 seems to do something odd with the wind and I feel the wind blow from behind me as I drive down the highway with the windows down. Its not a terrible amount of wind just a slight breeze.

I think the 71 may beat the 69 in aerodynamics which may be due to the banning of the Daytona's and Dodge trying to make a better aerodynamic Charger for 71.

Score  69-2  71-3

Handling:

Now both these cars are standard 318 cars. Non RT suspensions so my findings may not be right when comparing RT to RT!

Both Chargers are PERFECT overall but in my findings   the 71 in a road race situation I feel would run circles around the 69. I feel more comfortable cornering in the 71. It seems to hold the road much better then the 69. The 69 seems to be rather stiff. But this could also be because I have drove the 71 now for 15 years and have only had the 69 for a few months.

On the highway the 71 does very good but I actually like the 69 on the highway much better then ANY other vehicle I own! The 69 is a dream on the highway and I bet on the NASCAR track the 69 would be awesome to drive. The 69 is really comfortable on the highway. I live in Kansas and we tend to have lots of wind. The 69 seems to hold the road straight in high wind and doesnt make you work to keep it on the road. Its better then any vehicle I own on the highway! The 71 will still run down the highway with little or no problem with the wind but I do enjoy the 69 more on the highway!

In the end both generations are excellent in everyway. I would not hesitate to travel in either car. If a certain situation was called for I wouldnt hesitate to take either Charger over 100+mph as they seem to get better with speed.

At any given time each Charger is capable of beating the other as they both have advantages and dis-advantages that in the end really make them both equal!

Maybe now I need to buy a 67 to complete the triangle!

Todd

10-18-2002